The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-04
NUMBER OF MINERS IN THE HILLS.
Exaggerated Stories Of Gold Becoming
a Sad Reality to Many.
GoLD-SEEKERS ASKING FOR BREAD
Miners Still Pouring Into The Territory and
Meeting Disappointment,
CAlr HARNEY. JuIy 10, 1s75.


usually precede the substantial settlers, who Will
lay the foundations of an imposing community.
Were 1t ROT for the doubt which hangs over the
future status Of these northern lands one could,
perhaps predict with some degree OF certainty
the character which their future development VIII
assume. 1t is the anomalous position OF the gov
eminent, IN relation so the white citizens ana 10
the Indians. that renders the steady and perse-
vering lnnax OF adventurers and miners so re-
mGrkabe Difficulties OF a formidable kind do
not dismay them, even with the Immediate pros
pect or expulsion by the government. or, as al
alternative massacre by the Indians. There Is
species of neroism in such periious ventures into
a wild and unknown region, owned and jealousy
valued by savages, against whom the only pos
sible barrier is sturdy selt-detence or conceal
ment in the rocks or WOODS. The men who
thus take their lives in their hands
ana brave deprivations and dlscomlo-ts of which
modern clvuization is in olissful Ignorance, are
peculiar class. They are never thoughtless or
foohardy, as one would suppose those WAC seam
to value lie so llgnty would be. Constant prox-
Unity to deatn has made tnem familiar WITH his
grim visage whose every stern and ghas lily Inca
ment they nave studied WELL so tnat it might not
appal them. IL is doubtful If any living lnd-
viduals OF the human race could be better quah-
fled to appraise existence, when dissolution is as
hand, with It's glaring contrasts. Yet to them
mlrth is also familiar companion, welcome
friend, WHO does not absent himself IN the face OF
danger. Jolhty and unconscious courage distin-
guish these pioneers, along with many vices
which have doubtless first caused their voluntary
or involuntary exile rom civilization.
THE GOLD HUNTERS
Only a small per cent OF the number OF emf
grants at present in the Black Hills are expe-
renced and skiliul miners. This fact Is surprising,
considering the wlae' advertisement waicn THIS
region has had and the sort OF passion which af
diets ole gold hunters to try fortune inAew fields.
There are now about SIX hundred white men,
aside rom those comprised IN the government
expedition, in the Black Hills. Four times as
many are already organized az various towns and
settlements along the Pacific railroads and the
Missouri ana Platte rivers, either moving in this
direction or awaiting favorable indications from
indian councils now holding Tor tue cesslon of
the gold country to the government The major
ty OF these people have been drawn from various
occupations by the enthusiasm preVa-
lent throughout the States and Terri
tories regarding the new discoveries OF
gold. Many OF them nave invested their
ali in an equipment suitable to the venture.
Hardly man of substantial financial resources
Fan be found engaged in the gold hunt. This IS a
tact OF considerable significance especially when
viewed In conjunction VITA Others which snail
mention hereafter. Nothing but
THE POOREST SUCCESS
has attended efforts az mining made in this valley
In the old-Iashioned manner. either with pan or
rocker. with pralseworthy spirit Of enterprise
several OF the officers Of the expedition have en-
ueavored to aid the scientists in their examina-
ton Of the country oy employing parties OF men in
prospecting the soil, and by more assIduous
labor than any OF the miners can BOAST OF, six
soldiers yesterday washed out with rockers sixty-
seven cents apiece, on the creek, seven
miles above this camp. No better average
success mas been achieved by any one in this
valley since our arrival here. Constant boasts are
made by miners OF the large quantities OF gold
which they have been able TO wash cut OF shovel
tul OF dirt; but q test Of their veracty is very
easily appled-always with negative results. The
demand for golddust among members OF the eX-
petition, who desire TO send specimens by mail to
their friends, is regular and unremitting and,
were the supply equal to 1t, Camp Harvey would
probably have a miniature Wall street. where
purchases and sales would exert an influence on
individual limited nnances; but unfortunately,
the miners VINO speak most extravaganty OF the
richness OF the couatry, never have In their pos
session any OF the precious METAL Whether in
dustry fails them in seeking to procure It, or
whether their besettlng sin IL Incidence, having
expected to find riches lying on tne surface, they
certainly negatively demonstrate the fact that no
profit is derived from the labor lnvolved'in mining
gold by the poor mans methods IN this region.
EXAGGERATED ACCOUNTS.
The unconscionabe exaggeration Of the ricn-
ness OF the placer diggings mere is due TO the un-
trained imagnatons OF uneducated and vulgar
men, who nave become intoxicated at the mere
sight OF few grains Of the metal to whose bril-
liancy their poverty-stricken lives have, for most
part, been strange. Gold, in their eyes as long
as it is not subjected to the test OF the delicate
troy scales assumes a iancled value ten times It's
real In the coarse attributes Of a vulgar mind
there Is tendency to enlarge upon reality and
resort TO the petty and contemplate devices OF
ialsehood. The miners wnom have met aver that
they desire thing more than to see tremendous
innux OF immigration; and IL can be Justly in
1erred that their stories are gross exaggerations,
invented with the simple object OF inducing others
90 join IN the scare h Tor gola. they undoubtedly
hope, first, that an overwhelming Tide OF inva-
sion viii settle at and forever, as by
a coup de main, the question Of the white mans
right to occupy the Black Hills; second, to make
their condition safer by gaining armed reinforce
ments with the incoming parties, and third, that
the obtaining OF food, TOOLS De- Will be easier If
the settlers become SO numerous as TO render
profitable the establishment OF stores here and
lines OF transportation connecting with CONNER.
cial points. Many OF the miners nave come into
the mountains with the mere purpose Of securing
and holding the best claims before the bargain
with the Sioux for the opening Of the country
shall be consummatcd and thus forestall the
throng OF gold seekers who, they surmise would
Immediately thereafter rush In. Others meant to
hold their own against Indians, and even soldiers,
as long as they could, and the more adventurers
Joined them the better counIenance would they
have. Their meditated purpose OF defiance Of
constituted authority has, howeyes, been much
weakened since the news Of
CAPTAINS wALKER AND MILLS SEVERE TREATMENT
OF the party led By Gordon reached them. 1t Is
needless TO state, moreover, that their anathe-
mas against the ofncers above mentioned are
raost violent and sincere. Many there are among
disinterested persons who view the event referred
to as an unmitigated outrage and an act unwor-
thy an oficer OF the United states army. The plea
OF obedience to an order OF the Lieutenant Gen.
q. .LL .... >.