The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-16
ALASKA AND HER
GOLDEN SECRETS
Government biologists to Try to Un.
rayel Them.
EXTENSIVE SURVEY CONTEMPLATED
Ten Officers Assigned to the Work.
100000 Appropriated - Special
Attention TO Be Given to tho kion-
dixie Rsgion--RecaiIo OF Relief Er-
pedition 80 Chiikcot Pass Aerial
Railroad Opens.

Washington, March Interpretations
have been made by Director Walcott,
of the Geological Survey, for an ex-
tensive exploration of the geological,
typographical and other features of
Alaska. The exploration is to be under
authority of congress, which appropri-
ated $4,000 for the purpose. Ten off,
GERS of the survey will be assigned to
the work Their names are as follows:
George II. Eldridge, Arthur Keith, j.
+. Spur, Alfred Brooks, f.. G. Barnard,
W. j. Peters, Robert Muldrow, w. S.
Post. w. c. Mendenhall and F. c.
Schrader. The latter two will accom-
pany military exploring parties.
Eighteen campmen will be employed
-Four parties are to be organized under
the general charge of Mr.. Eldridge.
Seattle is to be the Quitting point and
the whole expedition Is to proceed there
about April l. At Skaguay two par
ties Will be detached, the first under
Mr.. Barnard, proceeding to the Klon-
dixie region for the purpose of making
topographic survey of the district
adjacent to the eastern boundary Of
Alaska, the 141st meridian. The survey
is to be extended westward from the
Yukon, between the siXty-fourth and
sXty-fifth parallels of latitude, and is
to include the forty mile-district. The
map to be made by Barnards party is
to serve as a basis for a careful geo.
logical investigation of the region by
Mr.. Keith. who will use Barnard's
camp as a base, but will operate to
some extent independently.
The second party, leaving Mr.. Ed
| ridge at Skaguay, is to be in charge of
| Mr.. Spur. who will cooperate with
Barnard in crossing the passes and
| then on reaching the mouth of the
White River will enter upon it's special
| field of work, namely, the exploration
of the White and Tanana river sys-
| TENS. 1t is expected that this party
will descend the Tanana to its mouth,
| and should time permit will explore
| the Melogikaket with a view to future
| operations on the Koyukuk. After or
ganizing the Barnard and Spur par
ties at Skaguay Mr.. Eldridge, with the
remaining members of the force, will
go in the gunboat Wheeling to Cook
| Inlet to land at the mouth of the Sus-
| hitna river. He is expected to proceed
up the Sushitna to about latitude 6;
degrees 40 minutes where several forks
of the river combine.
AT SUSHITNA BASIN.
At that point party under Mr.
Peters will be detached to explore the
| northeastern portion of the Sushitna
| drainage basin, with the expectation
that their work Is to be connected with
that of party sent from the War de-
| partment on Copper river and thai
they will close on Mr.. Spurs survey:
down the Tanana.
After detaching Mr.. Peters party, Mr.
Eldridge will proceed with an assist
ant westward across the divide be
tween the Sushitna and the Kuskok
vim to survey the head waters of tn,
Kuskokwim, and to determine the navi
gability of that stream by descending
to the usual portage to the lower Yu
kon.
In the exploration by Mr.. Peters anC
Mr.. Fldridge special attention is to b.
given TO the location of a possible rail
road from Cook Inlet to the Yukon. Al
the parties will rendezvous at 81
Michaels by Sept. Is. The routes ira
versed will be inspected critically witt
a view to ascertaining the most prac
ticable location for trails, wagon road
or railroads; the character and exten
Of the timber are to be noted. and tn
rivers or streams are to be examine,
as to the possibilities of navigation
and the height of falls or rapids. an
the rise and fall of tides are to be re
corded. The geological survey is to b
. so conducted as to ascertain the gen
eral distribution of rock MOSES, thei
relations, and so far as may be, tn
character and origin of each All oc
! nf mil
be noted, and special attention is to b
. given to the presence or absence O
gold, whether in placers or veins.