Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1888-08-15
in 115 minutes, including one ten-mis
ute stop. This is world -beater.
AFTER TWENTY-FoUR YEARS.

AFTER TWENTx-EOUG xEAhS.
Strange things are happening daily 10
attract the public's attention from the
prosy subjects of life. A matter Of uh-
usual interest and little out of the Or
binary run OF events was brought to our
attention recently by Mr.. Delos Babcocix,
whose ranch is located on Shell creek,
about is miles north of Buffalo, and
which, as related by him, is substantially
as follows:
On Friday last there came to Mr.. Bah
cocks ranch, afoot, a white haired old
man whose age was subsequently learned
to be 70 years, who begged the privilege
Of a short rest under the ranchman's roof.
While refreshing himself with the things
that tempt the inner man, the stranger
told his story.
Twenty-four years ago he joined the
famous Bozeman party, composed Of over
five hundred miners and corresponding
complement of teams, which set out for
the then new mining fields Of Montana
by the way of the eastern slope of the
Big Horn mountains. Two or three
days drive from Powder river-the Oh
man didn't remember which-the outfit
went into camp near the mountains. The
miners instinct told them that the forma-
ton thereabouts was favorable to the
presence of the precious metal, and they
proceeded to do some prospecting. The
result was not unexpected. A ledge of
gold bearing rock was found in close
proximity to the camp and it was be-
ieved to be very rich. Forgetting the OBJ
jective point of their journey for the time
being the fortune-h hunters began prepa-
rations for a permanent camp. Then it
occurred to few that perhaps still rich
er harvests awaited them in Montana,
and council was held to decide whether
they should go or stay. Upon mature
reflection a majority decided to push on
to the places where great returns had
been proclaimed by miners gone before.
To divide the party meant death to all at
the hands of the Indians, who then held
sway in all of the Big Horn region. The
majority ruled and the journey was re-
sumed.
The old man had made and lost for
tunes in Montana and California, and,
finally after travelling about from camp
to camp he had secured stake, settled
down in town near Columbus, O., and
embarked in the grocery business. Re
verses came and he lost about all his
property. Thinking over his past life,
vision of the gold bearing ledge rose
before his eyes as friendly legacy left
him by his departed hopes Of fortune.
The more he thought OF it the more Wv
id became the recollection of that half
thousand of eager miners, rejoicing over
the discovery of rich mineral before they
had completed two thirds of their jour
ney; the hesitation as to the best course
to pursue, and the final abandoning of a
visible wealth of quartz for unknown
possibilities beyond. These stirring
thoughts created determination to again
go over the trail and endeayor to find the
spot where twenty years ago For
tune had ftfully smiled upon him and
his comrades. The result OF it all was
that he had come with mining outfit and
team as far as Powder river. Crazy
Woman, Clear creek and the other tribu-
taries were un-named in that early day,
and he had to trust to his memory OF
the route to lead him to the charmed
place. He had walked from Powder riy-
er and feared it had been passed. He
described to Mr.. Babcock the natural
peculiarities Of the region where the fol
lowers Of Bozeman camped when the
mineral was found, and SO clear was the
description that bis host advised him to
proceed northward for another day, be-
lieving it were highly improbable that
the location could be missed, Accord
ingly, the aged but still robust and
strong proapector resumed bis tramp. but
with misgiyings as to its ontcsne
Saturday morning bright and early q