The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-12-16

One of the most interesting docu-
ments recently received at the interior
department is the annual report Of John
g. Brady, governor of Alaska. The
report is very elaborate in its treatment
of subjects relative to the great Nolth-
west territory, covering everything from
mission stations to the mining indus
tries. Probably more space is devoted
to gold mining than any other subject,
that being the predominating industry
at the present time. Of this, Mr..
Brady says:
"The past year has been one of won
derfuI progress. During the winter
and spring all sorts Of vessels were put
into the Alaska trade, and were filed
with passengers and cargo to the very
limit. Before long. thousands of tons
of freight could be seen piled upon and
under the snow upon the SUBMITS of
the Alaskan mountains. The United
States contributed by far the largest
number Of prospectors, who came from
all quarters, large number from every
state in the Union, California, Oregon
and Washington sending the largest
contingents. These prospectors, as a
class, were fine specimens of manhood.
'It is calculated that $500 outftted
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 Yu-
kon. Cook Inlet, Resurrection bay,
Golovin bay, Kotzehue sound, Koyukuk
river and many other places have all
been visited by prospectors this season.
The declaration of war against Spain
checked the tide. Most of the Amer
loans who proceeded to Dawson COM
planned of the mining Jules and regula-
tions, and the manner in which they
were 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 Klondike
were relocated. and much other valua
BILE ground discovered, which will keep
large numbers of men there this winter.
'"There is no way of ascertaining the
amount Of dust washed out upon the
Alaska side. The amounts given for
the Klondike and it's tributaries. vary
very much. Several reasons are given
why the output is smaller than was
anticipated-the scarcity of supplies,
especially lights, the high price of
labor, and the 10 per cent royalty ex-
acted. Many claims are being held
with the expectation that supplies will
be more abundant and not SO dear. and
consequently cheaper labor, and that
the loud complaint against the royalty
Will cause the OttaN
abolish it. There VI % Ia,
supplies this winter, but there appears
to be a determination among the
miners to keep up wages, and the royal
ty is still demanded. So we can expect
the product for the coming year to be
much curtailed."
Speaking of quartz mining, he says:
Every rich ore was discovered in the
vicinity Of Ketchikan. and many loca-
tions have been made and developed.
Quartz locations have also been made
at various places around the coast and
upon the, islands, as far as Unalaska.
The greater number of these are held
developments of any considerable ex-
tent. Alaska is splendid field 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.
While important discoveries of gold
have been made on Pine creek, flowing
into Lake Atlin, the fields in the vicin-
ity of Bald Eagle and Sum Dunn Chief,
as we'll as Sheep creek, near Juneau,
have made even better showings in the
past year than previously"
Favorable reports are made of the
operations of the large American min
ing companies at work in Alaska. their
efforts seeming to be more abundantly
rewarded than are those of foreign cor
porations.
Land Laws.
So much Of the land laws as relates
to mineral lands and mining claims,
inasmuch as they are the same as are
now in force in the United States
proper, have given perfect satisfaction
throughout Alaska, but in the matter
of homestead laws, quite different
state of affairs exists. The idea that a
man may dig out ore upon lands and
obtain patent for the same but cannot
build house and improve land for a
home. nor obtain title to it. is regarded
as highly unjust and imprudent by the
residents of that country. As matter
of fact, the lend Office has issued but
one patent under the law OF March 8,
1898, for trade and manufacture, and
the amount of land an applicant re-
ceives depends not on any law, but
entirely on the will of the land officer.
Even the law which passed last May,
extending the homestead rights to
Alaska, is found to be practically val
ueless.
.There are no surveyed lands in
Alaska, nor has any system Of survey
been provided. 1t is impossible, there
fore, for poor settler to acquire a
homestead. If he were able and will
ing to stand the expense of survey,