The herald., 1897-10-23
ALASKAN
AFFAIRS
Commented on by Gov.
Brady
TRANSPORTATION OF MAILS
EASILY EFFECTED BY USE OF
REINDEER
TRANSPORTATION OF MAILS
The Greatest Need of the Territory Is
Extension of the Land Laws.
Mining Matters
Associated Press Special Wire.


Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22.-The report
of John G. Brady governor Of Alaska for
the past fiscal year, has been submitted
to the secretary of the interior. 1t esti-
mates the present population at 10000
natives and 10000 whites; predicts that
with reindeer transportation mails can
be sent all over Alaska during the Win
ter, and recommends that 100000 be ap-
propriated for government buildings and
$50, 900 for schools.
1t says nothing has 80 retarded Alas
ka's substantial growth as the helpless
ness Of settlers to obtain titles to their
homes on account of the failure of con-
gress to extend the general land laws,
and urges congress to create commits
sion of flve-one senator, one representa-
tive and three bona fide Alaska residents
to codify laws for Alaska. The secre-
tary of the treasury is urged to confine
the hunting of sea otters TO the natives,
for If the white man is not shut off at
once the AleutS will have to be cared for
by the government.
Reviewing gold operations, Governor
Brady says: "Shipload after shipload
Of gold seekers and their freight has been
rushed to the extreme limit of salt water
navigation dynn canaD and there they
have been literally dumped upon the
beach, some above high water and many
below, as they learned to their sorrow
when the water covered them as they
slept. The gold seekers have had ter
rible time, but they are brave and start
ed out to endure hardships. As class,
they rank above the average manhood of
the country. Lumber Is in demand and
lots are selling as high as $780, Amer
leans are anxious to secure route to
the Yukon which shall be entirely upon
United States territory. Different par
ties are now out and are carefully ex-
arlning the mountains between Yakutat
and Cook inlet. This is the third season
of work in Cook inlet. The excitement
over the Klondike has drawn many
away from that district; nevertheless
the output Of gold this year will be no
mean sum. The possibilities of the whole
region bordering upon this inlet and
upon Prince William sound will draw
crowds Of adventures in the near fu-
ture."
THE MINOOK REGION
SAN FRANCISCO. Oct 22.-James
Deitrick, miner Of experience in Cali
fornia South America and South Africa,
has just returned from Alaska, where he
spent some time in the Minook river val
ley. He says:
while there have been 300 claims
staked out on the streams about Min
ook Hunter, Hoosier, Miller and Chap
man, there is little known about any but
Little Minook
"On the Little Minook the mile of
claims which have been opened, have
proved very rich. The pay streak is
from eight to twenty feet wide and six
to twenty feet deep. 1t is all gravel
wash. That is an evidence to me that the
quartz will be seam or pocket.
With the Birch as1d Mirook creek
districts occupied, the prpspectors
will have to get into the Rus
sian and the Drekel creeks and
the Kouyukuk river districts. The lat
ter valley is 1000 miles long and the rich
territory is found some distance up the
stream. This is now reached by tramp
ing over the mountains from Fort Ham
ilton, a distance of $50 miles across two
mountain ranges. With three sledges
and several dogs two men can only take
in one sledgeload of provisions, the other
two being required to carry food for the
dogs. This practically keeps all men out
of the district"
A letter from Rampant City, Alaska
the center Of the Munnook district, says:
Deputy Collector Ross of Circle City
has made investments in the new field
D. F. Baxter and o. c. Johnson have
purchased No. - on Minook. James
D. Booge of Sioux City and H. F. Hub
bard of Chicago bought the discovery
claim for $4,000. Baxter has also pur-
chased a half interest in another claim
on Minook and one on Hunter. No.
on Munnook is the claim out of which it
is asserted 122 ounces were taken in thir-
ty working days. The owners have re-
fused $40, 900 for this claim, but would
sell for $50, 900.
CAPITAL INTERESTED
STOCKTON, Oct. ga Copper river
mifiing anG milling company was in-
COrpOateu mere tOCiay ana the prOmOt-
ers will soon start for the cold country,
where they expect to find wealth. One
of the company claims to have a mine
in that sectior and has refused large
offer for it. The local men, are backlog
the venture on his recommen6atio ton and
will send some of their company to the
mine. The capital is $1,000.
OFF FOR SKAGUAY
PORTLAND, Or, Oct. 22.-The. steam
ship Elder departed for Dyea and Ska
quay tonight with twenty-five passen-
gers, 125,000 feet of lumber, about 300
tons of merchandise and 200 tons of coal
for the Treadwell mine. The Elder will
hereafter carry the United States mail.
and large quantity was dispatched
on her tonight.
SMUGGLED LIQUOR
PORTLAND, Or, Oct. 22-Collector
Black today seized quantity of beer
and whisky which had been placed on
the dock for shipment to Alaska by the
steamer Elder. Fifty cases, marked