The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-16
HINES OF sun Dun
superintendent of Bald Eagle
Tells of Alaska.
1T is NO PLACE FOR A POOR MAN
Nature Has Done Much TO Aid Dcwei-
opmenf. but HRrfships Must Be
Endursd-A Good Season.

1 sooE for 3 large influx q people into
the sum Dunn mining district Ia Southern
Alaska during The coming year, and also
Tor prosperous ssSOn. was the remark
made By y. ; Troxbrt8ge. superintendent
and one q ire owners % the Bad Eagle
nine az the D-Her hotel last night Mr..
IroN0T2dge = a practical mining man o.
many years experience, and takes 3 most
sensible view o. The future OF mining IL
Alaska. lis large experience "a watch
he mas gone through the ups and downs
50 common % al Old miners. has made
him very conservative, and the maEniii-
cent prospects that confront him IN ths
Bad Eagle property have not caused that
Imitation 50 common 10 many prospectors,
Who. when they strike II r8ch," pro-
claim themselves 10 the world as Monte
Cristos
The district has not been thoroughly
prpspected on account OF many obstacles.
such a. climate. although the success q the
Bald Eagle company nvened up things
considerably" said Mr.. TruwbridEe. a
number Of prospectors have found veins
that may develop Wei, but there Is moth
ing definite about mines. \ number OF
new pr0spect0rs. wno have benefited BY
the experience OF others. viii undoubt-
eG!y visit the district next season. and il
u probable that one or two new mills
VIII be erected during the spring, which.
Of course, vii AID greatly TO the success
OF the district Within the last month
there has been one mine sold ana an
other one bonded.
The possibilities in Alaska for mining
are certainly great. but it requires 4 large
amount OF hard work 10 make these posi-
bilittes actualities. The mineral resources
OF our district Will undoubtedly become
important. bat IL will take cons ,dera9le
time 10 accomplish this. The natural ia
cilities for working mines are unsurpassed
anywhere on earth. Everywhere there is
aeH.e H. 1T
OF Itself = all-important: timer is plentiful
for mining purposes. and the weather is
not so severe as many would imagine.
The coolest day We had up TO the time I
left, which was on December 10. was
twelve degrees above zero. The Japan cur
rent mobiles the climate greatly. causing
a great deal OF rain and keeping the tenn
pera ture Up. In all ordinary conditions.
mining can be carried on all winter In sum
Dunn. the only disadvantage being the eX-
Cessiye fall of snow. but this can b.. easily
handled. After this winter we shall be
prepared to operate the year round. AS
IL Is. We now have eight men at work run
ming tunnel to tap the mine ar a lower
point
VIII We enlarge our mill next year?
| cannot tell positively. We shall increase
when the mine justifies as il is easy to
increase facilities. our work this year has
been very satisfactory and we have no
duced this season about $4,000. which has
paid for the property and all debts and
left some In the treasury. | think that IS
a pretty good showing, don't you? This
was done, though. only by close figuring
and economical measures. I was very
careful in the management OF affairs my
experience teaching me that II one wishes
10 make success of anything he must
adopt only strictly business methods 4
great mistake made by many mine owners
and managers has been their haste in
erecting mills entirely too large to handle
the output and hiring more men than they
need, and In many other needless expendi-
lures.
Now, want 10 say a few words about
the habit many prospectors have. Of
painting glowing pictures about the un-
hidden wealth Of Alaska, and the ease
with which II is secured. This is a great
wrong TO many poor prospectOrs who
when they hear OF the golden fields of the
far north. sacrifice everything TO get
enough money 10 make the trip. on ar
irving and being confronted with the real
situation they curse the place and every
thing in connection with IT, This gives
the country a black eve. and I haven't
a doubt bat that it keeps many prospec-
tors with money away. / certainly do
not think IL wise to oyerestimate the pos
sibiltes Of that country. In fact. | would
rather underestimate IL. Alaska offers
extraordinary inducements to capitalists,
but is not a good place for ordinary pros
pectors
a point in favor Of Alaska is the ex-
ceedingly low rates with Sound points.
and the cheapness OF building material
and labor IN almost every town. no matter
how small Why. there is absolutely no
expense. except the actual mining ex-
peuse. The low rates 10 Sound points
make Il profitable FOR mine owners 10
snip their concentrates TO the smelters AZ
Everett and other towns. Taken all in
ali. / believe the mining industry IN Alas
ka VIII continue 10 grow from year 20
year untl It is enormous. l intend TO re-
turn carly N March"