The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-05-22
BLACK HILLWARDS.
Facts Fresh fresn q Chicago
"POst" Correspondent at
Fort Pierre.

FoRr PIERRE, Dakota, May 5.--I ar
rived here this morning. IL has been
raining since Wednesday. and the
roads for 60 miles arc very heavy.
Wagons are scattered along the bot
tom for five miles waiting for dry
weather. A train. and from 300 TO 400
men, left here yesterday, another will
start Monday. Several stages have
been dispatched. but none have return
ed. for the second trip. The passen-
gers will probably have 10 walk much
Of the way. There are several build
ings up. Evans A Horpick have sub
stantial re-house. 25xl00 feet, aud
will put mp another shortly. The
Mead" and the 'Dugan" left 100 tons
OF freight and nearly 800 passengers
here this week. Parties just returned,
and with whom i have conversed, re-
port having met 200 persons on the
road. Grass IL abundant few miles
out, and half the distance roads Are In
tolerable condition. They estimate
the distance by road at Dos miles and
straight across l50 miles. Time Tor
loaded teams, twelve 10 fifteen days.
They were six days coming in on foot.
When they left the hills the snow was
twelve inches deep, and the mud on
the foothills still deeper. II was ru.
mored that a prospecting party OF
twenty-six miners were killed some
time this month. They further report
business brisk, prices lower, and work
10 he had Mt fair wages. The new
landing at Chautier Greek has been
abandoned, owing to the channel hav-
ing changed to the other side Of the
river. Although things look gloomy
here, our party are fnll OF hope and
very determined. The Grand Central
Hotel ut st. Pierre 10 small lnmber
yard nailed together) can accommo-
date about 20 guests, with beds on the
hoor and pretty good meals, for 81 80
per day. There are several restaurants
and stores, doing o good business.
Prices generally are not unreasonable.
There are probably not more than 200
tous of freight stored here, that. con-
signed 10 the care Of Evans A Hornick,
is handled quickly and not allowed 10
accumulate. They have fifty wagons
on the road, aud as many more are cx-
pected 10 arrive from Ysnkton on Mon
day. I have found the freight and
p~Ss.-r.r lines on fhi. rnpts @s.-.-.i-
ly accommodating and reliable, and fully
superior 10 those on any ether. IL any
reliance can be placed upon the re-
ports OF those who have travelled over
Others.
left civilizations jumping of place,
Yankton, on Sunday night by the Mis-
souri River Transportation Company's
steamer Western" commanded by
Capt. VIM. Gould. Our 240 tons OF
freight consisted mostly OF supplies
for the Black Hills. Our passenger
list numbered l2i, and included sever
well-to-do farmers. n few experienced
miners and sprinkling Of uninnitiatsd
ambitious Young men, most OF whom
being nursed 10 the life they have in
prospect will probably soon fall into
line with the returning boards, RATS
and wagons, leaving here almost daily.
All were quiet and contented; nothing
has occurred to mar the pleasures OF
the trip which from the first has been
very like 4th Of July excursion, and
the delightful weather has been fully
appreciated by every one. Most OF
the time has been spent on the decks
in shooting at ducks and shouting at
the Indians along the banks. At Fort
Thompson, we were Joined by Gen J.
II. Hammond, who with Indian agent
DIR. ii. L. Livingstone and Major DE
Witt are making q personal inspection
OF the military posts and agencies. as
well as some OF the wooded bottoms,
. probably with view 10 selecting q site
for the Red Cloud aud Spotted Tail
Agencies. They will meet with the
chiefs, and under q military escort.pro-
oeed over land, TO more closely inspect
the favored points. The most proba-
BILE selection will be at the commence
ment OF the 40-mile bend on the west
bank OF the river.
The prevailing opinion among exper-
I fenced Iudian agents and woodmen is
that no danger need be apprehended
| by parties crossing the plains. but that
stragglers are liable 10 be attacked by
strolling bands. Sitting Ball has but
400 warriors with him, who will not be
likely 90 ventne very far south in q
body. He never has had more than
1900 men; such q party conld not nov
: exist this side of the Yellowstone. Az
to other Indians, they not only have q
/ wholesome dread of miners and scouts,
but some respect for Uncle sam, 70
whom they must look for rations The
tribes would not countenance any bush
whacking on the part OF individual
members. because they have too mncl
at stake and know the penalty.