Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-08-13
The SPIRIT oE The PRESS.



throughout the world, but the existence
of great hidden treasures of gold which
the discovery at Klondyke reveals.
Somewhere near this district, no one
can tell how far, there must be noun
tains containing large quantities of gold
bearing ore. The loose gold found in
and near the several streams centering
at Klondyke was detached from the
original body and carried down there
from higher ground centuries ago by
natural forces. Gold does not grow in
rivers. 1t is manufactured in natures
alchemy and no man knows the process.
In the beginning nature hid her gold
under the earths crust
Experience in gold mining districts,
wheresoever situated around the globe,
with rare exceptions demonstrates that
when loose gold is found mixed with
earth in and near mountain streams the
mountains through which these streams
flow contain strata of collaborating rock
The evidence given by the detached
flakes, crumbs and nuggets themselves
cannot be disputed. TO epitomize even
in briefest space the various theories
advanced by biologists and mineral
ogists concerning the formation of gold
veins or assures in mountains would eX-
coed newspaper limits. Let it suffice
to say that some lie fiat, some straight
n,,J
some irregular almost beyond belief.
However, an expert going into new
district, governed by former experience.
can make a good guess at locating the
gold veins. Then comes the labor and
expense of digging through the earth to
reach the veins and of getting out the
ore or rock which contains the precious
metal.
This is called quartz mining and is a
far larger, more important and more en-
during industry than placer mining, such
as has been carried on at Klondyke this
summer with dazzling results. In Cali
fornia placer mining was practically
abandoned years ago. while quartz min
ing is still great industry, the annual
output being about 100000. Discov-
cry of a few specks of gold in Suffers
mill race fifty years ago set the country
Wild because it proved that the noun
tains of California contained gold. Cen
eral Suffers find, as compared with the
find Jas authenticity reported at klon-
dyke, is a. one to hundred or a thou
sand. 1t was collaborating ore concealed
in the mountains that made California
rich, not the gold washed out in pans
and sluices. If some enthusiast should
assert that Alaska's hidden wealth OF
gold is many times greater than Califor-
MAS was in 10, do not set him down as
insane on the subject. or even unreason
able
The generally accepted theory is that
placer gold was carried down from the
mountains in prehistoric days by gla-
ciers. Every canon is supposed to mark
a glaciers path. As it plowed its way
down it took along, among other sub
stances in the earth, sections of gold
bearing rock or ore and carried them un
til its progress was stopped by leve
ground Then after long centuries the
/ glaciers melted and the rock and minera
disintegrated. but the gold, which i
impervious to the action of the elements
remained where the glaciers deposited it
The great thing now is to find the golC
veins in the mountains.
One mans chance is as good as anoth
er's. and it may be expected that thou
sands will explore the mountains in ever,
direction. This work is called prospect
ing. 1t Involves hard manual labor un
der trying circumstances Prospector
start out into a mountain fastness, the.
know not where. carrying their food OF
their backs. a vein is usually detecte
by an "outcropping," i. e., where the or
had been exposed by the soil washing
away. Then the man body of the or
must be found by digging for it. Thi
means the sinking of q shaft, which
lllF Sdlue as UulluluS well VI lllt lul
ming of a tunnel If rich ore is struck
then comes the equipment of a min
with machinery and the establishment @
works for extracting the gold from tn
rock. In mountainous districts, far fror
/, railroads, the cost of freightng heav
machinery Is enormous. Very ofte
roads costing 81 900 mile or more mus
be built before machinery can be take
i in. Attitudes are higher and the mouI
r tains are ruggeder in Alaska than in an
r other part of the United States Natur'
: supplies of fuel and water are prime n,
y cessities, and fortunately Alaska is we
8 provided with both.
Y That very valuable mineral exists
, large quantities in the mountains ram
). fled by the streams entering at Dawso
r is absolutely certain. Discovery of veir
that will be developed into rich mines
onIv q ouaetiop or tinna How soon