Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-08-05
GOLD.


~ n~ ~
Plans which give promise OF bring.
ing about the NJ ,st sensational denoue'
ment OF any recorded since the recent
marvellous Klondyk Ike strikess says the
Port Townsend, Washington. CORES.
pondent OF the San Francisco Call,
have been under way In this city for
some days. although so quietly carried
on that untll to-day only those who
have sgreed 70 take part In The peril
Gus undertaking have been appraised
VI II. The facts leaked out through nm
order placed by a prominent citizen
for the immediate shipment TO this city
jcf 100 Winchester repeating rifles
The Cal correspondent learned The
fvl.owing particulars Of scheme
which, II successful, will certainly pu'
X ondy ke stories into the shade and
make those who are willing to brave
The dangers EFT He'd. independently
rich: 81.
For years apas.--in fact, 90 far back
as TO extend into earliest Russian ira
diuoL-.the great northwestern territory
Ia the vicinity Of Copper river, is said
10 have been looked upon as The reaI
Colorado OF the world. Times with
out number natives hAvo brought to the
coast shining gold nuggets which they
gave in exchange for provisions. When
questioned ~ 10 whence the gold came
tue Indians always maintained o
threatening silence, predicting terrible
deaths for those who eudeavored To
reach It.. As the gold was inv ariably
brought out by members OF the Copper
Iadian tribe Tue conclusion was reach
cd, and has since been VERIFIED that
the presumably endless deposits were
{ 0 be found on the river OF that name,
which empties into the N,rth Pacific
tSU0 miles northwest OF Si.ka.
Tna. isstexpeditioh into the Copper
r vsr coantry WIS led years ago by
| Rufus Serrebr. nnikcf, q famous early
hunter and trspper. With eight Others
he, 10 1881, left Satka. They success
iully. evaded the Indian lockopss and
made their way into the Interior just
what became OF them was never known
for not o soul returned to tell ths tale.
10 1894 General Abercrombie was
sent to explore ihe river. but was
scared off BY the threats u the Indiana
Lieute nant S.hwatka. now de0eased,
claimed 20 have bsen on the river but,
as bis account was not straight no
credsnce was put In the story
The plan, now we'll aloDg toward
consummation here. u to form . co.
operative company Of 100 determined
men, each4con.ffputiug 1000. 10 be
expended In purchasing two. years.
supplies and chartsring 3 schooner
which will carry them to Cape White
shed, 10 avoid the 5000 Indians re-
siding at the mouth OF the river. in this
settlement, called Alsganik. Proceed
ing 10 the head waters OF the Copper
river, the party will prospect 1t thor
oughiy to the mouth, hoping. BY this
course, to avoid amy meetings with the
natives until the work ID completed
II the new colorado Is found, . regular
military camp will be established. and,
while some dig out the gold. others
will patrol the sfcinify TO prevent sud-
Zen attack. In the event Of the natives
any hostile inclinations, q
war Of rmination will be inaugu-
'ated, the slaughter to stop only when
he o~bstreperous Indians have been
Iubdued.
Very little credence was given the
tory here, until il became known that
Judge JosephsA Kuhn, d Of Wash
ngton's Oldest and most prominent
had the prof OF IN hand, and
vas looking aftsr. the company's in
Judge Kuhn Was averse to
on the suffice, to-day, but adj
nitted the facts % here set fortb.
81 am confident that fortunes await
SAID JUICE Kuhn. to-day, sand III,
lope we may avoid all trouble. II we
ind the river asTrich as we expect we
Vill regularly locate our claims, and
Indians nor whites can drive us
#. The Copper river IS in American
srritory, and we have q perfect right
D. prospect it. II the Indians object,
'ell. l cant say what will happen
|ver sixty, Of our party sre already
Igned, u boat is chartered and wei !
ill be away before the middle Of
.ugust."
There is no apparent reason why the :
kpedition should not be successful {
me hundred we'll. al med, determined 4
len would make a formidable stand :.
the primitive weapons OF the !
900 natives, and should the govern 3
tent see fis 10 tlks action expslling =
70 crowds successful defense could be
reparedsswhile troops were being I
ansferrcd from the nearest white !,
ttlement, which Is Nuchuck, made !,
Fominent, some years ago as the place !,
here Captain Hooper. OF the United
.ates patrol A-es seized the supply
Gamer ssCrqnetlam, = INTO which Thu
tire catchf6f the British sealing 4 4et q,
1892 was transferred after the latter o
ID distributed supplies to the numer 8
IS schooneFs, and which act was the Z,
rect cause of the great agitation now
between the British and American
over damage awards. tth
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New Business Firm. 90
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