The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-30
Not All Discouraged.


The sloop Typhoon. Capt. Henry Gold
finch. arrived In port at 3 O'Clock this
morning from Turnagain arm. says the
juneau Mining Record OF July o.
The sIoop sailed from Hope City
on the morning OF July s. reach
ed Point Elizabeth on July ?.
where continuous gales from the north
east held IT back for seven days. Besides
tho captain and pilot. p. fverson. there
were eight passengers returning from the
Cook inlet gold fields. who have decided
that the placer mines OF the arm hold no
further attractions for them. and that
they viii make Seattle as quickly as pos
sible. The snow has all gone except upon
the mountain tops. but the creeks were
rising. and the heavy rains since have
probably caused freshet which will de-
lay work considerably. IT will be impos-
sibie to work most of the claims to any
advantage until the water goes down.
Though many OF the prospectors are dis
couraged, others are hopeful. and soma
are doing well. the best-payins claims be-
ing on Mills and Canyon creeks. Quite a
number of miners have been prospecting
on the Kenai river. among whom were
Sylvester Mcmahon and William Prior.
No rich placer strikes have been made up
on this river. though Il has been pros
pectcd up for 80 miles, but several proml-
nent quartz lodges have been located.
The only coarse gold yet found on the
river has been on Cooper creek, where
four. claims have been located by a man
named Sickel from Seattle. Sunrise City
Is the metropolis of the region; IL has
several stores. brewery. two saloons
and two restaurants. The cost OF living
Is not much higher than in Southeastern
Alaska. meals at the restaurants are 70
cents each. best flour Sl.25 per sack. and
other things In proportion. The Fourth
OF July was celebrated In true American
style Mt Sunrise: salute In the early
morning opened the programme The
reading OF the Declaration OF Independ-
ence by young divine from Berkeley.
Cal. a patriotic address by the Oldest
storekeeper OF the place. music by a
string hand. etc. made up the literary
exercises of the forenoon. which were
held in a pavilion erected fsr the purpose.
Among the sports OF the afternoon there
was a baseball game. jumping. hurdling.
kicking, sack races. foot races and
hard-contested tug-of-war. which was won
BY the juneau team. In the evening
thsre was a musical and literary enter
tainment which was followed by dance.
which lasted until broad daylight. There
were present at the dance six ladies'.
wives Of miners and storekeepers. The
orchestra. consisting Of two vioiins. banjo
and guitar. furnished some very good
music.
Some Of the old prospectors are very
hopeful OF good results. and expect TO
make fair clean-ups this fall George
Carpenter and Fred Heyde arc working n
claim on Canyon creek which they have
leased from Hans Severson. The Howard
brothers are located on a tributary Of SIX
Mile creek John Mclaughlin. John Nc
Lean ana Andrew olesen are on their re-
turn 10 juneau and expected here at any
time. Charles Sampson has a good
claim on Mills creek. one Of the best. He
VIII return 10 Juneau this fall Matt Nc
Mahon and Antoine yisalia ere prospect
Ing on small creeks emp;yIug into Mills
creek. John Ellis Is working leased
ground on a tributary OF six-Miis creek.
and expects TO DO well. Matt Ginger In
working on Canyon creek, having abau-
doned his location on Palmer creek. Fall
returns may prove the country very rich.
Good reports are expected from the Shu-
shitna river. when many VIII rush 10 that
section. The river leads In from the Yu-
kon and flows Into the northern part Of
Cook inlet. Many deaths from drowning
in the Arm are reported. Seven bodies
have been found so far. and many up
turned boats have been picked Up along
the beach. Great forest fires have been
raging through Kenai and Turnagain re-
gionr. and many miners have lost their
tents and caches Of provisions.