Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1909-03-06
Lost Opportunities.

From information our reporter has re
ceived since last issue in regard to the
misfortunes of the late Commercial Club,
the CHRoSIcLE does not blame its former
members in hesitating to join another
club. Yet there is urgent need for such
an organization If we would keep pace
with our sister cities.
Our citizens can unite and work in
harmony with very small expense. In
fact, the only salaried officers need be
recorder and secretary. A little money
will be necessary for printed stationery,
postage stamps and few incidentals
that may accrue. Our fair city has not
yet reached its zenith of wealth and
population requiring an arstocratic club
house equipped with baths, billiard ia :
bles and white-bibed walters; but its
present status does demand a compact
organization to work, not play-to foster
business enterprises, not for display or
pleasure. Shall we get busy, or not?
If we cannot meet in the courthouse
or school-room, the weather will soon
be warm enough to assemble in the
valley and place our sentinels upon the
mountain top to observe the approach
of immigrants who may come by tortu-
ous paths and devious ways-as some
ancient orders have done before US.
Merely to keep the matter before the
public we will cite two instances Of lost
opportunities coming under our report
er's observation since his advent among
us. A gentleman came into the CHRoN-
icLE office and inquired about property
here, stating he would like to buy 10
acre tract for garden truck and vinyard.
He informed US that he was carpenter
and could make his own improvements
in the way of buildings, etc. There be-
ing no realty agents advertisements in
the CHRONICLE, and the reporter being
stranger to the city and its environ
ments, could not give him definite infor
nation thereupon the would-be invest
or departed that night for Edgemont.
Had there been Municipal League
in existence, having necessary data at
hand, to whom our reporter could have
steered this gentleman, We might have
landed him, and possibly other citizens,
without any cash outlay upon our part.
He had all appearance of being an in
dustrious person, and no doubt would
have become an energetic citizen. His
conversation led us to believe he had
$4,000 to invest-not large sum, yet
worth striving for, in any community.
Another instance: One day at the
depot, in conversation with young man
seeking work. he stated that he was a
basket maker by trade. He had no cap
ital but if he could secure work for a
few months till he could get little cash
anead, he would get stock of material
and establish in a small way basket
factory in Custer. He was pleased with
! the appearance of our little city and
thought he could make fair living sup
plying adjacent towns and the Northern
Hills with market, lunch and fruit bask
cts. While he realized there would not
be big money in such a factory he said
| it could be made remunerative for few
persons. With little assistance at the
proper time, this young man might haye
become benefit to the town.
We might name several places that
have become good manufacturing towns
and cities through the hustling qualities
of her citizens in fostering small enter
prises. When a stranger desires to in
vest within our domain we should be in
shape to extend the glad hand and rem
der assistance if necessary, in placing
before him to best advantage the com
modify which he seeks. No matter
what man has-whether "money
marbles or chalk; and has the appear
ance of being reputable when he enter
within our gates-we should .'cinch'
him and encourage him TO abide will
and become one Of the populace.