The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-21
k1oND1KB NUGGETS ON VIEW.

The BtEue.t show or the sert San Erano,sco
Has Seer Since the Days OF 'aO.
BAN FRANCISCO. July 2o.-The most remark
able exhibit OF the wealth Of the Klondike
placers was made to-day when Clarence Berry
of Fresno showed in his room at the Grand
Hotel the proceeds OF some Of tho richest pans
on his claim, from which he took out $780, 900
In three months. He had been only three yoars
In tho country. Last year he oame back with q
modest stake and married Miss Ethel Bush.
whit returned with him to the far north. They
settled at Forty Mile.
When. In October. 1900, word oamo Of MoCor.
mack's great discovery on the Klondiko every
body doubted 1t, but Mccormack sent q letter TO
Berry telling him to como. as all was true.
Berry went up the river on q raft, and soon aftor
his vito followed him on q steamer. Berry had
$4,000 worth of provisions. and he secured, for
this grub. an interest In sixteen mines. Berry
brought down $S5 900. and he owns an interest
In over q dozen claims.
To-day he had q reception at his hotel. and
made tho largest exhibit Of nuggets seen here
since the days of 40. On his table was the boss
nugget found during the season on the Klon-
dixie. 1t is about the shape and size Of Q mo.
dium-sized potato. and its value 10 $3.50. This
was found by Mrs. Berry. who picked 1t out of
tho dump. She also picked up several other
hukBobo oikihk Wv W VluO.
Berry seems to have struck nugget claims in
this rich cahon, for he has scarcely any nne gold.
He has scores Of nuggets that arc 80 large as q
mans thumb. Tho greater part Of his treasure
is in tho form OF small nuggets worth from IS to
SIS. In bottles on his table he had arranged
the contents OF the bcst pans Of pay dirt that
came from his mine.
In ono bottle. about four inches high. was
$3.50. the champion pan made during the season.
In another was $3.50. and in q third Sl75. In
all he had five bottles containing those extraor-
binary pans, which. the old miners who saw
them say. 10 the best proof that tho richness OF
the placers has not been exaggerated.
Berry's gold. like all that found on Bonanza
Creek. Is as bright az brass. Indeed, 1t bears O
striking resemblance to the imitation nuggets
that are soon in eastern museums. 1t runs GIT
to the ounce.
Just before noon the Alaska Commercial Com
pany gave notice that no moro tickets would DO
sold for tho steamer Excelsior, which 10 to sail
for st. Michael on July 20. The company has
not sold ont moro than half tho berth room. but
President Louis Sloss declared that the usual
space given up to tho steerage would be hllod
with food, for it Is his desire to rush into Dawson
oil the provisions that can be carried. for he
fears a famine may occur before the Ice breaks
up in May or Juno next. Last winter was the
mituest AiaeRe mas known IN years, 90 that the
chances arc that this winter will DO long ana
severe.
Unless tho food supply is larRs people will do.
as Mr.. sloss says. like rats In . trap" for
men unused to exposure cannot mako an over
land trip on snowshoeS from Dawson to Juneau,
such as Mail Carrier Carr makes twice each win.
ter. and there Is NO other way OF getting out OF
the country.
The excitement here over the Klondik. Is still
great. but the majority Of those who hav, the
gold fever are coming to the conclusion that
they must wait till next spring before going to
the mines.