The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-18
James D. Hoge, Jr., Discusses
Situation in the District.
OUTPUT INCREASING GREATLY.
Hundreds of Men Digging Gold From
the Beaches-Every Miner Taxing
Out Good Wages-Bluestone an
Extremely Rich District-Many
People Decide to Winter at Nome
wow an Orderly settlement.

Nome and It's general condition and fu-
ture were interestingly discussed last
night by James d. Hoge, jr., president OF
the First National bank after his return
from the district, where he passed fort
night. on the steamship Valencia. Mr..
Hoge said:
Nome agreeably surprised me. had
gone there expecting to find a much DIFF
ferent state of affairs. Despite the fact
that many OF the claims have been tied
up In receivership litigation and that they
suffered from a severe drought. the sea-
sons output will not be less than 50. 900
and II may reach IS. 900 900. Next year the
yield will be incomparably larger, When
I left the gold was coming into the town
in large quantities. The bank in which
l am interested was receiving money de-
posits daily and the other bank was do
ing correspondingiy well.
The Bluestone district. adjacent to
Nome. Is making remarkable showing.
The diggings are very rich Many Nome
miners we're stampeding to the camp when
the Valencia sailed. Steamer Discovery
and other small vessels were running to
Port Clarence, the metropolis of the camp,
with all the passengers they could ac-
commodate. Good reports were also be-
ing received from the Golovin bay district.
Camp ON Workin9 Basis.
IAN erroneous impression prevails re-
garding conditions at Nome. The camp Is
now down to working basis There IL no
great clamor on the part Of the people
there to get out of the district. Gen.
Randall told me he was having very few
applications for transportation.
THE steamship people realize the truth
OF my statement. Many OF the vessels
were cutting rates in order to secure pas
sengers. But the returning crowd is
about exhausted, for, from what could
learn. about 10000 people expect to pass
the winter In Nome and adjacent districts
They are building cabins and making 9TH
er preparations to remain another year.
The surplus population has gone and the
people.now there are willing to mine and
engage in other legitimate pursuits.
Your hear II said that the beach dig
gings are worked ont. That IL not So
At q conservative estimate there were
$500 men digging gold from the Nome
beaches while I was there They were TAX
ing out from SO to SIS day to the man.
We are all making wages. An old beach
operator said to me: If we were not we
would noe be working here
II saw number OF moneyed men ir,
Nome. seeking investments, but they told
me they could find very few claims for
purchase; In fact. on the better creeks
nothing was to be had.
Prices for commodities had gotten
down to normal figures before I left
Nome. The town now boasts of a tele-
phone system. 1t has water works. and
by this time Is lighted by electricity.
THE Wild Goose railway is doing a
great business. II Is operated for dis
lance OF nine miles to the interior from
Nome city. It's rolling stock consists of
one train-an engine and four freight cars.
which makes three round trips daily.
Great crowds are going and coming all
the time. Hundreds Of tons OF material
and supplies are hauled out every week.
The road Is to be extended to Port Clar-
ence and the Bluestone district q dis
lance OF eighty miles.
Beom at Port Clarence.
port Clarence is having quite a boom.
The famous old barge Skookum Is to be
towed up there and used as hotel this
winter.
Gen. Randall n maintaining good order
at Nome. The moral tone OF the camp Is
good. II would hardly be possible to
maintain better order In a mining dis
trict-
Great precautions are taken against
Are. The apparatus for Ere department
in small way reached Nome while
was there.
THE recent storm did much damage 70
property. particularly lighters. 1t was
still In progress when we left. did not
learn names, but heard that Ave people
were drowned September 2. and three
more the following day.
THE steamers j. 8. Kimbali and AMI
ancc expected 10 sail the day after the
Valencia departed but I am satisfied that
they were unable. on account OF the
storm. to leave for two or three DAYS.
The 81. Paul was about ready TO sail Her
passengers were undecided whether to go
direct TO San Francisco or. return by way
OF Seattle. The chances are she will come