The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-03-31
THE BLACK HILLS p|ONE{ RS

A narrative of the John Gordon |
stockade party in 1874. Contributed |
to the Custer Chronicle by David
AIKEN, Vona, Colo.
The backbone or divide between
the Cheyenne and Bad river at this
point, was sharply defined. The
source of the valley is a large basin,
the banks of which seemed to have
encroached upon the territory Of the
Cheyenne. In the center of the
basin, which must be about two miles
in width, is a low, round butte or
mound. There seemed to be three
streams that formed confluence at
or near the center of the basin. The
course Of these streams is plainly
marked by timber growing along
their margin and is not unlike the
track of a large bird. The western
rim of this basin where the Chey-
enne had seemingly eaten into it, was
probably $50 feet deep and contain
ed thick coat of brush and small
timber. AS we passed along each
one OF us chose his future home
here and mentally transformed tho
beautiful landscape into a garden of
Eden.
We took dinner on the divide
where the Black Hills were plainly
in view; also the Cheyenne river
whose course could be traced for
miles, was just below us. Indians
had camped on the same spot that
we were occupying and left wood
sufficient for our present use. In
fact we were following an old Indian
and buffalo trail-the only practical
way that the river can be reached
from this side at this time. Although
the river seemed to be just below us
at noon, we travelled steadily all the
afternoon following the tortuous
windings of the trail all the time
going down hill; finally in the even
ing camping at the last pitch that led
TO the river bottom. Our camp was
in a sWale and out Of sight of the
valley and if we had not been seen,
we were all right for the night.
Early the next morning we pre-
pared to descend the last pitch 1t
was about hundred yards long with
fully forty-tive degree slope. We
went over the ground pretty thor
oughly with picks and loosened the
surface. then a good yoke of oxen
was put on the tongue, all wheels
rough locked while heavy rope was
tied to the hind axle and several men
would hold back all they could. In
this way all the wagons were low
cred one by one in safety. While
this was being done some Of the par
ty were viewing the surrounding
country with glasses. Something
was discovered far up the river.
Some thought it was buffalo, others
that it was elk, while others said it
was Indians. After a long survey
with telescope Thomas emphatically
pronounced it elk and says: "Dave
let's take the donkey and go and
get one.'
Shortly after we reached the bot
tom and strung out for the river
about a half mile distant two horse
men We're seen coming from away
up the river and we were not long
in discovering that they were In
dams. their beautiful fat ponies
coming at the top of their speed.
They advanced to within five or six
hundred yards Of us and halted.
They seemed very much excited and
viewed US as If endeavoring to COM
pute our strength. After looking
at US for few minutes they turned
with whoop. and rode back
from whence they had come as fast
as their ponies could carry them. In
the meantime we had moved in our
course as II oblivious OF their pres
ence. Some Of the experienced
plainsmen Of the party said their ac-
lions indicated that they meant bust
ness II their forces were strong
enough.
On the opposite side Of the river
is beautiful valley nearly a mile
In width at Ito mouth and running
back toward the hills. It was a.