The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-04
ANACONDA news.
ALASKA IS DEVELOPING
Country Is One of Great and
Rich Possibilities.
IT WILL BE PERMANENT
j. M. Goodwin OF Salt Lake Tells of the
Young Region and What Is Be-
ing Done to Increase
Its Production.

Alaska is country of great posi-
bilities. 1t is one where the large de-
velopment work now being done is to
result in its industries becoming per-
manent. AS men rushed to California
for gold in early days but found wealth
by turning their hands to other indus
tries, so do believe that some Of those
who have rushed to Alaska for gold will
be successful in industries that will de-
velop the resources of the territory
This is the manner in which ]. M.
Goodwin, business manager Of the Salt
Lake Tribune, summarizes his views on
Alaska. Mr.. Goodwin, accompanied by
his wife, arrived in the city yesterday
to visit their son, Harry c. Goodwin of
the Standard. Mr.. and Mrs. Goodwin
are on the way home from an Alaskan
trip.
1T has been delightful trip in many
ways" said Mr.. Goodwin last evening.
We went north on the steamer Queen,
remained As days at Skaguay and then
came back on the Cottage City. We
visited all the important points in
Southeastern Alaska and the Sitkan
archipelago. Our stay in the country
taught us among other things that the
climate is not half so bad as painted.
| should like to spend a summer in
Sitka. 1T Is quaint, delightful old
place, full of interest and beauty You
can imagine its age when tell you the
Inhabitants recently celebrated the
105th anniversary of the massacre at
the old town, an event that caused
the establishment of Sitka on the pres
ent site.
The Klondike boom and the building
of the White Pass railroad are factors
that are going to lead to great develop
ment in that vast section known as the
interior of Alaska. The Treadwell and
other quartz mines and what have been
the chief settlements in the territory
are located along that narrow strip of
coast line that lies between British Co
lumbia and the sea. Alaska proper, the
broad region to the northward through
the center of which flows the Yukon,
has not been generally known.
THE klondike boom sent thousands
into this almost unknown interior. In
the keen race for gold exploring was
done and new gold fields discovered
Now the railroad has been built acrcss
the rocky pass, making easy the journey
from tidewater to the lakes and rivers
of the interior.
THAT railroad, now running "A miles
from Skaguay to the steamboat land
ing on Lake Bennett, is to be pushed
lines for the extension has struck rich
gold lodges in the interior, off toward
the Atlin region. These surveyors have
made one find of a ledge % inches wide,
free milling, the values of which, as
shown by assays, run far up into the
thousands.
Rich quartz is also being found in
the Atlin and Cariboo countries, on the
coast, about Haines' mission and else
where, all tending to make the country
permanent '.t
The White Pass railway now runs
two passenger trains a day between
Skaguay and Bennett, carrying on an
average 100 to 800 persons daily. The
company also hauls about 300 tons of
freight day. On the arrival of tourist
steamers at Skaguay it is common
thing to have the railway run an excur-
sion train over the line with 100 or more
of these tourists. On such trains the
company charges SIS each to the summit
or $40 each to the lake. 1t is a big
price, but, as compared with former
means of transportation. the price is
exceedingly small.
"Skaguay is an interesting little town,
but does not know just where she is.
While the railroad makes the town its
terminus, no one seems to know
whether the place is permanent or not
There are about 5000 people in Skaguay
as against 10000 during the height of
the boom. During my stay there l made
several journeys over the railroad with
Conductor Miles, a former resident of
Anaconda.
AT the head of the arm of the sea
known as Lynn canal are two indenta-
tons or bays. On one is situated Dyea
and on the other, a few miles away, is
Skaguay. Dyea got a good start to-
ward prosperity when the Kiondike
boom was young. An aerial tramway
was built from Dyea over the Chilkoot
pass and for time the great portion of
the trade went that way. Then the rail-
road was built and the business of the
tramway dropped off. The railroad
company has secured control of the
tram and has closed it down. Dyea ac-
cordingly is almost lifeless. Only few
people live there now.
Il look for great things to come out
of Alaska. Her mineral wealth is great,
but her timber wealth is great also. The
territory is rapidly getting to position
where it will produce largely"
Portraits of Montana's LIST regiment
-Nv laws 1s,A afyS1