The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-09-11
Return Of Custer,s Expedition.


Fort lincoln Sept ~ Cor Chicago Tribune.l
Clusters expedition returned TO Lin
coin last evening, having In tfty-nine
DAYS marched about 900 miles, and q
part of the command 200 miles further.
ryentv-six DAYS were spent in the ex-
ploration of the Black Hills, the com
mand travelling in its valleys about 800
miles. Gold was found mt various points,
and in Clusters Peak, miles south of
Harney's Peak, in almost unlimited
quantities. It was found in the grass
roots TO the extent of cents per pam
full. increasing in amount till at the
depth of s feet, 20 cents to the pan was
the yield, with every facility for mining
at hand. The bedrock was not reached,
and vet shot gold was found, and the
miners estimate that single man could
take out $50 to 500 per day. Twenty
of the boys took gold claims, declaring
their intention to occupy them so as
soon as peaceable possession of the
country could be obtained. The Run
ming Water region, where the Indians
:. report nuggets lying around loose form
' ing ripples in the brooks, and the Big
Horn region, in which gold is known to
abound, were not explored for lack of
time. Brief halts and rapid marches
prevented extended explorations, but
the practical miners are ready to pan
on their scalps, aud lead party into
the Black Hills this fall if assured that
the Government will let them alone,
and it is believed there are not troops
enough in this department to prevent
the immediate occupation of the coun-
try, for the infatuated gold-hunters will
make break for it from every quarter
from East, South, and West, as well
as from Bismarck, which is $50 miles
? from Clusters Gulch, rs miles nearer
than any other railroad station on the
Missouri.
Iron in immense quantities and gyp-
sum beds, plumbago lead, silver, and
galena were found, and the country,
Judging from all accounts, is Paradise
rs well as an Eidorado. No hostile
Indians, excepting four who came into
camp at Bear Butte, were seen.
The losses during the trip were three
men of dysentery, one man killed by a
comrade, ana fifteen horses and mules
abandoned Not shot was fired at the
Indians, and but few indications of In-
dians were Sc IN. The hostiles are loca-
ted i'll the region west and northwest of
the Black Hills, where the buffalo at
present range, and never visit the Black
Hills country. The Black Hills are
not occupied by any, but are frequently
visited by the Indians from the south
ern agencies. Lieut.. Carpenter, who
has just arrived from those agencies,
says tie Indians are disappointed, and
feel that the Great Father has kept bad
faith with them in allowing the white
men to enter Tie hunting ground of the
Great Spirit, but they Will not modest
them, trusting to the Government foi
Justice.
Gen. Custer, in his report, says: "Oul
route from Bear Butte was 10y way o.
the Little Missouri river, until the head
waters of Heart river were reached
when we moved almost due east TO this
post. We explored and located that
portion of the Little Missouri hitherto
unknown. We have marched about
1000 miles, and my command, with re
plenished supplies, is in good condition
70 tol-a tho fold to-InOrroU