Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-03-26

The Beauties Of Custer and Vicinity
The Needles and Calamity Peak.
Beccher's Monument and Wind
Cave. The Elk Point Colony
near Custer.
Custer. S. D.. Mar. ID, 1903.

UNION COUNTY COUkIER
Reading a short time ago IN 'ile
CorrKIER of one of Uncle Sam monn-
ments. located near this town remind
ed me that in all likelihood, II might oe
interesting to some of your many ftaoeis
to read from the pen OF an old ieisi-
Dor now on the ground. parta' oe
scription of few of the many inleiest'l's
things t. be seen and enjoyed IN tit's
part of the great state OF South Dak"'a
or course these of the COURIER family
who have been SO fortunate as to see Tue
Black Hills, are aware that THESE
counties seem like another country eh-
tirely outside of our state. The Things "
be seen here can not be seen IN lie"
days. have been here something more
then two years, and still | see ln every
place new beauties and wonders 10
admire.
have been engaged in numbering the
past three months right at The base OF
Harney's Peak. which, by it's great rep
utation, as well as in fact, over shad-
ows the less heralded but most oeautl
fol Sylvan Lake. This lovely spot,
where commodious hotel is maintained
for the sole use of tourists, is said by al
who behold it and who have had The
opportunity TO see both. 10 rival any
"A pine resort. Also this near vicinity is
graced by a series of slightly lower but
more picturesque peaks .han Harvey.
known as The Needles, among them
the stately, tower-like, bare rock, up
whose shet r, almost perpendicular side.
the intrepid Calamity Jane is said to
have climbed, thus giving il its name.
"Calamity Peak" Then about fifteen
miles 10 the south may be seen from
the car window, as one comes TINS way
over The Burlington railroad, what TO
me seems the finest sight in the whole
region. This is two very tall, bare, tower
like rocks, rising from their base. which
rests on the top of a high hill. to about
100 feet. These towees are about ten
feet apart al the base and lean slightly
apart as they 60 up. AS they say out
here, 1t shore makes one dizzy to look
up at thfm These beauties are call
ed on the map Beach RS Monument. -
sugge,tirg that they must have been
discovered in 1876.
Located on beautiful but elevated
plain, or rather, va l-y, for fine
mountain stream courses through il,
surrounded by the points of interest
already noted, is Custer, the highest up
in the clouds of any city in the state.
Here are located a paint mill, where
paint enough TO paint the whole state
is manufacturers; also mica plant
where are made various articles from
that mineral, including axle grease.
The town also mas two sawmiils This
county contains too the celebrated
Wind Gave, of which you have heard.
from every conceivable style of writer,
including myself. So will not tire you
in this by any attempt at description
which. in any and every case, so far, has
proved only futile.
Today, as | BOARDED the train at
Argyle, oGr Fix Point station, I met
"Chame" Hayes and wife just getting
off To go TO their claim in our colony.
This causes me TO give yon roster of
our Elk Pointers, and il it makes this
too long you can give it in instalments.
The list does not include those making
stone and timber entries. The list is as
follows, commencing at the foot OF the
class, as the names occur TO mind:
G w Pond. Lewis Merrill, VIM Huff
man. Harry Livingston. Dave FIana-
gan, John Hayes, G Hayes, Ralph
Livingston, FL Merrill, Fred Merrill.
Hugh Page, w II Pond. Chas Pond,
James Page, Joe st. Ong,, Frank Shew-
~, Frank Pennel, Frank Wilson,
leo Gray. Esther Gray, r s Pond, Fl r
Pond, Ed Vandewater, Joe Rinehart.
John Pond, Ed Pond. L Pond, John
Merrill, sr., John Merrill, IT., j C.
Brandt, Chas Tucker, Ethel Pond, Aus
IN Gray. All happy.
q w POM