Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-09-01
From the New York Times, Path,
THE NEW HAPPY VALLEY.
y ~
Gold and other Valuable Miner
ais.

Public attention is attracted to the
region known Us the country of the
Black Hills, now being explored by a
United States expedition commanded
hy General Custer. Heretofore the
greater part OF that country has been
all unknown land; il is off from the
great emigraDt routes across the CONT
ment, IN region difficult of access, and
embraced in the limits of a reservation
set apart for the Sioux, u war like and
jealous tribe of Indians. The system
of mountains known as the Black
Hills proper is not large, being about
one hundred and fifty miles square,
Ii is situated OH the boundary line be-
tween Wyoming and Dakota Terrific
ries, lying in the northeastern corner
of the former, and the southwestern
corner Of the latter. The chain forms
an irregular circle, inclOsing an area of
level country. The Cheyenne branch
of the Upper Missouri here makes q
sharp turn westward, and forks alb
ruptly nearly north and south. The
two fork almost surround the circular
range, and innumerable small streams,
fed by mountain revulets and torrents,
empty in the forks. The Cheyenne
per Missouri, which here has a gene
raj direction southwark. But the
country originally known as that of
the Black Hills was roughly described
as stretching from the North Platte to
the Mandan country, far up the yell
lowstone region. The old California
emigrant road, which followed the
North Platte, entered the Black Hills,
as they were then called, mediately
on leaving Fort Laramie, on the bor-
ders of Nebraska. That portion of the
hills, however, is only spur of the
main chain, which is far to the north
ward. TIE country, as far as hereto
fore explored, is not inviting. Cross
ing westward over the ridge Travelled
by emigrants, there was nothing to
entice settlers except a fair pasturage
and good water. The hills were COW
cred with scrubby, dark frs and pines,
whose sOmbre hue gave name to the
mountain system, but which disap-
peared as the traveller descended into
the Sweetwater country on the other
side, where abundant settlements have
been made in these later days.
Heretofore exploring parties have
contented themselves with an exterior
view of the circular chain now known
distinctively as the Black Hills. The
forbidding aspect of the region, the
abruptness of the outer walls. and the
moIt-like line which the forks of the
Cheyenne have formed about the hills,
have deferred any more ultimate ac-
auaintance. General Clusters exposi-
ton made half circuit to the west
ward, and entered the charmed circle
between the head waters of the two
forks, and where the mountain chain
is sufficiently broken down TO permit
,lerably easy approach. Once in
side, the explorers found fertile val
leys, rich pasturage, and new and
abundant flora. it was virgin soil,
hitherto unknown to the foot of the
white man. In the guiches ard can
Ons that break into the central valleys
from the surrounding ridges gold has
been found in paying quantities." it
is said, and iron and plumbagO are also
reported to be among the MINERAL
treasures of'this new FL Dorado. Gen.
eral Custer reports that the grass is
luxuriant and abundant, the water
good, and the climate mild, though the
days are thought to be too short and
cool for corn. 1t is petty evident,
therefore, that the chief attraction of
emigrants will be in the reported riches
of gold concealed in the bosom OF the
earth. There are millions Of acres Of
arabic and pasture land more accessi-
bic than the heart of the Black Hills
can be in this century; and the ford
descriptions of the virgin beauty of
the region will not greatly excite the
imagination of men who have seen
the same exhibition in Kansas within
twenty years, or who are now seeing
in the parks of Colorado, where there
is no possible obstacle To the progress
of the settler and the heEder. We