Newton–Jenney Party facts for kids

The Newton–Jenney Party of 1875 was an exciting scientific journey into the Black Hills of South Dakota. This expedition was led by two important people: Henry Newton and Walter P. Jenney. They also had a military group with them, led by Lieutenant Colonel Richard Irving Dodge. This whole adventure was supported by the United States Geological Survey, which is a government group that studies the Earth. Their main goal was to map the Black Hills.

This expedition happened because of something called the Black Hills Gold Rush. A "gold rush" is when many people suddenly move to an area because they think there's gold there. This particular gold rush got much bigger the year before, in 1874. That's when General George Armstrong Custer led his own expedition into the Black Hills.

The Newton–Jenney Party included several famous people who would become well-known in the 1800s. These included Calamity Jane, Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy, and California Joe Milner.

The expedition found gold, just as Custer had said. This made even more miners rush to the Black Hills. Sadly, this led to problems and arguments with the Native American tribes living there. These tensions eventually caused the Great Sioux War of 1876-77.

What Was the Newton–Jenney Party?

The Newton–Jenney Party was a special group of scientists, explorers, and soldiers. They traveled into the Black Hills in 1875. Their main job was to explore and map this area. They also wanted to see if the rumors of gold were true.

Why Was This Expedition Needed?

Before this expedition, there were many stories about gold in the Black Hills. In 1874, General Custer's group had already found some gold. This made many people excited and eager to find their own fortunes. The United States government wanted to know for sure if there was a lot of gold. They also needed to map the area properly. This is why they sent the Newton–Jenney Party.

Who Were the Leaders?

• Henry Newton: He was a geologist, a scientist who studies rocks and the Earth. He was one of the main leaders of the expedition.
• Walter P. Jenney: He was also a geologist and worked with Newton. He helped lead the scientific parts of the journey.
• Lieutenant Colonel Richard I. Dodge: He led the soldiers who protected the expedition. This was important because the Black Hills were Native American lands, and there could be conflicts.

Famous People on the Journey

The Newton–Jenney Party wasn't just about science and soldiers. Some very interesting and famous people joined them.

Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane was a well-known frontierswoman. She was famous for her skills with horses and guns. She often dressed in men's clothing. She joined the expedition, likely as a scout or a helper. Her real name was Martha Jane Cannary.

Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy

Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy was the expedition's doctor. He was a young and brave man. He later became very important in Native American affairs. He worked to improve conditions for the Lakota people.

California Joe Milner

California Joe Milner was a famous scout and guide. He knew a lot about the American West. He helped the expedition find their way through the wild lands.

Discovering Gold and Its Impact

The Newton–Jenney expedition successfully found gold. They confirmed that Custer's earlier reports were true. This news spread quickly.

The Gold Rush Grows

When the expedition confirmed the gold, even more miners rushed into the Black Hills. People hoped to get rich quickly. This sudden rush of people was called the Black Hills Gold Rush.

Leading to Conflict

The Black Hills were sacred lands for the Sioux and Cheyenne Native American tribes. Treaties had promised these lands to them. When miners flooded in, it broke these agreements. This made the Native American tribes very angry. The tensions grew worse and worse. This eventually led to a major conflict known as the Great Sioux War of 1876-77. This war involved famous battles like the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

What Was the Legacy of the Expedition?

The Newton–Jenney Party played a big role in the history of the American West.

• It provided important maps and scientific information about the Black Hills.
• It confirmed the presence of gold, which fueled the gold rush.
• It indirectly led to the Great Sioux War, a major event in American history.
• It showed how scientific exploration and military protection often went hand-in-hand during this period.