The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-09-18

Caster Says 1he Plea VIII Ex.
tInguIsh the STOux's Title.
He VOaches for the Wealth OIL
that land.
From Bismarck, d. T., Tribune Interview.
Custer-The reports are not ex-
aggerated in the least; the pros
poets are even bitter than repre-
sented. / am familiar with and to
some extent interested in Colorado
mines, and l saw localities in the
Black Hills similar, as to forma-
tion, to the richest regions in Col
orado, where the biologists insist
ed the precious metals must be
found, that were not explored by
the miners at all, These local.
ties were met with in my rambles
among the valleys when the ex-
plorers were not within reach.
Reporter-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 two dol
lars. 1t contained some fifty par
ticles OF gold, from n color to the
size OF a kernel of wheat, averaging
about the size of pin head.
C.-Was gold found in locali-
ties other than in Clusters Park?
C.-Yes, at various points,
though the explorers report the
richest prospects there; but, as i
said before, the scientific gentle
men are satisfied that far richer
discoveries will be made on furthr
exploration. The miners also
agree with this view Of the case.
R.-Where did you first strike
the gold country?
ca long way this side OF
Harney's Peak we struck a coun
try which gave unmistakable evil
dence of containing gold in pay
ing quantities, and / am satisfied
that a rich mining region will be
found in the northeastern portion
of the Hills.
R.-What is the best route to
reach the Black Hills mines from
the Missouri River?
ENTHUSIASTICALLY a direct
route from Bismarck in the direc-
ton of Bear Butte.
R--What is the distance from
Bismarck to the gold region,
and the nature of the country?
C.-The distance from Bismarck
to Bear Butte is about one hun
died and ninety eight miles
Harney's Peak is thirty-fve miles
southwest of Bear Butte. Clusters
Gulch can be reached by a march
or two hundred and forty miles
over an excellent country, afford
ing good grazing. n fair amount
of timber, an abundance of water
and everything essential to build
ing up prosperous villages along
the route. A route which offers
absolutely no engineering Difficult
ties should occasion demand the
construction of a railroad from
Bismarck to the Hills.
R.-How many days will it re-
quire to reach the gold region
from Bismarck with loaded trains
C.-The trip can be made with
out the least difficulty in eight
days, though ordinarily it should
take ten days. 1t is believed thai
all attempts to enter the Hills
from the South and East will bC
futile. / made several attempts tt
pass through them southwark, bu
failed to find passage. / haC
no difficulty in entering them from
the west or passing out toward tn,
northeast.
R.-What is the probable policy
of the military toward persons
seeking to enter the Black Hill
this fall?
C.-The government has enter
ed into q solemn treaty with the
Indians whereby they agree Il
keep off all trespassers. This is
law of the land, and should be re
spected, and Gen. Sheridan has al
ready issued instructions to tn
military to prevent expedition
entering upon the reservation, ant
parties contemplating going hay,
been warned to keep off.
R.-But, General, you are awar
that you have a long line to guard
and small parties may slip across
the line and enter the reservation
while the military is powerless t.
prevent it.
C.-That is true to some extent
but until Congress authorizes tn,
settlement of the country the mil
itary will do it's duty. When tn,
Indian title is extinguished the
military will aid the settlers il
every way possible. / shall rec
ommend the extinguishment of the
Indian title at the earliest moment
practicable for military reasons.
R.-What are those reasons
General?
C.-The Black Hills region is
not occupied by the Indians, anG
is seldom visited by them. 1t is
used as a sort of Darkroom &c
which they may escape after com
uniting depredations, remaining in
safety until quiet is again restor-
ed. 1t is available in keeping ur
communications between the agen.
cy Indians and the hostile tribes
located in the buffalo region north
west of the Hills, and if tho Black
Hills region is wrested from then
this communication will be broken
up, and fruitful source of trouble
will be removed. Let the outer
rim of wash-dish represent the
outer rim of the Hills, then dent
the bottom so as to represent
smaller hills and valleys, and you
have a very correct idea of the in,
terror of the hills.