The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-15
CRAWFORD
AND KLONDIKE.
The POet-SCOut Gives
Some Of His Views.
CHANCE FOR STRONG MEN
And None Others Should Go Gold
Hunting.
CHANCE FOR STRONG MEN
MINING AND STOCK COMPANIES.

Capt. Jack Crawford, the poet scout.
Iudian fighter, pIospector and teller Of
stories is going TO the hicndikel Next
| spring will see him at the head Of small
band OF picked followers factor in
opening up the treasures held in the
grasp of the leo King of the North, just
as he has been in tho days Of yore in
opening up those of the Black Hills, the
Cariboo and New Mexico
| Capt Jock was ono of the original dis
ooyerers of gold on tho French Creek in
the Black Hills. in 1876, washed out the
glittering dust in the placGrs of British
! Columbia in 1878 and 1879, and a few
years later did more than any other man
in tho territory in bringing before the
public the immense mineral wealth OF
| New Mexico and draw ing TO the develop
| ment of its resources the attention of
Eastern capitalists.
Tho gentleman who entertained the
distinguished scout during his recent
visit to Providence spent several hours
conversiDg with the captain about his
/ Alaskan expedition. the chances Of find
ing gold ana tho "fake" companies that
are now advertising stock for sale.
The captain sald II believe that there
Is plenty of gold to be found in Alaska,
and not only in the Klondlko alone, but
in other parts of the territory. Other
gold fields will bo found ana / believe
the company of which l am president
will find it's share"
In answer to the questions OF when no
was going and how well equipped he
would bc, the brave scout said: Early
| in spring. about tho middle Of March.
| expect TO start for Alaska with about
| dozen practical miners to locate for the
company. Taerc will be good axe men
| and experienced boatInen in the party.
The latter will be required in passing the
rapids, Wo do not propose to go by way
| of st. Michaels but by the inland route.
IL is the better known and the more
travelled of the two"
| Each man who comes along with me
| must be n stock holder in tho oUmpany To
the amount of $1,000 This viii give him
an individual interest in the success of
| the enterprise
''Do you expect to endure great hard
| ships captaing" was asked.
Eyes" he answered, "the men that
venture in next spring will have to go
prepared to suffer even greater hsrdships
| than did the pioneers Of California in the
| fall OF 10 and the spring of 30. bnt If
the wealth of tho country is what it is ra-
! ported to be, and which firmly baliovc
that IL Is, the present difficulties will be
overcome in a short time. IL should be
rcmem bercd," the captain continued.
"that the climate docs not interfere with
quartz mining as it does with placer
mining. and with the discovery OF the
quartz ledgcs regular mining will COM
mence Once shafts are sunk and tun-
nols ara driven work can so on without
regard to the weather overhead, and there
Is no reason why n dry crushing stamp
mill cannot te kept running all the year
round. +"
The captain thinks that n numbe OF
railroads will soon invade the Alaskan
country. He gives an idea OF his own.
Of an l. road. carrying the track above
the snow.
thpiali. NOulN you uuNisf Iien " ~
to the klondike?" asked his host.
Quick os fash. and in a tone that
showed that sad recolections were In his
mind, the nioneer said; II say to all
men, keep away from that region unless
you go well equipped TO contend with
cold weather and have an ample supply
OF provisions unless you are young, and
10
deblitated by lad habits There are
fortunes there for lcvel-headed robust
men who can stand harGships and will
60 well equipped. and have tho pluck
and perseverance TO work under great
difficulties.
"Do you think there will lie many for
tunes made there, captain. y'
80 Yes" he said, "but there will bo
thousands of men disappointed. believe
that not more than ore man in every
one thousand that go, will make sums
large enough TO SPEAK Of. realize" no
added "that that is very small percent
age. but | believe It, and had not had
tho long training in that kind OF work to
give me knowledge which comes alono
from experience, would rot so myself.
but | am accustomed 10 roughing it, To
go all day prospecting. | can tell in
dozrn ways II what | find is gold. In
short IL "A man has a good position and
Is comfortable, l would advise him to
stay where hc is
In speaking of companies that arc or
gnDzod and selling stock in gold claims
in the klondke, tho veteran scout
laughed.
why, " he said. "somc Of these men
are not even sharp business mon. for they
advertise having dlscovorc1 Chains con
tanning pure gold, the quantity Of which
measured more in cubic feet than all the
gold ever mined. And then." Laughing
again, why should they sell stock in
such rich nndy Why not keep itY
The captain spends few days az
time in brooklyn. between the dates of
his numerous entertainments, preparing
To- a.. -. Ia 81.