Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1874-08-11
THE BLACK HILLS, EXPEDITION.


petition. which about a month since,
started out to explore that mysterious
and hitherto unknown section of our
continent. After passing over n barren
and uninviting country for several hun
drsd miles, on the 18th Of last month
the expedition reached q point Just
west OF the line separating Dakota and
Wyoming Territories" and were in the
midst Of the Black Hills country. A
correspondent OF the New York Tribune,
who accompanies the explorers, is en-
thusiastic over this region which has
hitherto been considered rs sterile and
uninyiting. A valley was discovered
within a short distance Of Inejan lara,
Appointment peak in Wyoming. G,6OO
feet high. which is thus described:
After a short march We came into a
most beautiful valley. "lt's equal
said General Custer. ~ have never
SEEN" Such, too. was the testimony OF
all who beheld the panorama spread out
before us. Every step Of u march
that day was amidst flowers Of the most
exquisite color and perfume. some be-
longing 10 a new and unclassiiedspscies.
The water in the streams stood at forty
four degrees. This beautiful vale was
named Floral Valley. We followed this
valley into the western ridge OF the
Black Hills. winding our "a through q
little park Of great natural hearty. Z
OF the country surrounding this val
ley. and comprising a large extent OF
territory, the correspondent says that in
no portion Of the United States, not ex-
cepting the famous Blue-Grass region Of
Kentucky, is there grazing superior to
that which grows wild in these hitherto
unknown regions. Everything indicates
abundance OF moisture, and, in the Ian
guago Of the correspondent, Gin no
part Of our country has nature done so
much 10 prepare homes for husbandmen,
and left 10 little for them to do as in
this favored spot" Gold has been
found by the expedition, both in Placer
and quartz formations /; veins OF gold
bearing quartz crop out on almost every
hillside, but the expedition has not time
to stop long enough in n place to
prospect them to any great extent.
1t is evident that a most fertile and
wonderful region OF the great in
terror Of our Northwestern Territories
has been penetrated. and We may look
for still other and perhaps more valua-
BILE discoveries ere the return of this ex-
petition. These lands are now held by
the Sioux. under a treaty made with
them in 1865. They are not open to To-
cation. The treaty was signed by Gen
erals sherman, Harvey and others, and
by numerous Sioux Chiefs. The
treaty was positive in its declarations,
the boundaries of the country thus set
apart being distinctly sOt forth in the
second section. and declared that no
person except those mentioned therein
and Government officers in the perform
ance Of their duties should set foot upon
this most magnificent reservation. They
have been and are jealous OF their treaty
rights. II has long been believed that
the Black Hills aboundsd in gold, and
Indians have lately arrived at Laramie
with specimens said 70 have been taken
from that region. The authentic infor-
nation given by Clusters expedition will
rouse adventurous spirits who have long
desired TO enter the forbidden country.
To sllay tho fears Of the Indians, to
whom this fertile and most beautiful
country has been reserved, scouts have
been sent ahead informing them that
the object OF the expedition was peace
full; that IL was simply to take a look at
the country and define the boundaries Of
their reservation. Thus far no trouble
has been met with. The Indians keep
away and the expedition marches quiet
ly along. II the country proves rich in
precious minerals as indicated by the
correspondent, the next step will be to
make q new bargain with the Sioux,
trade of some undiscovered and sup
posed ~valueless land for this just now
explored. and open ii for immigration.
At least this has been the past course Of
our Government.