enjoys lucrative trade with that special class. The great waterpower of the Spearfish creek will at no distant day be utilized for mining purposes, and Spearfish will see within its limits a number of reduction works, gold-mills, chlorination works for silver ore, etc., the ore being produced in the carbonate district and from there all along the line to Crow Peak. No doubt new discoveries will be made on that line, not only of gold and silver but also of quicksilver, uranium and other minerals. The B. & M. R. Ry. extending their line to Spearfish will not only open the country for new developments but will also enable seekers of health and pleasure to enjoy the grand sceneries around Spearfish, which is destined to become one of the most beautiful places in the wonderful region of the Black Hills. Bear Gulch was an early camp for placer-miners and of late years the discovery of large deposits of tin ore attracted attention to the place, which, if tin is found "in paying quantities" will develop into one of the richest camps of the northwestern hills and add to the industries of Spearfish, the nearest marketing-place. WHITEWOOD was laid out at the approach of Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad, and for some time was the "end of the track." The business necessarily connected with this fact made the town very prosperous for over two years. The place is distant from Deadwood 10 miles, from Sturgis 7 miles and 16 miles from Spearfish. The location of the town is most enchanting and no doubt it will in the course of time become the home of health-seekers and retired well-to-do people. CROOK CITY. As Whitewood is the youngest so Crook City is the oldest town in Lawrence County, or rather was, for the town has almost ceased to exist. It was originally called "Camp Crook" as Gen. Crook had encamped on its site for a considerable time in 1875. There was considerable excite ment and a large population here in 1876, when it was believed that the placers of Whitewood Creek were rich in float gold. The Indians were troublesome in 1876-77 and a number of people were killed around Crook, among whom were the Rev. Smith, a Methodist minister, three of the Wagon family, a Mr. McLaren and others to the number of from eight to ten, who were buried in the Crook City burying ground. The people were kept in constant fear, and alarms were of almost daily occurrence. The town of Crook was laid out in 1876 before there were any Government surveys in this region. Each settler present drew a lot and there was such a demand that they often changed hands at $500 each. The creek bottom was considered valuable mining ground, and was staked into claims valued often as high as $400. The town was considered so important that it was originally the intention to make it the county seat of Lawrence County, and the County Commissioners went there to hold their first meeting but adjourned to Deadwood. Recently Messrs. J. L. Denman and L. W. Valentine have pre-empted the town site, comprising about four hundred acres, and claim that the town is abandoned. Other places of minor importance in Lawrence County are: Dumont, Elk Creek, Englewood, Nasby, Nemo, Saint Onge and Terry. St. Onge is a settlement of FrenchCanadians on the lower Falls-Bottom and now a station on the F. E. & M. V. R. Ry. CHAPTER VII. MEADE COUNTY. About this, the youngest of the Black Hills counties, the author wrote for the Dakota Catholic in 1889 at the request of its editor for information about the country, the following: "I herewith beg to submit to you a statement concerning the district embraced in my missions, containing such information as may be of advantage to people who desire to make a home here. Meade County embraces somewhat more than the eastern half of Lawrence County, from which it was separated during the present year. The average elevation above the level of the sea is from 2,000 to 3,500 feet, with the exception of a small portion in the south, which is considerably higher. The county is well watered. Springs are found in almost every ravine. Whitewood, Spring Creek, Nine Mile, Cottonwood, Bear Butte, Alkali, Pleasant Valley, Morris, Elk Creek and Box Elder are the names of the more important creeks. "These creeks rise in numerous small springs issuing from the granite and metamorphic rocks, high up in the Hills, and the water is consequently remarkably pure and free from mineral and organic matter. 66 "Those branches which head in the carboniferous lime stone yield water for most domestic purposes, the only drawback being a slight hardness," due to the presence of carbonate of lime, which does not in the least effect the health of those using it. In a few places along the foothills, where the gypsum or the alkali derived from the jurassic and cretaceous shales has contaminated the streams draining these formations, the water is found to be unfit for cooking purposes, though possessing purgative properties. To the stock-raiser or farmer this abundant supply of water is of the greatest importance. Wood for fuel and fencing purposes costs only the hauling and cutting at present. "The very name, Black Hills, the "Pa-ha-sappa" of the Indians, was given to this part of Dakota on account of the density of the forests clothing the hill-sides. Pine and spruce are the principal trees growing along the foot-hills. In the valleys, along the streams, white elm and box elder are found. The forests are at present unmercifully destroyed along the heads of certain creeks by one or two mining companies, but it is hoped and expected, that the |