The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-01-20
Lodges of Vast Extent and Great
Richness Have Been Discovered
by Fort WrangeI Ex-
pl0rerS.

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 Gravina island
southeastern Alaska. eve have made
the discoveries on Gravina, Revilla-
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 have mentioned, and also
Mary's, 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. ;.
Lodges extend from the beach to the
base OF the mountain chains following
the undulations of the ground, lost here
and reappearing there in widths vary
ing from ten to fifty feet and at times
rising in fantastic shapes like the ruins
OF ancient castles, all 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 Lodges any,
where, put shot between them, and
as the rock is torn and shattered bv
the blast the metal it conceals is laid
open.
I'm some instances from our shots
line gold was plainly visible in the
white quartz. All this is above the sur
face; what lies beneath the future will
determine. On Gravina much of this
ore is copper. On .Revillagigedo, espe-
cially about Georges inlet and Helen
bay, very rich free milling gold lodges
have 1ateiy been located. The Lodges
are as big as the country. We lived, Mr..
Co-e AID myself, in sloop for about a
week, sailing from point to point and
anchcriAg at night in one or another of
the numerous harbors, safely sheltered
from the winds which roared about Ms
ana the stcrm-struck seas which ragged
without. We not only visited claims in
the course ct development, but with our
hands procured specimens showing
iuliy the character of the mineral belt.
i believe that the permanent mining
wealth Ct Alaska lies within the
ISLANDS among which have been cruis-
Ing 1or the last two weeks. Whether
thls De so or not, however, it is certain
tnat fortunes beyond the widest
dreams OF avarice await their practical
and intelligent development. Comnara-
tively easy OF access upon <tidewater,
with spacious waterfalls sufficient 70
run loo stamps at lowest stage. with
yelIow GEAR in abundance, the natural
Facilities for working are uneoualed nc
Tar as my knc .vledge of mining extends
FOR nearly two years + have been
giving special study and attention to
uravlna and Revillagigedo islands in
southeastern Alaska. The former 1;as
along Nicholas passage and Longas mar
rows extending for about four miles
opposite Fort Chester, or New Met
ianantia' on Annette island, to about 16
miles below Ketchikan, which Is q
thriving trading and fishing post on
heviilaglgedo. The islands are fabn-
lously rich in minerals. and while tba
mountain of gold is not to be cons;d.
cred as solid and 1S-carat, there is dis
trlbuted in the quartz of this broad area
lar more wealth than the Klondike viii
nave produced when it shall be as the
abandoned placers OF the Fraser. Ora
vina island is. OF course, open to pros
pectors, and very rich claims have been
located, but there is enough territory
on inc islands upon which white mans
Ioot mas never yet been placed to keep
Ivy prospectors busy for many years."
chicago Evening News.