OPINIONS OF THE MINERS. , 279 



covery, I wrote to Mr. T. H. Mallory, one of the original discoverers of the 



district, and received the following reply : 



Hill City, January 5, 1876. 



Dear Sir : Iron Creek runs into Spearfisli above Crow Peak. Bear Creek runs 

 into Spearfisli lower down and near the buttes. Sand Creek runs into Eedwater. 

 These streams all bead nearly together, and they, with their smaller tributaries, make 

 a large mining district. They are richer, too, than anything on this side of the hills. 

 One pan of dirt on the discovery of Bear Creek contained $27. I have a report that 

 another small stream running into Spearfisli from the southeast is still better than any- 

 thing yet found. How much truth there is in it Bottsford and I will know in a few 

 days. I send you a little gold from Sand Creek ; it has been retorted and does not 

 look bright. 



THOS. H. MALLOBY. 



W. P. Jenney. 



The rocks of this new district are reported to be granite (trachyte ?) 

 near the heads of the creek, and lower down the gulches the bed-rock is 

 limestone, but equally good gold deposits are found upon it. 



The sample of gold sent is quite different from that from Spring Creek, 

 the particles being- much smaller, more ragged and irregular in shape, and 

 but little water-worn. So large a proportion of the gold is fine dust, that 

 it is not easily saved without the use of quicksilver in the sluices. 



Concerning the Bear Creek discovery, I have received the following 

 communication from Mr. George W. Corey, of Cheyenne : 



Cheyenne, Wyo., December 20, 1875. 

 Deae Sir : I have some fine specimens of Black Hills gold that I will send you. 

 They were taken out of Bear Gulch by Frank George de Oliver, who would not sell 

 them, but let me take them to send to you. He took out with a rocker in eight and a 

 half days $165. One lump which I have weighs one and a half ounces. * * * 



GEOBGE W. COEEY. 

 Walter P. Jenney. 



Bear Butte Creek drains the northeastern portion of the Black Hills, 

 taking its name from a solitary igneous peak near which it flows, some eight 

 miles from the main range among the open plains. This stream is formed 

 by two main branches uniting in the Red Valley at the foothills ; one, the 

 east fork, rises to the north of Custer Peak ; the other, known as White- 

 wood, heads near Terry Peak. None of the branches have flowing water 

 within five miles of the edge of the plain, as they sink even before reaching 

 the limestone formation. The east fork was only explored by the topo- 



