The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-07-18
MILLIONS OF GOLD.
Wonderful Discoveries in the Won
derfu| Land of Alaska.

San Francisco, July ia story rival.
ing 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 lust arrived
from st. Michaels, Alaska.
Millions upon millions of virgin gold,
according to Il story, awaits the fortu-
nate miner who has the hardihood and
courage to penetrate into the unknown
depths of the Yukon district.
There was tangible evidence on the
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
variouely estimated at from $500, 900 to
$4,000
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
actunlly been engaged in mining. There
were among them men who had been for
more than ten yeras facing the dangers
and hardships of the frozen North in
hopes OF making rich find, but who sig.
naily failed. But now they come back
with their fortunes slowed in their grip
sacks and untold millions to be picked
up In the country OF which SO little is
known.
The new Eldorado lies just across the
Alaskan boundary, in the British terri
tory. 1t is of recent discovery, but al
ready there are at--least 5000 people on
the ground and more 'Hocking in that di-
rection. The discovery of the Clondyke
regions presents story that is uniquely
interesting.
About forty miles on the Yukon is
trie of Indians known as the Slickers, and
with them is II man who years ago was
known as George Mccormick, but wno
is now called "Slick George" In Sep
TENDER last, in company with a party OF
Indians, he left his hut near Forty Mile
Camp and started in a southerly direction,
saying he-intended to find new gold
field before his return.
He came back two weeks later and
startled the miners with the announce
ment that forty miles away there was
gold to be found in plenty. The streams
abounded with yellow metal, and all that
was needed was. for somebody to pick 1T
up.
Many persons hocked to the place and
In time the word reached Forty Mile
Camp that untold riches could be found
along it's tributaries. Men who had failed
at the former camp Immediately picked
up their belongings and set out for the
new fields. 1t was hard and trying Jour-
ney, but that was nothing, with the pro-
mise of millions at the end of the route.
The following is an extract from a let
ter received by the Excelsior. 1t was sent
from the Clon6yke region by d prominent
and wealthy young business man of San
Francisco to his brother in this CITY:
1.-The excitement on the river is indes-
cribable and the output of the new Clon-
dyke district is 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 fourth
shares i'll some claims are--now selling at
SD, 900 to $4,000. The estimate of the
district given is thirteen miles with on
average value of 100000 to the claim.
Some are valued as high rs $1,000 900
each. At Dawson sacks of the dust are
thrown under the counters for safe keen.
ing.
''Some of the stories are so fabulous
that am afraid to repeat them for fear
Of being suspected of the infection La
Dor is $50 a day and board, with 100 days
guaranteed, so you can imagine how diff
cult it is to hold employees.
eff reports are true it Is the biggest
placer discovery ever made in the world
for though other diggings have been found
quite as rich in spots no such extent of
discovery has been known which pros.
pected and worked so high light
through
Joseph Ladue, one of the passengers on
the Excelsior, tells marvellous stories of
the precious metal found Mt the new
camp which would be incredible were
it not for the ample proof he and his asso-
cates brought down with them. Two
Creeks. EldOrado and Bonanza, drain the
| district,anG IL is around these the miners
are ut work. Almost the first shoyelful
| of gravel taken out showed far richer
prospects than any other locations had
yielded. and the news spread rapidly of
the new find Fort" Mile. less than fifty
miles distant, began to languish, the
miners there abandoning their claims to
hurry to the new and richer district.
| Circle City and other ca nps contrib
uted their full quota, and by the time
(! winter had set in Dawson City, which,
six months before showed not sign of
habitation, was bustling camp of 8, 900
people. Every man who had secured a
location was taking out astonishing
quantities-of gold dust, anil the work
WIS kept up through the winter by means
of drifting.
Instead of working off the surface, Gov
ering and exposing the bedrock, drift
would be started into the bedrock itself.
Great fires of logs were left to burn over
the night and the next day the ground
would be thawed out sufficiently to work.
Everybody had money. or rather, gold
dust
The lots sold and still sell as high MS
| $1,000 each and in one instance, George
Ross, the proprietor of vaudeville show.
at Forty Mile paid 1000 for a lot in the
centre of the town, on which to put up
new show house. He had been making
money in Forty Mile, but he abandoned
his old place and moved his comnan, to