The San Francisco call., 1897-07-20

of the several branches of Stewart River, on
which some prospecting has been done this
summer and good indications found, but the
want OF provisions prevented DEVELOPMENT.
Since my last the ospects on Bonanza Creek
and tributaries are increasing in richness and
extent, until now it is certain that millions
will be taken out OF the district in the next
few years. On some OF the claims prospected
the pay dirt is OF great extent and very rich.
One man told me yesterday that he washed
oCt single pan of dirt on one of the claims
on Bonanza Creek and found $14 % in it. OF
course, that may be an exceptionally rich
pan, but S5 to 81 per pan is the average on
that claim, 1t is reported-With FIVE feet pay
dirt and the width yet undetermined, but it IS
known TO be thirty feet. Even at that figure
the result, at nine to ten pans to the cubic foot
and 500 feet long, is 81 600, 900 q IS per pan.
A fourth OF this would be enormous. Enough
prospecting has been done to show that there
are at least fifteen miles of this extraordinary
richness and the indications are that it Will
have three or four times that extent; If not all
equal to the above, at least very rich.
There are several cases of hardship now for
the want of proper court Miners meetings
have lost their power, though one was held IN
FortyMile a day ago to settle the disputed
ownership of placer claim, thing perfectly
within the power OF the agent here, and why
1t was held l cannot yet say. II some sort OF
court TO satisfy the necessities OF the people In
business here is not at once established seri-
Gus inconvenience will result The officer ap-
pointed will require 10 be hale, vigorous per-
son, for il is probable that he will have TO
make journeys Of considerable length across
unoccupied country in the discharge OF his
duty. have in previous reports minated
that some sort of legal machinery is abso-
Iutely necessary for the trial OF eases of con-
tract, collection OF debts and generally the ju-
dicial interests of the country.
A quartz lode showing free gold in paying
quantities has been located on one OF the
creeks but cannot yet send particulars. I
am confident from the nature OF the gold
and rich too, Will be found. l have just heard
from q reliable source that the quartz m en-.
toned is rich, as it tested over 800 10 the
ton. The lode appears to run from three to
eight feet in thickness and is about nineteen
miles from the Yukon River. 1 viii likely be
called on to survey it and will be able to re-
port fully.
John Dalton informed me he has found good
prospects on a small creek nearly midway be-
tween The coast range and Selkirk on his
route. His man showed me some coarse gold,
about dollars worth, he found on the head
of branch of the Alsek River, near the head
OF Chi4kat Inlet, which is, of course, ins de
the summit of the coast range and, of course
in our territory. From this you will gather
that we have very large area, all more or
less gold bearing, and will all yet be work ed
Good quartz has been found in places just
across the line on Davis Greek (See my map OF
the 141st sent you) but of what extent is un-
known, it is in the bed of the creek and
covered with gravel Good quartz is also re-
ported on the hills around Bonanza Creek
but of this will be able to speak more fully
after my proposed survey. 1t is pretty certain
from information have got from prospeators
that all or nearly all of the northerly branch
OF White River is on cur side o: the line, and
copper Is found on ii, but more abundanuy
on the southerly branch, of which great deal
Of IL is in our territory also, so 1t is probable
we have that metal also.
l have seen here several Jumps OF native cop
per brought by the natives from White River
but just from what part is uncertain. have
also seen a specimen OF silver ore said to have
been picked up in a creek flowing into Ben
nett Lake, about fourteen miles down it on
the east side.
Placer prospects continue more and more
encouraging and extraordinary; it is beyond
doubt that three pans of different claims on
El Dorado turned out $204, 1912 ana $216,
but 1t must be borne in mind that there were
only three such pans, though there are N any
running from $40 10 $50 l think this is
enough to show that We may look forward
with confidence 10 a fairly bright future for
this part OF our territory.