The San Francisco call., 1897-07-25

some ty the ceaseless reiteration OF foolish
questions that only find birth in the brain
of the idle go ,sips, who only seek to build
foundations for tales to be told again and
again 10 others like themselves who have
Mt had the privilege OF Intervening a
klondyke placer prince.
While these gentlemen are entirely
ready to voucE for the richness OF the
klondyke mines and the returns that
have been gathered and what is in sight
to be yet taken out, they are seriously
concerned lest their represen 'atlons
should lead some one 10 rush off TO the
north with tho expectation OF picking up
fortune in season. without proper con-
sideraton of the difficulties 10 be en-
countered, and the hardshps TO be under
gone before they make strike.
Said one of them: 'There is not foot
OF ground on Bonanza or any OF the other
creeks emptying into the Kondyke for
miles up that has not been thoroughly
scrutin zed. and everything OF promise
already taken up. Some OF The creeks 81
Dorado and Victoria for instar ce, have
been located from the mouth to the head.
At first the men would not stop TO mark
claim where the dirt did not pan out at
least IS pan, and otter some $4O0 and $500
pans had beel got out from down next
to bedrock
"The rule on FL Dorado and the Bonanza
branches generally was to dump the up
per strata off to one side and look only
after the rich pay streak at the bottom.
Later on, however, when The men
from the upper parts OF Forty mile. Birch
hao IN pPr
the K!ondyke. and all the good-paying
ground was taken up, the later-comers
either went prospecting farther up the
river or contented themse. YES with taking
and working claims which, though
poor in comparison with the bes.
yet paid them fairly well. As
new finds would be reported they
would abandon these to try for
something better elsewhere, and their
place would be taken by later arrivals, who
accustomed to the comparatively Moder-
ale returns in the older digglngs, were well
satisfied until they, too, caught the Dig
strike fever, and moved on farther up
the river. In this way some OF the claims
in the lower Bonanza Valley have had
from three to seven owners from the time
they were first located"
There are many men working on the
clay" ton shares) during this season, but
there will be very little of it hereafter, as
most of the claim-owners are expecting to
sell out when they get their price, and
lay working hurts the sale of the prop
erty.
The men are not satisfied to work
the ground as it comes, but hurry
down to the pay streak to quick fortune,
dumping the dirt taken out over the
ground as may be most convenient to
their object, necessitating Its rehandlins
to reach the ground on which it
rests which will De an objection in the
eyes of prospective purchaser.
Hereafter most of the claims will be
worked Systematically without Ignoring
everything above 10 get to the pay streak.
All of this party yet hold their claims.
having LETT them in charge OF men who
are working them with the exception OF
Mr.. Mocin, who will go to his home at
Rivere du Lour Province of Quebec, with
O fortune sufficient for the rest of his life.
He has had enough of the Yukon coun-
try, and unless compelled by business in
terests to make the journey again Will be
sdtlSutu ~ HdfO lto pIOpOLeg 1S'
Dorado, and No. 26, Hunker-in the hands
OF agents.
Mr. Picotte has a half interest in two
cl inns on Bonanza and one on Ei Dorado
Creek, and will return next season after
he has had something of civilized life TO
comp pensate him for the hard life he has
led for nine years past on the Yukon. Mr..
de Roche will return next seasLn, after a
visit 10 his home in Montreal, TO his
claim-No. 90, Ell Dorado.
The others will also return after visiting
their homes in Canada. as will an Amer
lean, Mr.. Orr, who IS with them. While
Orr has brought out something between
$40, 0CO anG $4,000 he will return next
season for more, having good claim on
Ell Dorado Creek.
A young German who came out with
his party brought something like $50, 900
with him which he earned by working
other mems claims on the ''lay," having
no claim OF his own.