Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1876-03-14
DAILY
LYON COUNTY TIMES.
Tsrns, Is Cents per Week.
orr,c,al PAPER OF LYON COUNTY.
THE BLACK HILLS.
The Mountains, Mines. Lands,
Timber and Game Truth
fnlly Set Forth.

The following article is from the
Montana Independent" of March
%. The person who furnished the
data is W. w. Martin, an expert
,epced miner, and reliable man. We
have no doubt of the substantial
truth of the statement in every
particular:
The Hills are mountain range
running nearly east and west, en-
circled by two considerable streams,
the Belle Fourche on the north
west, which is fed by Sand, Iron
Red, White and Dry creeks; while
on the southeast is the South Fork
of Big Cheyenne, into which flow
Box Elder, Rapid, Castle Spring
and French creeks, all OF which
creeks have their source in the
Black Hills. The country drained
by the Belle Fourche and the South
Fork Of Big Cheyenne, covers an
area OF country of 100 by 15O miles.
The question as to the existence of
gold in this countsy in paying
quantities is one of absorbing inter-
est to q large number of people,
and Mr.. Martins unvarnished state
ment may be relied upon, and his
answer to the question is that, while
gold has undoubtedly been found
there, he says that the only persons
he knows OF who have had any sue
cess are q Montana party of nine
men called Florida & Company,
who have been mining for nine
months at the lower end OF French
creek, and have succeeded in taking
out about $500. The gravel there
is very loose, and the pay is all
found on bed rock and is coarse.
The creek is about thirty miles
long, and at the head Of it there is
lot sufficient water to work. he
arrived in the Hills about the mid4
die OF December and left the 25th
OF January. During this time he
visited all the camps on the south
east side and saw but little mining
being done. Wherever he went he
heard of rich discoveries little
farther north; but the advent OF
Buchanan's party from Montana
reported having found no gold in
the Wind River Country.
The most extravagant stories are
told and believed of great strikes, but
the owners Of fabulously rich mines
are known to be on short rations. All
the grppnd has been laid over until
the 1st of April, so but very little
wO.k has been done.
The Hills are covered with growth
Of yellow pine very similar to that
seen in Montana. The largest pine
tree seen by him there was aoout
twenty inches in diameter. There
are already five saw mills, and six
more were going in. At the lower
end of French and Spring creeks are
said to be found ash, birch, plum and
wild grape timber. Notwithstanding
the reports that have been circulated
in regard to this region as being a
fine agricultural country, he denies it,
and says that the little he saw was
fair enough, but there is not sufficient
quantity Of it to give it any claim in
this respect, as all the land fit for
tilling is limited to small parks, con-
taining only few acres. The Hills
are better fitted for grazing. but even
for this it cannot compare with Mon
tana, alkali abounding everywhere.
One great fact concerning the Hills,
in which all agree, is they
are noted for the frequency and
herceness of the storms Of thunder
and lightning, said to be attracted
o.y the great quantity of magnetic
IRON to be found there. The Indians
mat lnhabit that country are SO famil-
isf with this that they regard some
foI tne more elevated peaks with a
species Of superstitious awe, and, in
general, avoid these localities; the
appearance of timber, shattered and
rent In twain, evidencing the fury
'oi the storms that must have visited
them.
Buffalo, elk, moose, bear, antelope,
Hneep, turkeys. geese, ducks, rabbits,
anu hsh are unknown, the only game
ever seen are white and black tail
aaeer a's and mountain lion, and these
but rarely.
custer City, the principal town, is
SITUATED on French creek, distant
ABOUT 700 miles from Cheyenne, and
contains about 500 inhabitants. Kirk
endall, from Denver, and McGregor
ana McCay, from Cheyenne, and a
urn from Red Cloud Agency, are
merchants. A large hurdy house and
i.wo saloons appear to monopolize all
s'ne business, as they seem to control
~ the money in circulation