Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-25
RICHNESS OF GOLD LODES
Great Opportunities in Alaska for Young and
Energetic Men.
Opinions Expressed by General Duff
field of the Coast and Geodetic
Survey-A Review.

Gen. Dufield of the coast and geodetic
survey is of the opinion that Alaska pre-
sents great opportunities for young and en-
ergetic men. He has spent considerable
tine in the territory, at different periods.
and knows whereof he speaks. concerning
the country. He said to The Star reporter
today, on the subject of the gold fields:
THE recent reports in regard to the rich
ness of the finds on Stewart river confirm
exactly my theory in regard to that par
ticular locality. have contended all along
that Stewart river was one of the best in
that country on which to prospect, for one
reason in particular. This is that wherever
there is the largest watershed there will
the greatest amount of gold be found. 1t
is washed down by the water into the bed
OF the streams. glance at the Stewart
river. which is northeast of the Klondike,
In the Northwest territory, shows that the
river Is the outlet for an immense water
shed much greater than that of the Klon-
o.ke. me Beaver river and the Stewart
unite There must be large quantities of
gold IN that section, as it has been washed
down for ages and ages by the force of
the currents,
White River Deposits.
Another stream on which 1 am certain
there are large amounts of gold to be OBJ
tanned, for the same reason that applies in
the Stewart is the White river 1t drains a
wide watershed, from it's location and gen
eral appearance. 1t is about 100 miles from
the coast, almost on direct line with
mount ST. Elias, in the southern portion of
Alaska. The only difficulty to be encoun-
tered, think, would be in reaching its wa
tiers. 1t could be arrived at by either the
Yukon river route, or the Chilkoot Pass
put, OF course, would take a much longer
time to reach than by these However a
prospector there would have a new terri,
tory. Inc river might be reached by fol-
loving the Copper river, which appears to
run at 10 great distance from it. There are
probably some high rough mountains to
cross from one TO the other. The White
RIVER shed seems to be much higher than
mat OF the Copper river.
Makes IL Suggestion.
III were young man, 1 should get
about seventy-fve-ton schooner at Seat
tie, take supplies and engage the services
OF first-class prospector Then l should
cruise along the southeastern part of
Alaska in what is called the Alexander
Archipelago There are a number of ISL
ahds there, and more gold lodes than at
any place with which l am acquainted
The mining would not be ''Dlacers" put
the ore can be gotten out very cheaply
and being directly on the sea- transporta-
tion amounts almost to nothing. except for
the time spent. On most of these islands
there are craters of extinct volcanoes
These craters form basins in which the
snow settles and melts, SO that wa.er
power for stamping can be secured for
practically nothing. Then besides there
is coal on the islands, which can be used
for smelling purposes. The lodes are very
rich, much richer than at Juneau where
the ore Is worth only about 81 ton. The
cost of getting it out at Juneau, however
Is only $1.30 ton, SO that there is clear
profit of $40.
"On Annette Island, in the archipelago,
there is one of the richest gold mother
lodes in the world, which will probably
never be touched, or not 50 long as the
present owner is living and residing there.
His name is Henry Duncan, and the island
was granted to him by Congress several
years ago, for the purpose of civilizing and
educating the Indians He has a town en-
the island, run on the communistic plan
with shops. industries and everything re-
lating to a first-class village.
An Indian Mayor.
HE has one of his Indians appointed
mayor for certain period and the town
affairs are conducted by the Indians in this
manner.
Il have met Duncan and have been grea1-
ly impressed by his personality. He is
Scotchman, and some years ago had an
Indian coloney similar to the one on
Annette Island in British Columbia. One
of the English bishops attempted to coerce
Duncan into putting his colony under the
jurisdiction of the church. He refused to
be coerced. appealed to the United States
government and Congress granted him the
island. He has had it four or five years, l
believe, and has been most successful in
his manner of carrying out his philant hrop-
ical ideas.
Just back of the village which he founded.
in one of range of hills, is the rich lode
of gold. Duncan does not allow it to be
touched because he is satisfied with his
worldly possessions, and he does not care
to have inspired in his Indians that lust
for gold which characterzes the whites'