Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1911-01-07
PIONEERS OF THE BLACK HILLS
Narrative OF the John Gordon stockade
Party in 1874.


CONTRIBUTED TO THE CUSTER CHRONICLE
BY ONE OF THE PARTY.]
Prior to the year 1874 the Black Hills
country was absolutely unknown, save
that it was located in the center of the
great Sioux Nation, where the ruling
chief and dictator Sitting Bull, was an
uncompromising enemy of the whites
and up to this time had never treated
with the Government of the United
States and allowed no sncroachments or
trespassing upon his broad domain by
the whites.
If any trapper, hunter or adyenturer
had ever had the hardihood or the mis-
fortune to have penetrated these forbid
den grounds, he was never heard Of
more and only the recording angel and
the willy Sioux could recite his fate.
Through legends this country was sur
rounded by halo of mystery. Nuggets
Of gold had been received from Indians
by trappers and traders, who claimed
that vast deposits of gold and silver
were there but was guarded by the re-
lentless hand of death. Consequently,
up to this time this particular part of
our domain was unexplored and wholly
unknown.
In the spring of 1874 the Government
fitted out large expedition under the
command of General Custer for the pur.
pose of exploring these hills. This ex-
pedition started from Bismarck, North
Oak ota, and was considered at the time
one Of the most perilous trips that this
brave and daring man had ever under
taken. 1t was like daring the lion in
his den and the Nation seemed to "hold
it's BREATH" as it were, from the time
the army passed out of sight and disap-
peared within the bounds of the mystic
circle until it emerged from the other
side weeks after and reported at old
Fort Pierre.
The trip was considered extremely
hazardous. First, on account of its be-
ing located in the center of one of the
most sagacious as we'll as the strongest
of all the warlike tribe of Indians in ex.
istence. Secondly, the unknown nature
or lay of the country, coupled with the
legends of pitfalls, ambuscades and all
the willy tactics of an unrelenting, un-
compromising foe with the executive
ability of Caesar and the answering
relentless disposition of ''The Angel of
Hades," backed by an unknown horde
of braves, ever ready and willing to fol-
low their leader to the last ditch.
Again, these hills were known as
sacred grounds, or the home of the Great
Spirit. Here waring factions would meet
in friendly council and smoke the pipe
of peace. Whether, the astute Chief,
Sitting Bull, was unprepared to make a
defense at this time or whether his nom
resistance was on account of the sacred
reverence vouchsafed to these grounds,
is not known, but the expedition en-
countered no hostile Indians and after a
successful and exciting trip, General
Custer reported gold in the southern
part of the hills, to which he gave the
name of Custer's Park.
This Park is succession of beautiful
openings along French Creek. This re-
port was made about July lst, 1874, and
of course created a Juror among all
classes in the country-and especially
those inclined to seek adventure.
Shortly after this Chas. Collins, editor
of the Sioux City Qowa) Times, went to
Chicago for the purpose of organizing a
large expedition to 60 to the hills to
prospect and mine. But he had no
sooner reached Chicago and made his
intentions known, than Lieutenant Gen
eral Sheridan issued an order forbiding
anyone to 60 to the hills until proper
treaties were made with the Indians.
Though defeated in his plan of organiz-
ing company of a thousand men or
more and invading these lands with a
strong force, he went back to Sioux City
and on the quiet began the organization
of company.
Now, an adventure of this kind had
always been one of the greatest desires
of my life. When but little lad had
listened to father tell of his thrilling
experiences in crossing the plains to
California in 1850, and l had resolved to
have some such experience myself,
should favorable opportunity present
ITSELF So, when l heard of this move
by Mr.. Collins, L wrote him and received
the terse reply: "If you can raise $500,
can handle rife and mean business,
be at Sioux City on or about the middle
of September" soon had my little
outfit packed and in company with a
friend and neighbor boy, John Boyle,
arrived in Sioux City about the Goth of
the month.
Neither of us had ever had any expe-
rience In travelling and knew but little
of the ways of the world, as We had been
reared on farm in the ii mbered section
of Wisconsin. But we were accustomed
to outdoor work, had handled a rife
from the time we were large enough to
shoulder one and We felt fully able and
prepared for almost any emergency. On
arriving at Sioux City we Immediately
reported to Mr.. Collins.
Several parties had already arrived.
AS fast as messes could be formed they
were moved mile or two across the
Missouri River, where a permanent
camp was formed. A mess and outfit
consisting Of four or more persons join
ing together buYing q good wagon, two