The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1873-1875, 1874-08-19
TIFF BEAUTIFUL LAND OF
THE DAK0TAS.
What a Tribune Correspondent
Saw in the Black Hills.
HILLS GLISTENING IN THE SUN,
AS IF SET BY GEMS OF
SILVER.
All is not Gold that Glitters, and yet
Gold is Found.
CusTER's VALLEY,

CusrER's VALLEY,
BLACK HILLS, Aug Goth, 1874.
Special correspondence, Bismarck Tribune.
On the 10th ult. the march was re-
sumed from Short Pine Greek in a
westerly direction, over the ridge into
the valley of the Little Missouri, thence
south up the river for about twenty
miles and leaving it again on our
right.
THE LITTLE MISSOURI.
This river rises in Wyoming and runs
in a south westerly direction through
Western Dakota, and empties into the
Missouri above Fort Berthold. 1t is a
crooked and turbid stream, its banks
covered with fair growth of timber.
The valley Of the Little Missouri is
pretty to the eye, but judging from the
parched condition of the grass drouth
prevails to an alarming extent. 1t
could be easily irrigated, however, and
in that case must be exceedingly pro-
ductive.
Thirty miles were marched on the
10th, and a dry camp at night. The
camps on the 18th and 18th, were made
in the bad lands, which need no de-
scriptior. Here they are about five
miles wide, however, and range north Of
the hills. " -
THE BLACK HILLS. q. .. :
On the 18th, er the first time the
BLACK Hills were seen. On the 10th,
we camped on the Belle Fourche River,
near the camp of Capt. Reynolds, which
was made fifteen years previous to a
day. The camp is on, the Belle Fourche
the North Fork of the CheYenne-and
in the skirts of the Hills. Here we
laid over Sunday, being delayed by a
fearful rain storm which lasted from
Saturday until Sunday afternoon.
From Bitter Greek to the Belle
Fourche, distance of about eight miles,
the Hills were of sand stone founda-
ton, perfectly barren excepting few
pine trees, and were covered with a
thin layer Of black ashes, resembling
fine coal, from which they take their
name.
THE WESTERN PASS.
On the 21st, after ascending the ridge
on the south side of the Belle Fourche
we came into beautiful tract of table
land and after crossing this, reached
the west pass into the Black Hills,
which is smaller but beautiful valley.
From the pass to Beaver Greek is con-
tinuous chain Of valleys, which, though
not extensive, would make the finest
kind Of farms.
With the exception of small tract
lying south of the Red Water Greek,
which is red sand and mari, the soil is
deep black loan, extremely produc-
tive. Heavy dews fall-so heavy that
good crops could be produced without
drop of rain, while the facilities for
stock growing are unsurpassed.
Inexhaustable beds lof gypsum, in
some instances 25 feet thick, and as
pure as crystal, are found here. :
BEAVER CREEK.
This small stream empties into the
South Fork Of the Cheyenne, and de-
rives it's name from its Inhabitants
the beaver. The valley is extremely
beautiful and highly productive.
Mt. INYAN KARA,
was visited by Gen. Custer and staff,
one of the reporters and the scientific
crops, escorted by two companies Of cav
airy. Col. Ludlow with much difficulty
reached the highest point of the noun
tain, leading his horse, and high on its
f1inty side cut the following name and
character, viz: "Custer." !" "74.''