New-York tribune., 1875-07-01
THE BLACK HILLS.
GOLD IN CIrSTER,S CIuCU.

GOLD IN CLUSTERS GULCH.
EXCITEMENT AT CAMP JENNEY-THE FIRST ExCUR-
SION ACROSS THE UNExPLoRED sECIIoN-iCE
sPRINGs-MARCH OF THE CAvALRY-GoLD-BEAR-
ING FORMAUoNs-TIIE IIRsr GOID-THE MINERS
IN CUSTER's GULCH-SOLDIERS AND TRANSFERS
PANNING GOID-TIIE NATURE OF PROF. JENNEYS
REPORT ON THE DISTRICT UNKNOwN-TuE In
DIANS.
IrRoN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNE.
CAMP JENNEY, June 20.-Returning to-day to camp
/ find the camp greatly excited. They have found
gold in the Black Hills at the camp near Har-
ney's Peak in large quantities. hasten to give you
the facts in regard TO the movements of the exped
ton since NY last letter was written.
Camp Jcnncy was established as a permanent
camp and in order to protect it from any possible
combination of Indians, two rcdOubts or stockaCcs
were built to place artillery in position com
man6ing the approaches from every point. This
seemed to be necessary the Indians had been sns
piciously silent and noilensivc. il was also sur
missed that the Red ClOrd party would be dissatisfied
with the Washington discussion; but happily moth
ing has occurred to disturb the peace and harmony
one might even say the solitude of the camp
THE FIRST EXPLOITATION.
Ostcnsihly permission 10 hunt was granted to
Lieut.. Moshcr. B Cavalry. In reality he determined
to make an exploration prospect if not to search for
y
long been marked on the map uncxplorcd. To
See this land to learn it, secrets to ascertain whether
this retreat Of the Indian accessible to white
men, to find ont whether perchanee there was gold
there, was the true purpose of the Lieutenant lie
selected for his party Dr. Ls:ne, Sergeant Van Mall
Private Brown and California Joeall nen of reputa
ton Perhaps, too the monotony Of camp life became
tiresome and to venture fort. into the fastncSscS of
the famous Black Hills the surcst way to over
come the cnnui of Camp ,bcnney.
The Lieutenant and his band of adventures set ont
June for the Black Hills, gong east and north,
crossing high diyidcs occasionally emerging from
the great forest, which almost continuously sur
rounds them, into little parks, grassy and well
watered. This continued for % 30 miles. They
met with strange wild of forest trees showing
the frequency Of hurricanes. On the second days
journey signs of the presence of Indians turned them
to a more eastery course toward Harncy's Peak,
which loOmed up grand old landmark. Early
in their journey the formation changed
from the red sandstone and limestone to
rock of n granitic character, showing quartz
mica and slate stone. This was the first indication
of formation that might contain gold and silver.
Across tins formation, on what seemed descending
grade to the foot of the Peak the pines inter
spcrscd with belts of quaking asp the borders Of
little rivulets Many of these streams presented
they would occasionally cut their way through bed
of pure crystal ice The Indians have often told of
ice springs in the Black Hills, but could credit
the story nor assign any foundation for the myth.
But here in the month Of June was running
brook forming natural refrigerator Not far from
these springs they found both If Gen. Custer's
trails They took the that led north, travelling
south upon it. Everywhere there seemed to be
"foat rock" of quartz lodcs "California Joc"'
asserted that the rock showed good' and it may
not he amiss TO say that whatever failings miners
of his class may have to whisky and cards. their
word, when they are not selling lode or a giIlch
claim to poor, unsuspcctng, tenderfoot pilgrim"
or immigrant" can generally be accepted. 1.-The
rock look good and if thars eny gold in these Niger
heads it's right hyar" his remark and upon
the return of the party to camp the next day it was
reported that lie had saddled his "cayuse," and
skinned out" as miners say, on the back trail.
After travelling another day they turned bome-
ward and unfortunately struck the wrong trail. for
they had to make dry camp Chat IL, one without
water, crossing breaks and climbing high banks
until late at night Not until noon the next day
was water found to quench their thirst. On that
day Camp Jenney was reached, and it was well
come haven to the tired adventures.
Prominence is given TO this event, as it is the first
exploration across the Black Hills. This little squad
had band Of white men gone from the western to
the eastern slope Different parties had skirted the
hills but none had entered the unexplored region.
Lieut.. Warren in 1897 and Gen. Custer last Sum-
mer. had gone around this section, but neither of
them passed into or through it. For the first time
report upon the formation can be made, and that
quite accurately, rs both Lieut.. Morton and Dr.
Laine are good biologists. They cautious in stat
ing how rich s the quartz which they saw as that can
only be accurately determined by assays. DIR.
Laine believes that the country will prove to be the
richest for d-dggng east of California, where in
the palmy days of adventure thousands from the
East became rich on her golden soil. STILL as word
of caution, be it remembered that few OF those
thousands retained the gold which they dug These
Hills seem to be rich in gold and silver but no one
can presume to say how rich. and mining at best Is
only venture. An old miner hkens 1t to - buck
ine1 faro with the chances of splits" increased
ten-fOld.
THE MAIN PARTY ON THE MARCH.
On juno Col. Dodge and Mr.. Jenney left the
Prominent Camp on Spaulding Creek, to pros