Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-16

to Custer In the south cast. He told me
that It was shaped something similar to q
chicken With the bill located 10 Spear6sh,
the head at Deadwood embracing the ta-
nous mines which are row yielding nearly
. quarter million each month, the neck
traversing the southern portion OF Law
renee county and gradually widening at
Rocbford aud continuing ou through Pen
ninRton county where ito greatest breadth
is about twenty-five miles, narrowing again
near the south line of Pennington to fare
out its auriferous tail among the rich noun.
tains Of Custer. So far IS discoveries have
been made the Professors opinion 10 sus.
tanned, aud the chicken yields It's golden
Eggs oil along the line.
Second 10 importance among the Black
Hills mining camps is the town of Roch-
ford, situated just south Of the North boun.
dairy of Pennington county. 20 miles below
Deadwood and about 40 miles west of
Rapid. The Little Rapid or uorth fork of
the Rapid river flows through the camp
furnishing IN abundan, supply Of water.
The town takes It's name from . young mi
ner, Mike Rockford, who was one OF the
pioneers Of this section and the ~diecoverer
Of its most important mine, the Standby.
The population If Rochto,d is about 500.
mostly miners. A year ago Rockford was
the centre of great excitement. Aihousand
people rushed in here within a month,
drawn bither by glittering rumors which
followed the development of the Standby
lode. Hundreds Of cabins we're built, and
for a brief time Rockford enjoyed herself.
Since then it has settled down into a quiet
little burg. and awaits with commensurate
patience q promising future. While its
chief attraction is the Standby, which has
been developed TO such an extent as to re-
move ell doubt Of Its value. Rockford is
surrounded by the mineral belt and more
than 300 mineral bearing lodes have been
disc overed, and many If them are being
worked this season. Among the most
promising lodes of the district are first the
Standby, then the Montczums, Evangeline,
Evargeline NJ. 3, Maid of Athens, Orphan
Boy, Fort Wayne. Mono. Moro, Minnesota,
Austin, Montana. Charter Oak, Every prom.
isine) Elgin, Flagstaff. California reported
sold at a good isure) Snow Storm, Cora
Pearl, Julien, Homes,ake, Nick of the
Woods, Chief Of the Hills, and Saladin
In Silver Creek gulch, q tributary of the
Little Rapid, . large mum Der Of promising
locations have been made and a great deal
Of good work has been lone in Develop
mcDt. Al the Standby, y 60 stamp quartz
mill is now in course Of construction, and
lis being pushed forward IS rapidly as prac-
ticsble. Three shifts Of men are employed,
night and day, on this enterprise. With
tue completion Of this mill and its success.
full operation, Rockford will enter upon an
ers of prosperity. Other mills will follow
aud the Little Rapid will present q scene of
activity second only to Lead and Central.
Among the enterprisink and public spirited
citizens here is Mr.. Chas. Hayward, q young
New Yorker, who is we'll and favorably
known throughout the Hills. The couu'y
seat Of Custer county bears his name. aud
is proud to wear it. He has rendered valu.
able service 10 the pioneers Of the Southern
Hills, and when the tide Of prosperity sets
in. the bread which he has cast upon the
waters will return many fold. Our party is
indebted to Hayward for a visit 10 the
Standby mine and Q trip through its tun.
nels.
Leaving Rockford We struck across to
Ocreville thence down Deadman's Gulch
to the deserted village OF Sitting Bull on
Castle creek. Near the mouth OF this
gulch We passed . solitary grave enclosed
by . picket fence, and learned that it con.
tanned the mortal remains Of q son.in.law of
Mr.. Deidricb, . brick mason formerly of
Yankton. Sitting Boil is . log built village
of so substantial cabins, all tensutless at
this tlme-monuments Of fruitless toll aud
buried hopes. It occupies . beautiful site
and ito surroundings are Of the Rrandest
character. 1t was once the scene of lively
industry as Is sttested by the long ridges Of
upturned gravel which border the swift
flowing stream. Across the creek stands
Dr.. Burleigh's steam pumping apparatus
apparently none the worse for It's year Of
idleness. We ore told that gold is abundant
here but cannot be successfully mined until
some plan 10 devised to drain the bed rock.
1t was'in this direction that the Doctors et.
forts were given. but the task proved more
than q match for his genius. The day will
undoubtedly come when Sitting Bull will
DO ~re.pe0pled and the bed of Castle creek
will yield up is store Of golden treasure.
From Sitting Boil we drove up to Castle.
tor. three niles or more. and here again
were greeted with sscose OF empty cabins.
A number of abandoned steam pumps can
he seen along the creek above the town, bu,
no sign Of life exists 10 any portion Of the
bsosd vssley. One old man 10 said 10 linpe,
here, 40 oc%togenarisn, who rather than de.
sert the place will follow bis hopesinto the
~vonnA and ~ hs,vl>A nth then ,A.-