The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-04-04
Territory Of Lincoln.
A REPORT IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

WASHINGTON, March 11.-Sena-
tor Chaffee, from the Committee on
Territories, has made a report re-
commencing the adoption of the
bill creating the Black Hills country
into separate Territory to be call
ed the Territory of Lincoln. The
report is very interesting. 1t sets
forth that in 1876 the Black Hills
country was an uninhabited wilder
ness, but gold and silver, with other
valuable minerals, were known to
exist therein. In 1875 the Indians
coded to the United States all of
their rights thereto; and what was
then vast solitude, seldom visited
by sayages and never by civilised
men, is now the scene of busy life
and commendable enterprise. 1t is
estimated that from $4,000 to co.
600 people inhabit this country at
the present time; of these, about
three fourths emigrated thither dur
ing the year 1877; and doubtless its
population will be greatly augu-
mented by immigration during the
present year. 1t contains voting
population as large as Montana,
and much larger than Wyoming,
Idago, or Arizona.
The committee find that over
$2,OOO,O0O in gold was produced
from the placer mines in the Black
Hills in 1876, and that between
$4O0O,00O and S5,OOO,OOO was de-
rived from all sources in that coun-
try in 1877. Since the beginning
of the year 1877 forty-five gold
quartz mills, with capacity of 800
stamps, and one silve-smelting mill
have been erected and are now
profitably employed there, and that
six other gold-quartz mills, with a
capacity of 4O5 stamps, are in pro-
cess of erection, and it is confidently
estimated by gentlemen who have
resided in that country, witnessed
it's settlement, and the develop.
ment OF its mines, that not less than
S1O,O0O,OO0 OF the precious metals
will be thrown upon the markest of
our country from that locality dur
ing the present year; and your CON-
mittee entertain the opinion from
the evidence adduced that the pro
duct of the precious metals in that
locality will in the near future rival,
if it does exceed, that of our older
States and Territories.
/ As far as explored, the gold re-
| gion extends distance of eighty
miles from northwest to southeast
by from ten to twenty miles in
width from northeast to southwest,
and its full extent has not yet been
ascertained. New discoveries are
of constant occurrence by which the
area of its known existence is being
enlarged. Within this mineral belt
of eighty miles more than three
thousand gold-quartz lodes have
been discovered, claimed, and re
corded, forty of which are furnish
ing the ore to the forty-five gold
mills now erected and running
More than one hundred have large
bodies of ore on the dump ready fol
milling as soon as mills can be pro
cured, and large proportion OF the
remainder are being developed, pro
ducing auriterOus ore with entirely
satisfactory results to the owners
Within this mineral region abou
three hundred silver-lodes hay,
been discovered, claimed, and re
corded, many of which have a goot
supply of ore for milling purposes
But one silver-mill has been erected
: doubtless others will be built durin.
the present season. Coal, Iron, cop
per, and lead have also been found
as Well as petroleum and salin,
springs. There are also within thi
eighty miles large placer mines
: which have heretofore yielded abou
one half OF the gold product of thi
country. Along this mineral regiol
: !. more than twenty thriving town
have sprung into existence, wher
all kinds of business are profitabl,
being carried on. Banks, hotels
stores, and many kinds of manu-
: factories usually found in Western
cities and towns, are not wantin,
in the settlements of the Black Hills
Churches aud school houses alread,
! exist in considerable number, AM
!, are being rapidly provided to NEE
the wants Of the population. Il
short, this region is rapidly becom