Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1909-03-20
A Letter From Stanley County.
ASH CREEK, S. d. /
February 26, 1909, (

|
EDITOR CHRONICLE. I have receive,
the CHRONICLE weekly since l came an,
it is like talking to an old friend to rea,
it. thank you for so kindly reminder
ing me, in the pleasing mention 20,
gave me. l must say do find yer,
strong contrast to the Hills and hav,
not become accustomed to it yet. Tho
l may in time. An air of wild freedom
seems to prevade this broad rolling
prairie; so different from that of tn,
quiet, tranquil Hills.
There is some very fine land in thi
section of country, but it is nearly al
taken. The country is being settled uI
very rapidly. The land north and wes
of Philip is especially fine and Yields
splendid crops when seasons are at al
favorable The settlers are looking fol
excellent crops this season as there has
been an unusual amount of moisture
this winter. The nature of the soil in
this district is not Of the common prairie
SuuUO, DuI d uidChJ SdhdS iooius NCi
adaptable to farming. If there only be
damp seasons for several years, this
section will undoubtedly become one oi
the best agricultural districts in the
State. Many of the settlers are taking
their homesteads under the five year
entry, thereby putting good improve
ments on them.
Everything is in primitive but very
progressive stage, excepting the most
important of all-schools. Most of the
schools are being held in l0xl2 shacks.
No furnishings of any kind, not even a
black board or a stick of crayon. In
deed, fortunate is the school that has a
rough bench on which to seat the pupils.
But the children are very anxious to
learn and seem to realize the value of
an education. 'Twould be an incentive
to many of our children who have good
school advantages to see how these dear,
little prairie children, coming three and
four miles to school, toll and strive to
master a grade in three months, which
is the average term. A teacher certainly
has vast field to work in and right here
in these primitive districts are the best
teachers needed. Tho / don't believe
there is a teacher who, on entering her
little 10xl2 shack each morning and see
ing there so many bright, beaming, lit
tie faces, does not feel inspired to do
her utmost in instructing them in the
best possible manner.
l am holding school in my own house.
l have eleven pupils. Everyone is
bright and good. 'Tis really a great
pleasure to teach them. am enjoying
my work, though it is SO different from
have undertaken and must
admit sometimes find it little trying
l feel must persevere and Il will get
back my mete as l measure"
must tell you of some Of the towns
on the new line between Rapid City and
Pierre. There are a number of them,
among some of the larger are Wall,
Wasta, Quinn, Cottonwood, Midland,
and Philip, Philip is the largest and
best known on the line. 1t has an ex-
bright and energetic class of
people, very progressive in every line
of work do not know the population
but it has three churches, one common
and high school, two banks. two hotels,
two restaurants, two lumber yards, two
one fine opera house, three
grocery and dry goods stores, one news
and bookstore, two real estate offices,
two newspapers, one land and commits
sion Office, one passenger depot, one
freight depot, and a number of very
nice residents. The fine farming and
grazing country in proximity to it and
its industrious class of people are bound
to make it the best town in Stanley
county, in short time. At present it
is only IS months old.
read your article "Shall We?" in the
CHRONICLE, and heartily agree with you.
Custer has at the present time every in
of becoming one of the best
cities in the Hills. l did not intend to
take up space with such lengthy letter
but felt that your readers would be
to hear from the more remote
sections of our State. Though in a few
short years think this present primi-
tive region will become the most fore
most region. Let us nope SOL
Sincerely, Marguerite M. McDermott