The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-21
YELLOW METAL OF THE YUKON
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE
GOLD FIELDS.


ing Quantities in the Bed of the
Main River, But in the Side
Streams That Cut Through the
Mountains.
Washington, July 20-Dr. William II.
DAN, one of the curators of the National
Museum, is familiar with the country in
which the Klondlke gold fields are located
through having been on several geological
expeditions to the region in Alaska, adj
joining the gold district, and says that in
his opinion the reports from there proba-
bly, are not exaggerated. He says: when
1 was there 1 did not find gold, but knew
of it being taken out in profitable quant-
ties for fifteen years or more. 1t was
first discovered there in 1886. In 1880,
when 1 was up in that country, my last
trip having been made two years ago, a
party of prospectors, who make mining a
profitable business, started out. Gold is
found on the various tributaries OF the
Yukon and I have been within a compar-
atively short distance of the Klondike
over the boundary of Canada.
THE gold bearing belt of Northwestern
America contains all the gold fields extend
ing into British Columbia, what is known
as the northwestern territory and Alaska.
The Yukon really runs along in that belt
for 500 or 600 miles. The bed of the main
river is in the lowland of the valley.
THE yellow metal is not found in pay
ing quantities In the main river, but in
the small streams which cut through the
mountains on either side. These practi-
cally washout the gold. The mud and
mineral matter Is carried into the main
river, while the gold is left on the rough
bottoms of those side streams. In most
cases the gold lies at the bottom of the
thick gravel deposits.
THE gold Is covered by frozen gravel In
the winter. During the summer, until the
snow is all melted the surface Is covered
by muddy torrents. When the snow Is
melted and the springs begin to freeze the
streams dry up. At the approach of win
ter, In order to get at the god, the min
ers find II necessary to dig into the gravel
formation, Formerly they stripped the
gravel off, until they came to the gold
Now they sink a shaft to the bottom of
the gravel, and tunnel along underneath,
in the gold bearing layer. The way In
which this is done Is interesting, as IL has
to be carried on in cold weather, when
everything Is frozen. The miners build
fires over the area which they wish to
work and keep these lighted over that ter
ritory for the space of about twenty-four
hours. AT the expiration of this period
the gravel will be melted, and so softened
to a depth of perhaps six inches. This Is
then taken Off, and other fires built, until
the gold-bearing layer is reached. When
the shaft is down that far, fires are built
at the bottom against the sides of the
layers, and tunnels made In this manner.
Blasting would do no good, on account of
the hard nature of the material, and
would blow out Just as out of a gun. The
matter taken out containing the gold is
piled up until spring, when the torrents
come down, and 1t is panned and Graded
by these. 1t is certainly very hard la
bor
II see many reasons why the gold fields
should be particularly rich. The streams
which cut through the mountain have
probably done so for centuries, wearing
them down several hundred feet and
washing out the gold into the beds and
gravel. 1t is a country in which II IL very
hard to find food, as there is practically
no game. Before the whites went into
this region there were not more than 800
natives. They have hard work to support
themselves, on account Of the scarcity OF
game"
Commissioner Hermann of the general
land office stated to-day that he will re-
commend the establishment of land dis
trlcts in eastern Alaska, the two offices
to be placed on Yukon river or its tribu-
taries, In anticipation Of a great number
of contentious over mineral land locations
In various sections where the gold discov-
cries have been made. He says that as
that region is practically without law,
especially as to the settlement Of contests,
the local officers will be of infinite value
20 the land interests. and indirectly to the
preservation OF law and order. The offices,
n IL 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.
Seattle, Wash, July 20.-Hon. G. B.
Mcintosh governor of the northwest ter
ritory In which is included the far-famed
Klondike district In Alaska. freely sub
scrlbes to the truthfulness of the stories
sent out as to the richness OF the new
diggings. He estimates that the Klondike
and tributaries yielded over 100000 In
gold last winter OF this he says x20oO,OOO
and upward came by steamers 20 Portland
and Excelsior. More than 100000 In dust
he says, IS slowed away now in the cabins
of the miners along the creek. THE Brit
ish Yukon Yield OF gold for 1897" the gov
ernor resumed, will be not less than
100000. Surveyors are now at work
trying to ascertain the feasibility Of con-
structing a railroad into the Yukon The
government contemplates a line Of steam
ers from Fort Wrangle up to the styken
river"
Helena, Mont, July 2O.-Eleven thou
sand four hundred ounces Of gold from the
RIondike digglngs in Alaska were reoeiv.
ed AZ the assayer's Office here last night
via the Northern Pacific express from Se-
attie. Ten thousand ounces we're consign-
ed 10 the American National Bank and
the balance 70 the United States assay
office. The Alaska shipment, In connec-
ton with the $4,000 received from the
placer mines, makes the total received az
the assay ONCE 10000.
San Francisco. Cal, July 20.-The excite
mcnt over the recent discoveries OF gold
In Alaska still continues here, and when
the steamer Excelsior leaves for 81.
Mlchaers next Sunday she will carry all
the miners supplies she can hold. The
Excelsior will be the last steamer 10 sail