The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-24
TWO KLONDIKE KINGS
THEY TELL STORIES OF THE
WEALTH THAT is STORED
THERE
WENT BEFORE THE BIG RUSH

w. G. jenkins and IL. A. Ferguson
Are En- Route to London to Float
More Profitable to Buy Claims
Than 1t Is to Stake Them
Out.
Don't make it too strong" was the
parting shot of couple of Klondike
kings to a G 10 b e reporter at the
Merchants last night, after blandly
referring to million-dolla deals In the
most commonplace manner A $500 dia-
mond stud and two pounds of gold mug
gets, as large as English walnuts, gave
both gentlemen considerable prestige,
for they were none other than w. G.
jenkins, half owner of No 33 on the
ElGorado creek, which has been valued
Conservatory at $3.50 900, and H. A. Fer
guSon, owner of more than two score
Of good claims on the Bonanza creek.
Both are now on their way to Lon
don, where they will open negotiations
with representatives of foreign capital
for the exchange of some of the most
valuable mining property in Alaska.
Mr.. Ferguson visited London last fall
and arranged for the transfer of nearly
two million dollars worth Of claims,
and thought no more about it than If
he had purchased a Chinese laundry.
A large dropping mustache and
square cut features, and a check suit
and rundown collar, together with an
air of reserve, give Mr.. Ferguson the
appearance of a typical Klondiker.
Neither he nor Mr.. Jenkins will place a
figure upon their Klondike holdings,
but their visit has been an occasion Of
pleasure to some local merchants. Like
his companion, Mr.. Jenkins first went
to Alaska before the rush to the gold
fields began, and in all his jOurneying
through the land Of the reindeer, he
has been accompanied by Mr.. Fergu-
son, who has shared with him the pri-
vations Of the Alaskan frontier.
'Oh yes, there are a great many peo-
pie in Alaska now who will make no
money this year, yet there are many
rich men in the country who have made
their money out of the gold fields" as
serted Mr.. Ferguson. ut is the popular
impression of all who go to KlOndike
that they must stake claims instead of
purchasing them, which is quite likely
brought about by the fact that many
do not have the means to invest. A
great mistake is made in this. 1t is
more profitable to invest in what are
known to be good claims than to take
your chances with an uncertain and
out of the way claim. I have never
Staked but one claim since | have been
in Alaska. 1 think there will be
great many more people go to\Alaska
next spring than ever before. The
country is just as rich as it ever was.
What has worked a great hardship
with the miners has been oVerdraWn
reports of the great finds, which has
led the British government to impose
additional royalties upon the miner. If
he finds one dollars worth Of dust the
government wants six bits Of it. 1t is
quite likely, however, that this may be
overcome by another season, and
more equitable schedule Of royalties
adopted"
Mr.. Jenkins said: 'I put $4,000 into
my claim couple Of years ago and
row 1t is worth several times that.
There can be no doubt that 1t is much
more satisfactory and profitable to buy
a claim than it is to stake one off. Mr..
La Due and myself have been partners
in business at Dawson, and it has been
our experience that the most money
is made by picking up claims along the
Bonanza or EldoradO creeks, than by
stalking off sixty miles from Dawson,
as all the good claims in the vicinity
have been taken. l remember of a case
where a claim Wais bought for $500, and
now the owner would not take S50OOOO
for 1t.
Mining in Alaska during the last
three years has been of an expert
mental nature, and consequently those
who have ventured to Alaska have
experienced great hardship, and in
many cases little to show for their
trouble. Next spring some large COM
panies will operate some Of the largest
holdings, and the capital which will be
attracted from the United States will
do much towards making the country
a more safe and desirable place to live
and prospect in"
c. B. Little, of Bismarck, was in the
city yesterday. He said: "SiX new
brick rows will be completed before
snow falls and the First National bank
building will be completed in few
weeks"