Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1873-03-15
THE REPORTED RICH MINES IN
ALASKA--THE. COUNTRY.

ne STATEMENTS OF UT. oaTSOtlcn ii |
regard to his discoveries on the Stekeen
river, in the fall of 1862 and spring of
1853, having awakened considerable in
terest in the public mind in regard to the
general character Of those high northern
regions-their climate, animals and veg
table productons-we have had another
interview with that gentleman to acquire
further information; and, to insure cor
rectness in the matter, We have also con-
suited official reports of army officers
who have been in service in Alaska. The
two sources Of information, Mr.. Cargo
t!cA's statements and the official records,
are corroborative of each othar, and,
therefore, we believe the public may re-
ceive our description as reliable.
The climate of the upper Stekeen is
rigorous, Of course, but not as severe as
has been generally supposed The mean
annual temperature fifty miles in from
the coast. in the valley Of the Stekeen,
Is set down at y 81, the lowest being 81
in January, and the highest SIS in Au-
gust. Thunder storms are very rare. No
CEREALS can be raised on the Alaska coast,
and fruit will not mature; but the pea
i found in great abundance, and nav be
improved by cultivation. As the grasses
grow luxuriantly everywhere, and are in
great variety, it may become important
as a stock country. Potatoes are raised
as large as hen eggs. but have never been
known to mature. Il is well timbared
region. Spruce and yellow cedar trees,
measuring 4 to feet in diameter and
100 il height, are very common. Some
Of the islands off the coast, Just west OF
the reported gold and silver discoveries.
ar said to be very pleasant and ag-eea-
bic in the summer months, with their
cheerful skies and well-wooded shores.
One report before US says, referring to
the lower waters of the Stekeen, rolling
lands, wooded in parts, and covered with
rich grass, smiling with myriads of gay
flowers. greet the voyagers." The can
yo1s AMI creek banks are thickly grown
with small fruits, such as raspberries,
S0osebe.ries, b.ackber.ies and currants:
and tn swamp lands are usually covered
with cranbsrries, the shipment OF which
down the coast is becoming an item Of
coniderasble commercial importance
As hunting ground the valley of the
ST keen c.nno; be eycel!ed. The coun-
Try is filed with black and brown bear,
elk, clHboo, beaver, mink, otter, etc,
and there are myrlads of waterfowl of
all kinds, grouse and q species of the
pigeon which is snow white. The rivers
are thronged with all the trout species
and the finest salmon in the world.
Now, the writer of this knows that
gold was found on the Stekeen river at
the time Mr.. Cargotich says he and his
friends were there, as he was acting III
an editorial capacity at Portland, Oregon,
when the reports first came down the
coast. We believe Mr.. Cargotich is
gentleman OF yeracity and good, sound
judgment His story is plausible through
out, and it is amply corroborated by
outside evidence. We are not disposed to
encourage mining excitements or STAN
peding in any direction; bat if men will
take these desperate chances, we say 90
north, by all means, instead Of seeking
the deadly morasses and miasmatic at
mosphere Of the equinoctial regions.
Vague rumors only have come to us of
gold discoveries in French Guiana, down
under equatorial suns; we have we'll
authenticated reports of good dggings
having been discovered in the healthier
latitudes Of Alaska.
Some have queried at Mr.. Cargotich
coming so far into the interior as Phoebe
to organize an expedition. He gives US
satisfactory explanation on that point.
lie has mining interests at Schell Greek.
IN White Pine county, which brought
him hither. Since coming be has re-
solved to return this spring to his rich
old Stekeen diggings. He wants none to
accompany him but hardy, reliable
miners; and such class can better be
got together here, in one of the great
mining centers, than in the seaport
towns. His plan is to have the expedi-
ton landed at the mouth of the Stekeen
about the 18th of next May, and the dig
gings will be reached a few days later.
He says he will return more in quest of
silver than gold, as he is we'll satisfied if
is the richest silver, as we'll as gold,
region on the face of the globe. ..
Mr.. Cargotich can be seen, for further
information, at the Adriatic restaurant
Main street. g.