The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1899-04-13
THE YUKON
DISTRICT
Important Changes
Will be Made.
SITkA LAND OFFICE TO CONTROL
About 10. 600 square Miles Of tho
lower Yukon vsiisy--Aiso
tho Coast.

WASHINGTON. April - - The
commissioner Of the general land
office. after much pressure. made a
Recommendation TO the secretary OF
tho interior that the land cemprls-
ing the southeastern corner Of tho
Yukon land district. Alaska, b. turn
ed into the Sltka land district. as a
matter ~ convenience for the peo-
pie Of that region. II was the wish
of many people that all OF the Yukon
land district lying south OF the s3d
parallel BE- made a part - the Sltka
land district. Tor they contend that
sitka was by far more easily reach
ed than the land office al Wcare.
since moved to Rampant City. Such
q change would have meant the
transfer to the Sltka land district OF
about 81. eco sanare miles Of territory.
The change as finally agreed upon
embraces only about ia.eoo square
miles. a being the country south OF
the Goth parallel and lying between
the former west boundary % the
sitka district and the fseth mer-
tdIan.
A study Of the map Of Alaska will
soon convince one that the south
eastern portion Of the Yuk0n dis
tho Rampant city land Once.
for IN order TO reach the officc a
trip IL required over TO Unalaska.
then to ST. Michasis and up tho
Yukon several hundred miles. ON
the other hand. II this portion of the
Yukon district were turned over 10
the SitkA district. the natives or
anyone having business at the land
once could take the short route
through tho waterway from Bristol
hay to Hanna lake. cross the mar
row neck Of land at the town %
Hanna. take the short run down 90
Kodiak. and there be within easy
reach OF sitka. for there II con
ttant steamer service between
Kodiak and the Alaskan capital. A
trip over the latter route 10 possible
practically the year round. but the
trip up tn. Yukon could be made
only In favorable weather. TO say
nothing Of the infrequeney OF trips
from tho southern coast over to
uuaiaska.
Very little IL known OF the country
north Of Bristol hay and south %
the ssi parallel. except "a 10 that
portion along the coast and water
ways For a distance OF ten miles
back from the coast the country -
generally mountainous. but up 10 a
late date no minerals OF any note
had been discovered IN tho region
Very recently. however. several
mineral land entries have been APP
piled for. ard IL IL thought that
proper research will develop good
mineral locations. The people iiv-
ing along Bristol bay are generally
engaged In the fishing and canning
business. There are about teo ma
tives there engaged BY the large
cannerfes. run BY American capital
and management. and as a rule they
have very little interest In the
lands. more than so much as they
require for their homes
One Of the authorities consulted
by Commissioner Hermann as to the
adyisabillty Of making the change
In land districts. was Inspector John
u. Clam. who visited Alaska last
summer In the interest OF the post
al service. He said that settlement
was very sparse IN that part Of
Alaska The department. however.
Is now considering a proposition to
establish a postofiiee near the head
OF Bristol bay. in the vicinity %
For, Alexander, probably at the
mouth OF the Nushagak river. II be-
ing the Intention to name the office
Nushagak. The salmon canning In
terests will. Of course. be the ones
TO reap the greatest benefits from
the new Office. but al the same time
they will make most Of its business.
as their plant lies 10 the south %
the Nushagak river but a few miles.