The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-06-07
THE BLACK HILLS.

THE BLACK HILLS.
Conflicting Opinions as to the Mineral
Wealth of the Hills-Ouartz Discoveries
High Price of Living-Estimate of Gold
/ Production.
[Deadwood Cor Chicago Tribune.]
There are conflicting opinions as to the
mineral wealth of this region, and this
difference of opinion is found even
among old miners and scientific men.
Some Of the more sanguine affirm that
the gold-bearing quartz lodes will last
for years and prove of surprising rich
ness others express the belief that they
are but groupings without wall, rock, or
any indications of extensive vein. Mr.. Ell
more, of New York, high authority
among experts, spent several days here
and arrived at the latter conclusi ion, advis-
ing all his friends against investing here.
Yet others are investing, and mills and
machinery being erected in many locali-
ties for the purpose of taking out the
gold. The placer claims Call taken up
in this region) are some of them yielding
very rich returns, one which I visited
the other day cleaning up twenty-eight
ounces of gola-dust for the days run,
with four hands employed. Another
does still better, and takes out $500
day. These are the best [ have any
knowledge of-others ranging all the
way from $50 to $500 per day, Or some
mere pan workers being satisfied with So
to $40.
The quartz discoveries are about three
miles from here-the richest lying at
Gyaville and Lead City. Mills in opera
ton at these places are doing a good
business, crushing ore that assays all the
way from $50 to 5000 to the ton. Custom
mills arc charging $12 ton for crushing,
and ten-stamp mill can reduce about
twenty tons in twenty-four hours. Nor is
gold the only mineral found here. At
the Bear Buttes, eight or ten miles away,
rich silver lodes have been discovered.
and smelling works to cost $50, 900 are
in process of erection. The silver is
found in combination with Lead, and
there is also small percentage of gold
in the quartz.
Evidently many here believe in the
richness of the hills, present and pros
pective, as investments of capital are
being made daily, and towns are multi
plying in this and all the neighboring
gulches. Houses go up as if by magic,
and are occupied at once either for
business or residence. Rents are fear
fully high-a property that is valued at
$400 renting easily for 500 per month,
while store-rooms rent all the way from
$3.50 to $3.50 per month, according to To-
cation. Property is all held yet by mere
right of possession, and conveyed by
quit-claim deed. The mining claimant,
whoever he may be, has a right to trn-
mel under the soil. So great is the de-
mand for houses that the saw-mills are
unable to meet it, and they have orders
now on hand three or four weeks ahead of
the supply.
There are three or four hotels here,
besides numerous restaurants, and all
are crowded to their full capacity. The
hotels charge 81 day for board, or 1913
by the week. Flour ranges from $16 to
$50 per 100, according to the supply on
hand OF the ability of merchants to hold
a corner on it. Bread, two loaves for Is
cents ; potatoes, 123 cents pound ; hay,
: 10 to Is cents a pound.
The town of Deadwood is much more
peaceful and orderly than many in the
States suppose. With mixed popula-
ton variously estimated at from 5000 to
1000, and consisting of people from
all parts of the Union, with sprinkling
of reigners-French, italian, German,
negroes, Chinese, etc-it is no wonder
that there are occasional difficulties. [
wonder that there are not more. Whisky
is sold at every other door, gambling-sa-
looms abound, and disreputable swindlers
haunt every corner, ready to trap the
unwary.
The estimate of gold taken out here
last year varies from 81 900, 900 to 49,
100000. A much greater quantity will
be taken out this year-the present
yield being estimated at from $20,000 to
1926, 900 per day, and the prospective
yield, when more mills are up, as high
as $75, 900. Many predict that the gold
yield for 1877 will reach at least $1O,-
900, 900, and that this will be increased
from year to year. Of course, the doubt
ers deny, and affirm that this season will
show the Hills humbug and exhaust
the gold. Time will decide between the
two predictions.
A Mans Tongue Removed by Surgical
Operation.
E. B. Whittelsey, of Albany, N. Y,
was recently subjected to a surgical
operation of the most difficult nature.
It consisted of the removal of the entire
tongue by means of the galvano cautery,
and necessitated the tying Of the Engual
arteries on both sides, and the laying
open of the lower jaw in the medium
line. This was done to enable an opera
ton to be performed, upon an ehphelial
cancer on the tongue, which prevented
the patient from talking and eating any
thing but liquid food. The patient was
first put under the influence of ether,
and then both sides of the neck were
cut through to the bone and the sub
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