Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-22

81 think the people are making mistake
in rushing to the Klondke. We have a
pay better than that of Alaska There are
plenty Of chances for young men out here
Only the smallest part of Colorado has
been prospected. and there are gold fields
In all parts Of the Rockies which will pay
for investigation. AS for me, Colorado is
good enough, and don't care to go to any
land where 1t is all ice three-fourths of the
year and where you can't get much to eat
during the remainder"
Senator Jones on Gold Mining.
Senator John P. Jones, the mining mil
lionaire of Nevada. does not agree with
Mr.. Moffat as to Klondike. Jones is, you
know one of the most famous miners Of
the world. and has made half dozen big
fortunes out Of gold and silver ORE 1t was
during ride with him in a sleeping car
the other day that asked him his opinion
OF the Klondike. He replied:
Tho gold discoveries of Alaska are the
most wonderful that have ever been made
Inc discoveries OF Australia and California
were nothing to them. When l was nine
teen years old l went out to California. I
started in at placer mining and from that
oay TO this have been more or less interest
ca IN mines l went to California in 1S49
and was there during the early gold excite.
ment. The country was filled up within
very short time, and you would meet a
score OF miners during a half days march
Rockies
went TO prospect. The news of successes
spread very fast, and the man who had
made find Of 5000 In placer mining was
known everywhere. There were thousands
anu tens OF thousands mining. and the dis
coVerles were comparatively few I'm In
Alaska there are only few thousand mon
at work, and they can labor only a small
part OF the year. Still they are turning ont
enormous amounts Of gold. 1 know Of
uoZeHs o! men who have made fortunes
ana Judge that the amount of gold there
must be beyond conception enormous
snali not be surprised IL $50 600 600 wort,
vi goie is taken out of the klondike next
year. Ihere will be more than 1OO OOO nan
there by the middle of the SUMNER ann
'nere Is plenty Of room for ALL"
az - you tnink the discoveries will be con-
meg asNI 10 me kiondike?" 1 asked
tbere 70 .aE i'e.' was the reply. II believe
there Is In British Columbia The yukon
river Is 1880 miles long, and there ia gold
an along It. The sands of the Alaskan is
f tanas contain gold, and am told you can
iiho color In almost any dirt you wash.
fou see. the forces of nature have been at
work during the ages in Alaska to produce
placer gold. 1t is my belief that most of
on one Piaser gold is found in the troughs
me gold In the mother lode of Cali
iornia was In the bed of an ancient
river; which in some way had been ele-
iSea ., ABOVE .he surrounding country. be-
mao ground It's way along there, rubbing
and grinding the gold out of the EARTH
NOW IN Alaska there are hundred glaciers
10 every one further south in the Rocky
mountains. and the gold has been ground
out by them. think quartz mining will
De successfully carried on in Alasks and
that stamping mills will be put up within a
snort time after the discovery of the
Mines e
Advice to Young Men,
Then you would advise young man to
go to Alaskan"
most certainly should replied Senator
Jones, Il would go myself. but am too
old now to do much In mining I'm its first
stages. and 1t is not a. necessity with me.
l cant see where the young man of TODAY
has much chance outside OF Alaska The
money has all gone into the hands of bank
ers and capitalists, and there is little
chance for energy unaided by capital In
Alaska every man has chance to make
a fortune.
But think OF the hardsh.ps, senator"
said /.
The hardships are greatly overesti-
mated" was the reply. 1.-THE conditions
will ali be changed next year. You will be
able to get to the Klondike by railroad by
the latter part of the summer. Good hotels
will be built, and you will find just as good
cities there as anywhere. have spent my
life in the mining regions, and know what
money can do. There is plenty of coal in
Alaska. and the accommodations Will be
such that one can live there very COM
fortably."
..what mining interests have you in
Alaska. senatory' / asked.
Il have nothing In the Klondikes" re-