The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-12
SrOAEY'S EXPLORATIONS
IN ALASKA NORTH OF THEYUKON
RIVER.
A Report OF Exceeding Interest, to
GeOgraphers Especially-A Sea
mans Peril Gus Trip.

SAN FRANcIso,, CAL, October H.
The Chronicle this morning prints an
interview with Assistant Engineer
Lane. who was with Lieut.. Stoney on
his ex ploripg expedition in that por-
ton of Alaska north ~ Yukon river
and Putnam river, which was discov-
cred come two years ago by Stopey,
Assistant Lane arrived in this city
few days sgo in advance OF the rest OF
the party, who are expected here on
the United States steamer Bear Fri
day next. The exploring party left
San Francisco May 3, 1885. About
December lst StoDey and party OF
sailors started for Nostoak river, about
100 miles roth OF the Putnam.
Standings OF the river were made, as
well as surveys OF the region through
which it flowed. Engineer Lane and
several men then started TO explore
the country in the direction Of st:
Michsel's. That point was reached
after a Journey OF twenty. eight DAYS.
A rough survey of the country by
compass bea'ia S. was made. While
Lane wss away Stoney went south
west in the gion OF Selewik lake
and the river OF the came name. He
noted various small lakes, rivers and
mountain ranges. On February lst
S,oney went eastwa d 10 the head
waters OF Putnam end Noatoak Sers
and was gone foIty-6ve days about
these eadwaters. He reached an i'm
mene Q like, on the bs ks of which
natives from the region of Point Bar
row, the mo northern point OF the
c)ptipent of North Americ', meet TO
trade with the IudiaI of Pugam Val
lev. / generally takes the NATIVES
two seas ma TO make this trip, the 81
verify OF the wiuter compelling them
to remain in winter quarters near the
lake. Stoney y intention was 10 make
the trip TO Point Barrow from this
lake, but an immense arid plain would
have to be traversed, which made it
impossible on account of the scarcity
OF dog food. On ALril 18th, however,
Ensign Howard ard f. j. Price, a
tailor, started for p lot Barrow, and
81 or great hsrdships and privations
succeeded in reach ny 1t August 10th
of the present year. After making a
Journey Of piueiy.eix daye, June l4th,
the breaking OF the ice in the river
enabled all the ar y TO pass down its
mouth. The explorers gained
many new facts Of particular value to
geograpte,s. Prof. Baird, OF Smi h.
sonian Institote, had been part cularly
snxioul that the psrty shouly explore
Jade Mountain, or Greensboro Mount
ain, as the atlvts call II, out OF which
they obtain the green stone ueed in
making hatchets and other imple'
mems Engineer Lane and party Wis
tied the mountain. 1t Is 2O0 miles
ab We Putaam river, and alb ut 5000
feet high. Green Stone, as it is called,
is more correctly serptntine, and
found in layers OF considerable thick
ness, E'quimsux Indians In that re-
gion are polygsmists. No valuable
minerals were d s overed. C)al was
found in abundalce on Putnam river.
and Of good quality. Granite exit,
in large quantities and come ASBESTOS
was fouud. No gold or silver was
found, and as the Indians had none
in their pot lssion and never men.
toned them, the explorers came 10
the conclusion that IL il doubtful
WI ether they exist ia large quantities
in that part of Alaska Putnam river
Is about 400 miles long and
half mHe wide aud navl.
gable for distance OF $50 nj es, when
rapids are encountered. IL drains 1
large area of Putnam Val ey, which il
thirty miles wide. The volume o
wafer that flows down is immense
The river is surrounded by range o
mountains, about 5000 feet high, th'
highest peak of which is 1000 fee
high. There Is q dense growth c
spruce and hi ch along the banks
This stream is several hundreds 0
miles above the Yukon river, h)w
east and west. and empties into KatZ
bus Sound. Noltoak river Ia 100 mile
north Of PutDam, tepsra ed from !
by a range OF mountains. 1t is sha'
low and rocky, and tllws east an,
west. There Is very little vegetation
along its banks. 1t is about 400 mile
long aud empties iuto Kazebue Sound
Sjuth of Putnam about three miles I
G-lBMlh ianNf ANNh'1 hi'un ~ Nluhi
eter. 1t is very deep. S,lewik rive
is 200 miles long and flow
east and wet. II is divide
into two br inches and flows int
the lake north of Noat oak river. II i
awide desert plain extending for 10
miles and intarpolaled with man
large and small streams. 1t extend
clear to the ATTIC &C an. The soil
very poor and never thaws but to
depth of a few inches, and aside fror
pcis' Die deposits of gold and silve
and the fur trade OF the country Is II,
OF any practical value I, white mel
Lieut.. Lane regards the report c
Lieut.. Schwatkas's discovery OF the 8
called Jones river as highly probabl
for the country is 80 little known an
there are 30 many rivers that II Is nj
hard TO discover new stream in a
extended t1p thIon0h the country.