The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1875-01-12
rus BLACK HILLS EEpoRADo.
old saw on IN sIouI'-
Land. "a 1859

Landz ID 1859
Old Jim Bridgcr, the mountaineer,
WIN claims to have spent forty-five
years in the Rocky Mountains, tells
the story Of his discovery OF gold in
the following manner
in the spring Of the year $50, he
was employed by Captain Reynolds,
United States Engineers, rs u Guide
aud interpreter TO m exp wing ex-
Fedsstun OF the government COM
manded by the officer Aforesaid,
whose purpose il was to explore the
head-waiers Of the Missouri, Yellow
stone, Columbia, and various other
rivers OF the west. The party o
sisted, besides Captain Reynolds, Of
lieutenant Lee OF the same corps,
one company Of United States SOL
diers, under the command Of Captain
Menadier, DIR. Hayden, and several
ether scientific gentlemen, and a
autnber OF teamsters and other en-
rIoys
One day amer having Travelled only
a few days in those regions termed
the Black Hills, Mr.. Bridger, feeling
Thirsty, got of his mule and stopped
down at a small brook, containing
clear and inviting cool water from
the snow-caPped moUntaSRsr to drink,
and while doing so his attention was
attracted by the curious appearance
Of the bottom OF the river. Itseemed
10 him like small, yellow pebbles OF
various sizes, from that Of the head
Of a common pin TO that % = bean
aud larger Though well acquainted
with the appearance OF gold, he Was
somewhat in doubt of its being that
precious metal, since it bad never
occurred to him that gold could be
found in hal locality but his curios-
ity icing excited he scooped up a
handful of the stun. mounted his
mule, and rode up to DIR. Hayden
and Captain Reynolds, and exhibited
to them his discovery. Both at once
prunounee1 it pure gold, and asked
where he had procured it. After
Mr. Bridger had told them where he
found IT, Captain Reynolds got very
much excited, add insisted that Mr.
Bridger should cast it away, and not
tell any OF the party of the matter
under any circumstances, fearing
that a knowledge Of geld in such
abundance and OF such easy access
would certainly break up his whole
expedition, since every man would
desert the party to hunt for gold, and
Mr.. Bridger very reluctantly complied
With that officers request. He fur
thcr says that since his first discovery
ofsgoId, he has found the same metal
while travelling in the Black Hills in
other places, though not in such
abundance as at the first.
Bridger IS now an old man, but he
is still hale and active. He resides
ON i farm in jackson county, Nilsson
ri, rear the little village ofNew Santa
Fc. He got very restless when he
learned Of General Custar's expedi-
iioa to the Black Hills, aad does not
like it very much that the expedition
found gold, since he has always con-
sidered the knowledge of It's existence
in that eJIntry as in some SORT pri-
waite property
lie says it IS foolishness for white
men to invade that country, unless in
large parties and well armed, on &C
cuunt of the jealousy Of the Sioux ;
and besides it is impossible to go
there before the middle of J1ne, owing
Ia the severe cold and snow in those
mountains, e if the government
should not restrain parties from go
ing And he thinks the government
ought To make s)me sort of comprc-
mise with the Sioux, so that white
men may be enabled TO explore that
country more fuIly-DeHrer Ners.