The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-02-10
California Joe Tells What He Knows
About the Gold of the Black Hills.


The Bismarck Tribune Of January
25th, announ 'es the return Of the Bis
malck Black Hills exploring party. ac-
companied by California Joe, well
known and reliable plains man aud miner
The Tribune publishes an itinerary Of
the homeward journey by Mr.. Ed. Dona-
hue, one of the party. and also two letters
from Jam IS j. Sutherland. 4 well known
Montana miner, all confirming the re-.
ports Icegraphed by the DIsrArcii CORES.
pendent at Bismarck, but sc can only
give room at this time to the following
report of IN interview between California
Joe and reporter for the Tribune:
Reporter. Joe, | have heard much Of
you during the past summer through cor
respondence from the Hills, to eastern
newspapers, and have read Of You in
Clusters Lie ON the Plains. Judge you
are familiar with the plains at any rate
the Bismarck boys give you much credit
for the successful manner in which you
riloted them on their return
California Joe. Yes, have spent TWEEN.
ty years on the plains, acting most OF the
time as guide. was with Custer in
Colorado, and was employed by Dodge in
connection With the Jenncv survey last
season.
Reporter. You are familiar with
mines and miners, Judge!
Joe. Yes. have seen much Of all
our western mining regions, including
California. Idaho, Colorado and Mon
tana.
K. How long were YOU in the Black
Hills
Joe. | went there carly last summer
with Professor Jenney and Genera
Dodge, and when they got through with
their work | managed TO remain. and
spent the fall and winter there as well us
the Summer.
X. notice you were travelling much
Of the time when Prof. Jenney was In
camp, prospecting on your own hook. per-
haps!
Joe. Yes. wanted to sec the Hills
for myself.
r. Well, what conclusion
Joe. The Hills are good enough Cor
me. nave taken up a mining claim, but
am in no hurry to work it. and ranch
at the foot of the Hills. on the northeast
side, which is the best thing in its way
ever saw. have also other interests IN
the Hills, which shall aim TO develop al
ter get through pres yec,lng.
4. Are the Hills generally prospected :
Joe. No, indeed. There are hundreds
of gulches IN which the miners picks
have never been struck.
K. How extensive arc the placer mines
III the Black Hills. from the present out
look
Joe. Sufficient 20 employ twenty thou
sand miners.
K. How will they payl
Joe. Certainly from four to Twenty
dollars day. saw $3.50 taken from
one pan of dirt in the Bear Lodge mines.
The prospect speak of was taken not
on Bear Butte Creek. twenty miles west
OF Bear Butte snd 1875 miles from Bis
marck. This region is more exposed in
winter, and is not being worked
this winter. and there are too many
fresh Indian trails leading from the lower
agencies to the hostile camps on the Yclss
lowstone to make it pleasant, but there
will be stampede to that region in the
spring. Indeed, have heard Of one very
rich prospect taken out At point within
so miles Of the present located line Of
the Northern Pacific railroad, but the
boys took their scalps and brought them
in lest the Indians should take them for
them.
r. Do those in the Hills apprchend
danger from the Indians
Joe. Not in the least. The miners
only ask to be let alone by the govern
ment and they will take care Of them.
selves. They have had no trouble With
the Indians and have seen no traces Of
Indians.
| R. Are the miners settling down to
work yeti
Joe. No; the government has both.
cred the miners SO much that they
scarcely know what to do. There are
miners now in the Hills who have been
taken out three times BY the military,
and many others Who lodged, and have
ben tAere since early last spring. Bit