The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-20
THE BLACK HILLS COUNTRY.
some Facts ON II Given by a Well
Known Biographies.


Some very interesting facts concerning
the Black Hills were given in a lecture de-
Iivered before tie National Geographic So
ciety last nighs by \. H. barton. Of the
United States Geological Survey In part
MIR. barton said:
The Black Hills are an CUTLER Of the
Rocky Mountains rising, prominently above
the surface OF the great plains, mainly in
southwestern South Dakota. The region
presents great contrasts to the semi-arid,
treeless plains, with its wooded hills and
rugged mountains, grassy valleys and run
ming streams. i has great resources in
mineral wealth and timber and presents IA
vO-able conditions for sustaining a rela-
lively large population.
The area is about 900 square miles or
slightly more than that Of Connecticut, and
its peaks rise from 1900 to 1000 feet above
the plains The higher peaks attain an ele-
walton somewhat above 1000 feet.
"The mineral production from the Black
Hills was about - coo 000 in 1899. and it is
steadily Increasing. Gold is the principal
product but coal silver, lead and other
minerals are worked. Cattle. sheep. and
lumber production also is very large The
Q
adjoining plains and the total shipments Of
their products in 1899 yielded nearly S.
oC0000 About 300e square miles of the
Hills are covered with pine forests now IN
larger part embraced ia a Government tim
Der reservation
The Black Hills are due to a local dom
ing Of the crust Of the earth The streams
have cut away much Of the crest Of the
dome and EXP osed the upturned edges of
d Al.
! lie horizontally the adjoining plains
In the centre are GRANTEES and crystal
/ line schisJs rising in high peaks ard rug
l ged hills While on the outer slopes are the
oh-dipping bees OF sandstones, limestones
/ and shales Some volcanic rocks were in
/ truded during the uplift but they are not
/ of great extent. The naturalization is
principally in the crystalline schists. basal
/ sandstones, and adjoining eruptiye rocks.
I In the grayels ard sands along the streams
| there are accumulations OF placer gold
eroded from the original lodges.
! The Black Hills were almost unknown
until 1874. when General Custer visited
/ them He was accompanied by large
/ force Of soldiers for the region was Occu-
/ pied by the Sioux and they were unfriend-
/ ly. Gold was discovered and an influx OF
/ prospectOrs began Notwithstanding great
opposition from the Indians and the United
States Government
/ In 1875 a geologic expedition was sent
I TO investigate the resources. and as its re-
/ FORT was favorable. the Government M
/ once began 10 barZAE for the purchase OF
/ the hills from the Indians.
/ The Sioux war Of 1876, with the
/ massacre Of General Custer. delayed
/ negotiations. but in March. 1877. the
I Indians accepted S45C0.0 00 for the hills.
and they we're at once made available b.
/ Presidential proclamation.
! Meanwhile miners had focked 10 the
/ region and large amounts OF gold were oh
/ tanned from placer deposits il the Dead
/ wood region. Mining IS now conducted on
| large scale. notably IN the fsmo IS
/ Homestead group Of mines az Lead City,
/ where the yearly production Of 80 d is
| nearly S4OO0.0oo.
The ore Of these mines averages some
I what less tan s. per ton so that over %
/ coo tons per day have to De mined and
/ pounded into powder in the stamp mills 20
I yield this output The ore Is free milling
profit. One Of the smaller mines o. free
milling ore known as the Holy Terror
. has yielded nearly 100000 in gold pei
f, year, az one time with the daily output
I Of $1,000 from a I0-stamp mill.
! There are extensive mining operati rs
| in gold ores that require 20 be treated by
| smelling chlorination OF cyauidiug which
add largely 10 the god production OF the
/ Hills. New ore bodies are constantly
I being discovered. usually OF ore Of moder-
I ate value, but which will yield good profits
I II worked economically on a large scale. ID