Daily camera., 1898-03-01
GOLD ON ALASKA ISLANDS
Now Fields Where There Are
Mountains Of Ore.
Ledges of Vast Extent and Great
Richness Have Been Discovered
by Fort Wrangel Ex-
plOrers.

I'VE have discovered deposits of gold
which will make the Klondike find of
1896 seem insignificant in the next few
years" Thus spoke d. Soils Cohen, who
lately returned from Fort Wrangel with
Councilman Cole from Gravna island,
southeastern Alaska 1--WE have made
the discoveries on Gravina, Reviila-
gigedo and Annette islands, It seems
extravagant, know, to speak of noun
tains of ore," said Mr.. Cohen, "but that
is the only term that characterizes the
three islands l have mentioned. and also
Marys. Prince of Wales and others.
Hundreds of thousands of tons of ore
practically ready for the smelter may
be shipped without putting pick in the
ground.
"Ledges extend from the beach to the
base of the mountain chains following
the fluctuations of the ground, lost here
and reappearing there in widths vary
ing from ten to fifty feet and at times
rising in fantastic shapes Ike the ruins
of ancient castles, ali 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
as the rock is torn and shattered by
the blast the metal it concea1s is laid
open.
I'm 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 Gravna much of this
ore is copper. On Reyillagigedo, espe-
cially about Georges inlet and Helen
bay. very rich free milling gold Lodges
have lately been located. The lodges
are as big as the country. We lived. Mr.
Cole and myself, in a sloop for about
week, sailing from point to point and
ianchoring 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, but with our
hands procured specimens showing
fully the character of the mineral belt.
Il believe that the permanent mining
wealth of Alaska lies within the
islands among which 1 have been cruis-
ing for the last two weeks. Whether
this be so or not, however, it is certain
that fortunes beyond the widest
dreams of avarice await their practical
and intelligent development Compara-
lively easy of access upon tidewater,
with spacious waterfalls sufficient to
run 100 stamps at lowest stage. with
yellow cedar in abundance, the natural
facilities for working are unequaled, as
far as my knowledge of mining extends.
For nearly two years I have been
giving special study and attention to
Gravina and Revillagigedo islands in
southeastern Alaska. The former lies
along Nicholas passage and Longas mar
rows. extending for about four miles
opposite Fort Chester. or New Met
lakahtla. on Annette island. to about 16
miles below Ketchikan, which is a
thriving trading and fishing post on
Revillagigedo. The islands are fabu-
lousy rich in minerals. and while the
mountain of god is not to be considl
cred as solid and 1S-carat. there is dis
tributed in the quartz of this broad area
far more wealth than the Klondil1e will
have produced when it shall be as the
abandoned placers of the Fraser. Gra-
vina island is. of course, open to pros
pectors. and very rich claims have been
located. but there is enough territory
or the islands upon which white mans
foot has never yet been placed to keep
1GO. prospectors busy for many years"
Chicago Evening News.