Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-01-14
MORE TREASURE.
Veritable Mountains of Gold and
Copper Ore.
Expert Says Alaska's Permanent
Mineral Wealth Is Found.

TACOMA. Wash. Jan. ll-What are pro-
noUnced yeritabie mountains OF gold and
copper ores have been found on the Gra-
yina, RevilagiquedO. Annettes and Prince
Of Wales islands. Oh the southwestern coast
of Alaska. These immense deposits have
been known to a few men for some time, but
not until now have their richness and extent
been made public. Wrangel and Juneau
mining men are rushing TO them to secure
the best locations. and the excitement has
reached Puget sound. d. Soils Cohen OF
Wrangel. who spent weeks prospecting
among the islands in small slOOp, believes
they contain the permanent mineral wealth
of Alaska. He declares that beyond all
doubt immense fortunes await those who
secure practical and intelligent develop
meut Of the deposits he has seen. Beginning
at the shore, great ledges of highly mineral
ized rock are found. extending to the base
OF the mountains several miles inland. These
ledges follow the unduiatious Of the ground.
being lost here and reappearing there. in
widths varying from 10 to 80 feet, at times
rising ia fantastic shapes. and all carrying
precious metals. Other ledgeS sharp edged
extend in layers into the salt water, and are
covered with curious weeds and shells.
Cohens party opened a number Of these
lodges with powder. and in every
instance ine gold was plainly visible in
the white quartz. Their work was all
above surface. and following the rules OF
mining, they believe the ledges will grow
richer ~ depth is attained. This result is
obtained On Grayiua island, where develop
ment work has been commenced on several
claims. Here the ore contains much copper.
ami shows ~ well in free gold Of fine grade.
On hey!!.aZiquedO island, about Georges in
let, very rich free milling lodges have been
disc Jyrrsd and stamp mills are being shipped
there. IedGes rise up above the average
surface to such an extent Cohen says. that
hundreds Of thousands of tons Of ore
can BE- miiled or shipped away without
the necessity OF sinking shafts and put
ting in machinery. Besides this the
hedges are easy Of access. with the spacious
lantl0rked harOors, having seven fathoms
Of water. with ideal sites aud numerous
waterfalls sufficient to run 100 stamps at
lowest stage. Yellow cedar is abundant for
fuel, AMI Cohen declares that. though a
number Of rich claims have been located on
Gravina. there i enough territory on the
islands upon which white mans foot has
never trod 10 keep 100 prospectors busy for
years. Grayna island lies along Nicholas
passage and Ilngas narrOws. with Clar-
ence straits on the west. 1t Is 40 miles
long and l6 wide, with mountain ridges
rising TO a height OF 22O0 feet along both
the eastern and western coasts. 4 short
distance inland the entire island is OF u
rocky formation, having no soil other than
a heavy growth of Alaska moss. Yet il Is
tim bered with yellow cedar and oak. 1t Il
a twin island to Annette. which the United
States set aside two years ago as a reserya-
tOn for Duncan's British Columbia Indians.
Since then Duncan has practically been
ruler OF a principaiity. He has prOtttvI
largely by trading. fishing and canning.