New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-08
GOLD IN THE BLACK HILLS.
GENERAL. FEATURES OF THE REGION.

tyRoN sTAFF coRRasPoyDENr or THE TRIBUNE
DFApwOOD. Dakota. July 27.-The Black Hills,
or Cheyenne Mountains, are detached spur Of the
Rockies living between the two forks Of the Chey
cnne River, whose confluence is their eastern
boundary. The North Cheyenne, or Belle Fourche,
flowing from point IN Wyoming Territory west of
and nearly opposite the centre Of the bills, bears off
to the northeast and then to the southeast, forming
= sort of an ox-bow. while the South Cheyenne sep
arates the Hills from the Southern plains. The area
thus embraced is about 5000 square miles, and
may be divided into three parts-rugged mountains
containing mineral veins and deposits, grass-coy-
cred foothills and prar1es, capable of supporting
enormous herds of cattle. and fertile valleys which,
with or without irrigation, vail produce all the
grain, hay, potatoes aud other vegetables that the
future population Of the Black Hills can consume.
The mountains proper az distinguished from the
foothills cover about two-thirds Of the area TO
which the name Black Hills applies. These are
generally steep, covered with pine forests or the
bare trunks Of trees that have been killed by hires,
and separated from each other by gulehes and
caflons through which small streams HOw These
mountains are remarkably rich IN minerals,
although they have not been sufficiently explored TO
make It possible to estimate he value of their de-
DOS Is. The gold mines are most developed, but
there are silver mines rich enough, in promise, at
ence 20 purchase them and to inyess their money in
expensive mills for reducing the ores. Specimens
of very rich copper ore have also been found but
have heard OF no mines being worked. Salt deposits
have been uncovered, and machinery is now on the
way to the Hills enable the owner OF one mine to
Try the experiment of manufacturing salt from the
rock. Coal has been found in considerable quanti-
ties and Is now being tested in the gold mills near
Deadwood The gold mines exceed all others in
value and will probably continue to do so as long
as there IS mining in the Black Hills, but some Of
the other mineral deposits are Of such character
and promise as TO invite capital and enterprise IN
their development.
The foothills are covered with the richest and
most nutritious grasses. Unlike the plains, where
the grass-roots stand apart leaving small spots OF
Dare ground between them, the carpet Is close ana
thick at the bottom like the tame grass of meadow
IN the East and when cut shows a heavy swath,
and cures either standing as hay, retaining its
bright green color and rich juices These foot
hills where the land is too Cry for cultivation ana
water for irrigation IL not available, are exceenJy
adapted for grazing. The grass furnishes good feed
all Winter and the winds blow the snow of from
the hills while 10 lies in the valleys. and the nuner-
Gus cafons and bluff, afford shelter for the cattle
during storms. No one now feeds OF shelters his
cattle in the Winter; the value Of individual AMI
mails that may die from exposure not being great
enough TO warrant the extra expense Of such care
AT the same time am inclined to think that IN the
end a little feeding and shelter would pay IN the
better condition the cattle would De IN In the oprng
and the better prices that would be realized. IL Is
estimated that there now 100000 head Of cattle
in the hills. but the grass seems hardly to have
been touched. Stock-Taising will eventually. be-
come one Of the most important Industries IN the
region.
The arabic lands Of the Black Hills are from 500
70 600 square miles in extent and consist Of bottom
lands along the streams and prsiries and lower
stones OF the foothills between the watercourses
The former generally need no artificial irrigation,
but the latter require more water than the rams
furnish and that Is available IA sufficient quantity
in the brooks and creeks. The agricultural lands
are of marvellous richness l shall write more at
length about them in another letter, describing
visit TO several of the most beautiful valleys.
The Black Hills were III the heart Of the Sioux
country until February, 1877 and were 80 Jealous
Iy guarded by the Indians that white people who
visited them did so at the peril Of their hves The
Indians dio not live in the Hills. They had a SUI
perstition that the Great Spirit never intended
these mountains for the hsbltatIou Of man. The
terrific thunder storms which are frequent here.
perhaps had something TO do with this belief.
bev said that the Great Spirit had covered the
Hills with trees 10 furnish the Indians with
tepee poles, and filed the foot-hllls with
antelope and deer to supply him with food when the
buffalo were scarce and they frequently made ex-
curslons here but never remained long. From one
end OF the Hills the other, am told there are no.
where 10 be found the evidences Of long encamp-
rnent of Indians. The Sioux have known OF the ex-
istepce Of gold in the Black Hills for many ye rs.
third of century ago, 1t Is said. they showed to
Father De Smet, the Roman Catholic missionary
who snent his life amongst them and In whom they
had the most implicit confidence, large nuggets
which they had picked up in the gulches. he
warned them not 10 show these nuggets to white
men as II would arouse their cupdlty and cause the
Indians 10 be driven out of the country. Neverthe-
less rumors of the mineral wealth OF the Hills did
get abroad and evidences pave been found that Few
sdvepturers came here IL search of gold many years
ago. and actually began to work the placers They
were probably ali massacred by the Indians.
several Government expeditions were made into
the Black Hills before that Of General Custer. In
the OF 1874, and the report OF each showed
tbe presence OF gold and other minerals. The first
of these was that Of Captain Bonneville in 1884.
General Harnev came In here 1850, and the nigh
est peak in the Hills named Ia his honor. Other
expeditions led by Warren visited the Hills IN
1s56-57. by DT. HAYDEN IN lojo-50, and by General
sully in 1861. The dates Of these visits / give on
the authority Of q resident Of this city. as have
access H. no records BY which can verify them. l
have said that the explorations of each Of these
parties proved the presence Of gold IN these noun
taius: but no excitement was caused by their re-
ports. because no one supposed that the precious
metal existed here in sufficient quantities for profit
able working General Clusters expedition In 1874
IL still remembered by most newspaper readers.
The practical miners who accompanied him reported
excellent prospects,, that is, that IN washing out
the gravel Of the in paus they obtained gold
in sufficient quantities 30 make IL pay Tor working.