The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-01-12
uNGA ISLANDS WEALTH.
Its Mineral Resources Worth More Tha
the Purchase Price of Alaska.

UNGA ISLANDS WEALTH..
| 1ts Mineral Resources Worth More Than
| the Purchase Price of Alaska.
An alta reporter made the acquaint-
ance of G. c. King. who is just from
Unga Island, in Alaska. Mr.. King is
well known to many San Francisco
people rs successful miner, and a
gentleman whose observations and ex-
pelience are entitled to high considera-
| ton.
at is not very beautiful country"
said Mr.. King. "but it is far better than
great many people think it. Unga
Island. where | have been, is in lati-
tude 55 degrees north, longitude 162
degrees west. 1t is surrounded by
several other islands, and the main
land. in the shape of peninsula, is
| very near. These are all very noun
tainous, and one or two rolcanos, or
burning mountains. as they are called
there. can be seen in the distance"
How about the soil and climate?"
The soil is rich and deep. produc-
ing an immense growth of vegetation.
As this is all returned to the soil by
the decaying processes of fall and
winter the land becomes richer from
year to year. There is no stock to ca;
the grass, which grows in rank luxuri-
ance and often to height of five feet.
1t is the red-top bunch-grass variety.
"The climate is not so cold as you
might infer, but in the fall and winter
is very disagreeable on account of the
rains and snow. The latter lies on the
ground but few days when the
eastern winds bring rain. and so the
alterations 90 on from November to
May. The climate is too changeable
for cereals. However, berries and some
vegetables grow in great abundance.
This part o. Alaska will soon be
farming country. but l have no doubt
stock-raising in time will largely be
carried on there. The grasses can not
be eaten out, as is often the case in
the Pacific States and Territories. The
rains up there are constantly renewing
the growth of grass.
II have no doubt also that i: will. in
time, become a great coal-producing
country. The out groupings are abun-
dant. and reveal very fine quality.
1.-The game is limited TO bear and
deer; and wild fowl are not abundant,
with the exception of geese and
grouse. l have never seen quail in
this part of Alaska. But the fish are
the finest in the world. The day be-
fore 1 started on this trip to California
1 caught fifty pounds of trout which l
salted down and brought with me.
There are three varieties of them-the
speckled. red and silver sides. Cod
fish, halibut, salmon and numerous
other kinds of fish swarm the waters.
"The land and sea fur-bearing ami
mais are, however, becoming scarce. /
visited St. Paul and St. Georges
Island and l know from my personal
observation, that the Alaska CONNER
cial Company is compelled to take
great care in protecting the seals.
Otherwise they would soon become ex-
tinct."
"fIow about mining?"
"In time that will become the great
industry of Alaska. Gold, silver and
copper are in all the mountains. But
gravel-digging is failure. l have
seen a great many quartz lodges carry
ing sufficient gold and silver to war
rant further development. Smelling
would he easy, as there is plenty of
lead and iron for fux. saw free mill
ing gold ore at Squaw Harbor on Unga
Island. l believe that the metallic
wealth of Unga Island alone is greater
than the United States paid for the
whole country. There are several large
veins of quartz on the island already
developed. and among these the Sitka,
Apollo, Rising Sun and Squaw Harbor
claims are being worked to advantage.
| am sure great future is before this
island. Five tons of ore brou ght down
from the King mine by the steamer
Dora yielded 81 per ton.
prospecting on the mainland is very
difficult. No animals to carry pro-
visions are obtainable. If miners had
jacks or mules some fine discoveries
might be made on the mainland. The
natives are peaeeable and hospitable.
The majority of them speak only Rls-
sian. but we occasionally meet one who
talks English. Those who live near
the seaports dress like Americans.
their clothing being furnished them by
the Alaska Commercial Company.
This company buys from the natives
sea otter skins for which they pay from
$50 to 800.
"Prospectors going to Alaska should
make every possible preparation be-
fore leaving San Francisco. They
should especially take animals with