The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-10
YUKON'S RICH MINES.
Wilson's Account Of Them and
How to Get There.
4 LAND OF lce-sounD WEALTH.


THE Guide to the Yukon Gold Fields.
Where They are aud How to Reach
Them" complied and edited by the late
v. Wilson. has made its appearance, and
is one of the most artistic and valuaDic
guides yet issued and the only guide yet
published to that far away and unde-
veloped mining country. II has added in
rerest from the untimely death of its
talented author on the eve OF its COM
pletion- This book contains twensy-seyen
illustrations. showing different views of
the country. and two maps. showing the
lacasions of the Birch Greek and Forty
Mile mining districts. A complete his
tory OF the discovery OF gold in the
Yukon basin. and description OF the
navigation of the river and of the vafious
lakes and villages is given. showing that
Mr.. wilson was not only daring ex-
plorer. but writer OF no mean ability.
In his Introduction the author says:
The rush to the Yukon last spring saw
Gnany prospectors in the field with most
promising results. Many new creeks
were discovered of great extent and rich
ness. and all the old mines yielded better
the entire basin which was prospected
with any degree of precision failed to
show at least color. The estimated
amount of gold taken out Of the country
last year has been placed as high as
$i.ooo.ooO. and while this is highly inn
probable. the many who have returned
with amounts varying from $500 to $685.
900. prove beyond doubt that the coun-
try Is one OF great richness.
The Chiikoot pass is the only route
used to any extent by the miners, and
Is the shortest portage from salt water
to the Havigable waters of the yukon.
This route leads over the Chilkoot pass
down the lakes to Lewis river. thence
down the Yukon to the mines at differ
ert points on that river. The trip is one
Of difficulties. and should only be at
temped by men of endurance and nerve.
For only with the most incessant toll,
such as packing provisions over painless
mountains. towing a heavy boat against
five to eight mile current. digging in
the bottomless frost, and many other in
conveniences, any man physically en-
dowed to overcome these obstacles, who
will go there for a few years, can, by
strict attention to business, make a good
stake. with the possibilities OF fortune.
The next few years will see wagon
roads and rails through the coast range,
steamers on the lakes and upper river,
and the whole OF the vast upper country
viii be made accessible to the miner
Hydraulic mining Is made impossible ow-
Ing to the lack of water, for only the
glacial drip Of the hills Is accessible in
the gulches which carry the most gold.
The country south OF Pelly river is
quite well timbered. 1t Is a good grazing
country: all the hardy vegetables grow
WE'LL and even wheat ripens.
IT Is fine game and fish country
Bean OF several varieties. moose caribou.
wolves. and many fur-bearing animals
abound. The rivers and streams TEEN
with many varieties of fish. while grouse
and rabbits are numerous along the
shore
when once the country Is made ac-
cessible from the Sound points by trans
portation facilities 1t can be reached in
ten days. Within three years it will be
possible TO leave Seattle in spring. work
In the mines all summer. and return In
the fall. Then the Importance of these
vast gold fields will come to be realized"
The illustrations include views of Lake
Bennett, Lake Lebarge, Lake Lindeman,
looking down the Grand canyon. White
Horse rapids, Five Finger rapids OF the
Yukon. OF the settlement at Sixty Mile
post, of the steamers Arctic and p. B.
Weare. Fort Cudahy and several groups
of miners.
The MAPS OF Birch Greek and Forty
Mile mining districts show the exact To-
cation OF all the claims and the route to
each
Mr.. Wilson goes into details on each
district and the method or working. and
gives valuable hin:s as to what outfit to
take. the cost of supplies. the route by
which each district is reached.
The book Is entirely Seattle produc-
ton, the printing and binding having been
done by the Calvert Company, and the
engraving for the illustrations and maps
made by Curtis & Guptill. and is credit
to the city.