The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-08-23

tonwood Water Ia found in the valley at n
depth varying from 90 to 100 feet, and is
usually pure and wholesome. Tho water in
the White river ta clear and pure, but
slightly imprepnated with alkalt below tho
mouth OF tho South fork Stock drink this
water with tmpunity and with seeming
relish.
An old timer In tho Black Hills, who has
roathed over the reservation thoroughly, In
Formed the writer thEt he had discovered
traces Of silver and lend ore in the hills on
tho White river, neai tho western boundary
Of the reservation, and from oil INDICATIONS
IN paying quantities. lie announced his in.
tention OF making thorough search through
this region as soon nB 1t should be thrown
Open
One peculiarity of the White river is that
oil tho principal tributaries flow into tho
river IRON the s"uth side. thus making tho
most extensive bottoms ON that side, which
remains still III the reservation. End river
rises IN the extreme western part of the res
ervation and flows in an elsterlv direction
through the middle of the land thrown open.
emntying into the Missouri river tlirect ly or.
pOsit Pierre. The sum general desc, iption
applies to Bad river, which has been given
OF Ito White river, though iu some
Important particulars it d.tfera The
to l,s in tho larger number OF ,ribu,aries
which contribute their quota to swell the
river In Seasons Of heavy rains until it be-
comes In reality @bad river" large tract
q bottom land lies Just ut the mouth Of the
Bud river, extending a.ong the Missouri up
s:ream for nearly ten mies The soil Of
this bottom IL n sand-mixed gumbo, which
Mas been found mere To grow excellent corn
where there has been rain enough. Oats
also yield well upon this soil The first trib.
utary OF tho ltad river is vii Ow creek.
which etnpttes into the river about five miles
from its confluence with the Missouri. The
Dlufs n!0hg the l;nd river arc very prccipi-
toua and In nearly NIL cas- y devoid of veg
citation except near tho smaller streams
which empty into Inc river At these places
the valley widcns and embraces II trlct of
land Ut from ono to four sections. In many
places the bluffs ovrrhang the river on either
side, then stretch away forming an urc of
circle. the rail.i resting on the
river. These bends in tho contour of
the cham OF b,utfs Usually enclose nice
level-iytng tract of iani, well adapted for
fnrming or grazing purposes. Many cattle
ranches are found along the aver, ami it il
htphly probabie that these will continue to
occupy the fertile lam:s along the Streams.
the proprie:ors brirg in nearly all cases
white men who have married ln,iinn women.
nnu Will now SEEK to ttke their lands u;ucr
the provisions OF the recent ac:, whereby
these valleys and hills lre to be thrown Opcn
10: settlement
The upper sources OF the Bad river arc in
the very heart Of what las bncn mentioned
White river. tho land is totally untitled for
ANYTHING practical except ny a vast store
h0ust Ut fossils nnl prehistoric feinaina, in
which tnn M:icntlst and cabinet collector
lmay delve Ut his own sweet will
The toil along tho Bad river above
the mouth is nn nn:ululterated gum
DO. with Gccasonnl patches OF sand
und gravel. Tho Indians lave been cuti-
waiting sn,all tracts nf land in the valley with
mo,.crate dc'rre of success. With plenty
OF rain the soil hero will produce gom crops,
but Is very susceptible 10 ur"utl. The wafer
III Ba'i river is strongly tinctuIrd with llkali,
us are all the streams l.: this vicinity. Dur
ing the suihmcr SEASON ami winlcr, when
thrr" are light rains. the water is ut n very
low sage. ana .f'cn in very dry seasons the
s'et becomes series OF pools having no
water connection except by underground
drainage
HYPliENATEL STREAMS