Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1875-04-02

in it are several localities called
the Black Hills: for instance, the Black
Hills of Laramie, tn Black Hills of Pow
der river, and the Black Hills Of Cheyenne
river, The latter Is the iucaltry IN which
Gen. Custer made reconnaissance last
and about which there is SO much
speculation now, and within the bounds
Of which is supposed by large number
Of persons is to he found the Father De
Smet mountain of gold. De Smet's story
was, that while living with the Sioux he
was shown by them nuggets Of gold, which
they Informed him were obtained at differ
erent points in the Black Hills, supposed
to be from tn. beds of the Big Horn, Rose
bud and Powder rivers, and from branches
Of Tongue river. On his representing
that such yellow metal was of great value.
they told him they knew where there was
a mountain of it Subsequent investigs-
ton, however, proved that the Indian
of gold was nothing more than
a formation of yellow mica, such a. may
he found in a number of places in the
above described country. l had scarcely
given the story thought after this until
about three years ago, when I happened
to be IN New York. and it was brought to
my recollection BY prominent gentleman
who asked me where Father De Smct was
to be fo,fnd, and insisted that some one
should be cent at once to get from him the
secret of the gold mountain. which wonl,,
pay the national debt After had in
formed him that it was an cid and ex.
ploded story, his srdor cooled. and the ex.
element about the mountain Of gold
subsidized. It SO happened. however, tina,
the Black Hills country was embraced IN
my military command, and two years ago
it became apparent to me that military
post in the Black Hillsof Cheyenne would
soon become necessary for proper protec.
ton of the settlements in Nebraska from
the raids of Sioux warriors. who s.ways
before commencing depredstions on the
frontier, secured Q safe place for their
families in the locality mentioned. Be.
lieving that these Indians would never
make war on our settlements 90 long -
We could threaten their families and vii
lagos in this remote locality. sbounding in
game ard all that goes TO make Indian life
And with this purely mill
tary object 10 view, orders we're given fur
the Custer reconnoisance.
The discovery Of particles of gold BY
alluvial washing near HarEeys Peak. on
The eastern slope of the Black Hills Of the
cheyenne followed, and brought to the
surface the Father De 6met story for the
third time.
The Black Hills described by General
Custer are situated between the north aud
south forks Of that river; one az which 10
known q the Belle Fourche and the other
u the South Fork. Although I have the
utmost confidence In the report of Gen
Custer and Gen. Forsythe of my staff. that
yold was found near Harneys Peak, I
nay safely say there has b-sn no fair test
ret made to determine its existence in
arge quantities. There 10 NO Territory 10
he West where god does not exist, but
many Of THIN the quantity u limited TO-
he color. which Il a. much - has yet bssn
ound near Hafneys Peak.
Tho geological specimens brought back
y Casters expedition ATE Ddi iaybssble1
ndlcatlOna of the exinionce Of GOLD II anvl
,reat Quantity, slill il may b thera. But
> The trssty OF 1853, duly Sasi6ed. viftuS
ny deeds thlS portion Of The Black Htlls|
0 The Sioux IndiAss. theso 4 - alteFna-I
I've bus 70 kesr mt ~ tEsspGsssa B1t|
0 20 baek 70 the Father Dc 6mes lateEna-l
IN thsss = not msch d00bt Of ~ sxjst-
20 of large qualities Of gold = thsI
|lack Hilk. buf nsch faElhse Wsse thaDI
y Dlsck Hit q ahs ChaSeana I hsEeI
~ nsgests Atoa ~ ~ Ham ~