Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-08


men from Circle city and Forty Mile
rushed in. The richest claims are in
Gonanza creek, which empues into the
Klondikc three miles above Dawson City.
There are three claims in that district,
each 800 feet long, extending clear across
the creek. on which IL is located. No one
can file an additional claim until he has
recorded his abandonment 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 been even travelled over.
"Old miners declare that the no In side
OF the Yukon was worthless, 50 no pros
pecting was done until Mccormick start
ed in There is no claim-jumping. as
the Canadian laws are rigid and well en-
forced.
There was a rush for Klondike as soon
as the discovery was made known, and
/ was among the first TO get there.
had poor luck at first. and after few
DAYS started 10 leave, but l had only got
a short distance down the river when
my boat got stuck In the ice and l went
back to Dawson City. 1 bought claim,
and II proved one Of the richest in the
III trict.
"In the region now worked there are
score OF creeks, each rich IN gold de-
posts The creeks comprising the bo-
nanza districts are Bonanza, FL Dorado,
Victoria, Adams. Mccormick, Reddy Bull
lion, Nugget Gulch, Bear, Baker, ana
Chee-Chew-Ka. In the Hunter District
are the Main Folk. bunker, and Cold
Bottom creeks. The banks OF these
streams are dotted with white tents or
miners, and a prettier sight 1t would De
hard TO find. over on Dominion creek
god has been found, and 800 miners
started for that place the day we started
for san Francisco. The surface pros
poets are quite as favorable as on the
BONANZA.
1T is easter TO reach Dawson City now
than when the discovery OF gold was an
nounced. Appliances have been placed
AZ all the mountain passes, so that
heavy loads are pulled up steep inclines
and let down on the other side. / LOOK
for a big rush next year, and there Will
be wonderful stories 20 tell when the sea-
son Is ended.
Dawson city IS not a paradise by any
means. but there are much worse places.
The winter cold IS intense, but as there
T. plentv Of timber around We do not suf-
fer our summer lasts about six weeks,
but during that time It Is very warm.
The dav we started il was SO degrees IN
tho shade. The mosquito - our worst
enemy"
Miners who have reached here do not
act like people who have suddenly jump
ed from poverty 10 comparative wealth.
They are very level-headed They went
~ the best hotels. and they are living on
the fat Of the land, but they do not
throw money away, and not one started
in to paint the town red. Ihey nave
worked so hard that they appreciate the
value OF money. what they dehSht III
most are theatres and other anusements.
Tbev saw no one knows how TO enjoy
those Il he has not spent year IN Alas
ka Three-quarters OF the miners Will
return in the spring, when they are well
rested.
T-he returned miners say that one OF
the neculiar features OF the new camp IS
the iaek Of shooting. due to the fact that
the Canadian Government does not per-
nit men to carry firearms. Police dis
arm, miners when they enter the district.
so that there is not any o. the lawless-
ness and crime which marked earlier
nlacer mining in California. There is
much gambling and play Is high. An
ola miner. Alexander Orr, who spent
eiebt winters in Alaska. but will not
return, said to-day:
vyson is not like most OF the large
mining camps. II is not like q tough
town; murders are almost unknown. The
,oiners are a quiet. peacceble kind OF
men who have gone there 10 work and
are willing that everybody else shall have
an eeaal chance with themselves. A
great deal OF gambling Is done in town.
hut serious quarreis are the exception.
AS n gambling town ! think It IL equal
"a anv l have ever seen. and this. by
the way, is always test of mining
comr's prosperity Stud poker is the
usual game. They play 81 ante. and
often bet 500 or 500 on the third card"
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