The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1874-11-21
From Bismarck to the Black Hiiis--Tiie
Shortest, Safest and Best ROute-
What an Old FrOntiersrnan, who has
Travelled Over all Routes, Knows
About 1t.

From Bismarck to the Black HiiiS--The
Shortest, Safest and Rest ROute-
What an Old Frontiersman, who has
Travelled Over all Routes, Knows
About 1T.
To the Editor of the Bismarck Tribune:
So many refer to me for information
concerning the Black Hills, that, with
your indulgence, | will give brief
sketch of the several routes suggested,
and make such comparison as seems
to be called for to further the interests
of those who at an early day will seek
to reach the New Eldorado."
Let me premise, however, by saying
that | am familiar with all the routes,
having been engaged for the past sew
enteen years in trading with the In
dians, or freighting for the government
in connection with the Indians. |
nave travelled all over the routes men,
toned, have been on every side of the
Black Hills, aud through them, having
accompanied Clusters expedition on its
recent trip.
give below table showing the dis
tances in detail, via each route, and
follow with brief description of each,
comparing them with the Bismarck
route, which is preferable above all
others.
From YdnktOn
To Fort Randall, (stage road 20 miles ;
Old Milestone agency, 80; forks of
White river, $50; forks of Cheyenne
river, northwest, 20; up South Chey-
enne to point southeast or opposite
Custer's Gulch, so; northeast through
the mountains to Custer's Gulch, 80 !:
total, 425 miles.
From Cheyenne, U. p r. r.,
To Fort Laramie, stage road, 100
miles; Niobrara, 81; Red Clouds
agency, %; Spotted Tails old agency,
26 +; south fork Cheyenne, so; Clusters
Gulch, through mountains, So; total,
S47 miles.
From Columbus, Ne6., Uia Lo,p FOrk,
To Niobrara river, travelling north, go
miles Spotted Tails new agency, on
White river, 90; South Cheyenne,
south of west, 50; Custer's Gulch,
through mountains, 50; total, 400
miIes.
From B0semdn, M T.,
To crossing of Yellowstone river, wag-
on road, IS miles; Big Horn told Fort
G.. i. Smith,, wagon road, $50; Big
Piney (uld Fort Phil. Kearney), wagon
road, 95; Powder river (old Fort Reno),
wagon road, 55; head of dry fork of
Powder river, 40 Inyan Kara, travel
ing east, intersecting Clusters trail, 20
Custef's Gulch, following trail south
east, 65; total, 5i5 miles.
From BosemdIs, viu Bear Butte,
10 crossing OF Yellowstone, S5 miles !;
mouth of Tongue river following
down Yellowstone), 1850; Powder river,
travelling south, 50; Little Missouri
river, travelling south, 65; Bear Butte,
north fork of Cheyenne, 20; Clusters
Gnlch, following Clusters return trail,
40; total, 40 miles.
From Bismarck, ID. T.,
To Cannon Ball river, %; Battle creek,
%; Grand river, ID; North branch, %
Owl river, IL; South branch, IS; Cher
ry creek, %; Cheyenne forks, IS; Bear
Butte. 81; Casters Gulch, IS; total,
$50 miles. :
The route from Yankton passes inn
over the Sioux reservation,
and in close proximity TO several large
Indian agencies; and the road from
the forks of the White river TO Gus
ter's Gulch will be extremely tedious
on account OF the dreaded "bad lands
which 1t passes.
From Columbus, one would en-
counter an immense sand desert lying
between the head of the Loup and the
Niobrara rivers, with no wood and a
great scarcity of water; besides, this
route runs through the Pawnee reser-
walton. After reaching and crossing
the Niobrara, great sand hills, devoid
Of vegetation, stretch northward to
the white river; and from White river
on to the Black Hills the "Manvais
Terres,v which are both dangerous and
difficult. will be found.
From Cheyenne to Fort Laramie the
road is excellent; but from the latter
place to Red Clouds agency, one would
again encounter those desolate sand