The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-10-18
AsToRIAN RETURNS IRON
go ALASKAN GOLD FIELDS,
An Interesting Talk With Harry Crib
Regarding Conditions IN the Bust
ling city Of Dawson.

Mr.. Harry Crib. who has been In
Dawson for a year past. returned to the
city yesterday. The rigors Of the Arc
tic climate apparently have agreed With
him. for he Is In the very best OF health.
and weighs ten pounds more than when
be left the city Mr. CRIB arrived on
the Cottage City last Thursday but, as
his Alaskan wardrobe was hardly In
keeping with the ordinary raiment OF
SeattleItes he was compelled 70 remain
in the sound city while tailor fitted him
out.
Mr. Cribb Is one OF the fortunate Klon-
dlkers. He did not make barrels OF
money mining. but he devoted his time
to contracting and hung onto his earn
lngs. Builders are well paid In the nor
thern city. and Mr. Crib has laid the
foundation for a fortune. He brought
out nearly 1000 in dust and nuggets. or
the dust all but about 500 was left In
Seattle. where II Is now being coined IN
to money. The balance is still In his
possession. He has a remarkable col
lection OF nuggets. all Of which are OF
large size.
Speaking OF Alaska. Mr.. Cribb sad
last night TO an AstoHan representative;
1T Is a great country for man who
Is willing 10 work a loafer has no Dusi-
ness there. The trouble WITH many
Klondlkers Is that they spend all the
money they make. Many miners come 70
town with thousands Of dollars in mug
gets and dust and In a few days II Is
zone. Personally / have been compelled
70 put up with many inconvenience. and
/ think II would be folly TO squander
what have made. no matter how easy
came by It.
Last year II was a difficult matter 10
keep body and soul together. Provisions
we're scarce, and have lived for weeks
on nothing but rice. Now. however, there
Is plenty OF food. and there will be no
destltution in Dawson the coming winter.
When left. about month ago, -four
was selling for s. a sack"
Returned Klondikers charge the gov
ernment officials with ~~-rupt dealings.
Are those reports correct?" was asked
They are" said Mr.. Crib. emphatl-
CALI. Most Of the rich claims are
secured by friends OF the officials, who
are In position to do about as they
please. At times there were long lines
OF people in front Of the commissioners
Office, hundreds OF miners waiting TO
record CLAIMS. The friends Of the ofIici-
ads. and It Is said. those who paid for
the privilege. were admitted by the side
door and permitted to file ahead Of
the others. The Dawson Nugget. the
most popular paper in Alaska. handles
the officials without gloves. while the
government Is represented by the Md
night Sun. Many OF the officials have
made thousands Of dollars through their
positions.
Eagle City is getting to be quite an
important town. and / expect 10 see a
large city there in few years. It is the
most inland American point and within
a radius OF % miles are some Of the
very best mining properties in Alaska.
BY dealing at that place miners save
the duties Which are levied at Dawson.
Eagle now has a population Of about 1000,
which is rapidly increasing. have
lot there which / expect TO dispose Of in
a year or so for about 30 times as much
as paid for It. think Eagle City will
undoubtedly be a great town. li-
There are still many claims In Alaska
which will pay $50 day, but miners
will not bother with them when they
stand a chance to hold properties which |
may bring them $4,000 or 100000 in a |
season. HJ..t,. B.,,
Mr. Crbb has several claims, one of |
which he thinks will pan out well. He
holds property on Hunter, Loyett, and
several other streams. He will return