The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1875-01-15
THE BLACK HILLS.
Report OF Captain Tolnan, Who Recent
ly Started in Pursuit Of the Black
Hills Mining Party.

Sioux CRY, Iowa, Dec. 22.-In addition
to the following, other reliable information
has recently been received here which puts
beyond q doubt the question as to the
miners in the Black Hills, and their finding
gold in paying quantities, even at this
most unfayorablo season Of the year for
gulch mining. Captain Tolman, who
recently started in pursuit Of a party of
mines Ell route to the Black Hills, returned
to Fort Sully to-day with his command,
and makes the following report:
Left Cheyenne on the morning of Dec. 6
with a party of thirty-eight men, including
Major Bingham, United States Indian
Agent, in pursuit Of a party of miners en-
route for the Black Hills, the trail of whom
was reported fresh by the Indians. We
struck the trail of the miners near the
south fork Of the Cheyenne river, on the
11Gh, Dat could not tell how old it was on
ACCOUNT Of a recent snow storm. We fol-
lowed the trail into the hills. entering
where Custer came out, between Harney's
Peak and Bear Butte. We entered the
hills distance Of thirty miles and found
that tie miners had pushed straight through
the hills, following Clusters old trail. We
also discovered that the Indians story Of
the freshness Of the trall was false, IS
covered twenty-seven days march Of
the miners in ten days. Ne met two In
dians at this point who had seen the party
enter, and who had followed them about
forty miles further. The Indians said tha
party consisted of twenty-one men and six
teams, drawn by oxen, and that none of
the party could speak Indian, rs they tried
to communicate with them. We gave UP
the pursuit, as our rationG and forage were
nearly exhausted We made the return
trip in six days, having Travelled 4G0 miles.
We had unusually mild weather Cor this
season Of the year, and found an abundance
of green grass among the foot hills and
plenty Of antelope, black-tailed deer, and
other small game. We found quartz rock,
but did net stop long enough to determine
whether it contained gold or not. We saw
numerous places where the miners had
been prospecting. I should judge thai tbs
weather was much milder among the bills
than on the plains, but that more e1cw
fell there. We found plenty Of running
water after the first four days, but during
that time we had to melt snow to obtain :.
supply. We saw no Indians, e@cep5 the
two mentioned, and one lodge of friendly
Sioux Oh the Cheyenne river.
OMAHA, NeD., Dec. 23.-Genera. Ord
received the following dispatch yesterday
from Colonial Bradley:
An Indian came into Spotted Tail on the
17tll and reported that twelve days before
he me- Il party of twenty-one white men,
With six teams, on Elk Creek, at the east
ern foot Of the Black Hills. They came
from Missouri, and were going into the
hills.
Tie following is his reply;
Send a company OF cavalry from Camp
Sheridan or Robinson, as you think best,
to overhaul lie party in the BlaciE fills,
and 10 exnel il from the Indian territory
under tHc lnSffHGTtJFES 6rv.e--
headquarters military division. Furnish
the command with a good supply OF tents,
stores, ani, blankets for ncn and beasts.
The command viii start when The wealth y
will permit.