Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-08-20
A New Gold Country.


special correspondence of the ~. 7
Tribune, from the headquarters OF the
Black Hills expedition in Dakota
Territory furnishes some remarkable
information concerning a new gold
country discovered there. Already ii
is said gold has been found in guam
titles sufficient to abundantly repay
working. All the geological indica-
tons point to valuable fields. The
fora is the most varied and eXuberant
of any section this side Of California.
In this respect it is a new Florida; it
may prove to be new Eldorado. The
command is in good health and ex-
plorations are being rapidly conduct.
ed Leaving Prospect Valley, Dako-
ia, July, 18th the expedition moved
in southwest direction until it reach
ed the Valley Of the Little Missouri,
up which it travelled twenty-one
miles. The valley was almost desti.
tute of grass. From the Little Mis-
souri, to the Valley Of the Belle -Four
che the country was generally barren
and uninviting. The Belle Fomche
was reached on the 18th of July, and
good grass, water and wood were
abundant. From this point just west
of the line separating Dakota from
Wyominga skirmish was begun
through the outlying ranges of hills,
The country was a very superior one,
covered with excellent grass, and hay
ING an abundance of timber. On the
22d halt and encampment was made
within forty miles OF a prominent
peak in Wyoming, called lnyan Kara,
G6OO feet high, which tnrned due
east, and attempted the passage ofthe
Black Hills. After short march it
came into most beautiful valley. ''Its
equal" said Gen. Custer, Il have new
er SEEM" Every step of our march
that day was amid flowers OF the most
exquisite color and perfume, some be
longing to new or unclassified species.
The total flora Of the valley embraces
125 species The water in the streams
stood at Al degrees. The beautiful
vale was named Floral Valley. Dur
ING the march through this valley a
small body of Indians was encounter
ed, and One Stab, the chief brought
into camp. lie had recently returned
from the hostile camp on Powder riv
er. and said that the Indians lost ten
killed in the fight with the Bozeman
Exploring Party. On the 30th the
expedition camped within four miles
of the Western base of IIarney's Peak,
which the next day Gen. Custer ascend
ed with the engineers and a small
escort. The peak was found to be
the highest point in the Black Hills.
On the morning of August 2d two
companies, under Col. Hart, were DIES
patched to extend our explorations in
a southerly direction to the South
Fork of the Cheyenne, whilst Gen.
Custer, with five companies Of cavaIary
will endcavsr to reach the same stream
in southwesterly direction from
Harney's Peak. Everything indicates
IN abundance Of moisture within the
space occupied by the Black Hills.
Gold has been found in several places
and it is the opinion Of those who are
giving attention to the subject that
it will be discovered in paying guam
titles, Veins Of what the biologists
call clearing quartz" crop out on al
most every hillside. All existing
geological Or geographical maps of
this REGION have been found incorrect.
The northward march was to begin in
a few days from this date, and Gen.
Custer expects to reach Fort Lincoln
by tho 31st of August.