Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-07-15
Price, 81 per Year | !
RETURNED KLoNDYKE1S.

On Board Steamer Wolcott Juns
26, 1898. 3
Editor Graphic: II regard % -
article which appeared in the Denver
News, under date Of June 2, 1893. writs|
ten by Capt. H. B. Abercromba, q. 6.A|
A., we, the undersigned, think 4 ju1o
and right to make few remarks on the
alleged "Gold Strikes" in the Copper
river country. The following il oNsg||
paragraph which we will use a. Z baai1:z
capt. Abercromba, u. $. A., arrived
to-day from Copper river to secure ~.
pack train. without which the goYeTn-i
ment expedition cannot reach tho 1
interior this summer. He reports that
an expedition has found gold on eight
rivers and streams flowing into Copper
river between Tananah and TGnlip
rivers. proving that gold is plentilufa
there. A large party from Cripple
Creek, headed by Eph. Cooper, made
rich strike on Tousina river, getting ~
cents to the pan from surface dirt, the
water being yet too high to reach bsd-s
rock. Another party was preparing To-
work Tousina river bars. Men wer0
making $500 to $500 per day on suT-
face dirt in Monte Christie and Salmon
gulches, near Valdies hay. Altogether
there were about three hundred claims
! staked.
In justice to thousands of poor men,
who may be misled in a like manner to
ourselves, and after having had consid-
erable experience, and enduring untold
hardships, in the Copper river country
all for nothing, we pronounce and call
the above article by its right name, e
base fabrication" from beginning TO-
end, and do not believe the author ~
capable of telling the truth. We arc
only a few among thousands who will
willingly verify every word Of our state
ment. Every vessel returning is loaded
with disappointed gold seekers. Ups
wards OF 1000 people, after weeks and
weekly of untold privations and hard
ships, crossed the Vandies glaciers.
many Of them reaching Copper river.
while others were compelled to abap-
don the journey; others went in by way
Of Alganic, near the mouth of Copper
river, boating their supplies thereon.
We can truthfully say that not single
river or gulch named in the above
"speciar' has ever been known to show
anything more than struggling colors.
| "a hat -
far up Copper river as two hundred
miles, not single indication has been
found to justify the stalking Of claims.
There are hundreds Of unfortunates IN
the country who are penniless and
unable to get back to the states. God
only knows what they will do, a. shore
is no way of earning living in that
desolate land.
| Capt. Abercromba has upwards Of
twenty soldiers who are located at
Valdies, and who were sent there by
the government to select trail where
by the people could reach the river
during the summer months, but il 10 .
welI-known fact that since their arrival
in April they have never been known
to leaye camp, only at times. following
in behind determined prospectors.
Fortunately few people have lost their.
lives in the Copper river district. but
aside from all that, no living white maA
ever faced the dangers and hardships
one has to 20 through to reach the in-I
terror of Alaska.
Hoping this brief communication will
serve as warning to those contenplat-s
ing going to the Copper river countyy.
we remain,
Sincerely Yours,
H. B. Koch. 93l Perry St., Chicago. III.
Andrew Johnson, Minneapolis. MINI.
Chss. T. Fisher, Butte, Montans.
A. J. Montgomery. Waylsnd. lows.
| &C. Grain, Larimore, Kansas.
Will G. Bowm, A Utica St.. Clinton.
NY.
T. c. Chime, Seattle, Wash.
| Z. A. Pope, McCeon, Ills.
N. S. Malson, Fargo, N. D.
| D. Kirk Underhill, Locust Valley,
NY.
r. F. johnson, Little Rock, Ark.
L. +. Mettz. Cripple Creek, Col.
R. NJ. Powno Is 6 .
| Geo. II. Mckay, Nesson. N. D.
Dan Mckay. Tower City. N. D.