Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-07-06
Gold Discoveries in Dakota.

A correspondent writing from Oak
wood, Dakota, to the Inter-O Ocean OF
June 80, gives the following account
of the discovery Of gold near that
place:
The main subject of discussion here at present
is the discovery of gold the banks of Lake Te-
tonkahaha. This lake-or lakes they may be call
ed for there arelrealy five i'll number, about ten
miles in length, emptying into each other to-
ward the Big SiouX-lies in the northwest corner
of Brooking county, Is about seven miles north
Nolga, the nearest station on the Chicago Il
Northwestern railroad, and are on the west side
of the river. Gold was first discovered something
over year ago by Mr.. Geo. Henry, who bought
land and settled on the east border of the lake
in the summer of 1878, purchasing some 6OJ
acres with the intentions of making Il large
grain and stock farm. This gentleman, who had
had some experience in gold mining in Colora-
do was the same season Joined by two brothers,
Joshua and Paige Downing, as neighbors, who al
so had mided for gold in the mountains Each
of the three, it appears, were impressed with the
gold signs underlying the soil, but no attempt
made TO satisfy their conjectures until, as
stated, about a year ago, when, with pan and
Gus places on the borders of the lake. Some of
the precious metal was sent to u competent as
sayiSt who pronounced it the genuine article,
aud Mr.. William T. Henry, a noted mineralogist
of Wisconsin, who spent many years in the gulch
mines of California; paid the locality visit and
was so well pleased with the prospectthat he, to-
gether with Geo. Henry and the Dowlings, be-
came interested i'll a large purchase of land in
the neighborhood that ii is expected will prove
valuable in gold well as for agricultural pur-
poses.
Up to a fortnight since scarcely any effort has
been made in the way of improving the extent
or value of the discovery. Only an occasional
day, between farm work last fall and this spring,
has been devoted to exploring. The parties
NEST interested seemed rather to have wanted to
keep the matter to themselves until they could
determine something definite as to the source.
value and extent of The find. But their secret
would out and now several parties are skirmish-
ing around the prairie and lake and, although
none of them have up TO the present time went
TO work, practically even to the extent of good,
square days work with the pan, all have found
the color.
Your correspondent yesterday morning armed
with spade and pan, gmade his maiden effort in
gold-huntlng The result of washing out about
Il peck OF gravel, mud and dirty water, is sent to
you, together with the black gold-bearing sand
almost invariably found with this metal. Being
''tenderfoot,' am unable TO say whether il
was pay dirt or not, but have been informed by
practical miners that such dirt will pay, even
with no better means of separating than the pan.
Where does ii come from? All who have, or pre-
tend TO have, and any knowledge of gold-min-
ing agree that there is gold here. Old gold-min-
ers find it without any pointers. Here is the
same gravel sand, quartz, etc. as is found in
California and Colorado. No quartz lodges have
yet been found, nor has the bed rock been reach
ed. The latter is said to crop out at Sioux Falls
and il is roughly estimated witt be reached about
$50 feet below the surface here. Where ii has
come from is a mystery. It's rough unpublished
appearance would seem to indicate, however.
that it has not travelled far. About ten miles
west of the lake the Coteau Hills, the highest
point between the Mississippi and the Missouri,
and some reason, or rather Cuess that in them
may be found solution of the mystery. These
hills rise very gradually, with no projecting
lodges, are covered with soil and yerdure and
have anything but the appearance of mountains.
Others speak.o the head of the Big Sioux
place where the mystery may be explained. The
only mines spoken of as similar in appearance
10 the lay out of the land on the surface are in
Australia, where the bedrock is sometimes
found hundreds of feet under the ground.
Those now on the ground and most interested
are greatly puzzled, and viii make an effort, If
possible, 20 determine definite as to the extent
and paying prospects of the discovery.
Since the matter has become common talk the
usual wlseacres have put in an appearance, in
Guiding the men who discovered years ago. he
who knows where there are cart loads, II that
Is gold;'' the gentleman with fools gold'
(micaA and frequently there puts in appearance
the unbelieying Thomas, who thinks things are
too fresh, and must necessarily be sailed
Mr.. Henry is from southwestern Wisconsin,
where he was well known for quarter OF S CEN
be necessary for me to say that he is not acting
lie in this matter. He has an unsullied reputa-
ton to lose and nothing 10 gain by such an ae-
ton His advise to his friends Is TO come and
investigate (the cost would be nominAll or wait
until further developments are made He nor
his friends are not looking for boom"
Many favorS in the way OF information, ETC,
were extended to the writer by the gentlemen
mentioned, and also by Messrs. Joseph Daum
John Hishen, John St John, r. Y. Rich, and
others from the Badger state. b.