New-York tribune., 1897-10-26
AFFAIRSIN IN THE GOLD REGION.
AN INTERESTING REPORT RECEIVED
FROM CAPTAIN RAY.
MINING OPERATIONS PROCEEDING sLowLY-THE
STOCK oV PROVISIONS Low-DlVisloN
OF alaska INTO TWO DISTRICTS
RECOMMENDED.

WASHINGTON oct. 2J.-The War Department mas
lust recei.ed an interesting report from captain
Ray on the condition OF affairs in the gold region
as he has found them from St Michaeis 10 for'
Yukon. supplemented by the accounts OF ''e
most trustworthy persons lie could communicate
with AZ 20 the Of affairs In the hiondiKe ana
its nosLDorhood. Captain Ray. who was sent
essecjai,y Tor The purpose Of making recommehaa-
tions for the bettormont Of affairs there has some
Iadica, suggestions to make. Among them "'
urges the division Of Alaska into two dlsUic's'
,ha southern district TO remain under 'he present
jurisdiction while the northern district incIuo'hs
the gold region is TO he placed under military
form OF govornront until Congress can make o'hef
provisions The place selected by the captain TOT Il
military post is near Rapid City, about two nun
dred and nf,y niles below Dawson
Colonel Randall. who WAS sent 10 ocate pos'
at ST. Nchaels has reported by teiesIaPh u"
Secretary Aiger. by way Of Seattle his arfN2' II
ST. Michaels on October s. He says; Thc &c
tncbment arrived here yesterday morning supplies
were landed In good condition. There are about
one hundred and eighty people o. the island
Good order prevails"
Captain Ray makes some Interesting statements
to illustrate the condition of affairs among the
gold-seekers and because his reports are strictly
ofici, they are entitled TO weight. lie favors the
enlistment Of twenty Indian scouts. who. he says
would be valuable guides. boa'incn ana hun'-
ers and would secure the friendship OF tho natives
Circle city the other point considered. Is posi-
practically abandoned now. he says. and its reoc-
cupation ia extremely doubtful: lie says there Is
no reason why horses cannot be successfully EN-
pIovcd for transportation. but also suggests mat
loo reindeer be sent for winter use.
OF the settlements within mo Territory re-" ca can
be called permanent. and new interests VIII com,
pei many changes. Several settlements passed
RSmp,r, fSny whea Gy SSd ni"Se popuStioa abeSi
three hundred and fifty on septemner Tns d L,ty
crossed Cor a foundation FOR q cabin. The captain
says II is centra; location ana pracucaUy me
nean fSan n I've .eet Of water Forty Nile ana Birch
Creeks were abandoned when gold was discovered
spea king Of mining operations. he says tho dens,
OF forest and nsr. makes synS ds
covered valuable odes OF low grade ore, bu. the
Of plaecrs or lodges that do not pay more than thar
an ounce day Tor each man Cp 70 ,hc iime
hs estmstes e1 that from the boundary TO the
there were about ~ people not inc'udinS 'hoSe
captain Ray discusses several new routes and and
says he is Informed that from Cook Inlet va the
practicable route for railroad communication with with
The open sea: Up TO the present time the laws have
FOR enforcing them so All disputes are scttea ~ d ny
miners meetings As part Of his scheme Tor mill MIL
gested that a court be established at tho capital.
the appointment Of commissioner OF mines -: 10
settle disputes TO title. and the passage ny con-
rress OF a code Of laws for tho Territory just AS
Of $50 tons to use for the relief OF people 81, In
distress Ell Gage. who had just arrived from
Dawson, reported that the supplies and stores ~
that place were low and nothing had b"en delvered
there by either company since August. except one
barge load OF liquor and boots. .
In supplemental report ceptan Ray note, The
arrival OF the transportation companys steamer
Weare with cargo OF 20 tons OF provisions.
The captain saws she is tho last boat OF tho
Tho other company expects moro boats. When
navigation closes he says. there will la go tons
OF provisions AT Fort Yukon and hs ~ill do what
he TO assist in forwarding supplies and 20 10
pro,ec: the caches from raids Thero were 10
people at Fort Yukon and much dissattrfaction
existed among them over the failure OF the trans
portaton company TO forward them TO their desu-
nation - - ,,,-,
have been many threats and some show of arms
to-day but / believe It will be settled without
violence ae Ell Weare has Just arrived and made
fayo-ah,n Concessions There are several people
here without food or money. I unterstnnd ths
steamers will carry tho most ~ them TO st
Nichaels hut this element Will become serious
factor after navigation closes and they continue
10 como down the river.