The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-08
THEKL0NDIKE DISTRICT.
4 REPORr by 4 GEOLOGICAL SUR
yFKKxPhRT.
Plenty Of Room There for More Prospec,
tors--What the Production
Was In 1896.

WASHINGTON. August THE report
on the Yukon gold region by Josiah Ed-
ward Spur. the Geological Survey expert
who headed party that made a thorough
investigation Ia Alaska last summer, giv-
Ing new facts about the interior, was
made public to-day. 10 Is comprehen-
sive document and reviews IN detail the
work IA the various districts. 10 says as
90 The Forty Mile gold district, that IN the
latter part Of 1881 FRANKLIN Gulch was
struck and the first year the Creek is es-
minated 70 have produced NVo' Ever
since 10 has been constant payer.
A STAMPEDE ~ o.
Tho discovery OF Davis Creek ana
stampede from Franklin Gulch followed
IN the spring OF ISIS. In 1891 gold mining
IN the Interior, as well as on the coast
at Silver Bow Basin and Tredwen, receiV-
ed "a great impetus The event or ls'z
vas the discovery of Miller Creek III the
spring OF 1893 many new claims were
stakcd and is estimated that eighty men
took out $4,000 Since then Miller creek
mas been the heaviest producer OF the
Forty Mile district and until recently OF
the whole Yukon. It's entire length lies
in British possessions The output for
1876 as given by the Mint Director Tor
the Alaska creeks. an but Miller Creek,
being lu American possessions W as $lso,VW
with a mining population OF lb. inc To-
tai amount produced by the Yukon piac-
ers in 1894. was double that OF the previ-
Gus ycar. In 1855. the output had doubled
again.
THE KLONDlKE DISTRICT
Following is the report Of the klondike
district
"With tho announcement Of gold here In
tho interior in 1861. there was gem
uine stampede 20 the region. Forty Mile
was almost deserted. But $50 men spent
the winter on the l<lOndike. in the
Clutches and at the new town OF Dawson.
The more important parts of the dis
trict are on Bonanza and Hunlser Greeks.
According TO latest information 400 claims
had been located up 20 January J. 1884,
about half as many on Hunker Creek.
There IS plenty OF room for many more
prospectors and miners for the Clutches
and Creeks which have shown good pros
yects are spread over an area Of 100
square miles The estimated Alaskan
gold production for 1896. made by the
Spur report. is $4,000.
TIE report points out the difficulties IN
the way Of speedy Development OF the
country. First. the climate, with snort
summer season and long winter. Pros
poet is hnr. but travelling over the swamp
is easy and the miner is able 10 DeBih
with the first spring thow.
ALASKA ELF-SUPPORTlNG.
Whatever Alaska may be in the future
n IS now sclf-supOrting agricmturaIly.
Niece Caribou are here and variable In
ouantlty-abu 1Jant one time and disap-
pearing from the region for twelve months
81 time.
Ton dollars q day IS the general wages
raid $40 for a day OF ten hours being
paid in some of tho more remote guiches.
In winter the price for labor is y 10 p
per dav OF six hours. Many times the
miners have been az the point OF starVa-
tion-hardly a winter when they nave not
Oeen nut on a ration basis.
Universal suffrage IS given ana All
have an equal vote.
Penalties include-For stealing. banish-
mont from the country, also whipping
threatening with weapons. the same
murder. hanging, but there have been
none so far. .,,.-.
The mining laws differ for different
rul.hos. Generally The claim IS Tor oV
feet f1r culch dIgginGs from fimrock 70
rirrock. but in some gulches not paying
well au effort Sc being made 10 stake
claims 1920 feet long. .,., on,
crowded creeks are too, stakeo oV
feet 20 the claim and no man IS allowed 10
stake more than one claim IN ms o"
name save the discOvercr. VINO is "l-
i,,ro7 Z o00 feet instead OF 6o0
The only officer in the repunic ol
miners is the recorder. appointed us
popular v0te-one in each gulch OF 'ie'N'