New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-09
GOLD IN THE BLACK HILLS.
GOOD WORDS FOR pEApwooD.


THE MINES.
IFRoh STAFF CORRESPONDENT THB TRTBUSR.l
DEADwooD. ID. r., July 29.-Tbe placer mines of
Deadwood and Wildwood Clutches we're the most
productive of any IN the Black Hills during 1879
aud a part of 1877. Gold was discovered in Dead
wood Gulch about mile above town, and about
fifty locations were Immediately made. The dis
coveres in Whtewood Gulch were made about the
same time, and large number of claims were taken
up along that stream. Deadwood Creek is a tribu-
tary to the Whitewood, and empties into 1t nearly
IN the centre VI the city, the two streams being
separated from each other short distance above
their confluence by mountain or divide" hve or
SIX hundred feet in height Neither is more than
small brook which can step over. The sides of
Deadwood Gu OH very PERCEPTIONS throughout
nearly its whole length the walls of the canon ris-
ing abruptly from the edge of the stream. The
road leading up the gnlch is cnt along the side of
the hill, and the houses, where there are any
above the city, are perched on the edge of the
mountain, with their back yards far above
their ohimneys. The sides of this canon
and tue mountains which tower above 1t were COW
cred with thick grow th of pine timber and under
brush when the tirst settlers came here.
At the junction of Deadwood and Whitewood
Greeks the hills recede little and the bed of the
stream becomes wider, and here the city was built
AT this point there two principal streets-Main,
which follows the general direction of the gulch
hat gives the town its name, and Sherman. The
former consists OF single row of buildings set up
close against the hi on the one side, and similar
row standing on the edge of the stream on
che other Mdn-st ~ about three-fourths OF mile
long aud more than one-half of 1t lthe lower end
Is occupied by Cinnamon, stables corrals siaugh-
ter-houses, etc. In tle centre OF the town, Sher-
man-st., which follows up Whitewood Guch, Is
nearly parallel with Man-st. for two squares, and
Is connected with It Oy two three cross streets
and then extends up Wmtewood Gulch half mile.
THIS is the business portion of the city. The resi-
dences, of which there many neat cottages, are
on the gently slopmg sides of number of small dry
Lulches that lead into the Whitewood from DIFF
ferent directions like the ribs of a fan, and on
streets that have been cut along the hillside,
Above tue other parallel with MAN and Dead
wood Gulch.
Standing at the business centre of the town and
looking in any direction, is reminded OF Mauch
Chunk. Penn. The mountains rise just about as
abruptly and to about the same height as there and
the streets wind in between them. making II impos-
sbe to get a view of large portion of the city ex-
cep the hill opposite the fork Of the stream look
Jug both up and down Whitewood Cullen. The bust
ness houses Of DeadwoOd mostly frame build
Ings not different in character or appearance from
those of any Western frontier town. They are
mostly built with frames or OF logs, one story III
height, and standing with their ends to the street.
sporting large square trout which hides the roof.
These square fronts. which are to be seen every
where in the West are evidences OF the ambition OF
their builders. They make building look much
larger and more stately than t really is when seen
from in 'front.' and When they set closely together
give a street quite a metropolitan appearance; but
when standing apart as they do In most new towns
the sham is apparent from all directions OF APP
proacn, aud the effect anything but agreeable De-
casiOnally these fronts serve as slgu-DoarS
hey have other practical use.
Nearly all the larger business houses in Deadwood
have fireproof warehouses attached to them. and
several good bnck stores fronting ON the street
are now In process of erection, while prepa-
rations for putting up many others are beng
made. II the city continues az prosperous
during the next three years as il now Island see
no reason why 1t should uot-the business portion
of it will be substantially built of brick. The re-
fusal of Eastern companies to take risks
on Deadwood property will hasten this Tansiorma-
ton. Elizabethtown, or the lower part of Main-st
Is given up chiefly to Cinnamon, aud is anything
but attractive. The street is narrow, and the build
ngs which are one story height, and very low at
that are made of rough boards, Imprinted, and
with their cracks battened with scanning. Passing
down the street NAV see through the open doors
the Celestials engaged in all their various occupa
tions and amusements. They are washing ana IRON
ing linen, selling groceries, gambling. eating with
their cnOp-st cks, and smoking opium. The quarter
in which they live attractive one, and they
are not an attractive people.
The land in the Black Hills has not been surveyed
by the Government and absolute titles, except to
mining property, are therefore almost unknown.
| u -, l.al dom IA
viewed land has been used to some extent in the
Hills and the City of Sturgls, near Fort Meade was
laid out on land the title TO which was obtained
throuph this scrip. considerable portion OF the
grornd ON which the business portion of DeadwOod
was built was covered by placer claims, for winch
natents were issued. Building lots not purchased
from the owners of placers have therefore simply
heen taken possession Of and fenced, the title OF
the man who first took up the lot and fenced IL
being recognized by common consent When the
country has been surveyed and patents have been
Obtained titles to real estate, except mining prop
erty, will have to be readusted.
Deadwood is a remarkably quiet, orderly, law
abiding town. You NAV hear different accounts OF
il in other mining camps, but they are not true'
heard in LeadYle, two months ago, tbaI IL
abounded in gambling aud drinking saloons Oh Ihe
worst class. that its dance-nouses and variety thea
tres the most ulSItpuId"lo VI aug III VIZ N'""
trv: that murders were almost OF daily occurrence;
AID that IN short, this was the worst disOrganized
community in the Rocky Mountain region all OF
winch IL a gross libel upon this city and upon the
people of the Black Hills. In the days OF gulch-
mining when a large proportion of tho nomadlc
goJd-hunters of the Rocky Mountains aud the Pa
eiGc Coast were here and moderately successful
when Deadwood was camp and not a town, there
was undoubtedly good deal Of life in the form OF
bcepse here. Men gambled and drank, quar-
relied aud sometimes killed each other, ana
they supported many dsroputable places OF
amusement Aud yet even at that une