The San Francisco call., 1899-07-04
RICHES OF CAPE
NOME DISTRICT
Story of a NJ an Who Has
Staked Claims.
CAUSE OF THE BIG RUSH
FAILURE OF AN ATTEMPT TO
KEEP THE FIND A SECRET.
Now There Are Many Gold-Seekers in
the Snake River Country and
Village Called Anvil
City Established.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

TACOMA, July 3.-News of Cape
Nome from one who has actually been
there and staked claims is contained in
d late issue of the Klondike Nugget
Charles Walker, first mate of the
steamer Yukoner, who>is vouched for
by his captain as a man of honor and
trustworthiness, brought the news to
Dawson The two recently arrived in
Dawson with the steamer Oil City as
guests of Captain Basey, and it was on
this boat that Mr.. Walker was inter-
viewed about his winter trip over the
snow and ice to the new gold fields
His is the first interview obtained from
a man who has actually been to the
Nome diggingS.
Il first heard of the discovery from
Mr. Kjeliman, superintendent of the
reindeer station at Eden" said Walker,
and was shown by him some of the
gold taken from the Snake River coun-
try. l was satisfied at once that 1t
came from the new field, as it is unlike
any gold found elsewhere in Alaska or
the Northwest, and l have seen it all.
There are three different shades of
color, one very light, one quite dark
and a third of medium hue. Being in
terested in the strike and having plenty
OF Ilme L decided to investigate. Ac-
cordingly on February % | left the
Russian mission and started on the 400
mile tramp. | first went to st. Michael,
which ] found much excited, news hav-
ing reached there long before. The dis
covery, l learned, was made last fall by
three men, one of whom is named Eng
blom. They were obliged to go out for
provisions and while at ST. Michael
they tipped their secret off to num-
L., L 10
DR.. A. n. Tittlesen. These tried to keep
the information from getting out and
began to outfit men for the diggings,
but one of the latter let the cat out
of the bag While intoxicated, and then
everybody Joined the rush.
Il hired man to accompany me and
started | found everything in the
neighborhood of the discovery staked,
but was able to stake a claim on Dry
Creek and to buy another on Alpha
Creek Although the discoVerers had
been able TO reach bedrock at from four
to ten feet before the winter set in, the
gold they had washed was shOveled
from the bed of streams with men in
the water. No one was working while
1 was there. There is no timber to
burn in thawing the ground.
About twenty cabins had been built
at the mouth of Snake River, and the
place named Anvil City. There were
Z0U people III the ulSlIlCl L ItdIHeI
that all the gold found up to that time
had come in from three creeks, known
as Bowlder Creek, Dry Greek and An
vii Creek but it is a large district, and
l am satisfied that gold will be found
on many other creeks. A great deal of
stalking was done by power of attor-
ney. I know one man who staked
ninety claims. Judge Sheppard. United
States Commissioner at st. Michael,
paid $1,000 for a half interest in a claim
in discovery of Dry Creek. 1t was de-
cided that placer claims shall be To-
Gated 1920 by $50 feet. Claims may be
located by power of attorney, but
power of attorney must be recorded
prior to the location of notices. All
claims must be recorded within forty
days after the notice is posted.
Undoubtedly that country is one of the
most promising in the Yukon district.
1t was determined that water used for
mining or otherwise taken from q natu-
raj watercourse must be turned back
into the WatercourSe at the lower end
of each claim. DR.. a. N. Tittlesen was
elected District Recorder for a term of
two years, his fees to be 81 so for re-
cording any kind of document"