New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-27
TIE BLACh HILLS.

THOUSANDS SEARCHING FOX UoLD
AN INDIAN RESERVATION INVADED - NoN-i''
FERENCE BY The GOvERNMENT-IhE hoAn ~
THE HIIIs-NOT MUCH GOLD YET BENT III ihA
SETTLEMENTS.
CHEYENNE, w. IT,, April 22.-One Oh the
most cnrious examples of the manner in which the Gov
ohserves or neClects its treaty obligations with
e Indians is apparent in the history OF the RAPID see
mont Of the Black Hills The larger portion OF the HIS
les in the Territory of Dakota and Is on inc ony wc
defined Indian reservation mentioned In the treaty vi
1867 The smaller but perhaps equally rich AREA
lies In Wyoming Territory, and this, with all the
country north of the North Platte River 10 the Yellow
stone River, and west to the summit of the Big Horn
Mountains in this territory, set aside by the terms
of the above mentioned treaty for the use OF the
Indians, under the title OF Z" unceded lands" Whlte
people were strictly prohibited from encroaching
upon this region, and 1t Is scarcely year ago
that In pursuance Of orders from Gen. Sheridan the
military forces Of this department were actively engaged
In capturing trains bound for the Black Hills and tul
ing them back, going PAR to carry out the let
ter Of the ORDER and burn and destroy property In some
instances. Emphatic warnings were sent out from
Washington to the effect that this country was guarai
tecd the Indians by treaty obligations, and must De
held for them until such time 1t could be obtained 10y
purchase, or by the modification of existing law the
orders of the departments and of the military command
nave not DPen revoked, III az hiuV
force as But one hears of interference with
the thousands who are pouring into the new
gold felds the military authorities have ceased 10
trouble them the Interior Department is silent
Yet the Government has not purchased the Black HIS
nor any other portion OF the uneedcd lands from the
Indians nor has the treaty been modified in the slightest
degree Thousands Of people vending their way TO
Join the thousands already in the new Eldorado Towns
are being built daily stage lines from Cheyenne to
Custer City are carrying hundreds OF persons nOIthward
mail established by act of Congress ITSELF and
the people of the United States are snatching away
from the Indians the richest portion OF their unceded
lands and even part Of their reservation, without so
much Thank you all this, too, in spite OF treaty
obligations which have the force of law.
On the other hand, 1t may be stated that an effort was
made to purchase the Black Hills which was unsuccess
full and bills have been introduced in Congress TO extn-
guish Indian title thereto Moreover, there Is the
old story of nonobservance of the requirements OF the
treaty the part of the Indans OF raids ana murders
along the frontier and of numberess depredatos com
mi,ted by them. These given as reasons why the
treaty should longer be observed ID 0tnef words,
then the United States makes treaties with people who
1t is very will observe them only so long as the
treaties please, and which 1t breaks itself whenever II
finds gOlddiggngs. 1t treats with 6cggary Tribes
appropriated to feed them and II the Indians object 10
this and make up from the frontier settlers iAc daCeuey
IL sends troops to thrash them into making another
treaty which observed in the same way as was the one
The Blsck Hills country we have occupied. 1t is
longer barred to the people though under the treaty we
have right to it, How rich IN gold IL Is cannot yet be
determined II has valuable timber excellent past uragc
and small of arabic lands IL the mines shOhu
nroye not worth line working there is still for many
other industries IN that region sufficient 10 employ con
siderable population proflably Ins popuiauoh II WIZ
certainly very soon nave, one ps ,ae Th mn
usually wintry weather of March and April seems I"
nave had no cf ct in reiaring the advance OF the
stanty-enlars,ng column The Indians occasionally
make descent upon Struggling travellers, but 50 lar
they have not checked the movements Of single
this direction. his IL uOublcSs uut
In TO small degree to tie nearness OF Tue nlltarA
hence to Custer City, by way OF Fort Laramie,
Kawlhde, Running Wafer, cheyenne iavsr, 1hu hsa
aud ia generally almost equal 10 turnpike Inc us
22S miles, and the stages which now leave hefe
csabI she'd at convenient distances, and accommodation
such usually finds on the frontier i PROVIDED ior
the traveller 1t is not always equal 10 ,hat iound III le
Eastern States bat what differ cnce does II make 10
ON the way to the mines with visions OF eolden
wealth in his hcadl blanket, a piece OF !red hacOn
cup OF muddy coffee and hot ana heavy biscuit are
Injuries enough to satisfy the most ex9etns most pee
pie go in their own convey ances amd o! i .io br
provision Many go out IN fast freight teans mred mere
or od the 81 III knds and sYen Variety
haye already gone s TO o ESl'ef the Usual eoWds
which fock from one mining camp To another.
thus far little gold has been brought here but OWING
done and il will De midsummer before We hear what the
resait Of al this search for gold is going 10 be- Inc
place for poor men The gold is found III gpchcs and IN
quantities to pay the laooIer al The way from - 10 40
been prospected yet, and even If they are found to be
rch in gold t will require capital 10 work item Gule-
mining requres capital bat the pick and pan, and the
possiby OF {" pockets" from which fortune may be
extracted in day is a very attractive tnng to inc
"pilgrim" New discoveries reported almost daily
along the east IN Dakota side OF the HDs while ON
the western Bear Lodge side, which has not Dee as
vet 80 extensively pIoepectcd there come reports OF
nuggets ana finds that indicate an equally valuable
disfrct Altogether there is no lack oi encouraging re-
ports but year will tell us what there Is IN the HIS
Gen. Crook continues making preparations Tor MS next
eXpeC O,l against the Indians II Is expected TO start
abyn, the middle OF May and VIII be strong enough III
numbers permit of the division of the command into
two three yng columns which can follow the Indians
with safety A Sumner camp VIII probably be estip,,
lIsbc nj Old Fort Phil. KedneY IN charge or force OIL
infa try and from this base when Is 10 be Kept wei sup
pied rapid movements can be made through every part
OF tns hostile country.