The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-04-30
THE BLACK HILLS.
The Excitement Throughout the
West Determined Attitude )f the
Military.
PLAINs. April %. 1875.

The Excitement Throughout the
West Determined Attitude )f the
Military.
PLANS, April 20, 1915
Meetings continue in every part of the
West, and the Black Hills excitement
daily increases. Nearly 5000 persons at
different points are ready to enter the
hills if they were certain they would
not be arrested by the military. Mean
while the troops have become more act
i've, and are investing the hills with
Gordon of posts and patrols. The only
side of the hills now unguarded is that
next to the Niobrara, in the State of Ne
braska, and il vii. soon be closed by
patrol of troops from Fort Hartsnff, a
post on he head of the Northern Lonp
river. The military authorities seem to
be in dead earnest about keeping out the
miners and enforcing the treaty to guard
the Indian lands from occupation by
white men. General Bradley telegraphs
that Captain Mix has returned to Fort
Laramie, bringing with him all the mi
ners at Harney's Peak. Some anxiety
was felt lest a conflict might be provoked
between the troops and citizens. Hill
ers at a distance boasted that the miners
would not come in, that they would run
away and hide when the troops ap-
preached, and do various other things,
but they came quietly back, and it is re-
ported that they were mighty glad TO see
the blue jackets, and get out of the coun-
try with the hair on their heads. As to
resisting the troops, no such thing was
thought of; and as to scattering in the
hills, nothing would have pleased the
Indians more, a. they would have had
good hunting for a month, and the hair
taken would have furnished occasion for
SCALP DANCES
all summer. Captain Mix is a resolute
man, and it would not have done for the
miners to trihe with him. His charaC-
ter may be understood by the following
incident in his life: While serving as
Provost Marshal on the staff of General
Buford, in the army of the Potomac, a
spy was one day captured within the
lines. A search revealed no evidence
that the man was spy. and he was about
to be released, but Mix insisted that he
should be kept. ''Very we'll, Captain, ~
said Buford, take him away, and if you
can prove he is spy, You may hang
him." Mix took the spy to the rear and
began a more careful search OF his per-
son, and in the mans boots found maps
of the Union camps, the number OF
troops in them, and other papers, show
ing, beyond all doubt, the man was q
spy. Giving him time to pray, Mix
hung him. Soon afterward, meeting Bu-
ford, the General, in jocular way, ask.
ed:
well, Mix, what did you do with that
fellow?''
Hung him, sir"
"Whatm cried Buford.
"Did You not tell me if found he was
a spy TO hang him? Here are the papers
showing, beyond doubt, that he was q
spy, and, besides. the fellow confessed
before hung him."
Buford rode over and looked at the
man, who was hanging to a tree, quite
dead, and then said to the Captain, 81
am sorry you did it, but is too late now
and the less said about this the better
DON'T hang any more men, Mix, even i
/ do tell you" Mix often SAID after
ward, "Buford was queer fellow; he or
dered me once to hang spy, and after
did it he was SO sorry he nearly cried
about it,"
When such an officer goes after tbs
Black Killers it would be just as well fol
them to come along quietly,
MOVEMENTS OF TROOPS.
All the cavalry at Omaha barrack
have been ordered to the Black Hills
An expedition of six companies of cav
airy and two companies of infantry i
organizing at Fort Laramie, and viii
leave for the hills in a few days. Mr.
Janney, United States Geologis,, with
corps of assistants, will accompany tn,
expedition. They will scout in the hill
for six weeks or two months, and max,
a thorough examination of the country
On his return to Fort Laramie Mr., Jan
ney will make report to the Govern
meRt concerning the mineral resource
of the Black Hills, and the quantity
quality and character of gold to be founc
there.