The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-30

found everywhere. Now. where fine gold is
found coarse gold has generally been found
too. Ass uming this to hold good in the Stew
art Valley we will have here one OF the largest,
ii not the largest, mining areas in the world.
Upward OF hundred miles farther up. where
the Pelly joins this, fine gold has been found.
Still further south the CASTER district, in Brit
ish Columbia, was "a famous gold field, and
farther on yet the Cariboo district was
famous. Now, draw line through these sew
eral points and produce 1t northwestward.
You will find that Forty-mile gold-bearing
area, Mission Creek and Seventy mile Greek
below Forty-mile, Birch Creek, Minook Creek,
and, still farther down the Klondike are
either in this line or close to it. The general
trend OF these points lies il the direction OF
an arc OF a great circle of the earth, and it is
probable that gold will be found along its pro-
duction as far as Beriag Sea, and it is likely
the gold found in Siberia is q part OF the same
system.
This shows a most extensive area OF vast
possibilities. Whatit wants for its proper de-
velopment is increased transportation facili-
ties, with the certainty of sufficient food sup
plies TO sustain the number of people re-
quired. At present and during the past a
visit to the country entailed a long period OF
time and considerable expense and much un-
certainty as to whether not one can remain
there more than few weeks. Give US in
creased, quicker and cheaper ingresS and
egress, with n certainty of food, and this part
of Canada and Alaska will furnish employ
ment 10 untold thousands. At present food is
so expensive that ordinary, everyday dig
gings entirely neglected. AT present the
food supply available at Dawson and to be
laid down there this season will not much If
any more than furnish the requirements OF
those now there. Ii the runors concerning
the number seeking access 10 the country is
true, there will be much dearth of provisions.
To make ones way out of that country durin g
the winter to the nearest point where sup
plies are available, which is at Dyea or
Juneau, is an arduous labor reqniring about
one month with good dog team Tor its COM
pletion. Now, the people making this trip
consume more food while doing than they
otherwise would. The dogs, TOO, Consume a
tremendous amount. The old adage that cure
is worse than the disease is particularly appli-
cable. If those on their way succeeded in
reaching Dawson they will either have TO
make their way down the river at once and
return to Seattle, or remain at Dawson
and run the danger OF starvation, IN
less they have brought in with
them sufficient food Tor one years use.
would emphatically warn all contemplating
coming into this country for the betterment
OF their fortunes to come well prepared with
provisions, clothing and miners tools, with a
few necessary carpenters tools. In saying this
do not wish to be understood as at all reflect
ing upon the companies now trading there.
They are making strenuous efforts to meet the
new requirements, but the transition from two
small mining camps TO such a world-famo us
place as Dawson was so sudden that it found
them for the purpose unprepared Next year
their freighting facilities will possibly ire BILE
that of this year, but even that Will probably
be found short. Then again, the ocean yoy-
age from Seattle San Francisco to ST.
Michael and from ST. Michael to Dawson,
some 1900 miles, is long, tedious and ex-
pensive. More i'm portant still is the shortness
of the time in which the route is available.
S Gamers seldom reach ST. Michael before the
end of June, owing to the ice in Boring Sea,
and captains OF vessels care little abou. risk
ing voyage there after the middle of Septem-
Der, as storms are violent aud so shallow is
Boring Sea. From these causes it cannot be
Gained that The route via St. Michael is avail
able for more than three months in the year,
July, August and September. The ice in the
upper YUKON River breaks about the middle
OF May. Generally about the Goth the river is
clear enough for steamboat navigation. Ice
begins to run again about the middle of Octo-
Der, so thatwe can count on nearly five months
steam boat navigation in that river, as against
three via st. Michael.
Give US some easy continuous route for the
south down the river TO these points and we
nearly double our available route for transport
and this, were there no difference, would be
, quite an item in the development Of the
country. But it will probably be found that
the cost VIII be considerably reduced too
OF course the cost will be regulated consider