Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1911-10-28
THE PRESIDENT AT CUSTER.
Interested in the Black Hills--Synopsis
of His Remarks,

ucut iTou tnat point 10 Subter, report
very enjoyable trip.
At Edgemont the citizens had planned
for the entertainment of the visitors
who were to be in the city on the even.
ing prior to the Presidents arrival. An
orchestra furnished excellent music in
the hall which was secured for the occa-
sion, and after all trains had arrived,
there was gathering at which Senator
Gamble, Congressman Martin and other
speakers gave very interesting talks con-
cerning South Dakota in general and the
Black Hills in particular.
After the train passed Minnekahta, at
which point the Hot Springs delegation
left the Presidents special, Messrs. Car
rigan and lines were introduced to the
President in his private car and they
state that his greeting was most cordial.
The President at once asked questions
concerning the size of Custer; what the
principal resources of the locality were
and what the people did to make liv-
ing He appeared much interested to
learn that Custer was the oldest town in
the Black Hills and that it was at this
point where gold was first discovered in
South Dakota. He was surprised to
know that at Custer there were some of
the best mica mines in the world and
that the mica mines of this locality could
supply the entire demand for mica. He
was especially interested in learning
that there were tin mines in the Black
Hills and stated that in one of the Brit
ish Colonies which he had visited,
where they mined tin, that the Govern
ment received royalty from the mines
and that the people were exceedingly
well to do, having no taxes whatever to
pay, and that the resources of the mines
paid all the expenses of the Government
as well as building excellent roads and
paying the expenses of all public i'm
provements.
The questions asked by the President
indicated clearly that the object of his
trip was to get in touch with the people
and learn, from first hand information,
what the peoples needs are. He was
exceedingly jovial throughout the entire
conversation and related several inter.
esting stories concerning his political ex
periences in the Philippine Islands and |
in this country.
He remarked on more than one occa-
sion as to the extent to which he enjoy
ed the bracing mountain air and on the |
entire trip from Minnekahta to Custer
showed keen interest in the excellent
mountain scenery, stating that he would |
like to come to this country for "a camp
ing trip, and wished to know particular
ly if we had good hunting and fishing in
the Hills.
AS indicated by the great sign which !
spanned the railroad track and was dec
Grated by American flags, President Taft |
was welcome in Custer when he arrived |
at 9:l5 a. m., on October 2lst.
When his special train stopped, he
was greeted with loud cheers from all
the crowd of children, citizens and a
large number of settlers, many of whom
had travelled great distances to be pres
ent on the occasion.
The President was introduced by Con-
gresham Eben w. Martin, who stated
briefly that this was the first time the
people of the Black Hills had been hon.
ored by visit from the Chief Executive.
The Presidents remarks were brief but
to the point and the sincerity of his
words carried with them great weight
and had a telling effect upon his audi
ence. He spoke in brief as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen of Custer Il
am very glad to meet you this morning,
and / wish to thank you for coming out
and giving me your greetings. l under
stand that this country is mostly taken
up by Forest Reserve, and 1 hope that
the policy of the Forest Service has be-
come such that the people are reconcilsd
to it and have como to understand its
usefulness. The truth is we are coming
to be on better terms with each other.
In the past, the people of the East had
the idea that all natural resources should
be held for future generations and that
they should sit on the natural resources
of the West until their grandchildren
were old enough to enjoy the benefits
of them. 1t is my opinion that if We
are to have grandchildren at all, we
must derive some of the benefits our
selves"
He stated further that the misunder-
standings and differences of opinion
that necessarily arose from the starting
of a new policy are fast becoming thing
of the past, and he expressed the hope
that medium had been found which
will give satisfaction to all. That Mr..
Fisher, Secretary of the Interior, had
been out here among US for the purpose
of becoming thoroughly acquainted with
our needs and to better understand the
policies which should control the natural
resources of the public lands. He stated
that he had come among Us for the same
purpose, and found that generally when
people come together and talk things
over, there is, as rule, but little differ
snces of opinion; also that every effort
would be made to give the present gen.
Grafton the proper benefit of their share
of the Worlds goods, and where the Ma
tional Government retains control OF