New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-31
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
GREAT NEWS FROM THE KLoNDlKH-
PLANS FOR NEXT sPRING-GRAPE
CROP DAMAGED.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDUfE.]

fBY TELEGRAPH THE TRrBUfE]
IN Francisco. Oct 3O-The details OF the
-w discoveries of gold near the surface IN
Iookum Gulch on the Klondke, which reacheo
ERE this week would have created new SIAM
pede " trails had been open 70 the Alaskan
gold fields This news comes from Trustworthy
source and completely upsets the theory tha'
gold II found only near bedrock In gulcnes' anu
must be reached by digging holes from ni'ee"
to twenty-five feet deep. On claims ID 0hoo"u'''
Gulcb which is a tributary OF Bonanza C@en'
nuggets and coarse shot gold are louno ~.
gravel almost the surface OF the sioo'O
when a. layer Of thick moss Is cieaTeo away
The richness OF these deposits may be simply
accidental but the fact that placers as me as
any found in California are discovered on 'he
Klondike will draw many TO Alaska next sea-
son who have been deferred from making tne
venture because Of the difficulty and cost OF
prospecting.
All TRANSPORTATION companies here are max
ing a great effort to provide for an enormous
rush Of travel TO the Yukon next spring. put IL Is
doubtful whether they will be able TO hanoie inc
crowds Those will make most money VINO VIII
devise an easy and swift method OF getting over
tho masses on the Chcoot and Skaguay trails.
Meanwhile San Francisco merchants are al last
in earnest in their efforts TO establish a steam
ship line which Will give reasonable rreigh's
and quick service to all parts OF the coast ana
thus restore the old-time supremacy OF ths
city as an Quitting place. In the recent gold
rush Seattle laid claim TO being the piace iU
outftting and, owing TO judicious adverusins III
Chicago really secured the lions snare OF the
business but this will not be repeater neA'
snrne n local merchants carry out their pres
ent plans
discussing the adNlS
ability of high license in order to meet local
deficiency In funds. 1t Is proposed 70 raise .ne
license for retail liquor stores from oof d 'ea'
ia $500 This move, II Is estimated. Woulu re-
duce the 3 go saloons and corner groceries SCI
ing LIQUOR by one-half, but II would increase the
revenue by three quarters OF million doliars'
The heavy storm at the end OF last week hurt
much drying fruit The greatest loss was IN
Fresno County, where many tons or ralslns were
spoiled II Is estimated that fully one-thifd OF
the crop was damaged. This will cause pig re.
duction In exports Instead of 3,4oo carioaus OF
ten tons each, which was last year, shipiiIeh' :,
there viii not be over 400 carloads sent East
this year Lack of artificial dryers was the cause
of the loss. In all the large Fresno VINEYARDS
these dryers will be ready in another season. IN
other parts Of the State the damage was not so
severe but In all grape growing counties the
damage will be considerable 10 late table ana
wine grapes: The vines were also oaois III
tured throughout the Sacramento valley.
Local theatre-goers are counting much on the
Italian opera company which VIII open mex
week at the California Theatre. Though the
stars have no great reputation, they are said to
include number Of excellent voices.
The fact that five homeward- bound san Fran
cisco whaers caught in the Ice in Behrlng
Sea has demonstrated the folly of the Govern
ment abandoning the Point Barrow Keller sta
ton. If the station had been retained the crews
of these whaers. which were only forty miles
from that place. would have secured ample sup
plies. AS 1t is. they will now have to travel 4H'
miles TO Herschel Island.