Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-06-05
1.-THE YUKON VALLEY.
The Wealth and Resources OF Alaska
Territory.
What Lieut.. Schwntka RAys--.The
Riches OF tho Yukon---Cattle-
Raising in tho Aleutian
Islands.

crossed VIDE anu HlInoIto hilHose I's>hhJ
unknown region, striking the Yukon river at
or near its headwaters. Here the party con-
structed raft on which they descended
this mighty stream clear to its mouth,
in the northern portion of Alaska. The OK
pedition was ordered by Gen. Nelson A.
Miles, commanding the department OF the
Columbia, aud was made for the purpose OF
exploring as far as possible that extensive re-
gion in The interest Of science and commerce.
In many respects the expedition was very
successful. Lieut. Schwatka had a good
opportunity Of inspecting the country
and acquiring general idea OF the
character and extent OF the resources
while making the long descent OF the
Yukon. That officer is now engaged in pre-
pairing an official and elaborate report OF the
expedition. Thinking that some interesting
facts might be obtained from Lieut.
Schwatka in general way in advance Of
the government report, your correspondent
called on him to-day.
"Through what portion Of Alaska was
your journey conductedf' was asked Of the
lieutenant
Nearly altogether along the Yukon
river"
"What are the resources of the valley, and
when would they be likely to induce settle
mentp
YUKoN's SALMON.
"The principal and most reliable resources
will undoubtedly be the salmon fisheries, and
at the present high prices paid for fish on the
Columbia river it will not be long before a
number Of canneries will be located along the
Yukon river, the kous-ko-guin, and other
Alaskan streams enp,ying into Behring sea
The cost of uansporton for the canIeries
there and back is such an important item
that it will not justify one or two canneries;
but when the demand is sufficient to justify
twelve or fifteen they can find an ample sup
ply Of fish to keep them busy at almost in
significant prices.
VI believe the best varieties OF the Yukon
are equally as good as the Columbia river
salmon. This finest variety there is called
the king salmon ample numbers of which
can be caught, while tho dog salmon AMI
the red-fsh salmon, which would be caught
in large numbers incidentally to the other
fish, could be well utilized in feeding tie
natives and their dogs, who would act as
employees OF the canneres, AMI who live al
most wholly on salmon, 30 thick are they in
this great river"
NAvIGADLE RIVER.
Can you get into the river easily with
boatsP
'rhat would be difficult to determine until
good photographic survey is made Of the
delta at the mouth OF the river. None has
bt,on made since the rough charts of the Rus
SANS were executed prior to the purchase Of
the country by the United States govern
ment However, two or three practical
boating men could soon find a good COM
mercial channel il Ole Exists and should Ire
needed. Tne resent port OF the river is ST.
Mlchaei's, seventy-ti five miles above the upper
or Aphoon mouth, and is forcel away
tlis distance by the enormous deposits
of sediment made by this great and
noble stream. For ninety miles out to sea
the water is 50 shallow Us to be muddy
during stormy weather when the ocean s
greatly agitated."
"Can sea- ding ships enter the mouth Of this
riveri"
n am sure they ceunot by the Aphoon
mouth, which is the one used by the Alaska
Commercial companys steamers, because it
is nearest to St. Michaels but am inclined
to the opinion that q ciose inspection of tho
kusilsak, or main mouth, would show that
at least lisht-draft ocean vessels could enter
far enough to secure u harbor. The largest
draft vessels can always reach ST. M.chael's
in safety"
VARIOUS RESOURCES.
"Would canneries have to carry with them
bulky stores, such as lumber, for construc.
toni"
There is enough lumber there for rough
building purposes, and for the canning pro-
cess, and all other purposes. The timber Of
the Yukon valley is generally small and will
never pay TO cut for export; but l believe
it is sufficient for ordinary lotal purposes-as
salmon canneries, traders cabins, etc"
"What are the chances for mining in that
valleyf'
There are enough indications the whole
length Of the valley to make it very probable
that good mines will be discovered. Practi-
cal miners have already found diggings on
one small tributary stream. The mines
are almost entirely placer-mines, and
nearly every bar for 1900 miles
up the river shows from five to
fifteen colors to the pan. Two veins, how
ever, have been discovered, and the assay
was to have been made this last winter in
San Francisco Mines would have to be
much richer in order to pay there than in "a
more temperate cliniate, owing to the short
nesS OL Ine ScuSOll anu Cuo SfoIC expense Ill
transporting men and material, as nearly all
their food would have to be brought in."
"Could not some Of the harder varieties Of
grain and vegetables be raised in some parts
of the Yukon valleyT'
"They might be by very hard work; but it
would bc less expensive to ship them in by
vessels. l have seen a turnip that weighed
six and one-half pounds raised within 100
miles OF the Arctic circle, on the Yukon
river, about 200 miles from its mouth. Let.
tuce, greens, radishes. and, in general small
vegetables that would be injured by long
transportation, would undoubtedly be raised
in small quantities as luxuries 10y those en-
gagged in other pursuits. But agriculture, in
its broader sense. would be a failure in the
whole valley"
ALEUTIAN CATTLE COUNTRY.
allow is the game for fresh meat, and
could not cattle be raised in the great Yukon
valleyf"
@Of course the game will vary in amount
on such a long river as the Yukon, but in
general will be sufficient to keep small parties
in tolerably fair supply. In regard to raising
cattle, there is plenty of grazing in the sum-
mer; but food for the winter, or at least for
eight months of the year, and this combined
with the dense swnr.ns Of mosquitoes in sum-
mer, would make cattle-rasing Improbable
certainly in large numbers. Should con-
siderable population ever settle in the
valley, as will be profitable, owing to
the fishing resources, it would be worth
while to,xperiment with the more harry
grades of cattle IA tho blacL cattLn NJ tha