BLACK HILLS PUDDINGSTONE AND LAME JOHNNY

Lame Johnny Creek drains the southern reaches of Custer State Park.  Native Bison inhabit the area

I had the opportunity to spend part of the 1966 summer doing some geological field work out near the southern end of the Black Hills and adjacent plains.  It was a great experience: mapping some units, collecting fossils, an occasional Fairburn agate, and simply enjoying the “great outdoors.”

Location of Lame Johnny Creek marked by <---.  Buffalo Gap marked by ---}.  Photo courtesy of US Geological Survey.

Some of the interesting features of the area included the small streams that sometimes broke through the upturned “hogbacks” and drained the interior Hills. One of these streams was Lame Johnny Creek draining part of Custer State Park and then emerging from the Hills southwest of Fairburn (home of the agates) and north of Buffalo Gap.  It is a beautiful small valley, quite green in the spring and early summer, and has some nice rock exposures.

I was curious about Lame Johnny and asked one of the local ranchers about derivation of the name.  What came out was something like “well sit down son; I have a story to tell you.  Maybe, just maybe, when you’re out there looking for those fossils you just might find the lost gold.”  Well, that piqued my interest (I was a poor graduate student) and I started exploring and have continued to look--for the last 48 years!  Seems as though Johnny was a two-bit horse thief who was born with the name Cornelius Donahue in Philadelphia sometime around 1850, and ended up in the Black Hills, via Texas (questionable unsavory past down there), about 1876.  Upon arriving in the Hills, Cornelius, who was now John Hurley and had acquired a limp from an accident or disease, was stuck with the nickname Lame Johnny or Limpin’ Johnny.  It seems, from the old newspaper accounts, that Johnny was blamed for a number robberies and horse and cattle thieveries. Some newspaper accounts even talk about “his gang.”  However, that is open to speculation.

According to “lost treasure lore” Johnny and his gang decided to hit the Monitor, an iron-clad wagon on wheels that hauled valuables for the Homestake gold mine near Deadwood---probably not a good idea to tweak the region’s 900 pound gorilla.  What does seem true is that someone did rob the Monitor of several hundred pounds of gold, plus diamonds and other jewelry (why were they hauling diamonds out of Deadwood?), and hard currency.  The robbery took place at Canyon Springs Stage Stop south of Deadwood where the heisters simply waited for the Monitor to arrive and then shot the crap out of the wagon and guards.  After a big reward was offered by Homestake, every “Tom, Dick and Harry” (and several others) were scouring the Black Hills and beyond.  It seems as ole Johnny was a suspect so when apprehended around the South Dakota-Nebraska state line in “Indian Country” (vernacular of the day) he was put on the stage, with a lawman, heading to Deadwood.  Near Buffalo Gap (a really big gap in the hogbacks of the Black Hills, where Beaver Creek flows out to the plains) one of the roving "regulator groups" (better to read vigilantes and treasure hunters) stopped the stage, took Johnny off, and threatened to string him up from the nearest tree if he did not rattle off the location of the Monitor’s gold (some of the cache had been previously recovered by Homestake.  How, I don't have the slightest clue!).  Johnny did not give them the information, perhaps because he really did not have the location (more later).  So, poor ole Johnny was taken to a tree and sent straight to hell.  The regulators then continued, for many years, to scour the countryside looking for Lame Johnny’s gold--and they are still looking today (not the original group of course :).  Unfortunately for both Johnny and the lynchers, he was telling the truth.  It seems as though one Charles Carey masterminded the robbery of the Monitor.  Unfortunately for Mr. Carey, he also met his demise at the end of a rope near Newcastle, Wyoming at Jenny Stockade. Records seem uncertain if other “posse” members caught up with him or perhaps he was relieved of his gold by other “not so nice” characters (regulators) looking for the gold.

The top photo is of a jasper conglomerate (puddingstone) from an outcrop of the Lakota Formation.  The bottom photo is of a polished piece of the same unit.

