River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-04-16
rnE EINrsr orALIrY oF cold.

nor did | afterward, though very marvel
| Gus stories were told about the gold found
! there.
knew Father de Smet we'll, and am
! indebted to him more than to any man
who ever lived, Of which | will presently
tell you. think Father de Smet must
have misunderstood the story to some ex-
tent, as the Sioux knew the country
thoroughly and knew perfectly the differ.
ence in value between gold and mica.
They believed that rich beds Of metal
lay hidden deep in the soil Of the hills,
but there was no belief Of a mountain Of
gold.
Every tribe has its rude artisans, and
number of them among the Sioux made
the gold found here into ear and finger
rings, and for knife handles and orna-
ments for belts.
In the fall of 1888 we left Big Horn
river and penetrated the hills to the east,
frequently travelling over long stretches
OF valley, making our way leisurcly and
killing game, which abounded in great
profusion. From what is now known as
the Powder River Hills we turned north,
and Travelled in that direction till we
struck the Yellowstone. Two (perhaps
three years subsequent to this remem-
Der we travelled throu IA the hills over
nearly the same route, went north to the
| Yellowstone again, and hunted down it
till we came to the Big Horn, on the
western edges of the hills.
In 1871 about hunting party Of us
made another long visit to the Black
Hills, this time coming down the Laramie
river and going into the hills from the
south. We travelled to the Cheyenne
river and camped a number Of weeks on
the South Fork of that stream. Here
we saw indications of gold also. Harney's
Peak is in this vicinity, and is on the
eastern side Of the Cheyenne Hills. There
must be good
COLD DlGGINGs RfGHT AT HARNEY's PEAK.
The western slope Of the Cheyenne
Hills, on the North Branch of the Chey-
enne river, near its confluence with the
South Fork, | have visited several times
on the route down the main stream, and
gold is plentiful, both in nuggets in the
river bed and in the lodges and sides of
the hills. Some Of the nuggets which
Father de Smet saw were doubtless taken
from that locality. Further west, and
between the Big Horn and Tongue rivers,
is one of the highest peaks to be found in
the hills. The Sioux called it the Great
Arrow, from its sharp point Near it
there is gold in rich quantities.
In fact, am certain gold will be found
in every part of the Black Hills, and in
many places silver ore in paying quanti.
ties. In the immense lodges of slate and
limestone rocks there is
EVERY INDICATION Of PRECIOUS METALS.
Remarkable beds of gypsum Il did not
then know its use) nearly hundred feet
in thickness can be found there.
am not metallurgist but a practical
Judge of what metal or mineral is when
| see it.
The Powder River district furnishes
gold. was on that stream the last time
in 1857, travelling more than one hundred
miles directly up its valley. de not re-
member to have seen nuggets in that
river, but observed, as had frequently
before, good signs of abundant gold.
am certain that gold in paying guam
titles will be found in the immediate vi
cinity of Harney's Peak, but | believe
General Sheridan's supposition that
IT Is MORE PLENTIFUL IN THE WESTERN
LIMITS
of the hills is correct. When l roamed
over that country my object was not gold,
and | took comparatively little interest
in such subjects. was not prospecting
for precious metals, and my observations
were only such as would naturally fall in
my way. Therefore am not prepared to
speak Of the relative wealth of the vari.
Gus Black Hills, but know in a general
way that
THEY ALL PRODUCE GOLD.
| have never mined for gold, but since
my disconnection from the Sioux 1852 |
have worked for silver ore in the Camp
Floyd mining district Of Utah (Tooole
county, and am certain that there is
, plenty Of silver diggings In the Black
Hills that will assay $50 ounces 10 the
ton"
Ny informant communicated a number
Of other facts concerning the rich quail
;; ties Of the Black Hills soil, but all Of q
, cumulative character, and only tending t.
make stronger what ne had already made
apparent-that gold exists there in co.
plous and remunerative quantities.
; The weird and romantic story Of Mr.
Csruther's life had piqued my curiosity
into an abnormal state Of activity, and
could not refrain from propounding few
questions to him concerning his past his,
; tory, an slluson TO which he showed
some disposition TO avoid. Concerning
MS ACQUAINTANCE WITH FATHER DE sMEr.
found out that he had first met him
more than twenty years ago waile that
distinguished missionary was living with
the Sioux. Father de Smet made al
early effort to Christianize and reciyilizc
him, but at first he had no desire to
change. A great pestileuce came upon
the tribe subsequently. in which he lost
: his Indian wife and his children. After
: this he underwent Il change and through
the ministrations Of Father de Smct was
finally induced to
WASH orr HIS WAR PAINT
and seek the society of his brother pale.
faces. After he lett the Sioux and went
20 Utah he received two letters from
Father de Smet, which are new in his
possession. lie manifested a reverence