The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-16
Two Skilled Explorers VIII Accom-
pany the Military Parties-tieorEe
n. Eldridxe in General Charge
His SubOrdinntes Are keath.
Spurr, Brooks. barnard. Peters,
Mudrow. Post. Mendenhail and
Schrader-Accurate Maps tn He
Made. Minerals Noted and Re-
ports as to Wagon and Rail Entry

WASHINGTON. March Ia Pfe para
siens have been made by Director Waleo;t.
of the geological survey for extensive ex-
ploration of the geological toposra phical
and other features Of Alaska. This Will be
done under the authority of congress.
which appropriates So. $50 for the purpose.
Ten officers OF the survey VIII be assigned
to the work in prospect. viz: George II.
Eldridge. Arthur keath. j. f. Spur. Al
fred Brooks. r. c. Barnard. Z. j. Peters.
Robert Mudrow. W. c. Post " c. Men
denhal and f.. c. Scbrader. The latter
TWO are TO accompany the military explor-
ing parties.
In addition 10 the above-named. eighteen
camp men will be employed. Four parties
are 10 be organized. in general charge OF
Eldridge.
Seattle will be the outfltting point, and
the whole expedition will proceed there
about April /.
The gunboa; Wheeling will transport the
parties. At Skagway two parties will be
detached the first under Mr. Barnard. pro
ceeding TO the klondike region for the
purpose of making a Topographic survey
OF the district adjacent TO the eastern
boundary of Alaska. the iilst meridian. The
survey viii extend westward from the
Yukon between the sith and 6oth parallels
OF latitude. and will include the FortyMile
district. Tho map 10 be made by Bar
nard's party will serve as a basis for
careful, geological investigation OF the re-
gion by Mr. keath who will use BarnArds
camp as a basis but viii operate TO some
exten; independently.
The second party, leaving Mr.. Eldrldge
at Skagway. viii be in charge OF Mr..
Spur who will cooperate with Barnard
in crossing the passes and on reaching the
mouth Of the White river will enter upon
its special field of work. namely. the ex-
systems II is expected that this party
will descend tho Tanana 10 It's mouth and
Will explore the Melogikaket with a View
TO future operations on the Koyukuk.
After organizing the Barnard and Spur
parties at Si1agway. Mr.. Eldridge with
the remaining members Of the force. VIII
so in the Wheeling 10 Cook inlet. landing
at the mouth Of the Shushtna river He
is expected to pt tceei with the entire
corps then with him up the Shushitna
to about latitude s3 degrees ~ minutes.
where several forks Of the river combine.
Al this point a party under Mr.. Peters
viii be detached to explore the north
eastern portion CT the Rushinta drainage
basin. with the expectation that their
work will connect with that OF party
sent from the war department on Copper
river. and that they viii close on Mr..
Spurr's surveys down the Tanana.
After detach.ng Mr. Peters party. Mr.
E!dridge Will proceed with an assistant
westward across the divide between tic
Shushitna and the kuskokak, TO survey
the headwaters 6f thu Kuskokuk and 10
determine the uavigabilIty Of that stream
by descending !; to the usual portage 20
the lower Yukon. In the exploration by
Mr.. Peters and Mr.. Eldrjdge sufficient at
tention VIII be given 70 the location OF Il
possible railroad from cook Inlet 70 the
yukon. All ;he parties will rendezvous a;
s. Michael by sentember i5.
The routes fraveTsed wil be critically III
ne,'ed WITH A view - ascertain'ng ne
most practical 'oratIon for trails. wagon
roads. or railroads, the character and ex-
tent o: ;he timber %ii! he. noted. and the
rivers or streams viii be examined IS .
TIC possibilities of navigation and height
az falls or rapids and ;Ae r;se and fall %
t.fies vii te recorded Tire geological sur
vey j. to be 50 conducted as to ascertain
the general distribution of rock masses.
:heir relations. ard 80 tsr as may be ,he
c4sra-ter and origin et each All occur
renees O: valuable minerals viii be noted.
and special attention siven 10 me presence
or absence g gold. whether u piacers or
veins