Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-15
RICH ALASKAN GOLD FIND
Steamer Excslsior Brings Accounts Of Fabu.
lous Discoveries Of Wealth.
Fields Along the Yukon River the
Richest In the World-St0rtes
Of the Miners.

SAN FRANCISCO. Cal, July ia story
rivaling in Intensity Of interest that told
OF the fabulous wealth OF Monte Cristo
was related by the passengers Of the little
steamer Excelsior. Which has just arrived
from st. Michaels Alaska Millions upon
miliions OF virgin gold. according to the
story. awaits the fortunate miner who has
the hsrdihood end courage to penetrate
into the unknown depths Of the Yukon dis
trict.
Sacks Full of Gold.
There wes tangible evidence on the little
steamer Of the truth of the story told by
the travellers. for in the cabin were scores
Of sacks filled to the very mouth with
dust" taken from the placers of the far
frozen north. The amount brought in is
variously estimated at from s5oo.OOO to
$750.O00.
There came IN on the Excelsior about
forty people. among them some women.
from what Is now known as the Clondyke
district, though only fifteen of these had
been actually engaged in mining. There
were among them men who had been for
more than ten years facing the dangers and
hardShtps Of the frozen north in the hope
OF making rich find. and had signally
failed. But now they come back with for
tuLes slowed In their gripsacks and tell
OF countless millions to be picked up in
the country Of which SO little is known.
Alaskan boundary in British territory. 1t
Is of recent discovery, but already there
are at least 5000 people the ground
and more are locking In that direction. The
discovery of the Clondyke regions presents
story which Is interesting and unique.
Found by "SlicI< George"
On the Yukon Is tribe of Indians
known as the Slickers, and with them is a
man who years ago was known as George
Cormack, but who is now called slick
George"
In September last, at tie head of a party
OF Indians, he left his hut near Forty-Mi!e
camp, and started in a southerly dirac-
tion saying he intended to find q new gold
held before his return. He came back two
weeks later and startled the miners with
the announcement that forty miles away
there was gold to be found in plenty. The
streams abounded with the yellow metal,
and all That was needed was for some
body to pick 1t up. Many persons focked
to the place. and In time the word reached
Forty Mile camp that untold riches could
be found along the bottom of Bonanza
creek and its tributaries.
Men who had failed at the former camp
Immediately packed up their belongings
and set out for the new fields. 1t was
a hard and trying journey, but that was
nothing with the promise Of millions at
the end of the route.
Letter From a PrOspector.
tolloWlng is an extract from q letter
brought by the Excelsior. It was sent
from the Clondyke region by G prominent
and wealthy young business man Of San
Francisco to his brother in this city:
THE excitement the river is inde-
scribable, and the output Of the new Clon-
dyke district almost beyond belief. Men
who had nothing last fall are now worth
fortune. One man has worked forty
square feet of his claim and is going out
with $4,000 in dust. One-quarter of claims
are now selling at from $4,000 to $4,000.
The estimate of the district given is thir-
teen miles, with an average value of $780,
600 to the claim; some valued as high
as 81 100000 each. At Dawson sacks of
dust are thrown under the counters in
the store for safekeeping.
Some of the stories are SO fabulous that
I am afraid to repeat them, for fear CT
being suspected of the infection. Labor
is SIS day and board. with 100 days work
guaranteed, you can imagine how diff
ficult 1t is to hold employees.
IF reports are true 1t is the biggest
placer discovery ever made in the world.
for though other diggings have been found
quite rich in spots, no such extent Of
discovery has been known which pros
pected and worked SO high right through"