The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-07-24
EXPLORING TIE BIO HORM
Progress OF the Expedition In Search OF
New Dorado-Huntina BuTnio and Doda-
ing Indian.-The Mystery OF Prior Greek.

New Dorndo-Hunting BuHnio and Dodg-
ing Indian.-The Mystery OF Prior Creek
CAMP BIG Horn EXPEDITION, OLD Fort
PHIL KEARNY. w. T.. July l2.-Snce leaving
Cantonment Reno wo have had rather monot-
onous experience Of long marches hot suns
scarcity Of game and of1ndians, beautiful prairie
lands. watered by the clcarost coolest. and most
rapid Of mountain streams. and covered with
luxuriant verdure. The scenery along tho
route. although majestic at first. finally wearied
the eye On the west appears tho Big Horn
range stretching from about the forty-third
porallel north latitude. north by west some zoo
miles and then turning in n westerly direction
toward Yellowstone. or National fark. lts
flank is protected 10y gracefully slopinR y loot
hills" cut in twain at frequent intervals by
caf1ons through which the drainage OF the in
terror passes out. These foot hills. unlike those
surrounding the Black Hills. are OF uniform
height, are productive OF heavy pine timber,
although not entirely covered with it, and are
separated from the main or snowy range by
series of beautiful valleys and parks Astounding
in timber game. water and heavy. nutritious
grasscs
Twenty miles back Of the foot hills rises the
Big Horn proper u magnificent range. with its
granite sides Drowned and scared with the
storms OF ages. and crests pcrrctuany white
with snow.
Our party loft Reno July 7. men and stock re-
| invigoratcd by tho two days rest aud puro
water. For the first ten miles the trail led up a
gradual ascent. and over land rs desolate and
| barron az any heretofore encountered. The
eun was intensely hot the dust fine and penetrat-
| ing and, waited 10y strong but heated breeze,
| So conditioned US and our horses that when,u
! noon we reached little stnRnant pool by the
roadside. we were only too glad 20 unsaddle and
| quaif from the mud. AT Cr,zy Womans FORK.
wenty-seven miles from hrho. we i ,,,,, tnc
| la nj v ftlr r.
ten days previous. The stream Is large, clear.
rapid. a-d. coming direct from the snowy re.
gion few miles west. Is cold 10 a degree tha'
WINS very refreshing.
We have enjoyed rare sport. at times shooting
not so bulky. are quite as heavy as an average
turkey. being surprisingly meaty, ana very pm,
| atable. We sighted n fiOck near the ROAD, ana
dlsmountcd aud walked up to within twenty
| yards of them. Our first volley brought down
four The others remained gazing upon us.
| with the utmost wonder apparent IN ther large,
| round eyes. and made no effort To- escape until
three or four volleys had been delivered and
their numbers greatly reduced. Th9 builalo.
which sighted six miles away, proved 10 be nm
aged bull, evidently deserted 10y the herd and
left to die. lie raised his great shaggy head "a
my horse. Monkey. galloped down divide
that. screening u.s. had permitted near NO
proach. and with oul below started ON @" a" "a
long ride but entered into the chase with VIM;
Up hills and down. across valleys. fanohs, anu
dry creeks we went. pursuing steadily gaining
| upon pursued. until three mites, az least were
gone over. when Monkey lapp..d the ancient
hrnu,,ht into successful use The meat was
tough and not very palntable. but ~ sui sti-
tute for our invariable dish oi bacon was ac-
Ills days ride carried us into much better
country than any yet soon ana by niI1nt u 'ls
had disclosed rinny of the beauties of Powder
River valley which extends from near Fort
Fatterman on the south L. thr territorial mo
| on the north, hr.ng hhput 100 nll's square.
South of Crazy Woman FORK tn" lund. nS
already drs ,ribed, is utterly worthless Above
that stream. however. "A change is noticeable M
all thin =. Streams are more numerous and
purrr the soil richer. and devoid OF those gyi
denc.s vi storility snge brush and cactus. Tho
country il broken into isolated mountain
patches. irregular table lands. and detached
areas Of prairie, all covered wth grass OF re-,
markahle growth. often three feet high and
very thick. and IN great variety. the principal
Kind being broad-blade,i nutriuous. bue
, growth that seemed very palatable 10 our stock
Nature has supplied this beautiful district with
three million acres OF rirh auvial soil. copl-
Ously wiitprcd with running streams, ana hhN-
ing a sufficient rainfall to produce crops with
, out resorting To artificial irrigation. ,Ihe
, climate il mid and Pheasant. the altitude OF ne
district b"ing the lowest III Inc territory. VIM
II convenient market Tor ia. sale of products.
have NJ doubt that the region would speedily
! Ice developed into one oi ne best Tor hgiIcul-
: turnl puri oses ia tll" United states.
A party of emigrints ar" day march ahead
Of us. destined for the northern section Of the
! district. and they have their familie, with
them. AZ we'll as complete outfits ior thorough
! ill.," country and have come to stay.
+ On the 9TH We crossed Clear Fork. One Of ouI
came upon lively" inians. but cached himself
before they discovered his presence.
On Wednesday. the I'm. We divided tho party
, ! sending the wagons and hulk ot stores Will
tw' nty mon - ms point. while thirty men witt
, iwo weeks provisions entered ihe rang a. Cieal
| Crock cdnout" pros pee mat stream, tnr Pneys
and AtadNat.r OF Tongue RIVER. | shall JON
+ them tomorrow and after "a thorough "Nplora
uon OF that region W. small reJu4n our tram an
: move on northward.
/ have !ust had i long talk with an old miner
| who. starved out oI III" mountains. came in i0
/ grub. His first statement. that he had subsi-t
ed Tor the pasI twenty Two days upon bear met