The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-02-18
"A PLAIN, UKyAaNIsHED TALEs
Judge W. L. Kuykendall on the Black
Hills-An Interesting Letter.
CUSTER CITY, Feb. Al


write you regarding prospects in the
Hills, ] will now proceed to do so by
coming at once to the main point, that
is, the question Of finance. Little has
been done in developing mining
claims, on account of the severe
weather. In my opinion placer gold
exists in paying quantities, over a
large scope Of country, and that many
men will strike IL very rich, 1 have
every reason to believe, whilst many
will not be so fortunate. This has al
ways been the case, no matter how
rich the gold fields of any country
have proved.
The only claims that have been
worked are those owned by the Al
len party, and the California party.
in. on account of cold weather. Al
len showed me one nugget worth
about four dollars in coin, and the
California boys have one hat weighs
one ounce and three pennyweights.
Nearly all the gold extracted thus far
is from bar diggings. and has been
taken out under many disadvantages.
1t seems to me that when spring
opens up and claims are opened to the
bedrock, there will be rich develop
nients in many places that the pick
and shovel have not touched.
Quartz indications are good, though
it is impossible at present to form any
idea of developments in hat direction.
In fact, little real, testing prospecting
has been done. The field for such is
wide, and that great strides in that d.
rection, will be made when the wealth
er permits, is apparent, ifmuscle, ener-
gy and perseverance, can accomplish
the end. Gold here is in the ground,
like it is in every other mining coun-
try and not on the surface ready for
the scoop-shovel, Hard work is nee
essary to find and extract it; pros
p~ecting is in its infancy.
Good prospects have been found
lately on Deadwood and Whitewood
creeks, seve nty-ive miles north Of
here. In some localities the bedrock
is neal the surface, in others it is very
deep. Washed gravel, black sand and
Eubies. white and v~ariegated, abound.
Quartz exists over a large belt through
the Hills; slate and granite also.
This place will have about one Irun-
bred and fifty houses completed, most
ly in u rude manner, by the first of
March next. Some good buildings are
in ourse Of construction. The pio-
neer saw-mill. owned by Tommy
Monahan. Pat Murphy and Dave Du-
cent, will awaken the echoes with its
first whistle Tomorrow, and proceed
at once 10 turn out lum Der, at fifty
dollars per thousand.
The majority Of the people here are
inclined fav"rab!y towards Cheyenne
as nm Quitting point. on account
of its many advantages Little
trouble exists in getting a good road
from Cheyenne to this place by a di-
rect route. ! can shorten either of the
present roads at least thirty or forty
miles, which will make the distance
not more than two hundred and TWEEN
ty-five miles. Nearly half the dis
lance is through settlements. with a
good crossing over the North Platte on
the iron bridge. I was Informed by
many miners here, who have Travelled
oyer nearly every route. that Ciey-
enne is the nearest Quitting point to
this place, and by far the best route as
to advantages.
Hill city is located on Spring creek.
ffi cen miles from here, and is quite a
town. having at this time about fifty
houses. A few of its citizens are in
clined towards Bismark as an outfit
ting point. There will. 10 doubt be
other business points started in the
spring. / am satisfied with the coun-
try, so far am satisfied hat it will
A be good. If gold does not exist here
this would be a good country in u fl
nancial point of view, there being
other awaiting development.
that 1 will explain when l return
home, which will be on or about the
10th of next month, or perhaps sooner.
1 cannot close without warning par
ties contemplating starting for the
Hills, not to do so in small parties.
and to guard their stock we'll at night,
or they will lose it. The Indians no
doubt intend to steal all the stock they
can. Negligence will not do, as they
are camped near both roads, in small
parties, and no doubt see every party
that passes. Jules Ecoffey lost u fine
span of horses, coming in, and about
the same time they stole one of Jim.
Abney's four horse teams. Care must
therefore be used, unless parties are