The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-16
GOLD FEVER IS RAGING.
OLD MINERS INQUIRE HOW 70 GET
TO III KLONDIkE.

|
A Man Needs $1,000 ir ne Is to No Anythins
Thcro Except as n Nay Laborer-Tho Dis
trict discovered by n Hunter who Looked
for Gold when He Couldn't Catch salmon.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 1b.-san Francisco had
q bad attack OF gold fever to-day when the re-
ports Of the rich discoveries in the Klondike dis
trict were read. Hundreds Of old miners hunted
mp the men who arrived on the steamer yester-
day and obtained facts about the outfit and
money needed for tho trip. Mr.. J. G. Hestwood,
who has spent three years in Alaska, gave the
bost description of the chances for the tender
foot. He brought out $4,000 as tho result of
two months work on his claim, which is about
ten miles from Dawson City. Mr.. Hestwood
said:
"Circle City and Forty Mile have suffered the
usual fate of mining camps which have petered
out, only these camps have not petered out.
when gold was found in such astonishing guam
titles on the tributaries Of the Klondike tho
whole population Of those camps moved bodily
to tho junction of the Klondike and Yukon
rivers. where Dawson City is established. This
district, the richest placer country In tho world.
was discovered by an old hunter named McCor-
mick, who has q squaw for o wife and several
half-breed children. Mccormick went up in
tho spring OF 1896 to the mouth Of the
Klondiko to fish, as salmon weighing ninety
pounds are caught where this stream meets the
Yukon. The salmon didn't run as usual and
Mccormick. hearing from tho Indians of rich
placers nearby where gold could be washed out
in a frying pan, started in to prospect.
"Ncar what is now Dawson City he struck
very rich pay dirt in n side hill. As soon as
news of his discovery spread men from Circle
City and Forty Mile rushed In. The richest
claims arc in Bonanza Creek. which empties
into the Klondike three miles above Dawson
City. There are three claims in that district,
each 500 feet long, extending clear across the
creek on which it is located. No one can file an
additional claim until he has recorded his aban-
donment of his old claim.
"In the adjoining Bunker district there are
200 claims. The two districts have been well
prospected, but further up the Klondike Is much
territory which has never boon even travelled
over.
"Old miners declared that the north side Of
the Yukon was worthless, so no prospecting was
done until Mccormick started in. There Is no
claim.jumpinR, as the Canadian laws are rigid
and well enforced.
ITO go into the Yukon requires $3.50 for an
outfit and about the same amount in cash. To
do anything in mining, except as a day laborer.
| requires from $1,000 upward. The rich pay
dirt is only struck near bed rock and this gen.
| orally lies from eighteen to twenty-five feet be-
low the surface.
THE method Of mining 10 to remove the sur
face mass, which Is eighteen inches thick. and
then build a FIRE which burns all night. In tho
morning the gravel is shaved down about two
feet. This Is shovelled out, and another fire Is
built, and in this slow and laborious way the
ground is removed to bod rock. This work can
DO carried on all winter. except when the mer-
curry falls below 60.
Dawson City 10 q booming town OF about 900
inhabitants and Ii growing every week. Pro.
visions wore scarce and dear last winter. and all
supplies are costly. IN ordinary rs cents
pocket knife sells for -, and shoes bring from
IS to %. A dog sledgeload Of eggs was brought
in last winter from juneau. About half were
spoiled. but the whole lot sold readily at 81 per
dozen. Flour sold as high as 81 q pound"
Mr.. Hestwood showed many small nuggets
from the new Bonanza Creek district. where his
mine is situated. The gold Is the color OF brass.
and is worth $40 to SIT an ounce. 1t isn't as
pure gold as Is found lsewher on the Yukon.
They didn't hear OF McKinley's election until
last June. but Mr.. fleetwood says there were
few silver men In camp. Some, however. feared
that gold would depreciate in value because OF
the prospective enormous output of these mines
Tho steamer Portland, owned by tho North
American Trading Company. was advertised &c
sail from st. Michaels on July 4. She will brinl
down to Seattle a large crowd OF miners and
fully 81. 200. 900 in gold dust from the Klondikt
| district