The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-04-19

From all reports I've seen, one Would
suppose every claim located In the
KlOndike was a bonanza, when the
truth ia there are many claims on the
BEST creeks that are not worth work
ing Take Bonanza Greek, the rich
stream that first attracted the STAN
peders. 1t has many fabulously rich
deposits of gold in it, but the creek Is
spotted There are many claims that
are blanks and money spent working
them is thrown away. Much of the
ground on Bonanza is let put on lays
so per cent. being given the lessee, and
a number Of these lays are being
thrown up after holes have been sunk
and a thorough prospect failing to dis
cover any pay dirt. o. course, some
become discouraged before they have
worked sufficiently to find out what
there really is in the ground and throw
up good property, but the great major
ity do not make this mistake.
Outside investors should be very
careful about buying Klondike prop
erty, and not bite at everything cf9red
simply Eecause it bears the name Bo
MANGA or FL Dorado. While the latter
creek is the wonder Of the world in
richness, it is very improbable that the
pay streak begins away up on top Of
the mountain to where it has been
staked. Gold in paying Quantities,
however, may be found in the least
expected localities, and it would not
be surprising to learn Of new strikes
on many of the widest propositions ii
they are ever prospected. Compared
with the great number of locations
filed, very little prospecting has been
done so far, and it is safe to say that
only two creeks will be thoroughly
prospected and worked this winter
Bonanza and FL Dorado. These streams
will be honey combed with holes to
bedrock. No doubt considerable work
will be done on bunker, on which
stream the latest big strike was made.
~ believe much more work would
have been done had it not been for the
cut in wages and strike Of the miners.
The mine owners organized and de
clared a cut from 81. 80 TO 81 per hour,
and the wageworkers struck to main
tain the old scale Of 81 80. 1t is true
that some mines could not be worked
proftably with wages at 81 80 per hour,
and on the other hand miners could
save little or nothing at 81 per hour,
in view Of the high price of provisions
and freighting and the fact that during
the winter season they work six and
one half to eight hours per day. And
singularIy enough, some of the richest
mine owners were the f1rmest in the
demand for a reduction-the Berrys,
vulgar and animal like, being loudest in
the general clamor. While up on e.
Dorado enc day I stopped in the cabin
Of Frank Berry, who superintends the
properties Of his brother, Clarence
Berry. and talked over the wage CUES
ton. In one breath this fellow said he
could not eff0rd to pay more than 81
an hour, and in the next he brezanly
told me that he would take 81 600 600
out of his E. Dorado claims this season,
as the pay streak was wide and deep.
and he had it located dead sure
Then, with rudely effected cArelessness,
he picked up several quart chow chow
jars filed with gold dust and nuggets
and showed them over the table for me
to admire. These things show now far
at variance from the truth were some
of his statements, and he was consld
cred the prime mover for the cut. The
lasted about two months, and
the wsgeworkers lost. Extra good
drifters, however, went back to work
at 81 so; many got work at 81 %. but
the majority are getting 81 per hour,
the going wage Some few mines re-
fused to join in the cut, and still con
tinue to pay hands 81 50, am ing them
being Prof. L'ppy's claim. No. 16 E.
Dorado.
4" Cub is the absorbing question on
the Yukon, but the scandalous reports
published in the outside world would
De laughed at by the 'Klondiker,' were
they not so harmful. Harmful, because
they reach the ears of hundreds having
fathers, brothers and sons
away up there. Believing the stories
Of fearful suffering and starvation. they
are Of course distressed and in a state
of terrible anxiety, imagining their rel