The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-10-12
EXPLORATIONS IN ALASKA.
The Result of Lieutenant Stoney's Wander
lnGs In the Far North.

The Result OF Lieutenant StOney'S Wander
lngs In the Far North.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, Octobsr 1.-THE
Chronicle this morning prints an interview
with Assistant Engineer Lane, who was
with Lieutenant Stoney on his exploring
expedition on that portion OF Alaska north
OF the Yukon river and Putnam river,
which was discovered some two years ago
by stouey. The Assistant Engineer ar.
rived in the city a few days ago in advance
Of the rest Of the party who are expected
here on the United States steamer Hear
next Friday. The exploring party left
San Francisco May s. 1885. About De.
csmber l Stoney and party OF ssilors
started for NoAkok river about l2O miles
north OF the Putnam.
Souudings oil tho river werO made az we'll
~ survey Of tho region through which II
flowed. Engineer Lane and several man
then started to explore the couAtry In the
direction Of st. MiChasls, That point was
reached alter a journey OF tRGnly.eight
days. A rough survey OF the country by
compass bearings was made. While Lane
was away stoney went Southwest In the
reSIon Of Selewick Lake, aud the river OF
the same name, He noted various ANAL
lakes, rivers and mountain ranges.
In February, Stoney went eastward TO
the head waters ofthe Putnam and Noslok
rivers and was gone iorty.Avs days about
these head waters. He reached an i'm.
mense lake on tho banks OF which native,
from the region oil Point Barrow the most
northern point Of the continent OF North
America, meet to trade with the Indians
Of the Pugsm Valley.
1t generally takes tho natives two sea-
sons TO make this trip, the severity Of
the winter compelling them to remain in
winter quarters near the lake. .a
HIGHEST POINT REACHED,
stoney's intention was to make tho
trip to Point Barrow from this lake, but
an immense arid plain would have to be
trayersed, which made 1t impossible on
account Of the scarcity Of dog feed. On
April 70, however, Epslgn Howard and
F. j. Price, a sailor, started for Point Bar
row and alter great hardships and prtya.
tions succeeded In reachiug It August l8,
Of the present year, after making Jour
ney Of 90 days. On June IA the break.
ing ot the Ice In the river enabled all the
party To pass down to Its mouth. The
explorers gained many new facts OF par
tioulat Vaine 70 geogTaphera.
Professor balru, OIL the Smithsonian In
stltute, had been particularly unIious that
the party should explore the Jade noun
tain or Greenstone mountsln 90 the nG-
tives call It, out o. which they obtain thu
green Ssone used In making hatcheta and
other implements. Engineer Lane and
party visited the mountain. 1t Is two
hundred miles above Putman river and
about 5000 feet high. Greensboro as It's
called Is found In layers ol considerable
thickness.
Esquimaux Indians 10 that region Ara
polygamlsts' No VALUABLE minerals were
dlac3yered. Voal was iound IN abundance
on Putnam river and OF good quality,
Granite exists In large quantities and some
aB bestos was found.
NO GOLD OR sILvsR.
M ooid or silvar wau io,nd opd a, iho
IL W. NJ lS4S' s.1 81 ~
lnulans nus none IN 'ue'f posssSsloh auu
never mentioned them the explorers came
To the conclusion that doubtful whether
lhav e,isL In largo nuanti.tas IN that rs,y
~ 49, 80 49, 80 - -, Io,
OF AiasAs' rutuan wv tisyt !II u nouus 4u,
in.esas ss lVs sss 1 n ,si.nnn e Sno "uJ u,i,nS u,