OK, back to Lame Johnny who lives on today in the form of Lame Johnny Creek. As it breeches the hogback the small stream cuts through a Cretaceous rock unit called the Inyan Kara Group.  Included in the Group is the Lakota Formation that the US Geological Survey describes as: Yellow, brown, red-brown, gray to black silty shale, pebble conglomerate, and massive to thin-bedded, cross-bedded sandstone. The magic term here is pebble conglomerate for some of this conglomerate is actually a jasper puddingstone.  This simply means that the jasper pebbles (in this case red) are not touching each other and scattered throughout the tightly-cemented sand matrix.  So, what looks like a rather nondescript “leaverite” takes a wonderful polish and is a beautiful stone.  I do not see many cabochons cut from this puddingstone (perhaps most cutters are unaware of the stone); however, some of the large freeforms are quite nice. 

Geologic map, courtesy of US Geological Survey, with X marking outcrops of the Inyan Kara Group on either side of lame Johnny Creek <---

SOME TRIVIA: John Owen, an English theologian, told a group at Oxford University in 1657: our critical situation and our common interests were discussed out of journals and newspapers by every Tom, Dick and Harry (O’Conner and Kellerman, 2007).  That seemed to open the door for other writers, actors and everyday people and I grew up with the phrase (my mother commonly prefaced it by “every damm….”).

Some newspaper accounts (see Rapid City Journal, January 2, 2011, Steve Miller; www.rapidcityjournal.com) suggested Big Nose George Parrot (a well-known “badman”) was somehow involved with the Monitor heist.  That seems open to speculation; however, the Journal did report on the demise of Big Nose: Big Nose George got away but was captured in Miles City, Mont., in 1880 and taken to Rawlins, where he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to hang on April 2, 1881, according to an account at the Carbon County Museum. But on March 22, Big Nose George tried to escape, nearly killing the county sheriff before the sheriff’s wife and his sister arrived and forced George back into a cell.

That night, vigilantes seized Big Nose George and hanged him from a telegraph pole.  An attending physician, Dr. John Osborne, took Big Nose George’s body and cut off his head to examine the skull. Osborne gave the skull cap to a 15-year-old assistant, Lillian Heath, who later became a physician in Rawlins and used the skull cap as a doorstop for many years. Dr. Osborne also skinned Big Nose George’s body and had the skin made into a medicine bag and a pair of shoes.  Osborne wore the shoes to his 1892 inauguration as governor of Wyoming and later was elected to Congress.  

Lame Johnny’s body was left hanging in shackles and was finally buried under the “hangin’ tree” by members of a passing freight convoy. At a later time his body was exhumed (probably not very professionally) and the shackles removed.  These lovely reminders of tough times in days gone by are in the South Dakota Historical Museum and the Custer County 1881 Courthouse Museum.  Rumor has it that “someone” also nabbed his head from the body—current location unknown.

According to local lore, at one time Johnny’s wooden grave marker read something like:

Pilgrim Pause!
You're standing on
The molding clay of Limping John.
Tread lightly, stranger, on this sod.
For if he moves, you're robbed, by God.

Did you ever see the 1967 movie, The War Wagon, starring John Wayne and Kirk Douglas?  Rumor has it that the the "War Wagon", shown below, and used in the movie to haul gold for the "badguy" was modeled after the Monitor.  

The War Wagon from the movie of the same name.  Photo from www.Flickr.com and The Commons Getty Collection Galleries.

The Monitor from the Homestake was named after the iron-clad Civil War ship--see POST: The U.S Civil War and Utah Landscape on May 3, 2012.

For additional information on early-day Custer, see my Post:COLORADO CAVALRY: WM. E. THOMPSON on October 2013.  This Blog also contains numerous other posts about the geology of the Black Hills.

