Arizona republican., 1898-04-02


 they might think it poetic justice, in deed, to capture a few treasure ships from Anglo-Saxons.
 MT. Washburne introduced me to MT. Henry Siemer, having told me that l might rely absolutely on any information he might give me. MT. Siemer has lived in the Yukon coun- try for twelve years, having lived in Arizona also for some time before that He declares that he likes the Yukon climate and general conditions there much better than in this part of the world. I cannot doubt his entire sincerity. But I take the liberty of suggesting that this may be an ac- quired taste.
 l have, however obtained from him some information as to the methods of mining in that country which will be worth recounting. In the first place, the banks of existing creeks are prospected with the pan as in other places. If the creek prospects we'll location is made and a hole sunk near the bank to reach the bed of an older water course-usually from five to thirty feet below the present one. It is in the beds of these water courses, of a former geological age, that the rich deposits are found. As every one knows, the holes are burned" but not with big bon-fires as I had always supposed. A few sticks only are needed three or four at time. MT. Siemer says that a man can easily during the summer cut and haul enough wood for all min ing operations for the year. But a curious fact is this: As soon as the ground freezes solid they begin sink ing shafts and running drifts and continue this until the spring thaw, the underground workings being some times of considerable extent Then when spring comes all these workings fill up with water and later the water freezes solid in shafts and drifts. So they abandon each year the work they have done and start fresh a little far ther on.
 MT. Siemer doubts the truth of the reports of rich finds at Walsh creek noted in my last letter. The country rock south of Indian river is, he says, of the carboniferous age, rich in coal measures, but bearing no gold. Such gold as is found in the streams in this district is four gold and has evidently been carried for a long distance. North of the Indian river, however, the gold bearing rock begins and continues way down below Munook creek. In this country rock are frequent quartz veins, some small, but many of them from fifty to seven hundred feet in width, and of low grade. I asked hin what he considered low grade. His re- ply took my breath away for mo ment Forty to fifty dollars" he said We'll, I suppose it is low grade for that country; but if ever I hear of railroad going in there I'm going on the first train to get little low grade quartz ledge seven hundred feet wide. One claim wouldn't cover it, by the way I'd have to file two claims. side by side. These ledges, however, would not pay under present condi- tions. Mir Siemer has been over the ! pass twelve times. I asked him if I had been wrong in advising your read CTS to wait until the middle of April. You have been perfectly right" he said Men who start from Dyea be- fore May 1 must wait at Lake Bonnet. No one can start from there before May 20. And though I don't like this country so we'll as Dawson. it IS bet | ter place to wait In than Bonnet. Yes. 1 you bet, it is far better
 No news of importance has come out l during the last week. There are ru- mors of strikes here and there, but they are very vague and not worth mentioning.
 Clarence Berry, Frank Pisceator, 1 Johnson, and two or three other ''Klondyke kings" are going in in ! ] few days. The story told by old Yu- konites of Clarence Berry's strike is interesting as an instance of pure luck. An Italian had a claim on one of the rich creeks-Bonanza, I think. He got down part way to bed rock and ran out of funds. grub and credit. The Alaska Commercial company wouldn't stake him, so finally he traded half interest in his claim to Berry, who was then tending bar, for a grubstahe. Bed rock was soon reached and Berry is a millionaire.
 Swiftwater Bill is going in early ] next month. Fifteen damsels are to accompany him. And with their as sistance and cooperation Swiftwater means to run the finest and most all turing dance hall in Dawson City. All these Yukoners travel light and try to get in ahead of the rush. Their freight follows when the ice breaks up.
 oII Cul-npa1.c cno,Y, think hat