The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-01-07
UNGA ISLANDS WEALTH.


UNGA ISLANDS WEALTH..
It's Mineral Resources Worth More Than
the Purchase Price of Alaska.
An Atn reporter made the acquant-
ance of G. c. King, who is just from
Unga Island. in Alaska. Mr.. King is
well known to many San Francisco
people as II successful miner, and
gentleman whose observations and ex-
peiicnce are entitled to high considera-
| ton.
"lt 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 30 degrees north, longitude 1872
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 VOLCANOES, or
burning mountains, rs they are called
there. can be seen in the distance"
"How about the soil and climateo"
1.-The soil is rich and deep. produc-
ing an immense growth of vegetation.
AS this is all returned ito the soil by
the dccaying processes of fall and
winter the land becomes richer from
year to year. There is no stock to eat
the grass, which grows in rank luSuri-
ance and often TO n height of five feet.
1t is the red-top bunch-grass variety.
"The climate is not so cold rs you
might infer, but in the fall and winter
is very disagrneable on account of the
rains and snow. The latter lies on the
ground hut 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 os Alaska will soon be a
farming country, but have no doubt
stock-raising in time will largely be
carried on there. The grasses car not
be eaten out rs is often the case in
the Pacific States and Territories. The
rains up thc"e are constantly renewing
the growth of grass.
81 have no doubt also that Il will, in
time, become !, :--"eat coal-producing
country. The out groupings are abun-
dant. and reveal II very fine quality.
"Tho 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 started on this trip to California
l caught fifty pounds of trout which 1
sailed down and brought with me.
There are three varieties of thcm-the
specklcd, red and silver sides. Cod
fish, halibut, salmon and numerous
other kinds of fish swarm the waters.
"The land and sea fur-bearing AMI
mails are, however, becoming scarce.
visited St. Paul and st. George $
Island and / 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."
"How about miningP"
''In time that will become the great
industry of Alaska. Gold, silver and
copper are in all the mountains. But
gravel-digging is failure. have
seen great many quartz ledges carry
ing sufficient gold and silver tc war;
rant further development. Smelling
would he easy, rs there is plenty of
lead and iron for fiux. saw free mill.
ing gold ore at Squaw Harbor on Unga
Island. / 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 Sitk,l,
Apollo, Rising Sun and Squaw Harbor
claims are being worked to advantage.
l am sure great future is before this
island. Five tons of ore brou ght down
from the King mine by the steamer
Dora yielded S71 per ton.
"Prospecting on the mainland is very
difficult No animals to carry pro-
visions are obtainablc. Ii miners had
Jacks or mules some fine discoveries
might be made on the mainland. The
natives are peaceable and hospitable.
The majority of them speak only Rus
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.
"Prospcctors going to Alaska should
make every possible preparation be-
fore leaving San Francisco. They
should especially tako animals with
them. ."-Aha California.
Dangers of PoIiteness.