Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-09-03
THE BLACK HILLS GOLD FIELDS.

An undue anxiety seems preva-
lent lest miners and unauthorized
persons shall encroach upon the
Sioux Reservation in their search
for the placer diggiugs recently dis
covered by General Clusters ex-
petition. Newspapers have as
called the President, the Secretary
Of the Interior, and General Sheri-
dan because the expedition was al
lowed to depart, and now having ac-
cOmplished the purpose for which
it was organized, and by it's wonder
full discoveries having justified the
undertaking, the fear is expressed
that advantage may be taken of the
reconnaissance. 1t has been re-
peatedly charged that the expedi-
ton was in the first instance in con-
PREVENTION of treaty stipulations
with the Sioux. The treaty with
these Indians ratified Feb. ~, 1860,
and every other treaty made with
the savages during late years, re-
serves to the government the right
TO enter upon and send troops
across and through the territory set
apart for the Indians. 1t was neces-
sary iu order to determine the pre-
else limits Of the Sioux Reservation
to explore the Black Hills, and this
duty General Custer has accom-
plished. When the engineers ac-
comparing his command shall have
made their report it will be known
whether the gold belt discovered
lies within or without the reserva-
ton.
The tract of country set apart for
the occupancy Of the Sioux is, by
the treaty with them, bounded on
the west by the one hundred and
fourth meridian. An examination
Of the map at General Sheridan's
headquarters locates this lines mid
way between Inyan Kara and Har-
ney's Peak. Gold discoveries are
reported to have been made all
along the route between these points,
distant from each oth6r about seven
ty-tive miles. II mine go to the
base of Harney's Peak to prospect
the will undoubtedly be trespassers
upon the Sioux Reservation but If
they operate near Inyan Kara or
settle in Floral Valley it is equally
certain that they will not transgress
any rights of the Indians by so
doing, for both these points are
west of the lO4th meridian, upon
soil over which the Indians have no
right to roam.
Solicitude is often expressed for
the rights of the Indians, while the
rights of white settlers upon the
frontier are passed over in silence.
The latter are entitled to collsidera-
ton, and while the government
should vigorously compel an obser-
vance of treaties on the part OF the
settlers, the Indians also should be
held to their agreements. The
INTER-OCEAN is no advocate of an
unlawful entry upon the reserved
portion of the Black Hills by miners
or by other unauthorized persons,
but If any part of the newly discov-
cred country is not reserved to the
Indians then there can be no objec-
ton to its occupancy by any class
OF persons who desire to enter upon
it. Glowing accounts have been re-
ceived of the fertility of Floral Val~
ley, which lies beyond the Sioux
country. Settlers may desire to
occupy this marvellous Eldorado,
and no hindrance should prevent.
1t will be time enough for benevo-
lent persons and philanthropic news
papers to demand that the rights of
the Indians should not be en-
croached upon when the whites be-
come trespassers Until then, open
letters to President Grant, and par
agraphs advising General Sheridan
as to his duty III the premises, had
best remain unwritten.
General Sheridan has already is
sued an order prohibiting prospect
ing parties from crossing the reser-
walton, and that order will probably
he respected. The real danger,
however, arises not from anticipated
acts on the part of the whites, but
from probable hostilities by the
Sioux if miners attempt to work in
the ncighborhood of their reserva-
ton, where they should be allowed
to remain unmolested. We venture