The New York herald., 1879-08-03
THE NIOBRAlsA REGION.

THE SOLDIER AND THE PIONEER IN THE VAN
OF CIvILIzATIoN-NEw POST ON THE MO-
BRARA RIvER-BENEFITs AND DISADVANTAGES
WHICH THE SETTLERS LABOR UNDER.
FoRT HARIsUFF, Neb.. July %. 1879
Last week General Crook and several officers of his
staff returned to this post trip to the Mo-
brara River where they had been for the purpose Of
selecting site for military post about to be estab
lished in that country, for which Congress recently
appropriated $4,000. The General occupied ten
days in making the trip. during which time besdex
fixing the site OF the fort new road struck out
some forty miles shorter than the one hitherto
travelled in going to the Niobrara ranches On the
river several excellent locations were found. At
some points q post might. it was conjectured.
be supplied with water from neighboring springs
directly through pipes without forcing the water
ut all. The country is generally favorable tor ha
establishment Of post, there being an abundant
supply of wood for fuel and much that will
building purposes Numerous springs and streams
furnish water of excellqut quality Some Of the
winters. The water is soft and pure and, as before
observed. very easily obtained.
LOCATION OF THE NEW POST.
The post will be located in the centre Of the Mo-
brara Cattle Range. which interest it is mainly
but as ys. tho hsras arc no. so large ss
in other sections the country being recently Occu-
pied. There IL, however, constant stream OF
migration consisting chiefly of small cattle owners
who drive their own herds and take their families
and household goods at the same time. The cattle
interest is rapidly increasing, being the favorte in
vestmen OF all capitalists in this Western coun-
try and every section adapted grazing will at no
far distant time. be occupied by cattle or sheep
ranches.
GANGS OF HORSE THIEVES.
Settlers have been exposed to the raids of numer
gang OF horse thieves during the past year, but
OF late their operations have been somewhat
checked. and the establishment of military station
These border outlaws are led by notorious char.
acter known as doc" Middleton, who Is . remarka.
BILE inaividual II all said Of him be founded on
mostly confined their efforts to stealing the ponies
of the Sioux at the Spotted Tail and Red Cloud
agencies. 1t is claimed by the agent that several
hundred have been driven of sold In the sette-
ments to the whites. who only too eager to buy
cheap horses, the knowledge that they were stolen
from Indians seeming to enhance their value in the
estimation Of the honest frontersman.
doc" Middleton has lately been married. and it is
rumored that ho desires fofsske his evil ways and
settle down a law abiding citizen. in he be al
lowed. This may account for the suspension Of
horse stealing and the present tranquility that rcigns
DIFFICULTIES OF THE MARCH.
The distance from Fort Hsrtsuf to the contem-
plated post will be little over one hundred miles.
The roA al Is very good nearly the entire way. At
this season. however travelling in this country is
extremely disagreeable on account OF the heat by
day and myraek of mosquitoes that infest the camp
at night. They are troublesome that It is impos.
sbe obtain any rest ut night unless protected by
n mosquito bar. Even then it is very difacult to
prevent the entrance OF the minute but most euer-
getic pests. After pursuing the ordinary route for
some thirty miles the party struck out on
trail leading more directly to the ranch country. At
a distance of some seventy miles from this post
they discovered large lake, which was
estimated to be the largest Of the largest
in this State. The water clear, being
in this respect different from the general class o1
lakes in this region. the waters Of which dis
colored by alksli some substance held in solution
On the bosom of this sheet Of water Aoated in so-
tary state swan. surrounded by family Of seven
cygncts. christening it Lake Post, in honor of
OF the district judges OF Nebraska. they passed
through rich ratura pasture Of indefinite extent
covered with luxuriant growth OF wild but nu-
tritous grass, capsbie of afording almost unlm-
tied supply OF hay to the ranchmcn.
The new post will be located about seventy miles
from the farming settlements on the Loup River.
Material tor its construction and supplies for the
garrison will be transported through these settle
ments up the Loup and Calamus valleys, all OF
which will prove or material aid to the farmers in
this section.