The Springfield herald., 1897-08-13
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Mr.. Charles II. Metcalf, writing from
Dawson City on the Klondyke river
under recent date, says:
Here 1 find myself at last in the
midst of the greatest and most wonder
full mining camp the world has ever
seem Gold is so plenty that it has to
be carried about in cotton bags, and
four or five men are required to pack
and protect the products of many OF the
claims. have seen the result OF one
days washing on a claim in Eldorado
creek, a, | the figure was $4,000 for
twelve hours work of four men. This
claim was sold less than six months
ago for $780, and will produce more
than $1,00O.OOO before the end of the
year. The excitement is now SO great
that no one will sell at any price, so
there is no chance for newcomers in
this immediate vicinity. The country Is
full of prospectors, and every stream
within hundred miles is located and
claimed from one end to the other. On
the big creeks where the gold Is found,
namely Bonanza and Eldorado, there
are many men who tried in every way
Al
dollars last winter but could find no
takers. These men are in possession
Of great wealth, which is even yet be-
yond their capacity to realize. l could
not even attempt to picture this camp
or city to you. Thousands of men,
and women, too. for that matter, are
here living in tents, or log sheds, or
houses OF boards with cloth roofs, each
nabitation taking a position to suit
itself with no regard for its neighbor
or any form of regularity. The sawmill
is running night and day, and men are
rushing about at all times of day and
night and buildings of all kinds are
going up. Such is the power Of gold
that before cold weather comes in Sep
tember this wilderness will be city In
fact of many thousand people. l shall
70 out to Bonanza creek in a day or
two and look the ground over there.
| doubt. however, If anything can be
done while everybody is in this pres
ent state of excitement. Circle City is
a city no longer; with one or two eX-
ceptions all the stores and shops are
closed and the entire population has
transferred itself to this new Eldorado,
each and all full of hope in the great
golden handicap. Prospectors are rush
ing all over the country looking for
gold, but nothing of any consequence
has been found outside of the two big
creeks | spoke of. A few men will
be made rich here, but everybody is
spending money in the most lavish
for the goods | have to sell. You re-
member the two dogskin robes that cost
me $3.50 each, and which | wanted so
much to bring quantity of? Well, l
sold them both yesterday at $40 each,
and could sell n hundred more II had
them; and this is fair sample of
prices. We had no trouble on the
river this year, but ! do not relish
making another trip if could help 1t.
l don't mind the intensely hard work
so much, but find the worry and anxi-
ETY. about getting the goods safely over
the lakes and river very trying, and
people tell me l am looking thin.
hear indirectly that Booth Ga young
man Mr.. Metcalf took with him) is do
ing very well on my claim, No. 3, on
Mastodon creek. The weather is very
hot and will result in much sickness
and suffering in this damp marsh DIR.
lie Blanc has begun business already,
and will do exceedingly well | feel sure.
He will locate here for the winter.
While this town is wonder at present
and growing fast. think its life will be
short.
AT Dyea, one hundred miles from
Juneau, the actual journey begins and
this is the most difficult and discour-
aging part of the many miles to be
traversed. The most favorable time for
going into the interior is before the
snow melts from the mountains, which
does not occur till the middle of April
for the abrupt passages and what is
known as the summit" are better ac-
complished by hauling supplies on