The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-28

the district. 1t is difficult to estimate the
value of his mines.
Reports came IN today that rich ground
had been found on Henderson, creek a short
distance this side Of Stewart river Several
prospect holes have been sunk and fine
samples Of gold taken out Several of the
Eldorado kings. the name applied to the
mine owners on that creek. are purchasing
property on Henderson creek They seem
TO have great faith in the properties and il
Is quite likely thar the claims will be de-
veIoped quite extensively this winter.
The Food Question.
As compared with prices in the states
provisions are very high. but there is no
place in North America where days
wages can purchase as much food as IN
the klondike- This condition is not due 20
competition or the presence OF two rival
commercial companies, but is brought
about by the far-seeing MANAGEMENT of the
trading companies. who are anxious 20
build up and develop the mineral resources
OF this part of the world. Last June when
the first steamer owned by the Alaska
Commercial Company arrived with a small
quantity Of supplies. the manager. Capt.
Hanson. formerly of the steamer Dora.
plying between Sitka and T-nalaska found
-four selling for SEQ sack and other kinds
OF food proportionately as high. The COM
pany landed several tons Of -four and es-
tabIished and maintained a rate OF SIS a
sack. The flour could have been sold for
$40 or $50 a sack Just as readily, but it
seems 10 be the object of the companies to
get good prices for their goods and TO pro-
tect the mine workers. The utmost care
and vigilance is exercised to prevent specu-
lators from getting a corner on any par
tieular line OF supplies and thus forcing up
the prices. There are plenty of men in
TNr,x- tnl, N
willing TO pay as high as SIS TO So a sack
and take every pound of flour that is now
in camp or that which will arrive during
the season. In that event ii would be
marvel if the price of -four did not advance
to sl.25 to & pound. The managers of the
companies in furnishing supplies to legiti-
mate miners are careful to make diligent
Inquiries as TO whether the goods are TO he
purchased for speculation or as winters
supplies Neither the supply nor the de-
mand regulate the current prices. An es-
tablished rate is maintained irrespective OF
the conditions of the market For several
days | have mingled with the miners and
have failed to hear a single complaint OF
favoritism except by some of the monied
men, who claim that money ought to
talk and are complaining that the COM
panies are nesiecting a golden opportunity
OF realizing a fortune. The companies
seem to entertain different opinions They
want the miners TO work and develop the
mines, apparently realizing that their sue
cess means the purchasing of vast quanti-
ties of supplies. To get supplies at either
OF the stores il is almost as much trouble
as 1t is for a domestic to obtain a situation
in household in any Of the large cities
where references are required. The man
ayers must be convinced to a certainty that
the goods are not being bought on specu-
lation, otherwise the sale is refused
A Seasons Outfit.
A seasons outfit costs $3.50 on an average.
The wages are SO day and 80 days work
buys seasons outfit exclusive of clothing.
To ascertain what a days wages will buy,
l visited the stores with miners who We're
purchasing supplies and secured the fol-
lowing quotations: