The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1911-09-08
STATE FIELD SURVEY
PARTY 1911.
BY A. B. HELMS

3. ID. July B, with two members, COM
posed of s. s. Visher. of Vermillion,
and r. w. Cheney of Chicago, H.,
having a team, wagon and two sad
die ponies.
The object of this party was to col
lect specimens of the different fossils,
soils, plants, insects, birds and take
pictures for the State Museum.
After one week g survey of the coun-
try in the vicinity Of Cottonwood,
Bear and Medicine creeks in Washa-
baugh and Washington counties, Pine
Ridge Reservation; the party was
!, Joined by A. B. Helms, of Kadoka.
We left Conata, July 13, enroute to
Sheep Mt. We passed through Inlay
and then south and west. After hav-
ing driven all day, we camped near
homesteader by the name of Snyder.
The next morning, we journeyed
along until ten a. m. when we had a
tip over. No damage was done, only
some sauce spilled and hole punch
ed in a suitcase. After Strengthening
around, we continued on our way,
picking up three turtle fossils. We
reached the top of Sheep Mt. about
A p. m. after being lost for several
hours and also having the assistance
of good-hearted homesteader to pull
us up the precipitous pass.
We stayed on Sheep Mt. till Sunday
noon July 16. During that time, We
collected many specimens of plants
and some fossils. This place also gave
us many good views for the photo
grapher to take. Some of the finest
scenery on our whole trip, is found
near Sheep Mt. The many deep can
yons with natural bridges. sharp pin
nacles. and ridges lined with cedar
and pine trees, make it picturesque
view to behold.
We broke camp on Sheep Mt. July
16 at p. m. and arrived at Scenic at
$3.50 p. m. The next day we were
Joined by E. @. Perisho, our state ge-
ologist. We left Scenic at three
O'Clock on our way to Indian Draw
about seven or eight miles southwest
of Scenic. We arrived at our destina-
tion in the evening.
In Indian draw is where our Dean
E. @. Perisho met with somewhat
serious accident. Having climbed
badland butte about 80 ft. high to dig
out a fossil bone, he slipped and fell
to the regions below, spraining both
wrists and tearing his trousers.
Indian Draw was one of our most
interesting points. Many fossil bones
of the Titanotherium and Oreodon,
Bad Land. Mammals were picked up.
The bones of a lizzard-like animal
about six or seven feet long were also
dug up. 1t is considsred rare speci-
men from the Bad Lands. Stone spe-
cimens of all kinds were procured.
Many views showing color lines in
buttes were taken. Indian Draw is
considered by many to be the greatest
fossil country in the Bad Lands.
On July 81 we broke camp and fol-
river, thence up the river, fording it
four times before we reached Big
Carol canyon. We camped near the
mouth of this canyon on the bank of
old Cheyenne. We spent one half
day in the canyon hunting fossils. We
were not very successful as the coun-
try has been gone oyer so much by
other parties. Some fine views were
taken here.
The next morning we took course
up the river by way of Battle creek,
over the divide back to the Cheyenne
river, fording ii three times. We
toak many pictures as we went along
The last crossing of the river will
not be forgotten very soon. 1t was
growing dark and the river was rising
every minute. All OF us felt rather
dubious about crossing. Finally we
decided to cross. the saddle horses
going ahead of tho team; the water
touched the bed of the wagon-box.
Had the water been foot higher, we
would have gone down stream. This
stream has very swift current in
high water. While crossing, Dean
Perisho became so excited that he
hugged the driver like some 16 year
old girl, forgetting about his sprained
wrists. However, we landed safely
and camped near Mr.. Wilson's ranch.
On July % we followed the river
for mile or so and then left it. After
we reached the top of the divide. we
could ses for miles. Many homesead.
ers in this section have left the coun.
try. The day was cold and wet and
warm FIRE would not nave come a.
miss. We drove into Buffalo Gap in
the afternoon and camped in a shed
the rest OF the day.
On Monday, July "a, we started foi
the famous Wind Cave National Park
On our way we stopped near Calico