Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1875-1878, 1876-06-14
AN OLD MINER.

ana D0kOI8 we e4tTdcC Iuc loilOUluS
which throws additional light on the
subject. Mr.. J. B. Pearson, who is
quoted, commenced his mining expert
ence in California in 1852, twentY.four
years ago. Since that time he has
worked at placer and quartz mining in
British Columbia, on Frazer river and
Cariboo, in Indaho and Montana, and
his competency as witness, and his
reliability as man is vouched for, not
only by the Press and Dakotaian, but
by VIM. A. Messerve and others at Bis
marck, who have known him as miner
and as an intimate associate.
E. 49, HIS ASSOCIATES
in the Black Hills enterprise were Dick
Low, Jim Pierman, Thomas Moore,
Frank Bryant and the Gay Brothers.
Subsequently they were Joined by Dan
Muckle, Joe Inglesbee and Dad Haggart.
They made the
FIRST DISCOVERY
on Whitewood. in May, 1876. They
lived on jerked venison straight for
some months, but finally feeling the
necessity Of gaining the help of others,
they let their discoveries be known.
The first ground they struck yielded for.
ty cents to the pan, and within two weeks
after their discovery was reported their
were 5000 men in the Desdwood region.
But let the Pres and Dakotaion tel the
STORY. <
Actual work did not commence in the
Whitewood section until early in April.
Since that time about 1000 claims have
been located, and $50 Of these opened
and are now being worked with profit.
On the remainder the owners are now
at work opening them, and will soon
begin to realize profits.
The Whitewood rich gold producing
region embraces an area that will aver
age eight miles in width by twenty in
length-its largest area extending north
and south. 1t embraces number of
streams and gulches, known as Dead
wood, Bob, Tail, Gold Run, Two Bit,
Split Tail, Cape Horn, and others, and
has haen divided BY the miners into
four districts called Cape Horn District,
Whitewood District, Lost District,
which includes Deadwood, and Gold
Run. fsf---s - x ss1.-.s'--2..s-ss & &
Mr.. Pearson's operations have been.
principally confined to Lost District, on
Deadwood, though he has prospected
every section with good success. At
present he is working two placer claims
and three quartz lodes. Hisplacers are
Welding from 500 to $40 day to the
man. His quartz lodes are paying
nothing, but the prospect is unmistak.
ably good, and he is sinking seventy
five foot shaft on each of the lodes.
There are about 1000 men engaged in the
Whitewood region. ' ....,.
Concerning the yield Of gold in special
cases, Pearson gives the following:
Wheeler & Co., Montana men, in Lost
District, are taking out from $1,000 to
$1.7o0 day to eight men.
Bob Kenyon in the same district is
taking out from 5000 to $500 day with
four men.
Claim No. S. on Deaawood, is yield
ing $50 to $3.50 day to four men.
Jas. Scott and Parker & Co., Mani
towoc, Wis.,, parties, have claim No. 2,
on Black Tail, in Lost District, and are
taking out from $40 to $50 day with
four men. These parties run three
claims.
Dad Haggart sold three placers and
an interest in a quartz lode for $3.50.
4 claim is 900 feet in length and ex-
tends on either side of the gulch to what
is Known as the second rim Of the bed
rock. Above these are the hill claims.
Mr.. Pearson estimates that the placers
in the Whitewood region are now yield
ing
TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS A DAY
and not one claim in ten is being work
ed for pay. When the Whitewood reg
ion is fairly opened it will employ over
5000 men, and will yield daily average
ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Il will take from six to ten years to
exhaust the placers already located,
while quartz mining Of the most pro-
ductive character will form lucrative
and be the permanent industry Of the
country, giving employment to thou
sands of miners.
THE SUPPLY OF PROVISIONS.
When Mr.. Pearson left the Hills there
were not to exceed two weeks supply of
provisions on hand and in sight. About
twenty parties came with him, all of
whom are out solely for supplies. Two
parties, Capt. z. H. MeKinnis and Mr..
Wood, came into Pierre with eight
teams each, and have from $1,000 to
90 nn1 IN invest in snpniies. Pearson |