Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-18
THE BLACK HILLS FEVER.

= ~ TIE BLACK HILLS FETER
The reports of gold in the Black Hills
region have created fever for explora-
ton and mining among the people OF the
western States similar 10 the Pixies Peak
fever which ragged few years ago. I'm
less it meets with check we may expect
it will find victims even as far east as
New England. If, however, men would
listen to reason and common prudence
there would be little danger of great
rush for the Black Hills. The territory
in which gold is found-if found at all
belongs to .he Sioux Indians. aud our
government is bound by treaty to see that
all their rights in and to the same are Sc
cured to them. That the President will
do all he can to protect the Indians from
encroachment by the whites does not adj
init of doubt. Those, therefore, who
ioIn in the movement to the Black Hills
must expect to encounter the opposition
of the government as well as the hostility
of the Sioux. Besides this it Is not posi-
lively known whether gold exists there in
paying quantities for undisciplined miners.
Accounts do not agree on this point.
The fever may be the work of spectators,
interested in draining the pockets of the
crowd Of adventures who will be induced
70 try their fortune in the various expedi-
tions set afoot.
The first expedition is announced TO
start from Sioux City April 9th. A crowd
has already commenced to assemble there,
and railroad men, steamboat men. ex-
pressmen, hotel keepers, and various 9th
or interested classes are beginning to
make their profits from the movement.
Newspapers in the western States are
raising notes of warning in relation to the
enterprise. The following from the
Chicago Tribune is worthy of attention.
In the first place, this crowd is rushing
to the Black Hills without any authorize
tive or even trustworthy testimony that
there is gold in paying quantities in the
Black Hills. The original reports started
in wild sort of way. and were shown to
be- doubtful by subsequent investigation.
Scientific men and mining experts have
also reported unfavorably after investiga-
ton of these reports. AS against this in
formation, the stories OF two unknown
men, who purport to have returned from
there, are accepted as true. 1t may be
that they are true but. inasmuch as the bulk
Of the testimony is OF different character
their stories should be received with very
p.l. zc eli
dent man who desires to 60 to the Black
Hills can afford to wait and see. The
multitude is rushing on. however, as il i'm
pressed with the idea that only those who
get there first will be successful in finding
gold. This is not characteristic, however
Of gold.fnds. If there is gold in the
Black Hills worth seeking. there VIII be
gold there for years to come. There is
no danger that the Gordon expedition, or
any other expedition, will exhaust 1t i'm
mediately; and it is also to be considered
that those who 90 with the first expedition
will be fieeced by the traders and speculas
tors worse than those who wait and go
after the first rush is over.
There are other risks to be taken into
account. or which should be taken into
ocoupt. by those afflicted with the Black
|
: vy bv the whites will be in violation of
~ agreement which the Government has
IL with the Indians, and, recognizing
~. :~ ompact, the President has already
IT,; ID that he will enforce the contract
.:.n ~, Indians to the strict letter OF the
~" r, e miners must therefore come in
W. IN tn with the United States troops
~ III. y. ~, Indians. 1t is almost super
na win vi 1nounce that Gen. Grant will
uc1s ce the law, ii he has to use
guy cu'oI litary force of the Govern
~ en.lis ~. the Indian is unrelenting in
en'' auu tna. city. Those who 20 there
>, nato anu cru wee OF law, and therefore
"a ~ IN mn must also expect to be
ou.:a"s' I"ey INSCRIPTIONS gang OF
c.mAeo W an rpers who will look
anu qua 'lgrimage as a perfect
odsend. All those $50 ,;oLet nod.
g trade, freight sol ~ dosIars pro
Iers, outfit sellers, VIII ~ ,,ao'hiarS
sion men, and hor NC III, =, &c sa.nD,
lacklegs, and roughs, VIZ oh las'en upon
lese gold-hunters like Veones anu HUI
70 until they have drain .u .neln u:y
must be remembered also INA. lhe CUES
! Yankton and Sioux City, whence an
o glowing stories emadate, So see iu 'nls
-, thosr fret annorfunitv for, 'iauu ePec-
~ H., Iii - millions
S.so.' 49,. ~ :, The aane, 'specula-
RS who throng these frontier CT ncressa
we no neans un. .p.S w. ~, titudc,
n. u:n,' =. W." q, snr,s IF s,conr sging
Ports calculated to incite cupidity inc
stem to get to the Black Hills, know he
4 they will reap rich harvest from
tins. b0
The recollections of the loss, misery