Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-22

AAao ASNNH aNNEAI6 ~
side on a ~ per cent grade. with the track
in Deadwood gulch in plain view away
below and paralleling II back for a mile
or more, then again cutting through an
other hump of the mountain and yonder
lies Deadwood, away below and three miles
distant. Across a I'LL and through
another projecting hump Of the
mountain and we have al extended
view Of and up another gulch
through which the B. & NJ. approaches
from the south. Yonder lies that r.. & NJ.
track. and the little station Of Pluma far
below us. Thence we follow the curve OF
the mountalnside clear to Lead and find
ourselves landed in front OF the Homestake
mills. The material for completing the
trestling across the gulch being delayed, the
train stops In front Of the mill property for
the present.
Three Layers of Railroads.
Here is a queer condition. Down in the
bottom Of the gulch is the rrow-gauge
track Of the Deadwood Central, a B. & NJ.
track. The Elkhorn tr~estlery extends I'm
medlately across the gulch and over the
top OF the B.. & NJ. depot, and above the
Elkhorn, extending from the top Of the
Homestake mill across the gulch TO the
Ellison Hist (another property Of the
Homestake company, is another steel via
duct, on which ore trains are run from
one works to the other. Thus, when all
are active, will be seen the three trains
one directly above the other. The Elk
horn, when its steel trestle is completed,
will run over the top Of the B. q NJ.
depot to it's own passenger station in the
business heart of Lead, directly across the
main street from the First National bank
and mo kI~-Ir 49, - - -
the Homestake headquarters, postofice, etc.
"on arrival at Lead carriages awaited
our party and took us to the Smead, where,
with the two committees Of Deadwood and
Lead, we dined. Then carriages took us
to the mills Of the Homestake mine. This
mine we will not attempt to describe.
Sufice 1t, it is the largest and most
complete and valuable gold mine in the
world. After viewing It to our satisfaction
a carriage ride showed us the city. Then a
tallyho coach and carriages from Deadwood
met us and took us through Main street,
Lead, thence down Poorman gulch, passing
the Hidden Future property, through Cen
trail, near the Father de Smet, and a num-
Der OF other mines, down Deadwood gulch
to Deadwood and around the city. winding
up at the Business Mems club rooms, where
a delightful luncheon was served and gen.
eral talk with business men occurred.
AT 8 p. m. we took a train for Hot
Springs, where we arrived at 10:3o D. NJ,
and were met by W. H. Dildlne, proprietor,
and others, Of the Evans hotel. We were
all tired and dusty and chose to take a
plunge In the finest plunge bath In the
world. After this, although near midnight,
mine host OF the Evans had prepared a
sumptuous luncheon for us. Some of our
naFIV Whn had GNorNAI a.N - -
already eaten five or six times and also had
taken a hath could not endure So much
strange experience and were Obliged to
forego this luncheon. All sought beds soon
after under pledge to meet at $3.50 for
breakfast The Omaha and eastern papers.
which came on the Elkhorn at 7:45 a.. M,
entertained the party till 1920, when we
fell In and all went to the PRESBYTERIAN
church, and here a beautiful thing de-
veloped. All showed the early training.
fell into the spirit of the service and Joined
heartily and enjoyably.
story of a Stage Driver.
The remainder of the day was mainly
spent in our respective rooms. Next morn
Ing at 8 O'Clock all took J~ensen's tally-ho
coach for a trip to the Wind cave. twelve
miles distant. There are wonderful things.
wonderful persons and you hear of wonder
ful events in these Black Hills. We met
one man OF whom 1t is said he is a rare
artist in his line-there being, as alleged,
three great artists Of his kind in the Hills
ono other man being one, and he whom we
met constituting the other two. Our friend
Jensen is a rare specimen in entertaining
his guests. He went to the Black Hills
with the first expedition from Sioux CITY.
He is probably the best stage driver now
living, having been driver and owner of
stages and stage lines for over twenty
years, and 1t is a rare delight always
sought to ride with him when he drives
and to hear his experiences. He is a free,
easy talker and entertains so graciously
that the women not only eagerly climb to
the top OF his stage for the privilege, but
almost quarrel for the chance. One woman
who was being entertained by his early
adventure asked him II he ever had any
adventures with Indians. oh, yes said
Jensen, often She insisted on being told
one at least. He said he was over near
Buffalo Gap in an early day when he spled
a party Of Indians concealed in ambush.
He put spurs to his horse and they after
him, shooting at him as he ran. He broke
for the mountains. the Indians pursuing.
On the way he ran through a herd Of wild
horses, and as his horse was breaking
down he left it, sprang onto another and
few ahead. Here he halted; the woman
prompted him to go on. He said he ran
on and on till he ran into a deep gulch
lined by p~recipitous walls on either side.
He ran into the gulch. the Indians follow
ing. Finally he found the walls closed in
at the end in a solid stone wall. He stopped
again. The woman, all interest, asked
what then. They killed me there an
swered Jensen.
Wonder Of Wind Cave.
the Wind cave we all donned our
skull caps and candles and led by Guide
Stabbler and followed by Jensen to keep
any from struggling We entered. Let me
say In a word that It is the most wonderful
cave known. differing from any other, as
scientists say, and beautiful as we'll as
wonderful beyond any word description.
Go and see It. That's all I can say. All
anyone can cay, It's worth a trip across
the continent to see. 1t is tiresome, OF
course. but not dihicult and is amply COM
pensating. Guide Stabbler told us 100 miles
Of passages had been opened and over 5000
rooms explored and there is as yet
nothing known of the extent of the cave