The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-05-06

4 Platinum Mime I'm the Black Hills
The annexed item and correspondence
is clipped from four column article, il
ustrated by detailed and valuable map
in the New York Herald Of Friday, the
23d inst. and will be read with interest
in this locality. Of the actual
existence Of the great mine of platinum
there can, we think, be little doubt; for
we are informed on the most unquestion-
ed authority that there is in this city to-
day gentleman who has, in the years
past, gained an honorable distinction as
pioneer in the Northwest, and who, thir-
teen years ago this season, was within
the region named and, in company with
comrade (now dead), while hunting for
game some little distance off from the
line of march made the nndoubted dis
covery Of a cast mine Of platinum. The
determined hostility of the Indians net
only prevented occupancy or extended re-
search at the time, but has ever since
rendered the return of white men or the
development of said mine too perilous to
be encountered without a strong military
escort and guard.
But this grand object of interest has
not been forgotten or lost sight of by our
fellow citizen. nor will he fail to avail
himself of the earliest opportunity pre-
sented which will enable him to return to
hs discovery and occupy the land.
The Herald correspondence to which we
have referred is as follows:
PLATINUM NINE IN THE BLACK HILLs-INTBREsT-
ING INCIDENT OF THE GREAT INDIAN MISSION
AIRY, FATHER DE SMEr.
The following correspondence has been re.
ceived for publication and will be read with
interest:
New YORK, April %, 1875
To the Editor Of the Herald:
Iinclose herewith letter Just recei ved from
General Van Vliet, highly intelligent officer Of
the United States Army, formerly tor many
years stationed in this city. which furnishes
additional information upon subject which Is
attracting public attention. Truly yours,
THURtOW WRkD.
HHADo'Rr' DEPARTMENT OF TIE Missouri,
OPFICE OF THE CHIP QUARTERNAsTKR, ;
F0Rr LEAvENwoRTH, Kan., April II, 1875
Thurlow Weed, Esq:
MY DEAR Sir: read with great pleasure
your remarks on our old friend Father De
Smet. Over twenty years ago my home was on
the prairies l passed several years between
the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains,
8u0 IL was WnlIS leaOlu8 tuab lltc UcC6Wc AC-
quainted with Father DE Smet. I only refer
to this connection with the precious metals in
the Black Hills. One day, in 1861, at tie din
ner table of our friend, Colonel Robert Camp
bell, OF St. Louis, the conversation turned on
our wanderings in the mountains, when Father
De Smet related
THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT,
which occurred in the Black Hills, beyond the
Cheyenne: One day while among the In
dams chief came to him and showed him
some pieces Of metal which he had in his bullet
pouch. As soon as the Father saw it he recOg-
nized it as atinum. In company with the
chief he visited the place and discovered
large mine of this metal. He said it was of
great extent aud Of untold value He made
lie Indian promise never to aivulge the Sc
cret, for if he did the white people would
clear the Indians ont of the country. He also
promised to keep the secret. He told us that
lie had carefully described the location Of this
mine, and that when he died the secret would
b with his church.
Father De Smet could not have been de-
ooived, and firmly believe that there is a
valuable platinum mine between the Yellow
stone and the Cheyenne. As this metal is
worth $i15 per p und avoirdupois, and silver
only el8, you can well understand the fortune
that awaits some lucky man. Yours truly,
STEWART VAN VLIKT, U. S. A.