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

rolling along over lode and placer, through
the beautiful park like region Of the New
ton fork district. This is . very femarka.
bic section. II 10 reputed to be one Of the
richest in the Hills, but owing to the utter
lack of water ito Development has been slow
and improvement tardy. A singular feature
Of this district is the absence Of abrupt ele-
v%atIons. It Is q country Of gentle unduls.
tions. covered with pines, crossed BY min
eral bearing veins conspicuous by their
white quartz groupings. The King Solo
mon lode 10 chief aud was recently sold to
Chicago parties for $4,000. Two extern
sions have been located on this vein, both
prospectively as valuable as the original
discovery. The ground 10 many places
throughout the district is h%oneycombed
with grave like excavations, where the
prospectorlhas left his mark. The stories
told of the richness Of these dry plscers are
marvellous. The earth Is hauled for mtles
to water and pays largely, yielding from tl0
to $50 to the wagon load. Within the dis.
trict nearly 500 lodcs have been discovered.
One vein measures 800 feet 10 width. An
other is said to contain the finest quartz in
the Hills. showing gold 10 profusion. The
finest specimen Of quartz I have seen came
from this district. In crossing this gold
spriukled earth we pissed through Tiger
vile on north Newton fork where we
found the people putting their houses 10 or
der aud getting ready for the Ro,d time
coming. One-hslf oile farther and We
reached Newton's fork proper, aud halted
at the little hamlet of Newton. Dr.. Cook,
+ Baltimore gentleman aud his accomplished
lady, have settled here. The location 10 .
charming one and With the development Of
the mineral wealth Newton will prosper.
From this point We followed down New.
tons fork, q glorious ride, to Hill City, the
Oldest town in the Hills and at present not.
a very animated burg. 1t is situated on
Spring creek, Is miles north OF Custer.
There is no mining in this immediate vicin.
ity but there are indications Of an agricul-
tural teudenc, although the ,illabls area is
quite limited. Leaving Hill for Sheridan
We drove along the charming valley OF
Spring creek, passing many fine
fields OF grain. particularly oats
which appeared unusually thrifty. SEVENTY
Eve bushels to the sore is not an extraordi-
nary yield in this section, where the altitude
is above 5000 feet. We passed tie head Of
Rockerville ditch, midway between Hill,
and Sheridan. This ditch is designed to
take the water from Spring Creek and con.
duct it IL miles to the rich bars which sur.
round Rockerville. a point not far from The
eastern foothills. Workmen are now en-,
gagged in its construction. Indications OF
placer mining become more numerous as W
near the neighborhood Of Sheridan and an
occasional prospect hole on the hill side,
reveals the proximity Of Jenney's fowl and
its golden eggs.
We have reached the little town of Sher.
idan, historically famous az the first county
seat Of Pennington, and here I will close
this letter.
We have been travelling through the
mountains in a lightning rod wagon, and
Mr.. c. l.. Jones, we'll known in Yankton,
runs the outfit. Jones is a genial companion.
an experienced traveller, a glorious singer,
and drives an excellent team but his wares
are not in great demand in thi, southern
section. The average Black Hitler, in his
unpretentious cabin, would welcome an cleo.
trio shock as an omen of luck. However,
this is not a business trip. We are viewing
the richest mineral region on this continent,
the greater portion Of which is in the in
fancy Of development. A few brief years
will work wondrous changes hereabouu and
copper lightning rods, with other luxuries,
will have their day.
l shall continue this excursion to Rapid.
where you will hear from US again.
R1H1