The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-09-02

Statements have been made that the
steamer Portland on her next trip will
bring fully $2,0OO,00 in gold, but most
reliable men from Dawson City say that
no such amount of money will come,
as it has not been taken out of the
ground. One miner who came down
places the outside figure at S1,O0OOOO.
Eldorado and Bonanza creeks, where
the richest strikes have been made,
have been staked for many miles, but
desirable claims are scarce and the pros
pectors are beginning to scatter out.
Most of the rich strikes We're made at
Bonanza and Eldorado, and hundreds of
miners left paying claims and rushed to
the new diggings, many of them striking
it rich while others secured nothing and
either returned to their old claims or
went prospecting anew. 1t is stated the
North American Trading and Transpor-
tation company brought down S150,OOO
of their own money on the Portland,
hut it was generally understood that
this money will not be brought down
until the next trip of the Portland.
when she will be escorted by United
States revenue cutter.
John +. Miller, eX-district attorney of
Seattle. writes to friend from Dawson
City. under date of July 3, as follows
There is an enormous amount of
wealth in this country, gold by the thou
sands and millions, but it is just as
hard to acquire it here as elsewhere. 1t
is in the hands of few, while the
many are hunting and searching-the
same old story. Eldorado and Bonanza
creeks are the richest of all in this To-
cality. and. in fact, are so far practically
the only diggngs of great value, and |
can say one might just as well try to
get it on Wall street. in New York City.
He could do so with more certainty
than here.
Men on these creeks value their
claims at enormous figures, from one.
two and three hundred thousand dollars.
and even higher. The amount taken out
last winter may justify such valuations,
but of course there are no purchasers.
You can inform any and everybody in
tending to come here that if they eX--
pect to find gold scattered around at
random or to get something for nothing
they will be disappointed. While it is
true that the gold deposits in the To-
cality were found almost accidentally.
it is no encouragement to note the fact
that it is the first accident of the kind
in thirty years searching. New dig
gings will doubtless be discovered from
time to time. but when and where the
sages can not tell.
Zone in this country is quite crea-
ture of circumstances. If he chances to
be within reach of discovery he may
stand show of obtaining a claim. but
should he he some distance away he
stands no chance whatever. | have been
out on n stampede or two and staked
Il claim. but the chances are there is
nothing in it. Some have an idea that
they will go out and find something.
If they should stop to think that every
creek. gulch and recess has been pros
pected years ago by experienced miners.
their enthusiasm might lessen. All the
gold in the country is from twelve to
fifty feet under ground. and frozen
ground. too so you see the free and wan
dering avocation of the prospector is not
an easy task 1t takes two or three
weeks of the hardest labor to sink one
or two holes on a creek. 1t is not like
other countries, where the gold is on
the surface.
"Of all creeks, Eldorado and Bonanza
are the most uninviting, low and
marshy. covered with willows and all
kinds of underground. but there it was
found. lying like grains of corn. await
ing the eyes of man. Indeed. | may be
parloned for again repeating that people
who come here should not expect too
much. Where one has become rich Il
thousand remain poor. My. advice is.
if any one comes, bring at least a years
provisions and enough money to pay
passage back home. 1t is no place for
n man to attempt to play gentleman.
Every one works hard. the hardest of
his life. Don't let the reports of the
great amount of gold going out turn
your head: it ali came from the creeks
named and the owners of the claims
realiZe their positions too we'll"