The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-23
MINERS OPINION.
Cook Inlet All Right if You
Have Money. Horse Sense
AND A DESIRE TO WORK HARD.
Gold Cannot Be Picked Up Without
Giving an Equivalent In Labor
for it--Alaska Poetry"

dtSs0Sied ard disappointed rroSpecIoFs
themselves than 10 any defect with the
nugge--5earins gold fields. The season N
that region has been unusually late. and
miners have been Obliged 70 wait for ice.
SNOW and water 10 disappear. But the
country contains gold. although a great
deal of work is necessary before the gold
hunter can make respectable showing.
Fer several months past fhere has been
party OF which George J. Rottcher is a
member. in the Kensi country. and ne has
written 10 Harry A. kyer and s p. Wes-
ton. OF this city. giving a straightforward
account of prospects. kyer and Weston
are interested in claims located by the
Eottcher party, and are satisfied that the
Cook inlet country. as a gold producer, has
not been overestlmated. Mr.. Bottchsr
writes:
'Our trip I'D the inlet was what might
be termed a scorc.aer. and we met with all
kinds OF wind. water and weather; and
though We were drench,si three times a
day, and our boats filled at times 10 the
point OF sinking, stiA NE managed 20 land
az the mouth of the Ksnai somewhat dis
figured but considerably enthusiastic Our
patience was taxed TO the utmost about
ten miles above Fort Kenai by finding rs
river blocked for miles with ice. We be-
gan the construction OF a I6-foot sled. In
tending to load our boat and our provis-
ions on il and push along. but luckily the
Ice moved before we made the start and
our sled was not needed.
Cooper creek. our main objective point.
was reached Tuesday. May IS. and OF
course We were all eager TO see what il
would show up Tt is similar 20 Canyon
creek, though smaller. and like Canyon
creek Is in a very steep and rugged can
yon. II has a wild and swift stream at
this time OF year. running through the
canyon, and through the clear water could
- a~f ~ 81 n -
by the transparency of the water. Il was
in the nature of picnic TO see our boys
diving in the cold stream for the evasive
flakes. for like the flea. when you put your
hand on them they are somewhere else.
and II the bedrock was disturbed in the
least they would disappear entirely.
"Our party. as the Cooper Mining and
Prospecting Association, duly organic ii,
made five locations on this creek. and then
pushed on, as II is a matter OF impossible
ity TO do any work here until the water
goes down. Mr.. Cooper processes TO be-
lieve that $50 per day can be made on this
stream 10 the man. ! never saw any prop
osition like it outside of Alaska. so am not
going TO place my opinion in writing. I
will say. though. that il Is a first-class
tonic for the blues to see few flakes of
gold kicking around in the bottom of a
stream, even II you cannot get at them.
''Our next move was TO Longs lake. the
uppermost of the kenai lakes. about thir-
~ miles long, and which has number of
rivers flowing into IL. At point nearly
opposite Quartz creek we found a gravel
bar that yielded two and three coarse coli
ors to the pan, and numerous fine ones.
and here our association took up l5o acres
in body. together with the water rights.
The bar Is 10 feet or more high. seems 10
carry gold all through, good water power
and plenty of dump. and proposition
worth pile of money TO company able
to give it the proper start.
sour next fad was vein of free milling
quart on the north side of Longs lake,
which we named the Mammoth. IL being
twelve feet wide on the surface. We
camped for a few days at the mouth of
Trail creek. and on Falls creek, its first
right-hand tributary, made two very fair
locations. These two claims are ground
siufce propositions. and can Zoe opened and
worked very cheaply and with good fair
results Just above Trail creek and near
the head OF Longs lake We located the
Golden Treasure, a vein as large II not
larger than the Mammoth and one that
shows free gold by crushing and panning.
On Nickery creek the last stream 10 put
into Longs lake on the left going up we
made two more placer locations. These
two claims show from five to fifty coiors
anywhere and everywhere, grass ROOFS.
banks top and bottom, and are easily
worked"
At Sunrise City.
After speaking OF his return to Sunrise
City Mr. Bortcher says:
II find the gang here very respondent,
and as predicted to YOU, man can
make a stake here by buying outfits and
claims Good fair claims are being sold
for 500 TO $50 without being tested, sim
ply because their owners do not have any
desire or backbone to work them. The
country is all right for man who has
little money. some horse sense and de-
sire to work. Gold cannot be picked up
without first giving some equivalent n
labor for IT. Good claims cannot. be had
for stalking You must first rustic the
claim: and when you have an army or
go or 900 r7astlers 70 compete with II is
a case OF the survival OF the 'tpaeSt.'
Mr. Pottcher incloses a rough map OF
,be country, showing the route taken by
The party and the streams prospcctsd on.
Thev went from Coal Harbor along the
coast to the neatfwaters OF the Kenai, AMI
from Their. 10 Resurrection bay and Sun
rise. cutting the peninsula into four pieces.
By landing In Resurrection bay the party
would have easy work towing 10 the head
o. Resurrection lake and four miles OF
mack: thence thirteen miles 20 Nickery,
ssx miles 10 Falls twelve miles Ia NEAR
thur and ten miles or 80 20 Cooper creek.
all down hill.
TIE letter also contains few inscrap-
,lars made by dlsgruntled gold hunters on
trees along the route into the kenai coun-
try. The following are quoted as most
Characteristics: prepare no meet Cod
..you must he born again" Come 20
resr< now Eternity Prepare for It.
Death Is on your track"
Weary wagyies in Alaska.
weary WaggleS Of California" has bean
=. ne hea fxaters OF the Keuai. and has
less re following eovgerel on tree:
Come. ali We Weary wagglers.
And st down here and rest.
Make yourself some faptacksi
Shake down your little nest
OF Ne shere arc eleven.
We've rovei ERE country Ger,
We are tired and hungry,
our clothes both ragged and tore.
we've clinsNea both hiH and dale.
And dug both deep and wide.
But gold IS very scarce-
We kH0x &. Tor we've tried
Ne eaae from old "canforny.'
II cost us Htty eases
The mex; time we gamble
Wei gamble on the rzces
IN sit aown. weary waxSsss.
And get yourself II shape;
r-4il yourself With sEieus fhcagh'
or now you are going 70 escape.
We are going NJ some hjgh Mi.
or uu some hIga divide,
And thoroughly grease The seat Q: cur
pants.
Ara then s3t sown AMI s1dA