The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-12-15
YEARS WORK IN ALASKA
Progress Made In Mining Devsopment Of the Salmon Indus
hyAgrcuuse In the Far Norh-Neeeaasy Legslation-In.
teresting Report Of Governor Brady Of Alaska.

One of the most interesting doom
fnents recently received at the interior
department 10 the annual report Of John
q. Brady, governor Of AlaskA. The
report Is very elaborate in its treatment
Of subjects relative to the great Month
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: + H1 6
"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 filled
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
ell quarters. large mum Der from every
state in the Union, California, Oregon
and Washington sending the largest
oontingents. These prospectors, as a
GLASS, were fine specimens Of manhood.
1T is calculated that 8. 200 Quilted
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
leans who proceeded to Dawson COM
planned of the mining rules 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 Iights, 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 Ottawa government to
abolish it. There will be no lack Of
supplies this winter, but there appears
to be 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:
VERY 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, az far as Unalaska.
The greater number of these are held
by poor men who are not able to make
developments of any considerable ex-
tent. Alaska is a 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 DUN 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 a different
state Of affairs exists. The idea that a
mar 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 1t. is regarded
as highly unjust and imprudent by the
residents of that country. As a matter
of fact, the land Office has issued but