The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-19

Special Dispatch 10 the Post-Tnseliigencer.
WASHINGTON, March is.-Aa ali-Amer.
can route to the klondlke has been discov-
cred by Capt Aeercrou,bse. of the Second
United States infantry. and his findings.
together with those of Capt. Glenn and
Lieut. Castnsr. have been made the sub
ieet OF a report 20 the war department.
Capt. Abercrombie, speaking OF hls ex-
plorations today, gave what Is practically
a synopsis OF the report fited with the de-
nar,ment, but not yet given out for pub
Hcas.on. He said:
Il made the star, a, pors valdes. rrincs
William sound. and went through to the
mouth OF the Tanana river and then to
Belle Isle. close Ia the boundary !.nc. on
The Yukon river. found an ai!-American
route. starting from Port vaides, xoinS
through what IS known as Keystone pass.
Ia the Coast range of mouugains. crossing
Copper river at Its junction VITA Klusena
river, and thence crossing the big bend OK
the Copper river In almost direct line to
n confluence OF the Slahna river with the
upper Copper river. Leading from SiAhnA
over into Tanana valley we found num-
her OF passes; crossed Tanana At the
nioush OF the Tetitng. thence over 20 the
headwa,ers OF Forty Mile. down Forty Nile
to O'Rrien creek. and up oBrien creek
and ever the divide TO Eagle city. d.s-
.ance of about sSS miles. The greatest al
t..utia crossed os this route was betweea
1900 and 4.oeo feet. a lower gradient than
that of any other pass into Alaska
.'Isne Copper river valley was found TO b
an ancient lake bed. which averages about
seventy miles in width and about 80 miles
lanS r. is 4 succession OF terraces from
the mountains on each side. and terminates
IN an abrupt escarp ut me river bank
Where the streams have cur through these
terraces black sell Ia shown from a depth
of four TO six feet Native srasses. berries
ana flowers are found In great quantities
and Of most Iuxur.ant growth.
ssrhe minerals OF Alaska show strong In.
deations OF developing. Taere viii prob
Ably be some sensational placer disgtnGe
discovered during next year In American
territory. There have been iccatsuns made
of promising copper properties and ~ -
possible quicksilver. gaiena. iron and coal
vii, re located aad recordesi during the
coming scasou. THE chances fer poor
man TO make fortune IN Alaska are not
encouraging owsng TO the fact that frans-
por:a,ion Ia so expensive and labor % high.
To the poor man I would say. wait until
the operator has developed quarts claims.
which he wifi do within few years, ana
then venture In To the small farmer who
wants TO raise hay and grain. would cay
Il believe fl1ere is "A fairly good field wait
Ing development in the Copper river VAL
lev III the government can build MILF
,ary road through fhe Coast range OF moun-
tains TO The Copper river valley. believe
II viii have solved the question OF settling
central Alaska. by opening gateway. from
salt water TO the interior through which
a small operator With his fow head Of cat
tie can enter and leave the country with.
cur exorbstans taxation over toll routes.
.sThe route which we have discovered IL
much ahorter than any other, and II far
more accessible We do not have the
trout,'a OF going over glaciers and other
as.rost insurnloBnsable dirtcnities.'