The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-09-14


From the Bismarck (Dak.) Tribune.1
40 reporter was dispatched to interview
General Custer in relation to tie Back Hill
gold discoveries and the probable policy OF
The military authorities in relation to ex-
p!oring parties seeking to- enter the Black
Hills prior to the eXtipguishment of the In
dian title, with the following result
RI see you indorse fully the reports OF
| the explorers and newspaper correspondents
concerning the gold discoveries?
C.-The reports are not exaggerated in
| the least; the prospects are even better than
REPRESENTED. / am familiar with, and 10
some extent interested, in Colorado mines,
and saw localities in the Black Hills SINH
| lar as TO formation to the richest regions in
Colorado, where the biologists insisted the
precious metals must be found, that were
not explored 10y the miners at all. These
localities were met with in my rambles in
the valleys when the explorers were not
| within reach.
R.-What was the best prospect reported
to you?
C.-The product of one pan of earth was
| laid on my table which was worth not less
than 81. 1t contained some fifty particles of
gold, ranging from a color to the size Of a
kernel of wheat, averaging about the size Of
pin head.
R.-Was gold found in localities other
than in Clusters Park9
C.-Yes, at various points, though the eX-
plorers report the richest prospects there
but as | said before, the scientific gentlemen
| are satisfied that far richer discoveries will
| be made on further exploration. The miners
also agree with this view Of the case.
R.-Where did you first strike the gold
| country?
CA lorg way this side of Harney's
| Peak we strucka country which gave un-
mistakable evidence of containing gold in
paying quantities, and ann salts fed that a
! rich mining region will be found in the
| northeastern portion Of the hills.
R.-What is the probable policy of the
| military towards persons seeking to enter
| the Black Hills this Fall?
C,-The Government has entered into
solemn treaty with the Indians, whereby
thew agree to keep of all trespassers. This
| is a law of the land, and should be respected,
and General Sheridan has already issued in
structions to the military to prevent expedi.
| tons entering upon the reservation, and par
ties contemplating going have been warned
to keep off.
R.-But. General, you are aware that you
have long line to guard, and small parties
may slip across the line and enter the reser-
walton while the military is pOwerless to pre-
| vent it.
| C.-That is true to some extent, but until
| Congress authorizes the settlement of the
country the military will do its duty. When
the Indian title is extinguished the military
will aid the settlers in every way possible.
shall recommend the extiDguishment of the
Indian title at the earliest moment practical
Bile, for military reasons.
R.--What are those reasons, General?
C.-The Black Hills region is not occupied
by the Indians, and is seldom visited by
them. 1t is used as q sort of back room to
which they may escape after committing
depredations, remaining in safety until quiet
is again restored. 1t is available in keeping
I'D Communication between the agency In
dams and the hostile tribes located in the
buffalo region northwest of the Hills, and II
the Black Hills region is wrested from them
this Communication will be broken up and q
/ fruitful source of trouble will be removed
The eXtinguishmcnt of the Indian title tC
the Black Hills, and the establishment of Q
military post in the vicinity of Harney'S
Peak and another at some point on the Lit
lie Missouri, will settle the Indian question
: so far as the Northwest Is concerned.
!, R.--A region as valuable as the Black
Hills are for agricultural purposes it wouli
seem ought to be open for settlement. Their
agricultural worth alone ought to be enough
: to cause the extiuguishment Of the Indiar
title were there no other reason.
C.-Too much cannot be said in favor O
the agricultural worth Of the valleys in tn,
Black Hills. No country in the world is SUI
perior for stock.growiDg; the grazing is IN
> surpassed !; the valleys are sheltered from
driving storms; the snowfall is evidentl.
light, the rainfall abundant. Think o.
9 those brooks in which the water il
4 pure as crystal and only twelve de
{ grees above freezing the warmes
II days in summer, in connection with butte
and cheese making. The valleys are no
wide, and yet they are extensive, and th
rich pasture extends not only Throughout
the valleys but we'll up on the piDe-clat
ridges. Nature, it would seem, exhausted
her resources in attempting to beautify ant
fit for the busbandDan these delightful val
legs. Man could ask no more at her hands