Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-07-15
BEGINNING OF
ALDER GULCH
An Excellent Description Of the Dis
eovery Of Gold In That Famous
Old Mining District.
THE FIRST FIND AN ACCIDENT
While Attempting to Escape the In
dams and Get to Bannack the
Rich Rimrock was Discovered. 81.

The following account OF the discov
cry Of gold in Alder gulch, an even,
which led to the settlement OF whaI
is now the state Of Montana, is taker
from an historical address delivered
by Judge Henry N. Blake on July 4
1876. at Virginia City. The story Il
both accurate and interesting. Judg,
Blake's address was partly as follows
"The discovery of gold in July, 1862
on Grasshopper creek. a tributary OF
the Beayerhead river, within the pres
ent county OF Beaverhead, was a mo
mentous event in the monetary his
tory OF the American union. The
chief mining camp was Bannack. the
name OF the tribe of Indians thai
roamed through this section in theil
annual hunts between White Pine
New, or Fort Hall, Idaho, and the
Yellowstone.
"On the 4th day of February, 1868
a party OF eight men-Thomas w
Cover, Henry Edgar, William Fair
weather. Barney Hughes, George Orr
Harry Rodgers. Lewis Simmons and
Michael Sweeney-left Bannack fol
the purpose Of discovering gold in un
known fields. They were animated
with intrepid spirit and glowing hopes
of pioneers and were destined to oper
the golden gates of Madison count,
and extend the domain of civilization
They proceeded northward with thu
intention OF exploring the banks o.
the Sun river, but were persuaded BY
James Stuart, in the Deer Lodge val
ley, to reverse their course and pros
pect the Big Horn and Yellowstone
Stories o, golden deposits were thric,
told of these localities, although II /,
worthy of observation that their pre-
cious metals have not yet been re
vealed. The union of these small par
ties would be a decisive advantag,
in battling with the Indian tribes.
The 'wintered' during the follow
ing six weeks and rode on the 27tl
day of March towards the rising sun
Stuart was then in Bannack, maxim,
the necessary preparations to equiI
4is company Of fifteen persons. Or
remained in the Deer Lodge vale,
while the other members of his ban,
moved eastward. until the first da,
OF April, when their camp was upol
Mill creek near the town of Sheri
dan. At this point they awaited tn,
arrival of Stuart, but there was a mis-
understanding upon the subject
Stuart expected them to Join him a
the mouth of the thinking Water, o
Ruby. Owing to this cause no juno
ton was effected. and Il was decides
to follow the trail of Stuart. who ha,
passed through the country.
simmons, a trapper who -ad az
quired a knowledge of these mour
tains and valleys, acted as the guide
Fortunately, Stuart was not overtak
en-, and shall not now speculate uT
on the consequences which nigh
have been If the original plan ha,
been executed. They assembled Biven
gulch, crossed Granite creek near it
source and intersected the trail owe
which the Indians, for many, man.
centuries dragged their lodge poles
This aboriginal pathway was neve
out of their anxious sight until tn
Madison and Gallatin were forded
They passed from the east GallatiI
to the Yellowstone by following Six
teen-Mile creek to its mountain
springs and then descended Twenty
Five Yard creek. or Shields river.
ION the morning OF the 22nd da.
of April, at the mouth of Clarke
fork, the Indians of the Crow trib,
interfered with their progress. TIL
Grows did not wish to Sc their land,
invaded by an army of miners an,
refused to allow any prospecting I,
be done. Everything was taken for
chilly from these explorers excep
their weapons and ammunition, an,
Simmons interpreted to the captor'
that these would not be SURRENDERED
until their owners were lifeless. Dur
ing two long days and nights medicin,
was made, according to the custom o
the savages, to determine the fate o
the captives. This was finally decid
| ed, and the choice was duly Offered
to go back or die. Simmons. afte
consulting with his comrades, was re
tanned by the chief as a hostage 70
the good conduct Of the party. ant
really preferred to stay with the In
dams, with whom he was acquainted
After his sojourn was owe he wend
ed his way to Salt Lake, and is livinl