The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-01-30
DAKOTA LETTER.

BLACK HILLS.
VERMILLIoN, CLAY Co., ID. t. /
Jan. 10, 1885.
On the s7th Of Oct. 1884, small
party of men could be seen in Bel
field, small place on the Northern
Pacific, preparing for long journey,
western Ia mode, namely, covered
wagons with mules attached. One
would be disappointed in looking in
their faces, as he would expect to
find look Of resignation while on
the eve of such long journey-7ao
miles; but all looked glad that the
departing day was near at hand, when
they should turn their faces home.
ward, and visit to their camp would
convince one that harmony and good
will reigned supreme. Such was the
lot of your humble correspondent,
and his endeavors are to give you
the events of interest as they hap
pened, and short description of
places and country passed through.
First comics Belfeld, in the vicinity
of which this party had been survey
ing, place that imbibed life in the
spring of 'S4, when Medora. 20 miles
: west, and Dickinson, 20 miles east,
were fighting for the Northern Pacific
terminus of the Black Hill freight
line. Belhcld, so to speak, carried
off the bone while the dogs were
fighting over it, and now almost the
entire freight shipped via the U. p.
TO the Hills is unloaded at Belfeld.
1t is then loaded into immense wag-
ons and drawn by mules or oxen the
intervening 200 miles to the Hills.
Belheld is I25 miles west of Bismarck
and is beautifully situated on the
South Heart river. Along this small
stream there is an abundance Of tim
Der, something that all the places be
tween Bismarck and Glcndive are en-
tirely lacking. Here we took leave
of our old time friend and formerly
Owosso boy, Mr.. w. f. Houk; we
left him in good spirits, confident Of
Belield's future and the success of
his, the "real estate" business. The
next morning found US on our way,
going at the rate of 40 miles per day
However we were unable TO maintain
that rate owing to the numerous
creeks we had to Gloss. We reached
the Cannon Bali river at six o'clock
and here we camped for the night.
Next days drive was over rolling
and very sandy prairie, with little to
be seen except the many diSrobed
buffalo carcaSses, which showed thar
this animal had been very plentiful
in this locality but a few years ago,
though now here is no trace Of a
live one. Sometimes for miles we
would drive over what are called
"buffalo willows" on which nothing
grows but scattering cactus and sage
brush. In these places large bands oil
buffalo have gathered on hot day,
and stamped and paved the ground,
at the same time utteriag a low bel.
lowing noise, q habit peculiar to the
buffalo.
Night overlook us ct stage ranch
on the south fork of the Cannon
Ball Siver.- The neat day we saw
some very beautiful scenery TO the
west of us were the Chalk Buttes
These buttes are about 900 feet above
the surrounding country and at q
little distance appear very white,
hence their name To the southwest
where short pine hills looming up
about 500 feet, with tops covered
with pine trees. Camped on Grande
river the third night.
Next days drive was a hard one
over jumbo hills, and we camped or
the Moreau river at night. We left
Moreau river very early next morn
ing, and after ten miles drive we
came TO Snake Creek in the middle
of very level valley ten miles wide
in which we saw thousands of cattle
grazing. About S o'clock in tn,
afternoon we came to the Belle
Foueche river, small stream howiny
east. The valley is a beautiful on,
and is thickly settled by thrifty farm
ers, most of them having good build
ings. After crossing the Bell
Foueche we travelled about two mile
and camped at large spring abou
twenty miles from Deadwood.
The greater part of the next da
was occupied in driving to Deadwood
the road being very rocky, hilly an,
winding to nearly every part Of tn
compass. Deadwood is undoubtedl
one of the wonders of the northwest
it being situated in a very marrow
gulch, where there is hardly room
enough for two rows Of building
and very narrow street between
them. On the north and south side
are abrupt hills ranging from tire,
to five hundred feet in height. Thes
hills though composed principally o