The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-09-08

I OF eX-TOSIulASler OcucId IsnhOoAA.
Bullion is our only city, and shire-town OF
the county. 1t is represented by IL spruce
| log-cabins and four Wall-tents. 1t has two
stores, two saloons, a cobbler's and black
smiths shop, and the county offices. There
are three women in the county, two OF
whom smile on the deniZens of Bullion.
THE BEAUTIFUL BLACK HILLS.
THEIR WEALTH OF GoLD-AN INTERVIEW
! WITH COL. FORSYTH.
reporter for the Chicago Tribune has
called upon Col. Forsyth, who was with
Clusters exploring party. and had the fol-
lowing interview with him:
Reporter-Are the reports about the Black
Hills true?
| Col. Forsyth-There is no doubt that there
is great deal of gold there.
Reporter-What sort of country is it out
that way?
| Col. Forsyth-It is series of little valleys,
with plenty of good spring water, fine grass,
and fine growth of pine timber. 1t is about
as fine grazing country as 1 have ever
seen.
Reporter-Is it easily accessible,
| Col Forsyth-It will be when the govern
ment opens it up.
Reporter-Are there many ways to get to
it?
Col. Forsyth-There are several. The best
way, think, would be TO go through the
Red Cloud agency; but you can not go.
Reporter-It is said a good many have
started.
Col. Forsyta-It is a mistake. II would
be impossible for any party TO get through
their now except a strong military force.
10 party of emigrants armed as they gener-
ally are, could do it.
d Reporter-Do the Sioux seem determined
to keep people at a distance?
Col. Forsyth-They do. They claim the
country as their reservation.
Reporter-Do you know whether the gov
ernment contemplates moving them or con-
tracing the bounds OF the territory?
, Col. Forsyth do not; / have not heard
anything about it.
Reporter-W it pay to do it?
Col. Forsyth-Yes; the opening of that
! country is of great national Importance.
Reporter-How far north of the Union
Pacific railroad is it?
Col. Forsyth-About i60 miles. That Is the
best route, as the country is better. But no
one will be permitted to 60 up there. Even
!, if party succeeded in getting through, they
could not get provisions to keep them
through the winter, and il would be impos-
sible TO maintain an open line of commune
cation.
Rsporter-Would it be too cold for them?
; Col. Forsyth do not think so, but the
only provisions they could get would be
game.
Reporter-Is that plenty?
Col. Forsyth-Yes.
Reporter-Did you seeany of the gold thai
was found among the Hills?
Col. Forsyth-Yes; in alluvial washings
We had two miners with us. and alm0s;
every time they tried they found paying
: dirt, and we had very little time to prospect
, as we were moving all the time. They
, thought so much of it that they took claims
but they will not be good in law.
Reporter-Did you come across any other
. minerals?
Col. Forsyth-On the outskirts of the hills
, we found some hematite ore, and also some
plumbago.
Reporter-Did you meet with gold in more
! than one locality?
Col. Forsyth-In several, and water which
q could be made available. The gulch dig
= gings discovered would pay now $40 day
4 per man.
! Reporter-Did you find any fossils?
: Col. Forsyth-No; but Prof. Grinnell
. made very fine collection of birds. w,
q were only on the edge of the mammoth
bone-ysrd, merely skirted it, being too ia
q north and west.
= Reporter-Was the result of the expedi
!, ton satisfactory?
y Col Forsyth--Yes, very; it is a remarka
y bly, fine country for agricultural purposes
y and not a mass of granite hills, as was sup
posed before we started.
- Another gentleman who was present dur
- ing the interview stated that he had beel
among the Black Hills and beyond, AM
had seen 200 specimens of gold which wer
10 taken from there. In his opinion
p the territory in which gold could
: found was $50 miles north and south, an,
- $50 miles east and west. Ii is probable tha
~ Gen. Sheridan, in his report to the secretar
= of war, will recommend the opening mp
:, the country, since it is too valuable to re
y main in the possession of the Indians. Thi:
- however, is merely a conjecture, as the gen
eral is reticent to his intentions. On
thing, though, is certain, strong effort wi
be made next winter to induce Congress t
. do something toward permitting emigratio
:; and the pressure may be so great as to resu
~ ~ in new treaty with the Sioux, which wi
. contract their reservation, and enable GOLD
- seekers to roam at pleasure in the new I
:. Dorado.