Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1904-05-21

Northern Pacific Railroad, at the time Of
its building, to Bismarck, North Dakota,
and there fo- time engaged in busi-
ness. In 1874 he accompanied General
Custer's expedition in the capacity of
miner, and it was he who made the first
authentic discovery of gold in the Black
Hills, which was made within the limits
of the present townsite of Custer City in
July, 1874. From Father Rosen's his
tory of the Black Hills we copy the fol-
lowing extract of Custer's expedition:
"The expedition Of General Custer was
accompanied by II. N. Ross and William
II. Mckay, in the capacity of guides and
miners. Before General Custer left the
Hills he had expected to be ordered to
make an expedition to the Yellowstone
and Big Horn country, where he subse-
quently lost his life and Mr.. Ross had
agreed to accompany him. After wait
ing for some time and the orders not ar
irving Ross suggested to the General
that the idea of an expedition had prob.
ably been abandoned, and he desired to
be free from the obligation of accom-.
panying him, telling the General at the
same time that he was going to the
Black Hills to look for gold. The Gen
eral admitted that the proposed expedi-
tion was probably off, and jocosely re-
marked that if Ross attempted to return
to the Black Hills he would be obliged
to capture him and bring him back.
Ross with sly twinkle of his eye re-
Piled General, I'll take good care that
you don't capture me-" Now Ross"
said Custer, IF 1 were going to the Black
Hills l would not fit out an expedition
and start from the nearest military post,
but would 60 ten or fifteen miles, cross
the Missouri river, for the Bad Lands"
Ross profited by this advice. A party
was organized with pack animals and
going up the Missouri river, they pad
died over in canoes, swimming their
where, Notwithstanding the
terrible reputation of the country, they
found plenty of grass and water. March
ing on they touched at different points
along the foothills, but seeing Indians
they returned to the east of the Mis-
souri,"
Mr.. Ross left the Hills with Custer's
but i'll the spring of 1875 he
again returned, since which time he has
made Custer his home, and with the ex-
ception of about two years, (Which he
spent in Hot Springs) has lived here up
to the time Of his death. During these
years be has been more or less engaged
in mining, and about year ago had the
good fortune to realize q handsome fig
IRE from some of his mining property as
a reward for his labors. Mr.. Ross, at
various times, has filed offices of trust.
He was the first sheriff Of Burleigh coun-
ty, North Dakota. At one time he was
sheriff of Custer county, and for many
years has been deputy sheriff. He was
an honorary member of the Black Hills
Pioneers and the Black Hills Mining
Mems association.
The life Of the deceased has been that
of a typical western pioneer, men who
have turned the wilderness of the west
into substantial homes and splendid
cities Although rough at times he was
not unkind at heart, and always had an
open hand for those who needed his
help.
OF his relatives but little is known. A
daughter with her children, and cousin
are thought to live near Youngstown,
Ohio, and have been apprsed of his
death. Impressive funeral services were
held at the court house hall Wednesday
afternoon, conducted by Rev. X. W..
Powell. Interment was made in the
Custer cemetery.