The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-04-13
ALASKA.

New the Territory Appeared to senator
Dolph. of Oregon.
Senator Dolph, of Oregon, made a
trip along the Alaska coast to and north
of Silks, and says: 81 was more i'm
pressed with the village than with the
country itself. The trip was delight
full one, indeed. Persons who have
travelled extensively in Europe expressed
the opinion that it was one of the most
picturesque and enjoyable trips in the
world. The journey is made by ocean
steamships from Portland. The steamer
makes one trip every month. By TAX
ing the Northern Pacific Railroad TO
Puget Sound. that is from Portland to
Port Townsend. one avoids an ocean
voyage, as he can take the steamer
there, and its route thereafter is entirely
by inland channels. except crossing
Queen Charlotte Sound, the passage of
which Is only about three hours long.
II Is only Southern Alaska that's visited
by tourists. The scenery is grand
throughout the entire voyage. Noun
tains frequently arise abruptly from the
waters edge, covered with timber and
vordure TO their SUBMITS. Not the least
interesting of sights are the glaciers.
The steamer during the summer usually
goes into Glacier Bay. at the head of
which five large glaciers reach down to
she water. continually throwing off ice
bergs.
My impressions of the value of
Alaska were confirmed by what / saw
and learned. believe, owing to the
numerous inland channels. islands and
great rivers that the fishing interests of
the Pacific Northwest will exceed 10
magnitude and value the fishing inter
es:s of the North Atlantic coast when
ever there Is a sufficient market for food
fishes to cause their development. Cod
fish, salmon, herring and halibut are
abundant Goldfish are being caught at
q few places for market. At several
points salmon are being picked. Re-
Gently there has been established a
number of salmOu eannerles- Owing 10
the low price of salmon and expense of
transportation the canneries have not
been in operation this season. have
mineral resources. Mines of copper,
iron and coal have been discovered, as
well as lodges of gold and siiyer-bear-
ing quartz. There Is also placer mines
of both metals.
THE value of the seal fisheries are
generally known. The Government has
leased 10 California Company the
small islands of ST. Paul and ST. George
for S50.eO0 a year, and S2.674 for each
seal killed. the privilege of killing 10O,-
900 seals annually, making 1917, 500 per
annum revenue from these islands
alone. The value of the timber of
Alaska, l believe. has been over-esti-
mated. The Alaska cedar is very val
liable timber, and will be in great de-
mand some day for furniture and finish
ing lumber. but fear it will only be
found In limited quantities. The whole
country, as 1 judge 1t from Southern
Alaska, Is covered with less valuable
varieties eff pine. de not think Alaska
will ever become an agricultural conn
Try, not SO much on account of the cold
ness of the winters. for it is asserted
that the weather at Sitka during winter
months is verJ little colder than Wash
fngton City, but on sccount of the cool
wet summers and the shortness of the
summer season La fact, but very
small portion of the Territory has suit
sble soil for agriculture if the climate
were suitable. However, vegetables,
including cabbages, beets, turnips and
potatoes, seem TO thrive i'm Southern
Alaska, and IL is said some kinds of
grain have been raised on Cooks Inlet,
north of Sitka, and some parts of the
main land. Isaw Strawberries at Sitka
in July, but they Were not numerous.
Chicago Sun.