St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1898-03-05
GOLD ON ALASKA ISLANDS
New Fields Where There Are
Mountains of Ore.
Ledges Of Vast Extent and Great
Richness Have Been discovered
by Fort wrangei Ex-
pIorers.

1--WE have discovered deposits of gold
which will make the Klondike find of
1896 seem Insignificant in the next few
years" Thus spoke ID, Soils Cohen, who
lately returned from Fort Wrangel with
Councilman Cole from Grayina island,
southeastern Alaska. eve have made
the discoveries on Gravina, Revilla-
gigedo and Annette islands. It seems
extravagant, know, to speak OF noun
tains of ore.'' said Mr.. Cohep3 Shut that
is the only term that charasterizes the
three islands have mentioned, and also.
Mary's, Prince of Wales and others.
Hundreds of thousands of ions Of ore
practically ready for the smelter may
be shipped without putting pick tn the
ground.
"Ledges extend from the beach to the
base Of the mountain chains following
the undulations of the ground, lost here
and reappearing there in widths vary
Ing from ten to Atty feet and at times
rising In fantastic shapes like the ruins
of ancient castles, all carrying precious
metals. Other ledges-sharp edged
extend In layers into the salt water and
are covered with curious weed and
shells, which the high tides have left
upon them. Strip these ledges any
where, put shot between them, and
MS the rock is torn and shattered by
the blast the metal It conceals is laid
open.
SIN some instances from our shots
fine gold was plainly visible in the
white quartz. All this is above the sur
face; what lies beneath the future will
determine. On Gravina much Of this
ore is copper. On Revillagigedo, espe-
cially about Georges inlet and Helen
bay, very rich free milling gold ledges
have lately been located. The Lodges
are as big as the country. We lived, Mr..
Cole and myself, in sloop for about a
week. sailing from point to point and
.anchoring at night in one or another OF
the numerous harbors, safely sheltered
from the winds which roared about US
and the storm-struck seas which ragged
without. We not only visited claims IN
the course Of development, bat with our
hands procured specimens showing
fully The character Of the mineral belt
81 believe that the permanent mining
wealth Of Alaska lies within the
islands among which have been cruis.
ing for the last two weeks. Whethe,
this be so or NOT, however, it is certain
that fortunes beyond the Wildes,
dreams Of avarice await their practical
and intelligent development Compara
lively easy of access upon tidewater
with spacious waterfalls sufficient *
run 100 stamps at lowest stage, witt
yellow cedar in abundance. the natura
facilities for working are unequaled, al
far as my knowledge Of mining extends
"For nearly two years I have beer
seral and .na.s,-s -'----s-r : - -=-7--as.,
.soutfeaaasafrk y A1uszssss.-.ese
along Nicholas passage and Longas mar
rows, extending for about four mile
opposite Fort Chester, or New Met
lakahtla, on Annette island. tofabouts1
miles below Ketchikan, whicE is
thriving trading and fishing post o.
,Revillagigedo. The islands are faby
lousiy rich In minerals, and while th
mountain, Of gold IA, not. to be econsit
cred DIS solid and 18-caraS there Is dil
trihutedln the quartz ofsfhis broad are
far more wealth than the Klondike wi
have produced when it shall be as th
abandoned placers OF the Fraser. GIg
vina island is, of course, open to pro!
pectors, and very rich claims have bee
located, but there is enough territor
on theislandHuponwhich q whit man
foot has never yet been placed TO lsee
100 prospectors busy for many years,
Chicago Evening News.