 

This photograph hangs in the museum at Custer.  The grave of Lame Johnny, north of Buffalo Gap, has long melted into the prairie.  The museum also has one of his shackles and a piece of the “hangin’ tree.”  Photo from www.Southdakotagravestones.org.

REFERENCES CITED

Driscoll, D.G., J.M. Carter, J.E. Williamson and L.D. Putnam, 2002, Hydrology of the Black Hills Area, South Dakota: US Geological Survey-www.pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wri024094/pdf/mainbodyofreport-1.pdf

O”Conner, P.T. and S. Kellerman, 2007, Every Tom, Dick and Harry: www.grammarphobia.com/blog

GARNETS: RUBY MOUNTAIN COLORADO

Not long ago I had a reader ask about rubies, the gemstone, and any possible collecting localities in Colorado.  The reader had read the posting on sapphires (Post:5-1-2013) and had been whispered “rumors” about rubies down near Buena Vista on the Arkansas River.  What about those rubies? 

I was sorry to disappoint the reader but the “Colorado rubies” at Ruby Mountain are actually a variety of aluminum garnet called spessartine [MN₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃]. These stones occur in a Tertiary rhyolite exposed as a series of intrusive dikes at Ruby Mountain and adjacent Sugarloaf Mountain and Dorothy Hill. Rhyolite is a light-colored, silica-rich, volcanic rock that is, mineralogically speaking, the equivalent of granite (they have about the same mineral composition). However, the rapid cooling of rhyolite did not allow for large groundmass crystals to form—you need to examine the rocks with a loupe in order to see the crystals. Rhyolite also has the tendency to form gassy vugs and cavities, essentially hollow spaces, in the rapidly cooling lava. The garnet crystals at Ruby Mountain formed in such cavities from “late stages vapors…enriched in fluorine, sodium, and potassium” (Modreski and Murphy, 2002).

Ruby Mountain, Chafee County, Colorado, as seen from the

BLM Ruby Mountain Campground.

Topaz crystals, many are sherry in color when “fresh”, and obsidian nodules (Apache Tears: marekanite ) also occur at Ruby Mountain with the tears being exceedingly common and the topaz rare. The topaz is often found in association with the garnets in vugs or cavities while the Apache tears are found in a perlite near the north end. Perlite is a light (low specific gravity) rock formed when the rhyolitic magma was frothy and full of gas bubbles and cavities. An abandoned perlite mine may be observed along the BLM hiking trail at Ruby Mountain. 

Ruby Mountain has been prospected since at least the 1880’s, perhaps even earlier, for Cross (1886) described the general geology of the region and observed that the garnet crystals are small and average about 2.5 mm. In addition, he stated most collectors offer a “few blasts” to loosen the rock. Sometimes I wonder what collecting today would be like if I could offer a “few blasts’ to shake things up!  Today, the crystal garnets are best located by “banging” a crack hammer on the very tough rhyolite (with appropriate personal protection). It is my understanding that the best garnet localities are located on the west side of the mountain, land that is private and now off-limits to collectors. I found garnet crystals in rhyolite near the top of the mountain but have been unable to collect topaz of any worthwhile size. The Apache Tears, eroded from the perlite, are located virtually “everywhere on the surface” near the north end of the mountain. Most are tiny, about the size of a wooden match head.

One of the more interesting aspects of Ruby Mountain is the chance to see the intrusive rock (rhyolite) in contact with the Precambrian granite. The rhyolite has been isotopically dated as 30.1 Ma (McIntosh and Chapin, 2004) while the Precambrian granite is approximately 1700 Ma years (Tweto, 1979).

The contact between the massive bedded Precambrian granite (left) with the Tertiary intrusive rhyolite dike (right).

To locate Ruby Mountain travel south from Buena Vista on U. S. 285 to Chaffee County Road (CCR) 301 (about a mile and a half north of Nathrop) and turn east for one-half mile. At the intersection with CCR 300, turn right toward Ruby Mountain Campground and travel about two and one-half miles. At the Campground (located along the Arkansas River) take the left fork of the road up a small valley to a dead end parking lot. Ruby Mountain is to the south.

