Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1910-08-04
A NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENT
GRAPHICALLY PORTRAYS
ITS RESOURCES
RICHEST SPOT IN COUNTRY
The Various and Wonderful Mineral
Deposits of the Region are
Probably UnequaIed
Anywhere
(M. L. ZOOK.)

1t Is common saying that" The
Black Hills country is the richest one
hundred square miles in the world in |
natural resources and those who
have never visited this section OF
South Dakota little realize the truth
of this saying.
The past few years, since the ad-
vent of the cross-state railway lines,
is witnessing a wonderful develop
ment. At Custer in the heart of the
Mills are the great mica deposits which
are being worked by several COM
panies, which have combined
monthly pay roll of over $10,00O.CO,
and the product finds a ready market
because of its superior quality. "A
large office building for the various
companies is soon to be erected in the
city to which the offices are to be re-
moved from the mines, which are
within radius of seven miles.
Near Mystic there is perhaps one
of the greatest deposits of mineral
paint to be found in the country, and
within a short time the product will
become an important CONNIE: cial
commodity.
At various places in the Hills some
very good specimens of Telegraph
stone have been found and it is ie-
lieved that when these quarries are
fully developed a quality equal to the
best Bavaran stone will be found.
In the northern Hills are the gold
mines, but the operations of the varl-
Gus mining companies are confined to
very small district in the vicinity
of Deadwood and Lead, and little is
known of the possibilities of any 9TH
err part. .....
Among the western hills we'll Over
into Wyoming are the immense coal
fields that are already an important
factor in the western coal trade The
extension of the RaDid City and Rig
Bend railroad which is now being
surveyed westward from Mystic will
| increase the Importance of these coal
deposits and cheaper the Price of fuel
for the various manufacturing enter
prises which are springing into ev-
| istence. In these western and north
ern hilsl are still large bodies Of fine
timber which has been protected by
the government. though sufficient
may be obtained for home consnmp-
ton and the competition thus afford
ed has a tendency to equalize lumber
prices to the consumer.
For manv years the southern hills
and especially Fall River county was
known only as great cattle range
| and the town of Oel"ichs was the
shipping point At one time tie popu-
lation of the town was estimated at
nearly 1000 peorle and en- Dyed a
boom like that of many other western
| towns. AS years passed the ranges
| became overstocked by the immense
herds of cattle and for a few years
were considered practically worn out
and the herds were removed farther
northward and Oelrichs and Fall Riv-
er county for several years We're only
remem brance of former times. the
only important point on the NAV he
ing Hot SPRINGS. There were, how
ever, a few citizens left in the com
try who were either too poor to get
out Of the country, or were more far
sighted than others who remained and
demonstrated the possibilities OF the
soil for cultivation and in time at
tracted the sturdy farmers from the
older states until now the vicinity of
Oelrichs has become a vast area OF
| growing grain and today the town has
taken up its place as one of the hest
agricultural towns in western Sonth
Dakota with a steady and substantial
growth.
The section has been we'll favored
with rainfall this. as in most former
years, and the farmers elated owe"
the prospects. Harvesting Of smo7l
grain is we'll adviced and those who
imagined that corn could not be sue
cessfully raised in that altitude should
take look at the numerous corn
fields now and later on in the year
Buffalo Gap at the junction of the
Hot Springs line of the G. & N. w
R. R. is little less favored than it
sister Oelrichs owing to it's location
at the base of the eastern foot hills
but 1t has plenty Of natural resources
awaiting DEVELOPMENT. East of the
city lies a fine farming section. how.
ever. which is capable of surpo-tir E
a very good town. 1t has a good flo r
ing mill and grain elevator. two goo
banks one of which. The Citi ems 1
building splendid home of native
stone gathered from the gor west %
town, which would be cred table n :
town many times its sire. RuTal-
Gap was recently incorporated undo,
an Independent city government an
manv public Improvements are con
templated.
The natural distributing point fo1
the whole Black Hills country Is. o
course, Rapid City, which has the hes
Wilmot-Knute Hegna, while drill
ing an arteslan we'll on the farm o
Hans Jensen, near here. dscovere: