The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-04-01

The letter from Gen. Sheridan in regard Il
the Black Hills is, like everything from tina
gentleman's pen, peculiar production, ant
it is safe TO say that il Will create as great
disturbance as his celebrated dispatch from
New Orleans. The acknowledgement writes
to his superior officer and displays clear
practical, soldierly knowledge Of the subject
upon which he has been asked to give in
formation. The Black Hills are so called
from the dark and scruhby character of the
timber which Crews along their sides. There
gion is much more extensive than is COM
monty supposed, and there are several local
tiles known by the same name and included
in the great reservation, such as the Black
Hills of Laramie, Black Hills of Powder
river and Black Hills of the Cheyenne-the
last being the spot which Clusters expedi-
ton visited last summer. The
story of the origin OF the
Black Hills is a strange one. Father De
Smet, the Jesuit missionary, who knew
more, perhaps, of the Indians and their
country than any other man in the world,
saw specimens of the precious ore in the
possession of the Sioux Indians, and told
them of its value. They answered that they
knew where there was g mountain of it.
This mountain of gold Sheridan says has
been found to consist merely of formation
OF yellow mica. Nevertheless, he has Emo
hesitation in saying, both from Father De
Smet's information and from his own
knowledge, that there are large deposits of
gold in that part of the Black Hills country
along the Big Horn, Rose Bud and Tongue
rivers. AS tor the Cheyenne region,
reconnoitered by Custer, he thinks
there is but little more of a gold
deposit there than is usual throughout the
West, and be re-asserts the explanation al
ready made, that the expedition was sent
out on purely military grounds. AS to the
protection of the reservation from trespass-
ers, the acknowledgement is concise and
accurate, as he usually is, concerning all
purely military matters. He says:
feel quite confident of our ability to prevent
intended trespasses on the rights of the indians,
and cavalry and infantry in the department o.
Dakota are being moved at the present time TO
rections of September Sd of last year. Were it
Beach and Gold Lake hqmbuss with still
greater sufferings as many of the persons now
crazy to go 10 the Black Hills. never think of
how they TO exist after they get there, or
how they could return in case failure. If they
Will wait for further information from the gov
srnment, which now seems to be DESTROYS of
making concessions 10 meet these new interests, |
here viii be more willing than
myself TO aid in ascertaining their value. |
1t is clear from this letter that the effect Of |
Father De Smet's story of the mountain of |
.old has never worn away, and it will give
lew life to the enthusiasm for exploring
he new Eldorado. Sheridan's own words
gill serve to add fuel to the passion for gold |
nd adventure, which was certainly burn
Dg foriously enough heretofore. He, also,
peaks enthusiastically of the fair parks and
alleys of the unexplored country, and
Dolly reiterates the proof OF its
chness in auriferous deposits. Such
ores from the bluff and care