New-York tribune., 1874-09-14


inteusified tbousand-fold in that last strong
hold of Indian power. the impenetrabe fast
nesses of the Black Hills. III our soldiers once
forced their way in there, few would ever
return to tell the tale OF horror. Ihese
prophecies appeared simultaneously in news
papers in different parts OF the country IN
dian scouts brought similar stories into the
camp while it was forming, and friendly saw
ages urged on Gen. Custer the fooIhardiness
of his undertaking. Representations OF the
danger and wickedness of the enterprise were
pressed upon the authorities at washington
by well-meaning friends OF the red man.
While the expedition was absent, there came
a rumOr of saDguinary engagement Even
after it started on the return, yagrant Sioax
came to warn the command of perils lying In
wait for it of foes thirsting for an encounter.
Doubtless our army officers chafed under
such vague threats, and thought it well worth
while to ascertain the facts If it had been
true that the Indians possessed some such IN
accessible stronghold as was reported, the
perpetual recurrence OF warfare on the Dorder
might be calculated upon. In sweeping away
this whole figment of the lmaginatlon' the
expedition has done valuable service. MOI
only was no trace of hostile Indians found
during the entire march, but the Black Hill
region itself showed no evidences OF fortliica-
ton or of being recently occupied. The few
instances where some marks of Indian pres
ence were found in that region Indicated that
it had been visited by their hunting parties,
but not very recently, nor In large numbers.
No foundation apparently exists for the notion
that the Black Hills country was inhabited by
warlike tribes, or that it was regarded by
them with any peculiar sentiment which would
occasion an outbreak because of the desc
Grating tread Of soldiery.
That the valleys inclosed by the Black Hills
are admirably adapted for agricultural pur-
poses, compared with the sterile lands which
are outside of them; that they have charm
ing climate, abundance of grass and water,
and general aspect of fertility, must be con-
ceded. But the great feature of their at
tractiveness-the gold that the enterprislng
prospectors of Dakota believe to be lining the
hiilsides and glittering in the roots of the
grass-is unfortunately not demonstrated GER
tainty. 1t may be there, but Prof. Winchell,
the Chief Geelogist, says we must take the
stories about it with large grain OF allow
ulCc. llc uouOp ho pay NAA't ~ NN>N-
GUS quartz. Abstractly we have supposed that
geologist was just the man to see the precious
metals-where they exist.
The scientific results are not important, 80
far as known and our New-Haven professor
who was signing for more fossil worlds to
conquer at the West, has not lost much by
not accompanying the expedition. One dis
covery alluded to by the naturalist of the ex-
pedtion is worth remark: there are In that
region many specimens of the work OF the
beaver as yet untouched by man; we hope
some action will be taken by our Government
to preserve these without disturbance, as the
very few constructions of this sort still re-
naming in the country are full of curious
interest to the student of natural history, and
it would be an act of atrOciOus vandalism
to permit their destruction.