Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-08
BRIDCEMAN RETURNS
Member Of walsh-starbuck Party
Arrived Yesterday.
GOLD is NOT PLENTIFUL IN ALASKA
Does Not Approve of Great Claims Made
by Parties who Have Claims Up
There-About Other Otaum.
wa People In Alaska.
From Mondays Daily.

wa FeOple In Al0Skas
From Mondays Daily.
c. w. Bridgeman, member of the
Walsh-Starbuck expedition to Alaska,
returned yesterday morning from the
gold field, where he has been engaged
in prospecting for the past eighteen
months. Mr.. Bridgeman when seen at
the home of his brother, F. I. Bridge
man, by a Courier reporter, today, re-
marked that he had vowed that he
never would be interviewed by re-
porter again on the subject of Alaska.
He condescended, however, to state a
few facts as they really exist in the
so-called new Eldorado
Mr.. Bridgeman says that the condi-
tons relative to the gold situation in
Alaska are very much exaggerated in
almost every report that he has seen
in the United States. This is true, ev-
en- concerning the Dawson district, and
especially SO regarding the Koyukuk
country. The Clear Creek expedition
was made in the latter territory, and
Mr.. Bridgeman says there never was
ia greater failure. There is absolutely
nothing there as far as has been dis
covered, and Mr.. Bridgeman was one
of the party who prospected what was
thought at the time to be one of the
greatest finds in Alaska. He disap-
proves the exaggerated reports that
are sent out regarding this country
and considers that it is a great injus-
tice to uniformed parties who many
times are induced to go to Alaska on
the strength of what they hear about
just such cases. He said it seemed to
be the failing of many Alaska pros
pectors who, when they found that
they had been Stuck" would endeav-
or to get somebody else into it if they
could. He did not consider that this
was always done in dishonest man-
ner, for the prospectors still enter
tain hope that they will eventually
make something sout of their claims.
Mr.. Bridgeman said that the report
that pay dirt valued at from 10 to 70
cents per pan had been taken out of
the Clear Creek claims was untrue, all
reports to the contrary notwithstand-
| ing.
Billy Michaels, of .Marshalltown, was
with Mr.. Bridgeman when he started
out. They left Clear Creek in May
and went to st. Aichaels, where Mi
him. After securing his supplies he
Nome and Mr.. Bridgeman came on out,
chusetts. Out of the thirty-eight sur
<,f ho lou ,,{t
nearly every one of them has either
inal party consisted of thirty-nine
been drowned in Lake Bennett.
while at ST. Aiichaels," said Mr..
Bridgeman, 81 met number of the
lrily. saw Con Doran. who is getting
home soon. A. i, Parks came out as
far as St. Michaels with me, and there
embarked on a steamer plying be-
tween st. Michaels and Dawson. He
leXpected to work on this steamer few
months, and then come home. John
Il. Emerson, who is employed by the
be out soon. John is enjoying the best
Il
shalltown, who is also member of the
party, and is now at ST. Michaels, ex-
lpects to return to Iowa very soon.''
/ In speaking of the Walsh-Starbucls
party, whose history of disorganization
has been often times repeated in the
i Courier, Mr.. Bridgeman said that as
far as he knew John Keables, was the
only man of the Iowa party that ever
got even with Captain" Starbuck
for the part he is said to have played
in the trouble in the company. Star.
buck and Keables CHANGED to be on an
outgoing steamer from Seattle to ST
Michaels, last spring. Starbuck had
i two men in tow, and Keables was re.
turning to Alaska after business trir
home. He CHANGED to meet Starbuck on
the steamer, and so great was his ha.
4 tired for the man. that he is said tc
have walked up and slapped him in the
face. Those who saw the encounter
said that Starbuck reached for his re
Ivolver, whereupon Keables administer
ed few more we'll directed blows
which settled the difficulty.
Mr.. Bridgeman said that for the
present he had not made up his minc
what his future business will be. III,
is enjoying very good health at pres
ent, although he had a brief siege O.
the scuryy during his stav in Alaska
This was experienced by nearly every
one who remained any length OF tim,
in the cold, uninhabitable region. III,
said, however, the general health o
the Ottumwa boys who are yet in Alas
ka was very good when last he saw
them.