Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-09-10
nONIESTIC.

A Washington special of the 30th ult. says
Senator Patterson, of South Carolina, had
rived there to consult with the President and
Attorney General in reference to the alleged
troubles between the races in the South, par
ticularly in his own State. According to his
statement the condition Of affairs was very
threatening and the negroes were in need of
Federal protection He wants troops sent
there and kept there until after the election.
Gen. Clusters Black Hills exploring ex-
petition returned to Fort Lincoln on the
evening of the 30th uIt, having in fifty
nine days marched about 900 miles and part
of the command 200 miles further. Twenty
six days were spent in the exploration Of the
Black Hills, the command travelling in its
valleys about 500 miles Gold is reported to
have been found at various points, and
in Clusters Peak, seven miles south
of Haryey's Peak, in almost unlimited guam
titles. A Bismarck Cd. t. special telegram
says the precious metal was found in the
grass-roOts to the extent of five cents per pan
full, increasing in amount till at the depth Of
eight feet twenty cents to the pan was the
yield, with every facility for mining at hand
The bedrock was not reached, and yet shot
gold was found, and the miners estimate
that a single man could take out $25
TO 500 per day. Twenty of the boys
took gold claims, declaring their inten-
ton to occupy them so soon as peace
able possession of the country could be
obtained. The Running Water region,
where the Indians report nuggets lying
around loose, forming ripples in the brooks,
and the Big Horn region, in which gold is
known to abound, were not explored for lack
of time. Iron in large quantities, and gyp-
sum beds, plumbago lead, silver and galena
were found, and according to the accounts
given by members of the expedition the
country is a paradise. The losses during the
trip were three men of dysentery, one man
killed by comrade, and fifteen horses and
mules abandoned. Not a shot was fired
At the Indians and but few indications of
Indians were seen. Gen. Custer says, in his
report: I'VE have marched about 1,0o0miles,
and my command, with replenished supplies,
is in good condition 10 take the field to-mor-
row."
A dispatch from Shreveport, La, on the
31st ult. gives particulars of the alleged as
sassination of party of prisoners who were
being conveyed out Of the country. 1t is
stated that a few days before the white people
ut Coushatta had, at a public meeting, de
clared the county offices vacant and made a
threatening display Of shot-guns and bowie,
knives. Six Of the officials who remained al
their posts and attempted to maintain their
rights were thrown into Jail, as were
also six of their colored adherents. They
were subsequently being taken to Shreveport
for safety, when they were overtaken
about twenty-three miles below thai
point, by forty or fifty armed men
suppose to be Texans from beyond
the Sabine, who took the prisoners
out Of the hands of the guard and killed Ho
mer TwiteheIl, Bob Dewitt and Frank Edger
ton on the spot. The other three, Howell
Holland and Willis, escaped, but were recap
tured, and are supposed TO have shared tn
same fate The prisoners requested 10 Q
taken to Shreveport, and selected the men
take charge of the company that was 10 guar
them. 1t Is said the citizens were saIlshe
with their assurance that they would IeaF
the State, and did not desire to take mars
measures.