Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-04-02
THE BLACK HILLS.
An Open letter from gen. Sheridan 10
Gen. Shcrman--The Formers OpIn-
ion as 20 the Gold Prospects, Etc.

An Open letter from gen. Sheridan 90
Gen. Shcrman--The Formers Opin-
ion as 20 the Gold Prospects, Etc.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE
MISSOURI CHICAGO, March p. (
Gen. W. 7. SHERMAN, Headquarters OF the Army,
st. Louis, Mo-,
General-In reply to your question: "What
do you know Of the Black Hillsg' | respect
fully submit the following remarks:
My first knowledge of the Black Hills was
derived from interviews with the late Father
de Smet, a noted Catholic missionary, whom
l met many years ago on the Columbia River,
in Oregon, from whom ! heard the Indian
romance of a mountain OF gold in the Black
Hills and his explanation Of that eXtraordi-
nary and delusive story.
To Indians, frontiersmen and explorers the
Black Hills country is much moro extensive
than that particular locality brought to the
notice Of the public by the recent eXplora-
tions Of Gen. Custer, and gets its name from
the black, scrubby character of the timber
which grows on the sides and tops of the
mountains and hills. 1t comprises the whole
of the country bounded on the east by lon
gitude 102, ON the south by the Swcetwater
and Laramie Rivers, on the west by the
Big Horn and Wind Rivers, and on the north
by the Yellowstone River. This is really the
country of the Black Hills; but embraced in
it are several localities called "Black Hills"
For instance, the Black Hills OF the Lara
e.,
the Black Hills of the Shyenne River" the lat
ter being the locality in which Gen. Custer made
his reconnaissance last summer and about
which there is so much speculation at the
present time, and within the bounds OF which,
IL is supposed by large number of people, is
to be found the Father dc Smet mountain OF
gold.
Father de Smets story was tnat while liv-
ing with the Sioux Indians lie was shown by
them nuggets of gold, which they informed
him had been obtained at different points in
the Black Hills, supposed to be from the beds
OF tho Big Horn, Rosebud and Powder Riv-
crs, and from branches of the Tongue River;
and on his representing that such yellow metal
was of the greatest value they told him they
knew where there was n mountain OF it. Sub
sequcnt investigation, however, proved that
| the Indian mountain Of gold was nothing
more than formation Of yellow mica, such
as may be found in a number of places in the
above-dcscribcd country.
had scarcely given the story thought
after this until about three years ago, when
happened TO be in New York, and it was there
brought to my recollection by prominent
| gentleman, who asked me where Father de
| Smet was to be found, and insisted that some
| one should be sent at once TO get from him the
secret of the gold mountain which wouldpay
the national debt. etc.
After had informed him that it was an OLD
and exploded story his ardor cooled, and thC
excitement about the "mountain of gold
| again subsided.
1t so happened, however, that the Blacl
| Hills country was embraced In my military
command, and two years ago it became ap
| parent to inc that military post in the Blaci
| Hills of the Shyenne would soon become
necessary for the proper protection OF Tho
settlements in Nebraska from the raids of the
| Sioux warriors, who always before they com
menccd deprelating ON the frontier secured
a safe place for their families and villages il
the locality mentioned, Believing that these
Indians would never make war on cur settle
ments so long as we could threaten theil
families and villages in this remote locality
abounding in game and all that goes to maxi
Indian life comfortable, and with this purcl.
military object in view, the order was givei
| for the Custer reconnaissance.
The discovery of particles of gold by allu
vial washing near Harneys Peak, on th'
eastern slope of the Black Hills of the Shy
enne, followed and brought to the surface thu
Father de smet story for the third time.
The Black Hills of the Shyenne, described
by Gen. Custer, are situated between tn,
north and south forks of that river, one O
which is known us the Belle FOurche, tn
other the sJuth Fork; and, although hav
the utmost confidence in the statement o
Gen. Custer and Gen. Forsyth of my stat
that gold was found near Harney's Peak,
may safely say there has not been any fai
test yet made to determine its existence i
large quantities.
There is not a Territory in the West whcr
gold does not exist, but in many of them til
quantity is limited TO the "cOlor," which is q
much as has yet been obtained near Harney'
Peak. The geological specimens brougl
back by the Custer expedition are not faYori
bic indications Of the existence of gold in an
great quantity. Still it may be there, but o
as the treaty Of 1869, duly ratified, virtual
deeds this portion of the Black Hills TO til
Sioux Indians, there is no alternative but
keep out trespasscrs.
But TO goback to the Father dc Smet info
nation, there is not much doubt Of the co
rectness Of his statement that gold exists
large quantities in the Black Hills; but muC
} further west than the Black Hills of Il
Shyenne ] have seen nuggets from the b
, Horn and Tongue Rivers, and many specimen
, from near Fort Stambaugh, In the Upp
. Wind River country, where mining has fail'
I from want Of water for allIyial washing, al
/ from hostilities Of the Indians; aud ha
= good reason TO believe fact II is quite certai
that gold exists in the Owl Creek Mountains,
the Lower Wind River, and in the hea
waters Of Powder River and the Rosebud;
these localities being under the general mea
ing.in in tho Black Hills, and outside OF 4
Sherman, Augur and Terry treaty of 1869, c
ceptso far as the privilege to hunt game.
= has been my Intention to communicG
q much information this coming summer TO I
|
n and, as the Indians have no absolute right
the soil, there may be but little difficulty in c
n tinguishing their hunting privilege.
" Ipurpose, IL you do not object, TO open
y the Yellowstone River, by sending G'
n George A. Forsyth and Col. Grant, of my sta
Y up the Yellowstone to the mouth of the
Horn aseoon as the ice breaks, which "
o give the lowest tide Of water, having alrea
secured esteamboat 70 make this exploratiC
II Gen, Forsyth Is successful / will send G'
Custer with a command from Fort Linco
across the mouth of Powder River, thence
- on the south bank of the Yellowstone, Gro
Z ing Powder River, Tongue River, Rosebl
Q and on TO the mouth Of the Big Horn.
q This country Is as yet entirely1unexplor
and the expedition may develop very va
- able auriferous section, and make the Fatl
y, de Sm3t story to some extent true; but
w Of the belief that tbs mountain Of mica has
changed 10 gold.
n will also send an expedition down Wi
st River, through the Owl Greek Mountal
"a from Fort Stambaugh, Vid Fort Brown,
" " the mouth OF the Big Horn, and will brinl
" back through the parks about the head wat
OF Powder River visited by Capt. Mills q
ID, his command, last summer These pa
are for beauty fully equal to those descril
nc so graphically by Gen. Custer as existing
"a the Black Hills of the Sbyenne. 1 may a