Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-09-02
THE TREASURE SHIP.
The steamer Portland Arrives FROM
St. Michaels.

st. Michaels.
Port Angeles, Wash, Aug. 3l.-The
steamer Portland arrived sfrom st.
Michaels tonight Captain kidston
reported a pleasant voyage, and ex-
plained the delay OF three days in
reaching Port Angeles by stating that
a very serious storm at st. Michaels de-
laved the discharge of his cargo.
He laughed when told OF the reports
that the Portland was carrying over
81. 600, 900 in gold. As matter OF
fact, he said, there was only ABOUT
1926. 900 in gold dust and nuggets on
board his vessel.
Up to the time he left St. Michaels
he had heard of no new gold fields.
Among the Portland's passengers
from St. Michaels is Timothy Bell who
has with him $50, 900 in gold which
he dug from claim that cost 1925.
William Ogilvie, Dominion surveyor,
saws the 600 claims now staked out
will yield $50, O00,0 900.
From number Of the Portland
crew it was learned that Captain Kids
ton had expected the Weare, one OF
the company's boats. to come down the
Yukon with about $1,000, 900 worth OF
nuggets and gold dust, but as she did
not arrive in time he decided to bring
down the treasure next trip.
The United States cutter Bear, 1t Is
said, will guard the Portland on her
next trip from st. Michaels TO Seattle
As most miners will make their clean
up by that time it is expected the
Portland's cargo will be very valu'
able one.
The returning miners say the re-
markably rich claims on Eldorado creek
will number 40. Mr.. Ogilvie esti-
mates that. at the rate these 40 claims
are now producing, and considering
the ground yet 10 be worked, the
amount in the next three wears will ag-
gregate about $40, 900, 600. To this
must be added the favorable POSSIBLE
tiles OF pockets and development Of
claims already found. but not opened.
There have been other rich strikes
on Stewart river, Hunker. Henderson
and Indian creeks, but none Il these
are as rich as the claims Oh Eldorado
and Bonanza creeks.
Until the wonderful discoveries Of
klondike were made, ground worth 10
cents 10 the pan. with two or three feet
OF pay dirt, was considered very good
for the Yukon. and the miners made
their money with rockers and sluices.
This year the miners are passing en-
tirelv over ground of this richness in
their search for sand and gravel that
will pay like that of the Klondike dis
coverieS.
Up to date. none of the claims was
showing any signs OF exhaustion. and
scarcely dozen are more than we'll
opened. Every one has large areas Of
ground to be worked.
One returning miner says it is i'm.
possible 10 make anything like an ac-
curate estimate OF the probable yield Of
the mines. The ground is not a. all
even in richness, and the worth Of pay
streaks varies greatly.
The most important news from 81.
Michaels is that the river steamers ief.
there tSo weeks ago for their last trip
up. II is not certain they will reach
Dawson this fall. and the passengers
who left the Sound as early as July %
mas not reach Circle City before navi.
CATION closes. This makes it certain
that hundreds VINO left the Sound and
California since August for s..
Michael< will winter there At the
best they can scarcely get started up
the Yukon before il freezes solid.
All vessels touching at -. Miehaels
this summer have had difficulty keep
ing their crews. who have caush. the
fever. One schooner from Victoria WAS
entirely deserted ny her crew. from
captain 70 cook. who started UP the
river for kloudike.
The crew Of the J. VI. Colman tried
70 desert, but the attempt was ii<Sov.
cred IN time, and, by a display OF IRE
arms, the men were compelled to re-
main.
Every vessel from =, Michaels ha.
come away Shor.-hauiei. The Port
land lost several OF her crew. bu, VA.
able TO obtain Men nv psyi,,- ni,-h