New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-09

ISSUED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PRfNTrN" or
r,cp FOR GENERAL Observation-Disclosures
INTERESTING FACTS SET FORTH
,,,r.h Two papers containing i'm
.,ar, contributions 10 the gold-bearing regions OIL
Alaska the publication OF which has been a"a'eu
with great interest for nearly year NV - g.
been issued from the Government frn'ihs I'M Nv
They are both advance chapters from inc run 80
y, m. eighteenth annual report OF the Director OF
the United States Geological survey ho' se' p''
u.bod They give the results OF reconnaissance
examinations by survey experts made In the sum
rn.r, OF 1895 and 1896 shortly before the ou'ore VI
the Klondike gold excitement 60,
The paper entitled Reconnaissance OF the ro''
Fields OF Southern Alaska" pamphlet of eighty
al, noge. NJ ,ext with number Of maps and
o,her Illustrations records the result OF observa-
lions by George F. Becker. In 1895. hs puoiea''oh
ha wing been delayed until this time. mainly oy rea-
son OF Dr. Bocker's absence during part OF ioSo'
making a study OF the gold deposits OF the l'a"'-
vaal.
The principal developments OF the coast region
Of Alaska have been made among the Islands OF
the Alexander Archipelago. and on the auJoihu's
shore Of tho panhandle strip OF southeastern
Alaska. In this region are the famous AIsskA-
TreadIe and tho Alaska Mexican mines on Doug
las Island, and a series OF important deposits on
the mainland opposite and not far from Juneau,
and the Funter's Bay mines on Admiralty island
the northwest are the Berner's Bay mines on
the eastern shore Of Lynn Canal and TO the south
west the Surndum mines. on Sumdum Bay, all OF
which in the same general belt OF metamor-
phosed states and intrusive rocks, that resemble
in a general way the country rocks OF the mother
lode In California. and supposed TO be OF the
same general formation. second more western
belt IL shown in the mines near Sitka on Baranot
Island which presents similar geological features
Prospecting IN this region is rendered most drncuit
by the dense covering OF fallen timber and moss
which everywhere covers the rocky surface. inc
pacers and beach sands OF Cooks Inlet ana the
mines OF Kadiak Island are also described. ana APP
pear 10 in rocks similar 10 those OF the Alex
ander Archipelago On Unga Island is the Apollo
Mine. the largest in the Territory next TO the
Treadwe. which Is eruptive rock
The report OF J. +. Spur containing sH pages
OF text. with maps and other ilustra tons) which
treats mainly Of the valley of the Yukon IL OF
more immedate interest at the present time. for.
although the Klondke region did not come within
the limits Of his oficial work he recognized the
probable importance OF that region. as result OF
his studies Of the districts Of Forty Mile and
Arctic City. within American boundaries
The report Is entitled Geology OF the Yukon
Gold District OF Alaska" by J. Edward Spur. with
an Introductory chapter the history and cond
ton OF the district Isa7 by Harold r. Goodrich.
In spite OF the difficulties OF travel and the short
season OF work, Mr.. Spur enabled TO get
s-eye view OF the broad general features OF
geological structure OF this immense Interior and
10 0eleTInNe lIe pOSlllON ana CndIdcteiiSt| iedN-
OF the gold hearing rock formations. from the
wearing down of which the unusually rich placer
deposits. not only OF the already discovered dis
rics In American territory but also OF those which
have since created great excitement within
Canadian borders, derived. These rock forma
tons which he desgnates the Birch Creek
Forty Mile and Rampant series. Of immense
thickness. and very old. dating back beyond the
paleozoic era, and resting on fundamental granite
gneiss. The richer pacers are all found among
the smaller gulches heading IN hills formed OF
these rocks. which very full OF gold bearing
quartz veins; There are also gold;bearng con;
glomerates, formed in former geological period
by the wearing down Of thin rocks; along an snclen
lifted up and folded. where abrasion has furnished
gold of the pacers, and which may prove
themselves to be sources OF wealth in the future.
Mr.. Spurs report IL accompanied by geological
maps OF the mining districts visited. and contains
full discussion OF the manner in which placer
deposits are formed. He effectually disposes o.
the statement made by the late Director Of tho
Coast Survey. General Duffield. that the placers
ara OF glacial origin ny showing that the region
where they are found in great richness vas never
covered by the continental ice sheet The paper
will undoubtedly prove of great value In ahordinG
TO those who may visit IL in the future more
correct understanding ~ the geological conditions
prevailing in the region. and will be in great de-
81 each OF these papers the Geological Survey
has about twelve hundred copies for general OILS
trlbution.