The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-09-11
THE YUKON GOLD FIELDS.

IHE discovery OF gold in immense
quantities in the Klondike region
during the past year has been one of
the sensations of the century ranking
with the previous discoveries of gold
in California, Australia and South
Africa. but differentiated from them
by the fact that whereas in these
cases the gold was found in warm or
hot climates the great gold field Of
the Northwest lies almost under the
Arctic circle, in region almost mac
cessible, requiring the successful gold
seeker to brave dangers and suffer
ing greater than ever before endured
by those who have brought virgin
gold from the mines of earth for the
use of man.
As to exact information about the
geological and neurological forma-
ton of Alaska, the best information
at present obtainable is contained in
the report recently submitted by j.
Edward Sperry, of the United States
Geological Survey. Mr.. Sperry's re-
port embraces the result of observa-
tions made during the season of 1896.
during which all the creeks, gulches,
and known gold area were visited.
This area Mr.. Sperry estimates at
10000 square miles.
The chief part of the report is, of
course, geological rather than miner
illogical, but is of interest to all pros
pective Alaska gold.seekers. The
belt of ridges and chains which ex-
tends a little west of northwest
through the country is continued into
Canadian territory over 100 miles, in
Guiding the famous Klondike region,
the upper part being probably of the
Devonian age. The upper sedimen-
tary formations have, however, been
shattered and pierced at different
places by bikes and eruptive rocks.
while the pressure to which they
have been subjected has squeezed
them into the condition of schist, and
in some cases their original character
wholly disappears.
In summarizing geologist Sperry
says that "the rocks of the gold belt
of Alaska consist of sedimentary beds
older than the carboniferous period;
that these beds have undergone ex-
tensive alterations and have been
elevated into mountain ranges and
cut through by variety of igneous
rocks. Throughout these altered
rocks there are found veins of quartz
often carrying pyrite and gold"
The veins of white quartz carry
gold only in small quantity, and
the general character of the Yukon
belt of mountains closely resembles
the goldbearing formations along
the Alaska coast. AS to where tie
gold is to be found the report is not
much of surprise, as it confirms the
reports of the miners that the richest
places are toward the heads of tie
gulches or creeks, though the finer
particles may be carried to a consid-
cradle distance by the current. For
this reason the scheme of Chicago
company to dredge the mighty Yu-
kon river from its mouth to its source
seems to be at least probably good
business venture.
There is practically, however, but
little to be learned of value in geo.
logical reports by the prospective
miner. Alaska and the Klondike
will probably repeat the history of
the discovery of gold in California.
Prospectors and mining experts
passed over places rich in gold in I'M
blissful ignorance of the untold riches
beneath their feet. As the miners say
"Gold is where it is found" The ge-
ologist and mineralogist may be of
some service, but experience does not
indicate that their aid is invaluable
to the miner who hopes to make
strike.
OF the sensational features of the
Klonkike gold discoveries and the
reports of suddenly acquired wealth
by lucky miners it is unnecessary to
write, as the columns of the daily
press have been full for weeks of
these exaggerated accounts. or an