The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
ARM To co
IN SEARCH
Of VEAL TIL.
Remarkable Expedition
to Start From Port
Townsend.
ITS DESTINATION TO BE
COPPER RIVER.
Search Will Be Made for a
Golconda Famed in Old
Traditions.
EXPECTS TO BE RESISTED BY
INDIAN TRIBES.
One Hundred. Winchester Rifles
Included, in the Party's
Outfit.
Search Will Be Made for a
Golconda Famed in Old
Traditions.
EXPECTS TO BE RESISTED BY
INDIAN TRIBES.
One Hundred. Winchester Rifles
Included in the Party's
Outfit.

PORT TOWNSEND, WASH, July 2S.-
Plans which give promise of bringing
about the most sensational denoument OF
any recorded since the recent marvellous
Klondyke strikes have been under way in
this city for some days, although SO
quietly carried on that until to-day only
those who have agreed to take part in the
perilous undertaking have been apprised
OF il. The facts leaked out through an
order placed by a prominent citizen for
the immediate shipment to this city OF 100
Winchester repeating rifles. The CALL
correspondent learned the following par
ticulars of a scheme which, if successful,
will certainly put Klondyke stories into
the shade and make those who are willing
TO brave the dangers entailed independ'
entity rich:
For years past-ln fact, so far back as to
extend into earliest Russian tradition
the great Northwest Territory in the
vicinity of Copper River is said to have
been looked upon as the real Ell Dorado of
the world. Times without number ma
tives have brought to the coast shining
gold nuggets which they gave in exchange
for provisions. When questioned as to
whence the gold came the Indians always
maintained a threatening silence, pre-
dieting terrible deaths for those who en-
deavored to reach ii. AS the gold was in
variably brought out by members Of the
Copper Indian tribe the conclusion was
reached, and has since been verified, that
the presumably endless deposits were to
be found on the river of that name, which
empties into the North Pacific 800 miles
northwest of Sitka.
The first expedition into the Copper
River country was led years ago by Rufus
Serrebrennikoff, famous early Russian
hunter and trapper. With eight others
he in 1881 left Sitka. They successfully
evaded the Indian lookours and made
their way into the interior. Just what
became of them was never known, for not
a soul returned to tell the tale.
In 1884 General Abercrom bic was sent to
explore the river, but was scared off by
the tDTealS OF the InOlaDS. Lieutenant
schwatka, now deceased, claimed to have
been on the river but as his account was
not straight no credence was put in the
story.
The plan now well along toward con-
summation here is to form a cooperative
company of 100 determined men, each
contributing $1,000, to be expended in pur-
chasing two years supplies and charter
ing a schooner which will carry them to
Cape Whiteshed to avoid the 5000 Indians
residing at the mouth of the river in this
settlement, called Alaganik. Proceeding
to the head waters of the Copper River.
the party will prospect it thoroughly to
the mouth, hoping by this course to
avoid any meetings with the natives until
the work is completed. II the new EI
Dorado is found, a regular military camp
will be established, and while some dig
out the gold others will patrol the vicinity
to prevent sudden attack. In the event of
the natives evidencing any hostile inclina-
tlons war of extermination will be in
augurated, the slaughter to stop only
when the obstreperous Indians have been
subdueo
Very little credence was given the story
here until it became known that Judge