Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-27
COOLIDGE ATTENDS
PIONEER PAGEANT
Historical Scenes Depicted
on "Discovery-of- Gold" Day
ct Custer, S. D.
BY j. RUSSELL YOUNG,

CUSTER. BLACK HILLS, S. OAK,
July Pin this attractive little town,
happily located in n picturesque val
ley high up in the heart of the Black
Hills, interesting and colorful eNer-
cises are being held today in the pres
ence of the President and Mrs. Cool
idge. concentrating the discovery OF
gold.
1t was So years ago that Horatio n.
Ross, who was a member OF the MILL
tary outfit conducted through these
hills. by Gen. Custer in search of gold,
washed the first glttering particles OF
this precious metal from French
Greek, which skirts the residential
section of this town in a tortuous
fashion.
Historical Pageant.
This discovery by Ross was the first
of its kind in the Black Hills, and it
resulted in the subsequent gold rushes
to other sections of the hills, and the
founding Of the town of Custer
named i'm honor of the famous Caval-
~ leader, who was SO soon after this
discovery to meet his death at the
battle with the Sioux at Little Big
Horn, Wyo.
The town of Custer is proud Of its
name and it's history and it is in order
to give evidence of this pride that the
discovery of gold here and the towns
later growth are so firtingly COM
mcmorated. The gold discovery is
being observed as nearly in accord
ance with the actual conditions Of that
romantic era as can be portrayed.
Several hundred citizens as well as
nearly half that many Sioux Indians
from the Pine Ridge agency and a
goodly number of troopers from the
4th Cavalry are taking part in the
pageant, the real feature Of Gold Dis
covery day, which depicts an impor-
tant and outstanding event in the his.
tory of Custer.
The pageant has been divided into
three parts. the first one depicting Gre
alton of the Black Hills. where, &C.
cording to legend of the hills, the
great spirit might find rest, peace
and beauty and where man might |
come and be close to his Creator"
The second part includes historical
episodes and the third, the growth of
Custer and the Black Hills section. |
These portrayals carry the history of
Custer from the primeval stage down |
to the present day. The struggles, |
hardships and successes of early pros
pectors-the growth of an attractive |
and busy city from a mining town and |
NLc AIidA tSSull VI CO-OD-
GRAFTON are being brought out in this |
large and carefully prepared pageant. |
Early Scenes Depicted.
During the first period a number of |
anterpretative dances are used, but |
the most interesting part of the eXer- |
cises, especially to the many speecta- |
tors from the East who are on hand |
for the celebration, is the portrayal of |
Ata h 81 H.
commences this period, followed by |
the arrival of troops, then by the dis. |
covery of gold by Ross. The mes
senger who carried this news to the |
outside world is shown starting on his |
mission. |
The coming of prospectors, the |
erection of the stockade to protect the
early arrivals and the difficulties ex-
perienced by these first gold seekers
are depicted. Then follows the estab- |
nshment Of the town, the mining.
town life, as well as frontier life. In
these two latter scenes the old Custer
stage coach, which has been preserved
as one of the towns relics, is being
used. Following these events will be
portrayed the establishment of cattle |
ranches in which will be shown the
roundup and other events typical of
the Western country.
The people of Custer have been pre- !
pairing for this great event for many
days. They have been holding Gold
Discovery day each year for q long
time, but they were anxious to have
tOday'S exercises especially worthy be-
cause of the presence Of the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Coolidge and the in
/ crease in attendance principally be-
cause Of the attendance of the presi-
! dental party.
After making the 18-mile ride from
the Game Lodge in automobiles the
presidential party arrived at Custer
about 10 o'clock. The main street of
the proud city was all decked out for |
the grand occasion, and great crowds |
lined the way through the town and |
to the broad slope at the south end of |
the city, upon which the celebration |
Is being held.
Gift From PrOspector.
Just prior to commencement Of the |
pageant Frank Hebert, one of the |
prospectors in the early gold rush |
days, who Is today a picturesque resi- |
dent of Custer, gave the presidential
party a demonstration Of gold PAN
ming, washing and rocking, following
which he presented to the President
and Mrs. Coolidge a small bottle con-
tanning gold dust washed by him from
French Creek.
Upon their arrival the President
and Mrs. Coolidge were acclaimed in
great fashion. The cheering followed
them on their course through the lit