The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-06
a FERTILE REGION IN AL ASIA.
Green Valleys and Much Mineral
Wealth Discovered.
From the Neiv York Tribune

Green Valleys and Much Mineral
Wealth Discovered.
From the Neio York Tribune.
E. j. Glave. who had some rough ex-
periences in Alaska eighteen months ago,
has just returned from another trip TO that
country and he brings back with him con-
siderable valuable geographical and other
information. He has been absent niue and
one-half months aud five months of that
time were spent in the Mount Sc. Elias
region in Eastern Alaska, which was never
before visited by white man.
That part Of the country it
always has been supposed contained
frozen rivers and glaciers. From the maps
of the government to-day the information
to be had is that the region is supposed to
be cold the year round and that it ia barren.
But Mr.. Glave has discovered that the coun-
try. instead of being anything like what il
was supposed to be, is as fertile as any part
OF the west, and that during five months of
the year it Is warm and pleasant. Further
more the temperature is never below zero
In the winter. There are vast quantities of
minerals there, rich deposits Of copper being
abundant.
Mr.. Glaye did not reach New York until
yesterday. He returned home by way Of
Panama, reaching the United States
through Mexico. Yesterday was the frat
time he had al opportunity TO talk for pub
LEGATION about the results OF his explorations
in the interior of Alaska.
Il had two reasons for exploring that
wild region" said he, when at the Everett
house yesterday. Zone was TO see If there
was a vast amount of mineral wealth in
the mountains within easy reach, and the
other was to open up transport route. l
did not find large deposits of mineral as I
expected to find them, but enough Is there TO
make 1t more than an object TO establish a
great industry in that part of the country
when it Is open to easy transportation, aud
| proved beyond a doubt that transport
routes could be established between the st.
Elias district and the coast,
~ started for the interior from the coast
near the Chikat river early in June with
four paok horses. Jack Dalton, who has
had considerable experience in prospecting,
was my only companion. Before our de-
parture we were told by old explorers that
we would never be able to reach the country
north of the Mount st. Elias range as there
were no provisions to be had in that arctic
region, as It was called. But when reached
that part of the country | found fertile val
leys and immense forests instead of ice and
snow. The finest kind Of grasses were
hlONibS lAA 6OALAn0AAO9B esA0 oOAiO 0AJ 9iO
region will be great stock-raising country.
While / was there We found all the goose
berries, huckleberries and raspberries we
could eat. During the whole Of July 1t was
light enough out Of doors to read book at
any time during the day or night
"Tte natives of this heretofore almost
unknown country are the Stick Indians
They look something like our North Ameri-
can Indians, but are not SO warlike, on &C
e os.ns e. NHara
what would call a mean, cowardly set.
They are not entirely cut off from civiliza-
ton, for while | was there l saw many Of
them intoxicated. The stimuant they Sc
cured was in the Florida water which the
Cnilkat Indians, with whom they trade, had
brought from the coast. / have also seen
Stick Indian drink down the contents Of
bottle of Perry's pain killer, and from the
delightful expression that could be seen on
the fellows face after =, he had
swallowed the pain killer one
would suppose thas he regarded the stuff as
nectar. Florida water, which contains
alcohol, Perry's pain-killer and kerosene
are regarded by the Stick Indians as de-
licious beverages. They frequently get
pure whisky, but as the law is strict about
carving it to the interior the traders do not
venture often to furnish it TO the Indians.
But there is no law against sending bottles
of kerosene, Florida water and pein-killer
TO them, and when the Chilkat Indians go
To the St Elias dfatrlct they take large
quantities of these beverages with them In
exchange for which they get
furs. The choicest lynx, beaver,
otter. mink. squirrel, moose aud
for furs come from that part OF the coun-
try. People generally do not think that
fox furs are valuable. but l have seen the
skin of a black fox sell on The coast for $780,
The Indians are expert trappers and eaten
any number of animals without much DIN
Guilty. The Stick Indians are strictly
forest people. and it was only recently Cnat
any of them lived in houses The majority
If Them now live in caves and bush piles.
Thar form of religion is a peculiar one.
They worship as their deltles the raven anu
"Tbe st. Elias district will some day
nrovo 70 be of great value, for there IS no
douht that the wealth there is more vniua~
bIa than the sum which the United States
Doid for all of Alaska. l expected to hnd
rich danosits of gold and silver within easy
reach. but it will take heavy 11inlng ma
chjnery to get at it. | Travelled aoou0 l'oVV
miles over the fertile country, crossing
1nany wide and swiftly fowin rivers, ana
as had complete set OF geo9rapnlcal n
strnments with me. / secured some valuable
jnformetion. The United States this year
intends TO send out d surveying party, and,
noidonbt. either MIR. Dalton or will go with
than1 The boundary line has not yet been
surveyed. and miners, il they establlsneo
claims along the border, would not De abe
20 fall et the present time, whether they
we're in Alaska or Canada.
Mr.. Glave il about 80 years old, stoutly
built and has q remarkable reseln OIance ~
Henry Nj. Stanley.