Evening star., 1898-12-01
PROGRESS IN MINING
Annual Report of the Governor Of
Alaska.
IMMIGRANTS OF A HIGH CHARACTER
important Discoveries of the Past
Year.
ILLEGAL LIQUOR TRAFFIC

The past year has been one of wonderful
progress in mining in Alaska, according to
the annual report of the governor just made
public. The attention of the world has
been attracted by the rich discoveries upon
the klondike. During the winter and
spring all sorts of vessels were put into
the Alaska trade, hailing from Vancouver
and Victoria. British Columbia, the Puget
sound ports. Portland and San Francisco.
They were filled with passengers and cargo
TO the very limit. There was a great rush
for the passes, and thousands of tons of
freight could be seen piled upon and under
ship, and suffering that these men endured
can never be calculated. The United States
contributed by far the largest volume to
this stream. They came from all quarters
Florida. Massachusetts, Texas. Indiana
Colorado and Montana-in fact, a large
number from every state of the Union,
California. Oregon and Washington send
ing the largest contingents.
These men. as class, are as fine speci-
mems of manhood the country affords.
They are really body of select men. Every
profession and occupation is represented.
Preachers, lawyers. doctors, gamblers, ma
chinists, railroad men. lumbermen, farmers
etc, all Joined in the procession over the
passes.
1t is calcu ated that 3,2G0 outfitted for
Copper river, several hundred went over
the divide at Yakutat, and some parties
went over the Dalton trail and worked their
way up the White river, one of the largest
branches of the Yukon. Cooks inlet, Res
direction bay, Golovin bay, kotzebue
sound, koyukok river and many other
places have all beer visited by prospectors
this season. The declaration of war against
Spain checked the tide.
Most of the Americans who proceeded to
Dawson. in Northwest territory. complain
ed of the mining rules and regulations and
the manner in which they We're carried out.
This had the effect to drive many upon the
Alaska side and the claims which were
abandoned for the first onrush to the klon-
Gikc were relocated, and much other val
liable ground discovered, which will keep
large numbers Of men there this winter.
A new town has sprung up on the Yukon,
called Eagle City. This will be the dis
trihUting point near the boundary for sup
plies on the streams crossing and immedi-
ately west of the line.
Toward the close of the season very i'm
portant discoveries have been made upon
Pine creek, which flows into Lake Atlin.
This is district which lies near the line
separating British Columbia and Northwest
territory. There was a stampede for claims
and large area has been staked off. Many
Many who tried Copper river found no in
ducement to remain They underwent
much hardship in cold rapid streams and
from the annoyance of mosquitoes Many
complained of dysentery and kidney trouble
from the use of the water. Colors of gold
were found nearly everywhere, but they
were on the surface. High water through
out the summer prevented the DrospectOrs
from sinking their holes TO bed rock, and
also from examining the bars very closely. 1t
is probable that 800 or 600 men will remain
in this section over winter. Some Colorado
men reported that they were well pleased
with their prospects on d small stream 80
miles up the river. The gold is fine, but
angular and heavy.
The last boats from ST. Michaels bring
news of important finds in the naighbor-
hood OF GOlovill bay.
y large extent of country has been run
over this year, but probably a majority of
the men never saw pan of dirt washed
before coming to Alaska, and it is alto
gether likely that rich piacers will be found
whore many of these men camped
Very rich quartz ore was discovered in
the vicinity of ketchkan. and many lOca-
tions have teen made and considerable de-
velopment upon them.
Quartz locations have been made at var
ious places around the coast and upon the
Islands as far as UnaIaska. The greater
number Of these are held by poor men who
are not able 70 do much development work
Fine Field for Capital.
Alaska is d splendid fed for a. class of
men who can command capital and who
can examine these discoveries and come to
terms with the owners for the purpose of
development and sale Any amount of
capital is ready for investment upon prop
erly developed properties. The records
show the locations Of hundreds of claims
upon which only enough work has been
done TO hold possession of them. Wherever
ffv-.1 lon .T,r1rl
prosecuted In earnest, satisfactory results
have followed in most cases. When the
history of these developments is studied
carefully as they have proceeded in Alaska
so far, investors can come forward with a
great degree of confidence to undertake
such work. In fact, there are very few
failures recorded.
There are rich bodies of ore In the neigh
horhood Of Sum Dunn, and favorable reports
come from the Bald Eagle and Sum Dunn
Chief, upon each of which there is a stamp
mill
Coming north along the coast, Snetishham
is reached. Here number of quartz loca-
tions have been made and so much develop
ment work with favorable results that the
owners are applying for surveys for ledges
and mill sites.
Alaska is sadly in need of wise mining
superintendent who can plan how not to
spend money useessly. The Treadwel
plants serve the purpose of a vast school
of mines, and ii behooves all men who are
conducting mining enterprises here to visit
these works frequently and instruct them
selves.
District Laws Favored.
The Importation of liquor into Alaska ex-
cept for medicinal uses is forbidden, but
coco gallons have been srnuggled in. Sa-
looms are open in the mining camps and
taxes are collected on them. Public senti-
mcnt is against the law. The governor
Of he rir
lumbia be made applicable to Alaska.
Under the present laws it is impossible
for a poor settler to acquire a homestead
in Alaska. This demands a remedy.
Population and Agriculture.
The population is placed at 50064, of
which number 1900 are whites. Referring
to the agricultural development, he says
grass beyond everything else promises to
be the agricultural wealth of Alaska
A handsome tribute is paid the reindeer
in Alaska, which will be reared in great
10 A