Evening star., 1897-09-25
GUIDES TO KLONDIKE FIELD
Publications Containing Information of
, Value to Prospectors for Gold.

A number of guide books are still beirg
issued by the different publishing houses
in regard to the Kiondike and Yukon gold
fieIds. The flood of literature on this sub
ject does not seem to have been greatly
diminished. and is still much sought af-
ter. Recent volumes and maps on the
Alaska territory have been issued by the
Rand, McNaliy and Company house Of
Chicago aid New York
The "Kootcnai Guide a monthly issue,
published by Young and Louston of Cal
gary contains full information about the
Klondike, with a map, description of routes,
both overland and by water, outfits re-
Quired, distances, etc. 1t also contains in
formation of interest regarding new routes
to the Klondike. These are by the Lizard.
Mackenzie, Ssickeen and Norton Inlet. 1t
says that the Lizard route is through an
auriferous country which has never been
prospected, the Athabasca, Peace and
Pelley rivers are all gold bearing the
BILE that travellers seeking to get into the
Klondike country this way may make rich
finds on the way.
Cheap Freight Route.
Regarding the Mackenzie route, 1t states
that it cannot be surpassed as a cheap
freight route. 1t is the old Hudson Bay
trunk line that has been in Use for over
century. Where there is lake or a long
stretch of Geep water. the company has
small freight steamer, which ply back and
forth each summer between. the portage
points or shadows. With comparatively
little expenditure, the company or the gov
ernment can improve the facilities along
the line so that any amount of freight or
passengers can he carried to the gold re-
giors IN less time and at less cost than it
takes TO go around by the coast from Seat
tie OF Victoria to st. Michaels at the mouth
OF the Yukon to the klOrdike. The guide
is in compact form and contains much that
IS Interesting to the wOuld-be prosDector.
Official Map of Alaska.
Rand. McNaIly & Co.'S recent official
map of Alaska includes the klcndike dis
trict and adjacent gold fields, showing the
various routes to the mines. 1t is printed
on sheet of II by Sc inches, with the diff
ferent divisions marked and all localities
shown The different routes are marked
with dotted lines. All the rivers and points
are marked far as known. The Urited
States territory is defined in yellow ink ard
1he Canadian possessions in green the di-
vision being further marked by lines so
that 1T can be seen at glance under what
government the different localities come
The map is most complete in every particu-
lar. and Is invaluable to the individual in
tending TO pay visit to that region.
Golden Alaska" published by Rand, Nc
Nally 4 Company. compiled by Ernest In
gersoH, IS one of The most attractive books
vi tne kind issued 1t is complete ac-
cosnt to date of the Yukon valley its his
tory, geography. mineral and other re-
sources. opportunities and means of access
The author was formerly with the Hayden
survey in the west and has written num-
Der of books of the kind.
The volume is finely Illustrated and con-
t&inS about $50 pages. 1t also has a map
of the klondike, the northwest territory
and part of British Columbia
Land Patents.
1t has this to say in regard to the patent
ing OF mineral lands in Alaska:
'One of the difficulties that local capital
lists find in their negotiations for purchase
of mining properties of the Yukon is the
lack of authentication of owners of claims
different practices prevail on the two sides
of the line, and cause more or less con-
fusion The practice has been at most of
the new camps to call a miners meeting
at which one of the parties was selected as
recorder. and he proceeded to enter the
bearings of stakes and natural marks to
define claims Sometimes the recorder
would give receipt for fee allowed by
common consent to recorder, and also
keep copy for future reference but in
the majority of cases even this formality
Is dispensed with, and the only record kept
was the rough minutes made at the time
On the Canadian side a different state
of affairs existed. The dominion govern
ment has sent commissioner, who is en-
powered to report officially all claims. and
while no certificate is issued to the owners
thereof. properties are thoroughly defined
and their metes and bounds established
The commissioner in the Klondike district.
whose name is Constantine, also exercises
semi-judicial functions. and settles dis
putes 10 the best of his ability, appeal lying
to the Ottawa government.
Canada Collects Tariff.
Canada has already placed customs Off
ing of tie boundary to collect customs
duties. not only on merchandise, but on
miners personal outfits. There are prac-
tically no exceptions, and the duty comes
below ~ per cent on but few articles. On
most of the goods the duty is from 80 to 80
per cent, and in several instances higher
but the matter may be very simply adjusted
by purchasing tools and outfits in Victoria
or Vancouver. Thus far the United States
mas placed no corresponding obstruction in
the way of Canadian travellers to the gold
heids. but, on the contrary. has made Dyea
a support OF entry, largely to accommodate
British transportation lines. The Canadian
government is represented in that region
now only by customs officers and twenty
mounted police. but it is taking steps to
garrison the whole of the Yukon valley
with its mounted police, a body of officers
whose functions are half military, half
CIVIL and which, it may as well be con-
ceded, once for all. cannot be trifled with
There Is no question that they will do their
level best to enforce the laws to their ut
most commander of each detachment
will be constituted a magistrate of unIim-
tied powers, SO that civil examinations and
trials may be speedily conducted"
AT the end of the book is an excellent
map of the whole country, with the locality
plainly marked. This will be found to be
of much value.