The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1898-01-28
THE NEW ELDORADO
THE GOLD FIELDS OF ALASKA
AND THE YUKON.

Far North-Great Extent OF Ground
to BE Prospectod.
Special Correspondence
Purchased from Russia in 1887 for
81, 200, 900, Alaska was a portion OF the
United States for 80 years without at
tracing the attention its resources and
wealth merit. Everywhere apathy and
Ignorance preaviled in regard to this
latest territorial acquisition. Suddenly
this was changed. In a single day the
ewes Of the entire world were turned to
Klondike, and there they remain fixed.
On the 18th of last July the steamer
Portland sailed into port with $500, 900
of gold on board, and TO the ends OF
the earth was telegraphed the story Of
the rich placer diggings discovered
along the Klondike and its tributaries.
Then began that rush to the new mines
which has filled the news columns of
the press with its varied experiences for
four months. Ten thousand men
Joined in it. Some are now at the
mines; others are scattered all along
the trails from the coast to the klon-
dixie; still others are at Juneau, Dyea
and Skaguay, awaiting more favor
able time for the journey, while not a
few have returned to civilization. sat
isfied with their experience or to make
a fresh start under better circum-
stances. Great and exciting as was
this first rush. it was but the advance
ripple Of the great wave of gold hunt
ers that will roll in upon the Alaskan
coast the coming spring. Probably not
less than $4,000 men will start for the
Yukon next year. and possibly four
times this number may go. For this
reason a clear and succinct description
OF Alaska and its resources, with a
brief review Of its routes OF travel must
be Of interest even to those who have
no intention of seeking the northern
wilderness.
In the first place. it must be under
stood that the Yukon river flows partly
through Canada and partly through the
United States, and that the Klondike
region is on the Canadian side OF the
boundary line, though good placers, pos
sibly as good as those OF the Klondike,
exist on the American side of the line.
Beginning at the Arctic ocean, the
boundary line runs due south along the
l4lst meridian as far as Mt. St. Elias,
10 marine leagues from the Pacific,
whence it follows the coast line, pre-.
serving a distance of 10 marine leagues
from il, in a southeasterly direction tc
the latitude OF 81 degrees and 40 min
utes, which becomes the southern limit.
All east Of that line belongs to Can
ada, part being in the Northwest Ter
ritory and part in the province of Brit
ish Columbia, the dividing line run
ming east and west across both lakes
Bennett and Teslin. The present GOLD
discoveries are all north of the British
Columbia line. but no one can tel
what may be revealed in the future.
That portion west OF the boundary
line and belonging to the United Statel
constitutes Alaska proper, and contains
total area Of GIT, 703 square miles. O.
which 81, $50 square miles consist o.
islands along the coast. 1t is only OF
these islands and narrow strip of tn,
adjacent mainland that settlement
have been made and industries de
yeloped. except the gradual development
of gold placers along the Yukon, endinl
with the recent startling discoveries
The towns OF Alaska consist OF but hal
dozen Of any prominence, besides tn
new places on the Yukon. They ar
sitka, the capital, Juneau, Wrangel
New Metlakahtla, Kodiak and Dutcl
Harbor. Sitka is on Baranoff island
OF the southeast coast. and has popu
lation OF ABOUT 500. Juneau is on tn
mainland, about 100 miles furthe
north. 1t is the chief commercial cit
and during the winter season its popu
lstion exceeds 1000. New Metlakahtl
is a mission and trading point near tn
southern extremity, and Wrangel is
trading point on the coast at the mout,
OF Stickeen river. Kodiak is on tn
island OF the same name south of tn
Alaskan peninsula, and is the seat 9
the salmon packing industry. Dutc
Harbor is on the island Of Unalaska, on
OF the Aleutian group, where vessel
lar1 h'4h thC allAC lulO bCnIluk ctl
Alaska is a region of mountains
there being no great valleys nor plain.
Along the coast a high range OF mour
tains rises almost abruptly from tn
waters edge, deeply indented with Ion
arms of the sea. These present a seris
Of Alpine peaks of the most picturesqu
description, the highest being the Faii
weather alps, exceeding $4,000 fee
ST. Elias and Logan exceeding 500
feet, and Wrangel, further to the nortl
west, said to be still higher. Dow
the canyons Of these coast mountain
many tremendous living glaciers 70
steadily to the ocean, filling the ba,
and inlets with great masses OF foatin
ice. Beyond this coast range the mour
tains are lower, but almost continuos
as far north as the Arctic, and as Z.
east as the great plains OF Mackenz
river region. Yet there are many fiji
mountain valleys, with occasion,
stretches of rolling table land, in sun
mer time brilliar. with a carpet
grass, MOSES and flowers.
The coast mountains divide the 81
mate OF Alaska into two distin
A