The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-07-27
ALASK \ GOLD.
An Experts Statement as to the
Wealth OF Our Far or Territory.

! "cahh Oh our raf OH territory.
DR.. w. II. Dali, one of the curators
OF the National Museum at Washing.
ton is familiar with the country in
which the Klondyke gold fields are
located, having been on several geolog-
lcal expeditions Ito the region in
| Alaska adjoining the cold district and
says that in his opinion the reports
from there probably are not exaggerat.
did not find gold but knew Of it being
taken out in profitable quantities for
fifteen years or more. 1t was first ais
covered there in 1866. Ia 1880, when
was up In that country, my last trip
having been made two years ago, the
| party OF proSpcct0rs who make mining
profitable business started out. The
gold is found on the various tributaries
Of the Yukon, and have been within
a comparatively short distance of the
KIondyke fields. | made one trip to
Circle City, just over the boundary Of
Canada.
The goldbearng belt of north
western America contains all the gold
fields extending into British Coumb bia
aud what is known as the Northwest
Territory of Alaska. The Yukon
really runs along in that belt for 800 or
GOO miles. The bed Of the main river
Is IN the low land of the valley.
The yellow metal is not found in
paying quantities in the main river,
but in tue small streams which cut
through the mountains on either side.
These practically wash out the gold.
The mud and mineral matter is carried
into the main river, while the gold is
lett on the rough bottom Of these side
streams. In most cases the gold lies
at the bottom of the thick gravel de-
poSits. The gold is covered by frt IN
gravel in the winter. During the sum
mer, until the snow is all melted, the
surface is covered by muddy torrents.
When the snow is melted and the
springs begin TO free &c the streams
dry up. AT the approach of winter, in
order to get at the gold, the miners
hni 1t necessary TO dig into the gravel
formation. Formerly they stripped
the gravel oil until they came to the
gold. Now they sink shaft to the
b ttom Of the lr and tunnel u, ,ong
underneath in the goid-bearing layer.
Tne way in which this is done is
interesting, as it has to be carried on
IN cold weather, when everything is
irCHen. The miners build fires over
the area where they wish to work, and
keep these lighted over that territory
for the space of about twenty four
hOur2. AT the expiration Of this period
the gravel will be melted and softcncd
u depth of perhaps six inches. This
is then taken or, and other fires are
built until the gold-bearing layer is
reached. When the shaft is down that
lar fires are built at the bottom against
the sides OF the layer and tunnels made
10 This manner. Blasting would do no
good on account of the hard natu &c of
the material and would blow out Just
Us out OF gun. The matter contain
ing the gold is piled until spring,
when the torrents come down aud is
panned and Graded by these. 1t is
certainly very hard labor"
| see many reasons why the gold
fields should be particularly .'ich. The
streams which cut through the noun
tains have probably done so for cen
hundred feet and washing out the
gold into the beds and gravel 1t is IA
country in which it is very ha d to Gud
food, as there is practca ly no game.
Before the whites went into the region
there were not more than 300 natives.
They have hard work to support them
selves. on account Of the scarcity Of
game"
The excitement over the recent dis
covcries Of goll in Alaska still con-
tinucs at San Francisco and when the
steamer Excelsior leaves for ST Mi
chaclS she will carry all the miners
supplies she can hold. The Excelsior
Will be the last steamer u sail this
yea" from San Francisco to connect
with the Yukon steamers, but there is
already talk OF chartcring another
steamer to take upa crowd Of miners.
No more news from the klondyke
region will be received until the
steamers leaving here have returned.
Commissioner Herman of the gen
eral land ollie at Washington, has
stated that he will recommend the
establishment Of two land districts in
Eastern Alaska, the two Offices TO be
placed on the Yukon river or its tribu
taries, in anticipation OF II grrat mum
Der OF contentious over mineral land
locations in various sections where the
gold discoveries have been made. He
says that as the region is practically
without law, especially as to the settle
ment OF contests, the local Offices will
be OF ininite value TO the land inter
ests and indirectly to the preservation
Of law and order. The Offices, it is
, probable, will be located at Circle City
and Dawson City The general land
Office is in hourly expectation OF
petitions and requests for some such
| action.
-One OF the oldest documents Of the
| will kind known was that OF Queen