Bismarck Rubies

A party of prospectors went out near the river bank yesterday afternoon and skirmished around in the loose dirt for relics and precious stones. Their labors were doubly renewed, for in the evening when they returned they were well supplied with the most beautiful rubies and various other ornaments of nature. The most interesting feature of the hunt, however, was the black sand which was found and in which gold most always exists. The prospectors will continue their work, and startling developments may be looked for. Dr. Pettit has one of the smallest rubies on exhibition.

Bismarck Tribune, 5/30/1884

Sadly, rivers in North Dakota are not a good source of gold, despite several claims of finding some.