The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-07-25
GOLD In ABUNDANCE
Reports FROM the glondyke Region In
Alaska not Exaggerated.
STREAMS FILLED WITH THE METAL
The Excitement in The West st III ut
Fever Meas ana Many Eager TO
Leave ut once forthc s,ew Ei dorado
-Frclsnration BEING Made to Carry
the Crowds to tho Fields.

DR.. William II. Dull, one Of the cura-
tors OF the National Museum, at Wash
tngton, Is familiar with the region IN
which the lilondyke god fields are loca-
led through having been en- several geo
logical expeditions TO the region III
Alaska adjoining The gold district, and
says that in his opinion the reports
from there probably are not cxaggera-
ted He said:
When l was there did not find gold,
but knew OF its being taken out iii
profitable quantities for fifteen years or
more. II was first discovered there in
1855 III 1880, when was up III that
Z country, my last trip having been made
two years. ago, the first party Of pros
pcctors, who made the mining 4 profit,
STARTED! out. The gold is found eli the
various tributaries on the Yukon and
have been within q onlpuratively
short distance OF the Klol;dyke fields.
l made one trip to Circle City, just over
the boundary Of Canada. The gold bear
Ing belt Of Northwestern America con-
taans all the gold fields extending into
6ritiSh Columbia, what is known IL; the
northwestern territory and Alaska The
1Hkon really runs along in that belt for
300 or Coo miles. The bc; Of The main
river Is in the io~land OF the valley.
NOT FOUND IN THE MAIN RIVER.
Ii-e SSlioW metal Is not lOunu III pay
ing Quantities in the main river but in
the small streams which low through
Che mountains Oh either side. These
practically wash out the gold. The mud
and mineral matter IS carried into the
main river. while the gold is left on
the rough bottoms of these side. streams
III most case; he gold lies at The box
tom OF thick gravel deposits. Tic gold
Is covered by frozen gravel in the win
~ VI 1,
is all melted, the surfnce is covered by
muddy torienta When the snow is ali
melted ana the springs begin to freeze
the streams dry up al the approach
or winter, IN order to get at the gold.
the miners find il necessary 10 dig into
the gravel formation.
Formerly they stripped the gravel off
until they came to the gold. Now they
sink shaft 10 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 Cu.u weather when
everything is frozen, 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 hours. Then at the expiration OF
this period the gravel viii bn melted
and sDttrned to II depth or perhaps six
other fire built until the sulii bearing
layer is reached
FIRES BUILT IN THE SHAFT
when the shaft Is down The fires are
Quilt at the bottom against the sides OF
tho layer ana tunnels made IN this
manner. Blasting would DO no good
Oh account OF the hard nature OF the
material, and would blow out just as
out OF q gun. The matter taken out con
tanning the gold is piled up until spring
when the turreiYts come down and is
panncd ard Graded by these 1t Is Ger
tainly very hard labor
Il see many reasons why the gold
fields should be particularly rich The
streams which cut through the noun
tnins have probably done 50 for centu-
ries'. wearing them down several hun
drcd feet and washing out tho gold into
abe beds and gravel. It Is a country IN
which it. is very hard to find food, as
there is practically 10 game. Before the
whites went into this region ihorc were
not more than 800 natives. They have
hard work to support themselves Oh ac-
count OF the scarcity Of game"