The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-08-28
Yhe Black KIjlfs Explorations.
A GOOD FARMING COUNTRY DISCOVERED
THE HILLS Full. OF IRDS. PICSIBAGO.
GOLD, AND OTHER MINERALS.


ST. PAU. Aug. 22.-The report of Cen
Custer to the Department Commander. da-
ted Bear Valley, Black Hills, Dakota Ter
litory. August 18th, WAS received this
morning at General Teuy's headquarters.
After detailing his operations and cNYlDtl-
tions, and the finding in one direction of an
i'm paSsahle barrier which was finally cir
cumvented, the General says: 1 propose
to return by different. although perhaps
not shorter route than tlat adopted iD tuIn-
ing TO the Black Hills. / am induced to
make this charge in order to embrace a
large extent of UneXplored country within
the limits Of our explorations, and partiou-
larly to enable us to locate as much as posi-
bic of that portion of the Little Missouri of
which nothing il now known. | expect
the expedition to reach Fort Lincoln on
the 31st Of August. The health Of the
command has been ani is most excellent.
This expedition entered the Black Hills
from the west side, penetrating through
the eastern and most southern ranges, ex-
plOred the major portions of the interior
and passed out of the most eastern ranges,
which form the boundary Of the Black
Hills. From the fact that in all our pIin-
cipal marches through the Black Hills we
have taken, without serious obstacle, IL
heavily laden train Of over one hundred
wagons, il may be inferred that the Black
regions heretofore represented. Entering
the Black Hills fTCm any direction, the
most serious, if not only, obstacles were
encountered once ncarthe outer base. This
probably accounts for the mystery which
has so long existed regarding the character
of the interior. Exploring parties have con-
tented themselves with marching arosnd
their base, and from the forb:ddIHg aspect
Of the hills, as viewed at a distance, infer
a II adv l.,a it,t tpl. ion.
would only encounter Increased obstacles.
In regard to.
TIE CHARACTER OF TIE COUNTRY
enclosed by the Black Hills, | can only re-
peat what / have stated in previous dis
patches. No portion OF the United States
can boast of a richer or better paSturagc
or purer water, the natural temperature Of
which III summer, as it flows from tie
earth, is but twelve degrees above the frccz-
ing point, and of greater advantage gencr-
ally TO farmers or stock ra:Scrs than are TO
lie found in the Bacl. Hills. Building stone
Of the best quality is to lie found in mex
hauStible quantities, and wood for fuel and
lumber sufficient for all time to come.
Rains are frequent, with no evidences in
the country of either -dTouth or frc>hetS
he seasons, perhaps, are too short and
the nights too cool for corn. but | believe
all other grain could be produced here in
wonderful abundance Wheat would par
ticulaIly yield largely There is 40 doubt
as to the existence of
NARIOCS MINERALS
throughout the hills. rs this subject has
received tho eSpcCn.i attention Of experts
who accompanied th. expedition. and Will
be reported upon j.. detail, vii! only men
tion the fact that ion and gumbaoo have
been found, and hr,.> Of gypsum Of anna
rcntly incXhaustih'e quantity. | referred
IN fCrmor dispatch to the discovery of
gold. Subsequent examinations at uIuLcI-
ous points confirm and strengthen the fact
Of the existence OF gold in the Dlacll Hills.
On some Of tho water courses almost every
pan fUiI OF earth produced gold in small
yet paying quantities. Our brief halts in
rapid marching prevents anything but
very haSty examination Of the country i'm
this respect, but ia one riace. and the only
one within my knowledge where so great
depth was reached, hole was dug eight
feet deep. The miners report they found
gold among the roots Of the grass. and from
tiat point TO tie lower point reached gold
was found in paying quantities. 1t does
not need an expert to lind gold in the Black
iiIiiS, rs men without former experience in
mining have discovered it at an EXPENSE of
tGt little time or labor. is an evidence
Of tho
RICH PAsTURAGu
TO hc found in this rcgior. | can state ihat
lay beef herd, after marching upwards; cr
s'% hundred miles, is in letter condition
Than when / STATED, being now a. fat as is
consistent with a maIclirg condition. The
sumo may be said OF the mules Of The ,yar-
on tIain. / he hOIscr ..f The command -,
il good working condition. u.,ro never
seen as many deer aS IN the Black Hills
Llk and bear have also been Killed. We
have had no collision with hostile Indians.
g. y. CUSTER,