Bismarck tri-weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1875-1881, 1877-12-20
TIE Hills AND THE MAJoR-1


Best E'r;end--A Concise Budget Ct
| Iufo1mation-A Whole Book in q
Newspaper Column.
Well, Major. l see you have got
through safely.
Yes. sir.
Any Indian troubles on the routes
None whatever.
When did you leave the Hills?
left Deadwood on the 18th.
How were the roads7
Excellent.
Has the recent Indian raid on the
route frightened passengers from COM
ing over it?
think not. People now consider it
safer than any other read. OF course
almost everybody is disposed to let the
Indians alone, but spprehend no for
ther difficulty from them.
How is the Bismarck route in cem-
parison to other roads leading into the
Hills?
By far the best. 1 nave travelled the
Cheyenne and also the Sidney, but I
consider this route the best.
How are the accommodations?
The eating is good; the sleeping de-
partments are good; the stations are
warm; the drivers are courteous;sfhe
messengers are gentlemen;-everJ body
is sober; the coaches are comfortable,
and the trip of 24O miles, is made in
three days.
How was the weather Oh the ways
Elegant. Beautiful sunshiny days
all through.
What do people think of Bismarck?
That it is one of the smartest places
outside of civilization.
Are there many going into the Hills?
Well, there are about as many going
in as coming out; quite number Of
women and children are going in 10
spend the winter.
How are times in the Hills?
Times are pretty dull there just now.
How are the placer claims?
They have not been 50 good the past
season as was expected. Claims on
Deadwood creek, have done VERY we'll.
Are there many men unemployed?
Yes; some considerable number.
How arc the good veins looking?
Very good. Those that are opened
are doing very well,
How many mills are now in the
Hills?
Near fifty.
How many were there year ago?
Only . small lead pulverizer.
What causes the hard times?
Most of the mills are yet to be paid
for; most of the Improvements made
are to be paid for, and this takes the
meney out Of the country.
Yes, see.
Another year matters will be more
permanent.
suppose you do . cash. business in
the Hills?
Far from it. There is = great deal Of
credit, and that is killing the mer.
chants.
About what is the average Of the
Hills?
About SO per ton.
Will that pay?
Oh, yes. 1t costs about s. :to mill
it and extract the gol9, leaving an ore
which runs SIS, $l3 profit. 80 tons
per day leaves $500 net.
That's very good.
As they say in the BILLS, "you bet"
Isthe difficulty with the Keets nine
settled?
Yes. sir; sson after the arrival of =
company of soldiers tho boys surren.
dered.
Who was to blame:
OF course, the contractor. The men
had worked hard for their money and
ought to have been paid. They held
tho mine to got their pay, and finally
gave it up and lose their wages.
How is society in the Hills?
Improving. There are some hard cases
but they arc timing out by death aud
otherwise.
Any recent discoveries of gold'
Yes; on Elk Greek, the Box Elder,
and 1t Rockville.
Any other discoveries?
Yes; petroleum.
Any coal in the Hills?
Thirty niles from Deadwood large
beds of coal, four miles in extent, exist.
Is it good:
consider it FIRST rate. There is but
little sulphur in it; it burns we'll, and
leaves white, clear ashes. !
How woald narrowfguage railroad
pay to the Hills?
It would pay spleudidly,-Let it en-
ter the Hills at the Redwater, where
the ceal is located, then take in Spear
fish, (Which is really the agricultural
portion of the Hills) cross into False
Bottom, make over to Central, Golden
Gate, Anchor, Lead City. and then
Deadwood. 1t would be good paying
institution.
You have faith in the richness Of the
Hills?
Oh, yes. Another season will witness