Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-02
ALAsKA's FAMOUS MINES.
Where They Are Situated and How
TO Get There.
Frona the SeIttLs CAronicie,

From the ss1tt5s Chronicle.
A reporter met yesterday Mr.. William
Moore, who twenty eight years ago moved
from California to Victoria, B. c., from
whom be obtained some very interesting
information respecting Alaska, on which
country Mr.. Moore is well posted. He
and his three sons were the second party
who went into the CRssair mines in Brit
ish Columbia in 1872, only short time
after Tn sir discovery by three Frenchmen
Mr.. Moore and his sons cleared in
several seasons $4,000 from their claims
In those mines. With this money he con-
structed steamer. the Western Slope,
which has figured Importantly in the
history OF British Columbia. Mr., Moore
was engaged afterward in other steam
boat enterprises, which enabled him to
famlliariZe himself with the coast Of
Alaska as far north as the Chilcat river.
He has obtained from reliable sources
valuable Information about the interior OF
Alaska. The great mining excitement
there ~ now on the Stewart river, a tribu-
tary Of the Yukon, emptyng into that
mighty stream from the east, about 800
miles from its mouth and about 60 miles
from the Alaskan boundary. The stew
art river is in British Columbia, 30 Tar as
at present known.
There are two ways Of reaching that
country; one Is being used at present
and the other must be adopted as miners
and prOspectoTs pour in. The present
method Of getting in is from Lynn canal
on the Alaskan coast. The coast range is
crossed by Chilkoot Pass. and tue course
leads to Lake Bennett, the first of a chain
OF lakes which are the source of the
Yukon. Lake Bennett lies sixty miles
from the ocean. The chain OF lakes
are descended and one portage is
crossed, when Lake Lebarge, 1000
miles from the mouth OF the
Yukon, is reached. The river
IL nayigable for that entire distance ac-
cOrding TO Mr.. Moore. He obtains his
information from the surveyors who went
through that country in 1865 To locate the
overland telegraph which was projected
from the Atlantic coast through tho Rus
sian possessions in America via Behring
straits 20 England and the continent
across Asia. The scheme was product
i've, however, OF obtaining reliable in
formation about that country. The dist
ance OF 500 miles from Lake Lebarge to
the Stewart river il accomplished by
navigation Of the Yukon.
The other means Of access will be by
ocean steamer TO the mouth Of the Yukon,
and thence by river steamer TO Stewart
river The establishment OF the steamer
route VIII be matter Of the future, re-
quring capital aud business TO Justify the
expenditure OF money. As the Yukon
country Hills up with miners and pros
pectors n Is likely that this means Of ac-
cess Will be adopted. The Chilkoot Pass
route at present used is tedious. Pro-
visions are packed into the Stewart river
country by Indiana
The length Of route over which the pro-
visions have % be taken in tbis manner
- so great as TO make them very dear.
The steamer route will in years to come
reduce the cost 0f provisions materially.
There are very few prosppctors in that
country now. but the excitement is IN
creasing and attracting great numbers
who are preparing TO go Ia there. Mr..
Moore believes that this country ~ richer
than The Casspair mines. aud " N see ia 10
the next TWO years 1000 men. Those who
contemplate going INTO that country
should not start unless they can stand
'rouRhing IT," The gun and the anglers
/ rod will have ~ be the means Of supplying
/ food for tue pr0spcct0r aud miner Tor some
time 20 come. Game ~ az present quite
I plentiful. The Yukon abounds with sal
mon, which are pronounced very hno in
/ appearance. some have been cnugbi
Weighing ninety pounds. The climate OF
/ the stewart river country is not very RIG.
I ofnns, but De- remarkably temperate, cons
1 aiagiing 10 far norihern latliado.