Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-09-24
RIVAL OF THE YUKON.
A Mighty Stream in Alaska of Which
Little is known.

In a country so vast in extent and
possessing the physical characteristics
of the territory of Alaska there must
of necessity be a very great portion Of
her surface to remain a veritabIe terra
incognita. The intense cold, together
with the total absence Of any supplies
whatever except those that are carried
along by the intrepid explorer, makes
travelling in the interior hazardous in
the extreme. Voyages Of exploration
may be made in the summer by water
but land travel can only be done in the
winter on the frozen crust of the snow.
Over a year ago the KAYAK river was
visited by Father TOsi, Roman Cath
Ole missionary, located on the Yukon.
He did not attempt to ascend the river.
as he was told by natives located near
it's mouth that there were no inhabi-
tants dwelling on its shores, and that
after leaving the settlement at which
he was then stopping, it would be i'm
possible for him to get food either for
himself or for his dogs. 1t is generally
supposed the first white men who ever
saw the Kuwak river was Lieutenant
+ George NJ StOney, United States navy,
who in the summer of 1883, was sent by
the general government to the Arctic
ocean for the purpose of rewarding the
| Tchukchees, of Alaska, for their kind
ness in feeding and sheltering the
crew of the steamer Rogers, that was
burned in those waters in 1881. While
distributing the $4,000 worth of pres
ents that had been voted by congress
for the purpose he heard of large
river in the vicinity that was unknown
to geographers. Securing 8 guide and
an interpreter he boldly launched into
the wilderness and soon reached the
banks of a very large river, which ne
assembled for fifty miles. He named the
river the Putnam after the gallant
Putnam. who sacrificed his life in
search of the Jeanette. In the summer
of 1884 and again in 1885 he returned
10 the new river to complete his eX-
ploratiOns.
This river probably over 1000 miles
long, lies within the Arctic circle
Taking it's rise near the valley of the
Mackenzie on the British line, it flows
in a general west and southwest direc-
ton until it empties into Hotham in
let, Kotzebue sound. The delta is
composed of hundreds of channels, one
being a mile wide. The channel over
the Hotham inlet bar is thirty feet
deep, and for 300 miles the river is
nayigable for boats drawing from five
Fo,o- = III int
is a long distance of navigation inter
rupted by rapids Five hundred miles
above it's mouth the river passes
through Lake CharlaogahlOoktah This
lake is about eight miles long and three
wide. Three hundred miles above this
lake another was reported, with the
river extending hundreds of miles
farther on.
From the north the river receives
many tributaries; from the south but
one large stream, the Pah The coun-
try around the upper portions of the
river is described as mountainous in
the extreme, the higher peaks reach
ing elevation of 5000 feet. The
banks are heavily wooded with spruce,
larch, cottonwood, birch and willow.
Roses were seen in large numbers, and
wild flowers abounded. Raspberries,
blue and salmon berries were abund-
ant. Coal, gold, silver and jade were
found In 1884 and again in 1885
Lieutenant J. G. Cantwell of the United
States revenue steamer C0rwin, also
made explorations, ascending the river
over 500 miles.-Alaska News.