Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-01-13
UNGA ISLAND.
Its Mineral Wealth More Than the Purchase
Price of Alaska


Price of Alaska.
An Alta California reporter made the
acquaintance of G. G. King, who is from
Unga island, in Alaska. Mr.. King is well
known to many San Francisco people as
a successful miner, and a gentleman
whose observations and experience are
entitled to high consideration.
1t is not very beautiful country
said Mr.. King, but it is far better than a
great many people think it. Unga island.
where L have been, is in latitude SO de
grees north, longitude 162 degrees west.
1t Is surrounded by several other islands,
and the mainland in the shape of a pen
insula, is very near. These are all very
mountainous, and one or two VOLCANOES, or
burning mountains, as they are called,
can be seen in the distance"
How about the soil aud climate?"
"The soil is rich and deep, producing
an immense growth of vegetation. As
this is all returned to the sou by the decay
ing process Of fall and winter the land
becomes richer every year. There is no
stock to eat the grass, which grows in
rank luxuriance and often 20 height of
five feet 1t is the red top bunch-grass
variety.
The climate is not so cold as you
might inter, but in the fall and winter is
very dlsag reeable 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 of Alaska will soon be a
farming country, but l have no doubt
stock-raisIng IN time will be largely car
ried 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.
Il have no doubt also that it will, in
time, become great producing
country. The out groupings are abund-
ant, and reveal very fine quality.
"The game is limited to boar and deer;
and wild fowl are,, cot abundant, with the
exception of geest End grouse. 1 have
never seen quail in this part of Alaska.
But the fish ale the finest in the world.
The day before l started on thus trip to
California l caught fifty pounds of trout
which l sailed down and brocght with me.
There are three varieties of them-the
speckled, red, and silver sides. Goldfish,
halibut, salmon, and numerous other
kinds of fish swarm the waters.
"Ihe land and sea fur-bealing animals
are, however, becoming scarce. | visited
St. Paul and St. Georges islands and L
know from my personal observation,
that the Alaska Commercial company is
IN tal in =
ing the seals. Otherwise they would
soon become extinct"
Glow about mining?"
"In time that will become the great in
dustry of Alaska. Gold, silver, and cop
per are in all the mountains. But gravel
digging is failure. l have prospected
great many water courses, but seldom
found even great many quartz lodges
carrying sufficient gold and silver to
warrent further development. Smelling
would be easy, as there is plenty of lead
and iron for fux. l saw free milling
gold Gre at So Jaw 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 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
brought down from the king mine by the
steamer Dora yielded 81 per ton. Sixty
tons more from the same mine will be
brought dowh by the schooner 0. S.
Fowler in January.
Pros pecting on the mainland is very
difficult. No animals to carry provisions
are Ubtainable. If miners had jacks or
mules some fine discoveries might be
made on the mainland. The natives are
peaceable and hospitable. The major
ity of thsm speak only Russian, but we
occasionally meet one who talks English.
Those who live near the seaports dress
like Americans, their clothing being fur
nj shed them by the Alaska Commercial
company. This company buys from the
natives sea otter skins for which they
pay from $50 to $50.
Pros pectors going to Alaska should
make every possible preparation before
leaving San Francisco, They should
especially take animals with them"