Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-03-31
To the Editor of the Bismarck Tri-

Ing nOtlCe Oh Tile uedLn OF TWO OH
pioneers, viz, Capt. Grant Marsh ant
Samuel Falconer, which set me think
ing of the early days of Bismarck
My first recollection of Capt. Gram
Marsh was in the summer of 1873
or maybe 1874. 1t was, however
when he took Col. Fred D. Grant anG
Col. NJ V. Sheridan with their es.
cort on their trip up the Yellow
stone. They were sent to look uI
a location for fort on the river be.
tween the mouth of Powder River and
Clark's Forks. The party got to
Pompey's Pillar-how they went with
the boat am at loss to know. II
was, however, the first attempt tc
navigate the Yellowstone. a.:
l met Samuel Falconer the same
fall. He paid us visit on his way
east from St. Paul's Island, Alaska
where the Deputy Collector of Gus
toms, the seal fisheries in particular.
From that time on, l know them
both intimately. They both arrived
at good old age, however, although
you will certainly miss them.
t Left 40 Years Ago. .lr
How time flies! Forty years ago
this month left Bismarck with Col.
c. A. Lounsberry, Col. Robert Wilson
and j. w. Watson on our way to
Washington to see what could be
done towards opening the Black Hills
to settlement. nj order, however, to
clearly explain what led to this
trip, and its object, must go back to
the Custer expedition of 1875. Gen.
Custer started from Fort Lincoln
about the 10th Of q May 1875. Tie
object was partly to- escort the engi-
neers of the Northern Pacific while
running the preliminary line west of
the river, and to ascertain the extent
of Indians absent from their reserva-
tions, but mainly to ascertain as to
whether or not the Black Hills was
gold bearing country, as was the
general report at that time. In or
der to make thorough investiga-
ito, neh took with him Professor
Winchell of Mortified, Mimi, as min
eralogist, and John Ross, who was
the first sheriff Of Burleigh county
and California miner, as his ex-
pert miner. On General Clusters re-
turn with the expedition, the Bis
marck Tribune published in large
headlines, General Custer Reports
Gold Discovered in the Black Hills
in the Grass Roots" This was in
stantly copied by all the leading press
of the country, creating the greatest
excitement Miners, merchants aud
all kinds of spectators started for
the new Eldorado, from every acces-
sible point of the Territory, and
from all over. All that portion of the
Territory west of the Missouri river
howevr, was Indian territory, and
something had to be done in this con-
nection, as the government had al.
ready sent out troops, and were
ejecting the people on their way
there, and confiscating their goods
and arresting many of them.
Bismarck Watched Outcome.
The people of Bismarck were keen,
ly interested in the outcome, SO they
called a meeting to discuss the best
steps to be taken in the matter. Be
lit said to their credit, they con-
cluded that before making any for
ward movement, that they would
make certain for themselves that gold
did actually exist in the Black Hills
and determined to send party from
Bismarck. The result was that JOS
eph c. Dodge, Edward Don0hue, r
R. Marsh, w. H. Simpson and young
Ed Hackett were selected to 60
Joseph G. Dodge was elected cap
tain. He was an experienced miner
and prospector, and had the conf
dence of all the people.
Left in November.
They left Bismarck the last days
of November, and not returning when
expected, and days passed without
hearing of them, we were very much
alarmed for their safety. So Hon
Alexander Mckenzie. Shed Lambert
and myself were appointed to 60 to
Fort Lincoln and interview Gen. Gus
ter as to the expediency of his send
ing a troop of cavalry to look for
them. / remember it was Christmas
| day. and while in the suffers store
some one cried out that the boys had
returned and were then crossing the
river. We overlook them and as
sure you we were more than glad al
their safe return. They were &C.
companied by California Joe, a cele-
brated Indian scout, who from the
goodness of his heart wanted to help
them through. We took good care oil