The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-30

the older districts ana closer to supply
bases. The Indians also have a supersti-
ton regarding a powerful and savage
tribe who they claim live at the upper part
of the river and are known as the Ma
homes, and consequently will not go up
the river any great distance.
From the mouth of Stewart River to
Mount Jesus, on the North Fork, the dis
lance is estimated at $50 miles. and to the
head of this fort is in the vicinity of 500
miles in all. The South Fork is practically
uneXplored, one or two parties only hav-
ing been OH it, and not for sufficient dis
lance to determine its character or length.
Those who have been on the river say that
it carries a larger volume than Pelly
River, and is beyond doubt the second
lar est feeder of the Yukon.
The first gold discoveries of the Stewart
were made in 1885 on bars within 100
mi es from it's mouth. These were rich.
During the fall, in less than fifty days
time, as high as $4,000 to the man was
rocked out. In 1886 fully 100 men were
working on the river bars with good sue
cess. Some went up the North Fork
nearly to its head. Each season the bars
pay wages. The Stewart empties into the
Yukon on its eastern banks, about sew
enty miles above the Kiondike. From it's
mouth to its ford is about go miles.
The north fork extends some $50 miles
farther on, trending in a northeasterly
direction. The river itself bears generally
east-northeast from the Yukon. A triile
over 200 miles from its mouth Fraser Falls
make an Instrumental Bile bar to steam
boat navigation. They make a fall Of
thirty feet in $50 feet and are not over
seventy-tive feet in width. There port
age of about half mile must be made.
From there on rapids are encountered for
about six miles, but these can be poled
over without great difficulty.
Nothing in the wav Of prospecting has
been done on the north fork. other than
that of two parties, one OF which wintered
there in 1896, neither doing much. Gold
was found, however, on several creeks,
but no attempt was made to work them.
There isa great deal of talk in the Yukon
about rich discoveries on Mi Mute Greek,
but definite information has no t yet come
out. Mi Mute Creek empties into the Yu-
kon about sixty miles above Ten ma River.
1t is entirely within American territory.
1t is from twelve to fifteen miles in
length and heads up in the divide be-
tween the Tannana and the Yukon.
M mute Creek was struck il the fall of
1894, and after little prospecting was
abandoned. This summer several parties
went in on the creek TO prospect and re-
ports of strikes came back. Several good
paying prospects were found. Supplies
are being taken in and the claims will be
worked this winter.
Not all the money on the Klondike is
being made in the. mines. The value OF
real estate in Dawson City has multiplied
a thousan fold In less than six months
When Joe Ladue laid out the town OF
Dawson City in August, 1896. he chose a
site mile below the mouth OF the klon-
dixie on the east side of the Yukon. On
Septem Der l, 1896. Dawson City consisted
of Two log cabins, one small warehouse, a
sawmill and a few tents, with a popula-
ton OF twenty five men and one woman.