Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1875-08-14
The perils of Gold Hunting.
From the Portland Observes.

From the Portland Observer.
Mr.. G. w. Bailey, who left this place
on the 18th of May for the Black Hills,
Experienced considerable difficulty and
DELAY in getting to that country; and
when at last by good deal Of persever-
ance he did reach the supposed Eldorado,
his stay was cut very short as will be
seen by the following extract from let
ter TO his brother here. The letter is dated
Fort Laramie, July 10. He says:
81 last wrote you from Laramie City.
It was our intention then to cross the
Platte River at Fort FetterTnan, but we
changed our mind, crossing ten miles
above, making our way into the Powder
River range which you will see, by look
ing on the map, lies directly west of the
third range of the Black Hills. We
crossed the Platte, as / tell you, ten
miles above the fort and travelled across
the plains in the night, some thirty miles,
before we struck broken ground. We
pushed our way into the southwest cor
ner of the Powder range and struck a
guich which we assembled some five
miles where we saw good indications Of
gold. We picketed our jack and camped
for the night. In the morning we COM
menced to prospect and we found good
color at the depth of two feet. The bed
rock Law about five feet from the surface.
We had not seen an Indian up to this
time, but we stopped very sudden about
8 O'Clock in the afternoon as a squad Of
Crow Indians appeared and ordered us
away. AS there was but two of us, and
we found ourselves to be near large
camp of them Of course we packed up
and left at one: We went back about
five miles, then struck up another gulch
and travelled some twenty miles up that
and camped about 2 o'clock in the night.
Here was found very nice stream for
wash purposes. In the morning we
commenced to look about us and found
that we had struck still better pay than
in the first gulch, so we went to work in
earnest, keeping a lookout for any signs
of Indians, but we saw none all that day.
After breakfast we went to washing
again and got very good pay, from four
to seven cents per pan. We got very
much engaged and never thought of any
danger until about IL m, when we saw
a squad Of armed Indians crawling along
the side of the mountain. We snatched
our tools and blankets, sack of dinner,
and ran about 100 rods around the noun
tain where we could watch their move
ments. They came down and went for
the things we had left, jack and all, and
set up such yell as would raise ones
hair. We knew then that they meant
mischief and so we ran southeast in the
direction of this place. We We're in the
mountains and in good place to hide,
but we did not see anything more of
them until about ii o'clock in the even
ing when some fourteen or sixteen passed
passed within ten rods of us but failed to
find us; so we gos away and made this
place in four days land five nights, 227
miles, and saved oar scalp, which is of
great value in this country. / am all
right and hearty as toad, Gf l do eat
pork and sugar as diet, and mighty lit
tile OF that.) We start this evening for
tlessaills iIs company with 100 men.
sfete has been no trouble as yet this
Way. The Indians We struck we Crows
and Bruei Sioux, who are not on any
reservation, hence the trouble. L shall
write you at once on getting into the
hills, ii L can get letter out"