Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-04-13
THE BLACK HILLS.
The YanktOa Party MISUNDERSTANDING He
port of the Gold Region.

A recent letter TO the Dubuque
Telegraph from it's Yankton, Dakota,
correspondent states the experience
of a party in the Black Hills gold
country. The letter was dated the
25th ult. and says:
The party who left here on the
9Th of February lust for the Black
Hills returned here today, consisting
of government, county and city OIL
cers, SIS follows: Mr.. VIM. J. James,
the Governors Private Secretary;
Mr. Ash, Deputy United States Mar
shall; Charles Bates, Deputy Sur
veyor; NJ A. Baker, County Sheriff
of Yankton county; VIM. Leeper,
Marshall Of Yankton; Major Lyman
and II. NJ English. The above par-
ty made the trip 20 the hills for the
express purpose of finding out the
true facts as regards gold, wood aud
water, and further determine what
the country was made for. They re-
port that the country is first class
for agriculture purposes, having
plenty of good timber, white and
pitch pine, from eighteen to thirty
inches in diameter, will make three
twenty feet cuts Of clear lumber, and
the timber is inexbaustible as the
hills are covered with il. The party
brought to Yankton several pieces OF
pine of extra quality, also gol3;
| showing one of the finest prospects
of the golden world. The party ex-
press their opinion that the Black
Hill country is good for minerals and
for agricultural purposes, and will
return to the Hills about the 18th OF
April next.
Mr.. George Henckel, q deputy sur
veyor, returned since the above par
ties. He brings with him about
$120 in gold, bottled up 10 good
shape. His return was some twelve
hours later than the party. He states
that men can AXE from $3.50 to
$500 per day if they work. Mr.. II.
further says that there are mon of
all kinds thero-lawyers, doctors,
merchants, gam blers and black legs;
also saloons, all Of which find some
thing to do.
The whisky sold in the Hills is
called the "Cherokee Lightning"-
somewh hat mixed. Deer is plenty,
also otaer game. Goods can be
bought 10 the Hills at an advance Of
about 20 per cent. for transportation
Flour sells at $3.50 per 100 lbs. 1t
is shipped, | understand, from some
of the agencies, and marked U. S.
Perhaps the government will save
expense by attending to her up
country posts, or the Indians may
go on short rations. | am told that
towns are built up in short time in
and about the Black Hills. Conse
quently, we may look for great i'm
provements during the coming sum-
mer. Rapid City is represented in
the Black Hills to be what Denver
appeared for Colorado Saw mills
are now running in the Hills. La
borers get from So to 81 per day to
work in them.
The Fort Pierre route seems o be
the best route te the Hills, from the
fact that all who have returned make
this statement. Mr.. Braman, for
merly of Cbyenne, but now of Hill
City, Black Hills, is here on business.
He went to the Hills from Colorado.
and he states that the Fort Pierre
route is the best route by ell odds.
He further states that the Cheyenne
and Sioux City Sand Hill routes are
miserable routes TO travel The mi
ners in the Hills, | am toll, tay
that the Chyenne and Sioux City
Sand Hill routes are fearful. No
doubt but maay traveller on the
aforesaid routes have for the first time
been compelled to swear and slide
along on oaths, in order to be reliev-
ed of the burdensome task of travel
Jog knee-deep 10 sand. If the travel
ing public will carefully examine the
map they will at once see that the
old Fort Pierre route is the only
route; but short time and the dec
laration of those that have gone will
easily determine the shortest ard
practical route.