Spessartine garnet from Ruby Mountain.  Photo courtesy www.wmnh.com

Ruby Mountain, the public sector, is now part of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Brown’s Canyon Wilderness Study Area, and has been proposed to an upgrade of National Monument.  Therefore, there are rules (explained on an information board at the trail head).  However, rockhounding with hand tools is allowed. Please remember---no blasting to loosen up the rock!

Ruby Mountain is also a wonderful place to “look west” across the valley of the Arkansas River to the mighty Sawatch Range. Mt. Antero, with its aquamarine collecting, is easily visible as well as Mt. Princeton with the display of magnificent glacial valleys.

Looking west across the valley of the Arkansas River at the mighty Sawatch Range. 

Ruby Mountain, Colorado, is not the only place in the U. S. where early prospectors mistook red garnets for the gem mineral ruby (probably wishful thinking!). The Ruby Mountains in Nevada, arguably the most spectacular range in the state, came across their name in a similar fashion. A U. S. Army unit stationed in Utah (the “Mormon War”) was looking for a new route across the deserts west of Salt Lake City and happened to take a noon break in the mountains. Some of the teamsters begin prospecting and located “red rubies” in their pans. The rubies turned out to be garnets, but the name Ruby lasted for mountains.
 

When visiting the somewhat isolated Nevada Rubies I am always reminded of a sentence by Sigurd Olson (one of my Minnesota heroes): “The smell of the morning is an adventure, and if you can start the day by going outdoors and sniffing the air, there is always a lift to the spirit.” 

REFERENCES CITED

Cross, R. F., 1896, Topaz and Garnet in Rhyolite: American Journal of Science, ser.3, v.31.

Eckel, E. B. and others, 1997, Minerals of Colorado: Denver Museum of Nature and Science and Fulcrum Publishing.

McIntosh, W.C. and C.E. Chapin, 2004, Geochronology of the Central Colorado Volcanic Field: New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Bulletin 160.

Modreski, P. J. and J. A. Murphy, 2002, A Tour of Colorado Gemstone Localities: Rocks and Mineral 77.

UNITED KINGDOM ROCK & MINERAL CLUBS

I had the opportunity during the last several months to visit England in the United Kingdom.  While over there I became interested in trying to locate a rock and mineral club for visitation. But alas, I could not locate a club meeting within close driving distance of Maidenhead, Berkshire (west of London).  However, in searching for a club, I was able to compile a listing of rock and mineral clubs within the United Kingdom.  Although this is not news in the UK, readers in the US might be interested.

The Southampton Mineral & Fossil Society is located at www.solonminfoss.org.uk/  The club was formed in 1971 and “…is one of the oldest amateur mineral and fossil societies in the UK”.  I found their website to be quite spectacular with information on meetings and field trips and excellent photos of minerals and fossils.  They also sponsor two interesting activities (in my opinion):  1) Mineral and Fossil of the Month [evidently a display at the monthly meeting; and 2) an annual photo contest with prizes and a trophy.

  

The British Micromount Society is an umbrella society with chapters in several cities, www.britishmicromountsociety.homestead.com.  The aim of the Society is “…to promote contact between micromounters in the UK”.  I noted two programs of interest as the Society: 1) publishes the British Directory of Micromounters; and 2) maintains a National Reference Collection of Micromounts that is available for loan to members.

The Norfolk Mineral & Lapidary Society is “…located about 100 miles north-ish of London and as many would have it, on the road to nowhere”!  Their newsletter is the Stone Chat and the website is at www.norfolkminandlapsoc.homestead.com. For clubs in the US, I note that this Society seems willing to exchange newsletters with other like-minded clubs.

