Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1874-09-03
BLACK HILLS WONDERS.

i X fI8ItL MI
BLACK HILLS WONDERS. "
a yorItnble Eden -Diseoverios or cold,
Lead, and indications of silvcr.
1.-The following is part OF the official
report of Gen. G. A. Custar to the as
eistant adiutant general of the depart
ment of Dakota:
On the evening Of the 22nd we halted
and encamped east Ea1d within four
miles of the base of Inyan Kara. De-
string to ascend that peak the following
day, it being highest in thel western
range of the Black Hills, I did hot move
camp the next day, but taking q small
party with me, proceeded to the high
est point OF. this prominent landmark,
whose height is given as $500 feet.
The day was not favorable for obtain
ing distant views, but decided ON the
following morning to move due east
and attempt the passage of the hills.
We experienced considerable delay
from fallen timber which lay in our
pathway. With this exception, and q
very little digging, rendered necessary
descending into o valley, the pioneers
prepared the way for the train and we
reached camp by Q o'clock, having
marched eleven miles. Welhere fonnd
grass, water and wood of the best quail
lty and in great abundance.
On the following day we resumed our
marchp 1.-The valley, which I had ex-
plored several miles the preceding even
ing, and which led us by an easy ascent
almost southeast. After marching near
ly twelve miles we encamped ut an ear
~ hour in the same valley. This val
ley, in one respect, presented the most
vu0 ,1xa,sf fr1la ya1l 1o 1~z1
Its equal I have never seen :; and such,
too was the testimony of all who be-
held it. In no public or private park
have ever seen such o profuse display
of flowers of the most exquisite colors
and perfume. SO luxuriant In growth
we're they that men plucked them with
out dismounting from the saddle. Some
belonged to new or unclassifed spe-
cles. 1t was strange sight to glance
back ut the advancing columns of cav
airy, and behold the men with beauti.
ful boquets in their hands, while the
! Es,e2s eaaE cir lslf q.
with wreaths OF flowers ft to crown o.
queen of May. Deeming it q most fit
ting appellation, named this Floral
valley. Gen. Forsyth, at one of our
haltingplaces, chosen OF random, pluck
ed seventeen beautiful flowers belonging
to different species, and within space Of
twenty feet square. The same evening,
while seated at the mess table, one OF
the officers called attention to the car
pet of flowers strewn under our feet,
and it was suggested that it be deter
mined how many different flowers could
be plucked without. leaving our seat at
the dinner table. Seven beautiful vari-
cites were thus gathered. Prof. Don
aldson, the botanist of the expedition,
estimated the number of flowers iii
bloom in Floral valley at fifty, while an
equal number of varieties had bloomed
or were yet to bloom. The number of
trees, shrubs, and grasses were twenty
FIVE, making the total flora of the valley
embrace 125 pieces.
Through this beautiful valley mean
ders stream of crystal water 30 cold as
to render ice undesirable even at noon
day. The temperature of two of the
many springs found flowing into it was
taken, and ascertained to be 43 and All
degrees respectively.
AS there are scientific parties accom-
panying the expedition, who are exam
lining into the mineral resources of this
region, the result of whose researches
will accompany my detailed report, I
omit all present reference to that por-
tion of our explorations until the return
Of the expedition, except to state what
will appear in any event in the public
prints-that gold has been found of sew
eral places, and it is the belief of those
who are giving their attention to this
subject that it will be found in paying
quantities. I have upon my table forty
or fifty small particles of pure gold,
in size averaging that of small pin
head, and most of it obtained to-day
from one painful of earth. AS we have
never remained longer at one camp than
one day, 1t will be readily understood
that there is no opportunity to make q
satisfactory examination In regard to
deposits of valuable minerals. Veins
of lead and strong Indications of the
existence OF silver have been found.
Until further examination is made re-
garding the richness ofethe gold no
opinion should be formed. Veins of
what the geologists term gold-bearing
quartz crop out on almost every hill
side. All existing geological and geo.
graphical maps of this region have been
formed incorrect. This will not seem
| surprising when it is remembered that
both have been compiled by guess-work
and without entering the country at.
tempted to be represented.
The editor of the Burlington Ia. }
Hawkeye has discovered woman who
will get up ut six o'clock, kindle the
fire, get breakfast, rout out the family,
wash the dishes and six children, sew
button on the neck of her husbands
shirt and Eunt his hat on IN n n,iaa;on