Stikeen River journal., 1898-10-22
News From the Interior.


Joseph Hotu of Montreal, the first OF
800 pilgrims who tried the floating
marshes route to the klondike and got
through, brought news to Dawson that
many men were victims of the route.
He was year on the road and travelled
1900 miles. He got through safely by
floating 500 miles in an easterly direc-
ton on the Peace river to lake Atha-
casca and on portions of the Mackenzie
and Mcmillan rivers.
Olaf Oleson, who has just returned
from the Klondike, says that the report
that every claim found on the klondike
is u pay claim is false. He says there
are few good claims on Bonanza
creek. Dominion creek is reported
very rich, but so far but little prospect
ing has been done. MIR. Olson says
that where ten men are going in, 100
men are coming ont, totally dissatisfied.
There are thousands of men who would
leave the Klondikc region ut once it
they had the money to pay their way
back. Dawson city is growing; besides
the frame buildings there are over q
900 tents in the city. He says that but
very few men who go to the klondikc
will come out with fortune. The
hospitals are full of patients who are
sick with typhoid fever and there are
not sufficient doctors to take care OF
them. Hundreds of men went up there
taking every cent that they could rake
together at home, most of these men
are now broke and are crazy to return
home. There are four saw mills at
Dawson City and they are kept busy all
the time. The Salvation Army corps
has established headquarters at Daw-
son City and have erected Il goodsized
barracks. also commodious hospital.
Here are il few of the prevailing prices
quoted by Mr.. Oleson: Flour, SS per
sack; sugar 30 cents per pound; ham,
TO cents per pound; eggs, S3 per dozen;
beef from 80 cents to ST. per pound;
dried fruits, 80 cents per pound; bacon,
80 cents per pound; watermelons, $50
each; cigars, from 80 cents to 81; butter,
81 per pound; fresh potatoes, 81 per
pound beer, % cents per glass; whisk-
ey, 80 cents drink; photographs, SIS
per dozen.
The greatest mining excitement ever
known in Southern Oregon has been
caused by rich strike just made in the
Sskyou mountains, one mile from the
jackson county line, on what is known
as Sterling butte. William Angle and
Jordon Browne are the lucky discover
ers. They came to Medford with 80
pounds of gold dust which they deposit
ed in the jackson County bank. The
ledge is of porphyry formation, and is
about 20 feet wide, the pay streak being
from four inches to two feet in width.
They have been prospecting for about
six weeks, and struck the pay dirt
about two weeks ago. They have taken
out about TO pounds of gold, and are
very enthusiastic as to future develop
ments. Mr.. Angle was formerly mer-
chant in Medford. Two years ago,
while selling bill of goods to a miner
named McCombs, he learned of the ma
ture of the country in whsch the claim
is located. He made several attempts
to get trac;ngs, but did not succeed UNI
til this season, when he took Mr..
Brown, a pocket-hunter, with him, and
within two weeks they made hnd. Mr..
Angle calls the claim the "knondike,
and he says the country is fine one for
prospecting. The mine is 7,20O feet
above sea level. 1t is situated Is miles
from Coles station, on the Southern
Pacific railroad.