Www.sussexmineralandlapidarysociety.org.uk is the web site of, wait for it, the Sussex Mineral and Lapidary Society. The club sponsors a journal and publishes six times per year.  I also find it interesting that the Society partakes in several organized international field trips---France, the United States, Canada, Germany, etc.

The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland is perhaps the best known of the UK clubs and is similar to The Mineralogical Society of America.  The group publishes a number of scientific journals, books and monographs and information is at www.minersoc.org.

The Scottish Mineral and Lapidary Club (www.lapidary.org.uk) is located up in Edinburgh and is the oldest club in the UK.  Their major interest seems to revolve around lapidary work in a specialized shop and building.  Evidently Edinburgh was “a thriving centre of the lapidary and jewellery trades” in the 19^th century”.  The skills of “master lapidarists” were passed on, and continue to be, to “younger” members.  They seem to specialize in working with “Scotch Pebbles” (agates).

The Essex Rock & Mineral Society has a good website at www.erms.org and is located in Essex and I thought it interesting that very explicit instructions were given on arriving by train or bus.  They also have a section on the local geology.

The Sidcup Lapidary and Mineral Society “has been running for 40 years with an active membership. [They] have a workshop with cutting, grinding and polishing equipment, display tables and microscopes for use.”  On their website www.sidcuplapminsoc.org.uk visitors “will find the current meetings schedule, a brief history of the Society.”

“The Medway Lapidary and Mineral Society www.mfms.org.uk/home.htm “was formed in June 1975 to cater for an interest in minerals and lapidary i.e. the cutting and polishing of semi-precious stones. It grew to be one of the foremost societies in this field in England. Unfortunately, the interest in lapidary in particular waned, as membership interests changed, the emphasis now being toward fossil collecting and geology. In the autumn of 2004 we became The Medway Fossil and Mineral Society.

Some members are currently involved in research into the stratigraphy of the local Gault Clay, while others are concentrating on the study of the London Clay fossils of Kent and Essex. Four members have successfully produced and published the guide book, 'London Clay Fossils of the Isle of Sheppey'. Other members have developed a project to produce a guide to the rocks and geology of the Weald in CD format.

The society caters for all people interested in the Earth Sciences. Present members are particularly involved with fossils, micro minerals, geology and cutting thin sections. The combined knowledge amongst the members of the society on the Kent deposits of London Clay, Gault Clay and Chalk is probably the best in the country.”

I presume the Bristol & District Lapidary Society is still in business although their website at does not see up-to-date www.ukfcg.org/bdls/index.htm.  The Society cuts and polishes semi-precious stones and also collects local rocks and fossils.  If any visitor is around for their meetings they offer tea or coffee and a biscuit.  

According to their website www.suewardell.co.uk/kingston_lapidary.htm “the Kingston Lapidary Society was the first of its kind in England.  The Society is a group of ordinary people who have a common interest in rocks, minerals, gemstones, jewellery, fossils, and the earth sciences. No skills or knowledge are necessary for anyone wishing to join the society. All new members will be assisted in whatever specific area they are interested. If you are interested in making your own jewellery then you can learn how to cut and polish semi-precious stones. All the equipment is available.”

 

The final UK club that I was able to locate is The Russell Society, a “national group of amateur and professional mineralogists…who share their knowledge with others”.  Again, the Society seems to be an umbrella organization comprised of seven branches that cover different regions of Britain.  The group publishes a professional journal as well as The Russell Society Newsletter.  I found it interesting that the Newsletter contains reports on various field trips but authors must follow a created and standardized “Document Format”.  Additional information is at www.russellsoc.org. 

I encourage club members to examine these websites as the UK clubs seem to have a number of innovative activities that could be of interest to US clubs.  In addition, perhaps some society in the US would like to explore the idea of a club-club relationship, something like the sister city idea prized by communities.  Clubs could exchange newsletters and suites of specimens and just perhaps some sort of joint field trips (I am a dreamer).