Wright Returns from Black Hills

WRIGHT

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/22/2008 at 15:37:45

Sabula Gazette
April 8, 1876

THE BLACK HILLS – A STORY PICTURE. – John A. Wright, whom we mentioned last week as having returned from the Black Hills, called in to see us on Friday, and gave us full particulars of the trip. He reached the Hills on the 29th of February, by way of Cheyenne, on the U. P. railroad. The country from Cheyenne to Custer City is a barren desert, not susceptible of cultivation in the slightest degree. Water fit for use is very scarce, most of it being strongly impregnated with alkali. Upon his arrival at Custer he went to see E. K. Current, whom he found putting up a log house, and somewhat discouraged. Indeed, from the tenor of Mr. Wright’s remarks we infer that he is disposed to retract most of his glowing descriptions heretofore published in this paper in regard to the auriferous deposits out there. Our informant left on the 7th of March. At that date there were probably 3,000 miners in the Hills, not one in ten of whom was able to get employment enough to pay board. But few were actually engaged in mining, and these few, to all appearances, were not paying expenses. He tried repeatedly to buy an ounce of native gold during the ten days he was in Custer, but failed, although offering more than its market value. The gold was evidently not there. The only placer diggings that are claimed to have been discovered are on French Creek, where Custer is located. From twelve to twenty feet of earth has to be removed to reach bed rock, and then “the color” is only found in spots and patches. The bed of the creek is so flat that water scarcely runs down it. The fall is not more than one foot six inches to the one hundred feet. Hence long and expensive sluice ditches will be required to wash out the gold grain. Miners call this gulch the rich man’s diggings, but no place for poor placer miners. There are, or were on the 7th, 200 houses in Custer City, and dozens of others going up The principal occupation of the inhabitants is speculation in town lots, which sell at from fifty to one thousand dollars, according to locality. There are half a dozen grocery stores, and a score or more saloons, which are reaping a rich harvest from the necessities of the incoming victims. Mechanics of all kinds are there in force, most of whom would gladly work for their board, as they have not means to get away, and starvation is already staring them in the face. On his return trip to Cheyenne, which occupied six days, he passed, by actual count, over 1,500 persons on the way to the Hills. The snow was two to four feet deep, while the thermometer sank to 15 degrees below zero. In consequence there was very much suffering, and he has no doubt, many must have perished. –Maquoketa Sentinel