The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-08-12

course, be enough for those already in
the camp, but for any greater number
intense suffering Is feared. AS the fa-
vorite route is by way of Juneau, it is
certain that a large number Of adven-
turous people will take advantage of
the weekly boat between this city
and that point. This boat stops at Se-
attic and is crowded on every rip. The
fare from San Francisco to juneau is
$50, which includes board. From Ju-
neau to Lake Lindermann is really the
hardest part OF the entire journey.
Most of the distance, 200 miles, is over
a mountainous country, though snow
does not begin to fall until September
10. After this there is scarcely let
up before the middle of the following
March. Just before reaching Lake
Lindermann the famous Chilcoot Pass
Is encountered and woe to the traveller
who is caught in one of the snow
storms, which spring up with the sud-
denenss of an April shower and rage
for days. They are frozen simoons.
Nature has provided at the pass pro-
lection against these terrific outbreaks
in the shape of ar immense overhang-
ing rock At the top of the pass 1t
was the custom in former years for
the Indians to corral the wild sheep
and goats, which were to be found in
large numbers in all the surrounding
mountains. The species now is practi-
cally extinct. This route by the way
OF Juneau is fine trim of 1000 miles
or so. For an individual il is more
costly, but for a party it is cheaper.
At the head Of Lake Lindermann Is
sawmill, where prospectors are per-
mitted to prepare the lumber for the
boats necessary to complete the jour-
ney to the camp. This work generally
consumes five or six days, but If the
prospector is In a hurry he can pur-
chase a boat, the average price being
$50. Then he floats ON and on for
hundreds Of miles and finally reaches
the gold and the miners and the Arc
tic Circle.
Just what placer mining in Alaska
means Is difficult for eastern people.
or in fact, any not familiar with arctic
methods, to realize. For instance,
placer mining in country where un-
frozen water is at a premium nine
months in the year, presents an appar-
ent contradiction of conditions. The
Yukon basin is full of such paradoxes.
Here, where for three months the sun
shines from eighteen to twenty-four
hours day, the thermometer often
registers eighty degrees. Here the ex-
treme dryness Of the atmosphere is a
specific for every fleshy i'll. There has
never been a case of severe sickness in
the Yukon-yet the whole country is a
marshy bog, and the foot sinks ankle
deep in the morass at every step.
The Yukon basin occupies an ina
mense area. most Of it still terra incog-
nita. This generation, the next and
the next will not have time to survey
all its plains, measure its mountains,
trace its rivers and discover It's wealth
Gold, platinum, copper, iron and coal
are known to exist in vast quantities.
It's furs alene equal in value the pur-
chase price Of the entire territory. The
extent OF the richness Of it's placer
mines have been established beyond
question:. Not stream yet prospect I'd
has failed to show color" No bonan-
zas have been uncovered, nor are they
to be looked for in the future, unless
new and especially adapted methods of
extracting the gold are invented. But
with pluck, perseverance and industry
many moderate fortunes will undoubt-
edly be made
The Yukon was one OF the earliest
streams to be worked. Its bars are
not yet exhausted, but have been some
what neglected since the discovery of
coarser gold in surrounding gulches
tributary to SiXty-Mile and Forty Mile
creeks. These in turn are likely to be
given up temporarily for the treasures
OF klondike. man who gets TO the
Yukon with the determination of maxi
ing good stake expects to stay at
least three years. The best part of
MS first season is spent in reaching the
diggings and locating his claim. The
process of getting out she gold is slow
and difficult. The soil is merely gla-
cial DRIFT and is always frozen solid,
saving for few inches near the sur
face, and this is thiclly covered with