Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-25
EXPLORING IN ALASKA
Capt Glenn's Interesting Communication to
the War Department.
The First Trip Up the Sushftna River
Results to BE of Great
BeneAt.

mas received the following communication
from Capt. Edwin T. Glenn, commanding
| the Cook Inlet exploring expedition in
Alaska:
TYOONOK, Alaska, June g. 1892
1 started with the steamship Duchesne
from Ladd's station, Cooks Inlet, Alaska,
for the first trip up the Sushitna river. My
objective point was Indian creek, which is a
tributary of the middle fork that enters
the same from tho north west about thir-
ty-seven miles from the forks of the main
stream.
L had on board as far as the Sushitna
station a detachment of twelve men, twen-
ty horses and rations for same up to and in
Guiding October 81, 1899.
On account of the low stage of the water
dropped off a portion of the outfit at this
place and proceeded with the remainder ON
the afternoon of the 18th instant up the
river.
On the morning of the Goth instant 1
reached point the middle fork of the
Sushitna river, about fifteen miles below In
dian creek, where l discharged the detach-
ment L did not proceed further with the
steamer because at this place l found the
river 50 thckly studded with large bould
ers that navigation of the stream at the
then extremely low stage of the water was
too perilous to warrant my doing SO.
Notwithstanding this very low stage Of
water the Indiars and agents of the trad
irg companies familiar with the river tell
me that it is lower than they have ever
reason of the unusually small amount of
snowfall during the past winter and the
continued cool weather in this region dur
ing the entire spring and UP to date. 1
managed to reach the point mentioned with
comparatively little trouble.
Boat Ran Aground.
left that camp on the afternoon of the
22d, and would have reached the Sushitna
station that evening but for the fact that
the boat ran aground on a sand bar at
point where the channel split into two
parts and where the current was so swift
that Il was next to impossible to avoid
striking this bar This caused US a delay
OF about eight hours and the loss of our
capstan, which We broke in sparing off
this bar.
Due to the loss of the capstan, I was
forced to come down into the inlet to
naods station, where we found lying on
the beach-left by a prospecting outfit last
season. steam winch. which we can and
Will make use of until the steam capstan
called Tor on recent requisition reaches
ne This should be shipped so as to reach
me not later than August Is to 20 next
AS result of this trip feel satisfied in
stating that the Sushitna river is nayiga-
PIE Tor distance of 135 miles nearly, which
means practically distance of 100 to 165
miles due north from Tyoonok, or the North
Foreland, Cooks inlet. The only boat that
can can be used for navigating the river is a
light-draught stern-wheeier with sufficient
power to propel her at the rate of thr-
teen to fifteen knots per hour
Inc results of this experimental trip are
certain to be of great benefit to this sec
uon OF Alaska, and probably of great bene-
mt to the entire territory. The latter in
case l succeed in finding an overland trail
from the head of navigation of the river to
the Tanana river and Circle City, which |
nave every reason to believe, from pres
ent information / will succeed in finding
This trail will not only be available during
the season OF navigation, but will be avail
q q Int
Tanana Indians, well as the Skittig ma
ton Indians, located at the head of the
Sushitna river, make use of it in bringing
their furs down to market during the win
ter or closed season.
Value of the Trip.
at will be of value to this section of
Alaska: First, the valley of the Sushitna
river is very wide and contains a large
amount of arabic land, which the season
in this portion of Alaska permits the cul-
tivation of with a profit to the producer
whenever there is market for his prod
ucts; second, because it is now known that
the section of the country near the head
of navigation, together with the range of
foot hills lying between the Sushitna and
Matanuska rivers, and between the head of
navigation and tide water with the small
amount of prospecting already undertaken
there, contains gold in paying quantities
This gold, in so far present information
goes, has been found in placer ground only;
yet have personally seen gold that l knew
came from the section of the country men,
toned of sufficient coarseness and quantity
to indicate to my mind clearly that it will
be, when developed, one of the best mineral
producing sections of this portion of
Alaska
Il beg to inform you. that weather per-
hitting, l will sail this date for Sushitna
station, and from there up the Yetno river,
the first or lowest tributary of the Sushit-
ma river, coming in from the west about
three miles above the station, and which
was followed for a certain distance last
year by Mr.. Spur Of the United States
geological survey with Lieut. Herron's
party. that l hope to land on west bank
of this stream about $40 miles north of the
station, from which point he will proceed
overland to the mouth of the Tanana river
leaving the Mount Mckinley group Of
mountains to his right or east, thence to
Rampant City, thence north across the
portage, season permitting, to the town of
Peavy, on the Koyukuk river.
After landing his detachment 1 will re-
turn to Sushitna station, and proceed from
Sushitna river. From that point l will
proceed in person overland on the trail
followed by the party l landed on the
Dist instant, and whom l hope to overtakc
at the Tanan river. Should / reach this
river, | shall proceed across the same and
to Circle City, via the trail indicated up the
Saljacket creek and Cinema river. l will
probably return to this place down the
Yukon via ST. Michaels, assuming that /
get through to Circle City.
THE health of the command has been eX-
celent up to date and barring few minor
articles, we'll supplied for the work to be
undertaken
An Amendment.
The District Commissioners today direct