New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-08
is THERE GOLD IN THE BLACh
HILLS!

is THERE GOLD IN THE BLACh
HILLS!
TESTIMONY ON BOTH sIDEs-THE STATEMENTS We
THE BIOLOGISTS AND THE TRADITIONS OF The
FRONTIER IN CONFIICT-AN INTERVIEW Win
AN OLD sETTLER-FUTURE OF THE BLACK HiA~
REGION.
trRoN AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNhI
CHEYENNE, Wyoming Territory, Sept %
The scientific corps attached to tho Custer
to the Black Hills say there no large quantities
gold to be found In that country The theory
by some that certain persons in and about Sioux C
and Yankton employed the prospectors to salt tpo"
prospects, on Custer" they interested In open
ing the timber lands Of that region, and wanted aso
induce q rush through Dakota, which wouid prink
moro or less money into the Territory. Mr. Hind"an,
an Indian Commissioner who has recently returneu
from the Black Hills. says 1t does not impress
him favorably az gold country. Mr.. Fox. VINO hae
been wandering through these parts IN desultory Sor
OF a WAY, accompanied M. Hindmau. The FORMER
claims experience in California mining. He says lue
Is gold found Of amount In the BLACK hhe'
On the other side OF this question Is Gen.
beside the fact that for years the traders on the
River have obtained gold dust Of Indians coming from
the interior, who, when they could be made 70 .ei
where it was found, said in the Black Hills Fatner
De smet who died not long ago IN st. Louis, ai'er
serving as missionary among the ihaano
for forty years, man Of known seracity, connrmcu
these statements. He never would divuge the exact
locality being under pledge Of secrecy to the Indians
These facts support the theory OF those who insist hat
there is gold in the Black Hills and "Why nave
the Indians guarded this secret so carefully we
know they do. When possible to get one OF them 70
speak Of It, it has been only by bribery and under prom
ises to ten the Others that would be deah 10 nc
nformer" Whether there be gold IN quantities III tnose
Hills or not certainly the Indians have believed IT, anu
the fatal to their possessions upon
its discovery by the whites
Uowever much or little the people East interested
in the matter 1t is one discussed most prominently
wherever pick 10 welded BY the honest miner IN
Utah. Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Caliornia,
and Wyoming It has been the camp talk Tor years na
rich mineral discoveries could be made IN the BLACK
Hills and Big Horn Mountains Where THIS rumor nrS'
arose no one can positively say, but 1t dates PACK "
least 20 years and has taken firm hold Already COM
NAMES are forming Of from 200 to persons in this Ter
rory and Dakota From the other Territories ana the
States prOspectors will follow.
THE BIG HORN MOUNTAIN COUNTRY SAID TO BE
RICH IN GOLD
The Black Hills prominently spoken or but they
form only small and are not the mecca 10 tue
knowing few The country of Big Horn Mountains, ex-
tending from the head waters OF the Big Horn River ana
the Rosebud north to those Of Clear Creek SOUTH Is the
more promising land. The writer knows that the color
can be found n any creek or coming out on the
east from those mountains from the Big Horn to Clear
Creek ranging from color to good pay to the pam AT
the head of Powder River there is outcrop OF quartz
good enough to make even Englishman who has in
vested in Utah prospect 1t. At the head Of
Clear Creek is the float Of copper mine,
indicating a rich lode. On the Rosebud rich
surface gold and silver quartz can be found.
At Fort Laramie north Of this the most direct commu-
picaton has been held with the Indians about the gold
in the Black Hills Here they have come for years TO
trade treat and fight those who consider that country
their hunting ground and winterng place. The most
prominent white man who has been interested In THIS
matter 10 COL Bullock for 10 20 years the sutler at
Fort Laramie, living rancho 70 miles north OF
this place on the Chug water. Almost every one in
talking Of this gold region quotes him. 1t was necessary
to interview" the Colonel and this was accordingly
DONE After hard and cold two days ride landed at
the Colopes rancho cOrnered the old gentleman, drew
pencil on him, and extracted long story, OF which
the following is portion:
TESTIMONY FROM AN OLD SETTLER.
owe never been in the Black Hills. but am certain
have traded with the Indians for gold they got there
In 1860 was the first time. squaw came into my store,
rafting something in her mouth asked what 1t was,
and she showed nugget OF gold about the size OF
gold dollar, only 1t thicker and oblong-shaped.
asked where she got it, But she shook her head ana
wouldn't tell me. She offered to trade 1t for stick OF
candy. You know sduaws are very fond Of candy. !
told my clerk to give her lot OF candy rasns ara
sugar. and try and find out where che got It, She toa
o oR Of creek up in the Black Hills She made
promise not tell the other Indians for they would
kin her II they found it out. The next thing
was in 1868. Swift Bear, Sioux, said to me ny
friend, you have always been very kind to me- ana ~
tell YOU something you won't tell the other Indians
What is tP My friend, why don't y0n over to the
Black Hills and get Of that gold You can PICK up
tin cup full In day. In 1885, Otter Tai, sioux, an
old man, told Inc he was coming from the Little
and him met sn.2 bs% If es Mne
Black Hills and got from them buckskin bag OF god
but Colonel" said /, the geologst with Gen. Gus
ter says it's not gold formation up there"
"PrOf Dana said something like that OF CALIFORNIA.
The mining engineers said they could MT find any rieh
sides Custer did not go where Otter Tail said this rch
gold place was He went to Inyankara Mountain then
Southeast and then took the back TRAIL Bear House.
or Bear Lodge, call 1t mountain, Is the nelgnnor
hood The creek is -. but you need Mt say where"
Should the country he opened 70 exploration %
minerals be found IN paying Quantities or not. II VIII
settle the Indian question In the North in any
event sufficient portion Of those who go there Will re-
main to constitute militia force, unorganized though ~
be- to protect themselves. Then the Sioux Will De no
longer on the frontier, not beyond but WITHIN the
boundary OF civilization. This will be the practca SO
luton Of how to govern the Sioux The other tribes are
only han ers-on and followers.
have hardly left myself space in which TO speak oi
probable action Of Congress or the President IN OPEN
may say Gov. Campbell has expressed the opinion
10 me that Commissioners will be appointed with IN
structons treat with the Indians in the matter Inc
Governor has frequently during his oa
lands coded Indian landsn this Territory by the SIX
teenth section OF the Treaty OF 1868 His views are
based close observation for several years OF lndah
affairs In this Territory.
CREMATION VERSUS BURIAL