Ross, Horatio

Miner

Civilian

Born: February 1838 (Trumbull County, Ohio)

Died: May 17, 1904 (Custer, South Dakota)

Grave Location: Custer Cemetery, Custer, South Dakota

Grave GPS Coordinates: N43 46.627 W103 36.915

Although not an actual trooper, Horatio Ross played an important role in the history of the 7th Cavalry and George Custer's life. Ross is the man credited with making the gold discovery while a member of the 1874 Black Hills Expedition.

Ross and William McKay were miners who went along with Custer to the Black Hills in 1874. Their purpose was to verify the claims that gold could be found in the Black Hills. There had been rumors for years and Ross and McKay were there to prove it.

Ross himself is quoted by Frank W. Bower in an article in the South Dakota and Western Advocate, October 15, 1901, as saying: "On the morning of July 30th, 1874, my partner McKay and I took our miner's pans and went down to the bank of French Creek and discovered gold in the gravel of the stream."

The following is from the book, PIONEER DAYS IN THE BLACK HILLS by John S. McClintock:

"Mr. Ross returned to Custer in 1875, and made it his home until his death in 1904. A monument has been erected there in his honor, as the "discoverer" of gold in the Black Hills. Custer has its annual 'Gold Discovery' celebration on July 26-27. Apparently the people of that city have settled upon Horatio N. Ross as the discoverer, the date, July 27th, and the place Castle Creek French Creek was not reached until July 30th."

Horatio Ross died in Custer at the age of 66.  He is buried in the Custer Cemetery.

Horatio Ross grave marker at Custer Cemetery in Custer, South Dakota.