The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-02

some prospects. The country rock is
slate and mica schst. Many Of the mug
gets are full of quartz Iron rock is
found with them, and pieces of stratihed
rock containing iron are found showing
plainly N their sides the matrices of gold
nuggets. Some fair gold-bearing quartz
has been discovered bAitl no richa free,
gold-bearing rock In Place. The mineral
belt seems to run northwest and south
east. if one may judge from the creeks,
and to be about ten miles wide. 1t seems
to parallel the main range of mountains
about 100 miles distant from It,
There are both summer and winter dig
gings on all the creeks as some of the
claims are capable of being both dfifted
and sluiced. Some summer drifting is also
being done. Wages, owing to the scarcity
Of men last winter, Were SIS per day at
the diggings, but they ares likely to fall
off very soon. The price of -four at Daw-
son City last winter was 81 per pound,
and this spring one of the trading com
panies advanced its prices in some cases
50 per cent. Canned meats were sold at "a
cents can. Meals were charged for atthe
rate of $50 apiece Whisky was the same
old price-50 cents a drink Timber when
1t can be had, is $3.50 per 4 900 feet The
price for saving at the mills Is 800 for
1000 feet, the logs being furnished by the
purchaser. Beds or lodgings are not to
ne ndu. IL you can Iltlu a pace III sotlt
tent where you can sleep, you may try the
saloon floors, of which places there are
a number. Good river front lots Ia the cen
ter of the town may be purchased at
from 5000 to 5000 each. These same lots
sold last fall at s. apiece.
The richness and extent. of the diggings
are such that If they were in any place
less inaccessible than this doubtless the
stampede to them would be tremendous,
but a great influx Of gold-hunters at this
time would be calamity. The Canadian
government has sent another detachment
of police, and also a judge and a goll
commissioner who, with the customs Of
ficer, constitute the governing force. Ow-
ing to the impossibility of escape from the
country, such of the criminal element as
has come in thus far Is very quiet and
peaceable. Outside Of "A little stealing of
provisions and similar petty offenses, there
is no crime. There are but a few places
where supplies can be had in all this vast
country, and any offender Is certain, there
fore, of being caught and punished.
Though gold has been sitting around in
the cabins for months, in lard pals, bak-
ing-powder cans, old bootlegs and buck
cts. no thefts have been committed.
What the country needs above all things
Is communication with the outside world.
II the government at Washington would
make some agreement whereby the Cana.
puted part OF the coast it would be a great
boon to Alaska, as well as to this part
Of the Northwest territory. Most OF the
men who "hit it" are Americans, whose
gold will go to- San Oh'rancisco and the
United States. Because Of the lack OF
adequate communication with the civilized
world the miners are In constant fear lest
supplies should give out. Many articles
can be had but for a limited time after
the arrival OF a steamer, and those who
are not fortunate enough TO get a supply
at that time must do without for weeks
and months. no matter how much gold
they may have to make purchases with.
The scarcity may be one Of provisions.
window sashes or gum boots. but always
there rs n scarcity Of some important artls
Gle Generally there is never enough OF
anything, and only the opening up OF com
munlcaton with the coast by some other
route than the mouth OF the Yukon Of
fers any prospect OF adequate relief. ~
the Canadians had port OF entry they
would have commerce coming down the
river from the direction Of Juneau, ana
the country would not be dependent upon
the scanty supplies coming 1900 miles up
the yukon from Boring sea
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