The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-18
GOLD A COMMON ARTICLE.
DIR. Sheldon jackson Confirms Re
ports From Dawson-Canadfan
Restrictions Benefit Alaska.
from the Special Correspondent OF the
Post-Int eIliseneer.

From the Special Correspondent OF the
Post-InteIliseneer.
DUTCH HARBOR, Omakanack Island.
Alaska, Sept. s0-Rev. Sheldon Jackson,
who has made the round trip to Dawson.
sailed from Seattle BY the Portland on her
Weare July 4 He was in Dawson two
days, and started down the river by the
Weare. He was aboard that vessel when
she stranded on the Yukon fats, and was
taken OF by the Healy. On reaching 81.
Michael again, DR.. Jackson went aboard
the Bear for a tour OF the reindeer sta
tions in Siberia, on ST. Lawrence bay.
Port Clarence. and other points.
There has been no exaggeration about
the vast amount OF gold at Dawson" said
DIR. Jackson. Without question, the
Klondike Is one OF the phenomenal gold
finds OF the world. At Dawson the Wis
itor sees IL everywhere. In public houses,
stores and on all sides. piled up In cigar
boxes or other receptacles, just as If IL
were the commonest thing on earth. But
you must not forget that the newcomer at
Dawson stands no chance Of acquiring a
fortune at those fabulously rich placers.
The claims were all taken long ago. and
now the buyer can scarcely obtain an in
terest for less than s500o0.
i hope that the Canadian government
VIII enforce all the restrictions contained
IN the Dominion laws against foreigners.
Such action would have decidedly bene-
ncial effect, In that II would result in hun
dreds of Americans returning TO our side
OF the line and developing placers that
contain an abundance OF gold. When the
klondike discoveries became known, there
was. as you are aware a rush from the
American side, many miners leaving claims
that paid them s25 to $50 day. ! am
satisfied that these claims will be again
worked. with profit to their owners.
Next years output OF the Yukon basin
VIII run into millions. The product prob
ably Will come down the river by the first
boat. as spring is the time for the annual
cleanup"
When I asked DR.. Jackson about the
government school at Circle City. he
smiled. year ago the school was in a
hourishing condition. Now there is not a
child of school age In the place. The peo-
pie have all moved across the line.
Speaking OF reindeer. DR.. Jackson said:
There are about 1880 reindeer at the
four stations. and I found all of them
fourishing. The government herd at Port
Clarence numbers 500; at the Concrega-
tional mission on Bering straits are $50:
at Cape Nome are 1ss. and at Golovin bay.
near St Michael. are 300. originally com
prislng two herds. The foot-rot. which
caused great deal OF trouble last year.
has disappeared under careful treatment
When we found that the disease was due
10 the animals being continually on wet
ground. we drove them to the hIlsIdes
and kept them out OF msrshy places The
result has been gratifying. The Eskimos
in charge OF the reindeer are becoming
familiar with the animals and attend 10
them satisfactorily"
AT Unalaska DR.. Jackson met Mrs. An
ME +. Beiler. who was a passenger on the
Healy down the Yukon. Each IS anxious
10 reach home. but both intend 10 wait
for the Portland's return from ST. Mich
acl unless another boat bound for Seattle
puts into port. HORACE MCCLURE