The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-23
Cape nome GOLD Fields
History of the Discovery Of the
Precious Metal.
Stories of Mineral Wealth Told by
Natives to n Party OF Americans in
1868 Who Were Seeking to Estab-
Hsh Communication Between
the United States and Russia.

There is vast amount OF interesting
literature hidden under small mountains OF
ordinary public documents at the Capitol.
There was rescued from the mOldering
heaps yesterday history Of the discovery
Of gold at Cape Nome in the preface to
which il is written that "the following ac-
count OF the discovery of gold at Cape
Nome is the correct and the only truthful
account ever written. This account Is
vouched for by over 500 miners and claim
owners. both in the Cape Nome. Eldorado,
and Blake Mining districts
1t is recited that in the summer of 1897
Prof D. B. LIbbey. Capt. a. P. Aendaunt,
l. F. Meising. and H L. Blake left San
Francisco on board the steamer North
Fork bound for GOlofnin Bay. One of this
party wrote:
I've did not go to Golofnin Bay with the
simple hope OF finding gold. We were
made well acquainted with the fact that
gold existed in the vicinity between GOlof-
min Bay and Port Clarence. but exactly
where We did not know. The information
that led Us into the country was this:
During the years 1863. 1864. and 1860 the
Western Union Telegraph Company sent 10
Aalsi-a several different parties for the
purpose OF trying to establish telegraph
communication between Russia and the
United States. but when the Atlantic cable
was laid this undertaking was abandoned
Prof D. B. Libbey was a member OF the
party sent TO Port Clarence. whence the
proposed line was 10 begin. thence 20 run
over the mountains 10 GOlofnin Bay thence
via the coast 70 St Michael and from
thence down 20 the United States
While the party VAS surveying between
Port Clarence and GOlOfnin Bay they en-
piOyed many natives and travelled over
much rich country The natives upon sew
eraI occasions. brought into the party very
rich samples OF Sre such as silver. lead
and gold. but the survey party could never
induce them TO tell where the specimens
had been found They intended TO go ia
search Of this god the first chance they
got, but the company suddenly abandoned
the project, sent Z vessel to Port Clarence.
and took the party home. Some OF the
party were going TO return the next sum
mer but did not. Mr. Libbey kept the
maps also all notes in reference TO this
matter. and IL was not until the summer
Of 1897 that Mr.. Libbey determined UUou
the organization OF a party 70 search for
gold
In relating the trip 10 the north in the
summer Of 1891 IL is written by Mr.. Blake
Upon arriving az GolOfnin Bay we be- /
gan our search Il is not necessary to 7
prospecting trip that we made. Sufficient I
20 say that We penetrated the country IN /
every direction for many miles with rein
deer and dogs and natives. and IL was late :
N the fan Of 1897 when we first disCov-
cred gold This was an Ophir Greek in the 4
ElCOradO mining district. I was the first I
man that ever found gold on Ophir Creek I
The next dud vas made on MeIsiuE I.
Greek by L. F. Melsins. in Discovery dis /
49,
next by ID. B. Libbey.
Christinns AT Council City.
During the time these discoveries were /
being made Ne were living at Council City.
on the banks OF the NsuckIucK River. This I.
town was the first town ever established /
ives, OF St Michael by American miners.
A. the time OF the discovery Of gold there ,
were no other white men in the country 4
except missionaries and traders, though 4
the missionaries are traders Elore than /
anything else They frequently made fun |
OF Us for leaving one Of the best gold I
countries in the world and coming 70 this /
part OF Alaska. 3ut nevertheless. they /
never missed an O. poTtunity to either &C
company or follow US. After these dis /
coyeriss were made aud the missionaries /
had staked claims everywhere that we did /
NE thought they would be satisfied as they /.
informed as that they did not want the /
claims for their own personal benefit. but .
for the future benefit Of the poor natives.
Ny partners and self left our winter
quarters az Council City TO go to our gen
ersI quarters al GOlOfnin Bay and spend
Christmas While on the way down Fish
River We stopped at a native village 10
cook tea. as is the custom in this country. {
While stopping at this village met a na- I
tive by the name Of Too rig Luck. whom
- haE
visiting other natives at Cape Nome. he
called me into his house to show me some
rock that he had found in the vicinity OF
Cape Nome. looked az the rock and took
some of il home and tested IT, I found that
il carried gold: told my partners and Mr.
Hultburg I decided then TO go il search
OF this ore. So l sent for Too rig Luck
and hired him as pilot and guide to take
me 20 this place. The Rev. Hultburg. like
the good, true. GOd-fearing missionary thai
he was. wanted 10 get some more gold
mines for the poor natives, and asked me
II I had any objections to his going with
me I replied. No; come right along
was making arrangements to get dog teams
from J. A Dexter. when HuItburg spoke I'D !
and said: You had better take reindeer;
they viii travel faster. and the whole OF
the Government herd is at your disposal if
you want them I had never ridden ,be-
hind these noble animals. and readily ac-
cepted the offer. So six OF the best and
fastest deer in the herd were hitched up
and two native guides and provisions were
soon ready. and OF we started.
After travelling several days through
the most severe storms and cold with |
frozen ears. nose. and fingers and toes. we
arrived at the place. or close to it. The
native at first could not find the place.
But he stopped and studied for a while
then pointed to a certain direction and
mOtioned to me to follow I followed. He I
led me straight up a very steep mountain. !
and he suddenly stopped and pointed to the
ground saying 'marney' which means
here 1 dug down through the snow, got
some Of the quartz and fetched it to the /
tent The next day I went in another d. I
rection only short distance from this |
place in search of placer gold. l came to |
a creek that looked favorable, though I /
could see but very little OF it. for il was /
frozen over almost completely. But /
found several open places, and I panned /
in many Of them. and In every instance I |
got gold. and in two OF the many pans |
tried L got very good prospects. though |
nothing better than had found in many |
places. I showed the prospects to Hult- |
burg, and told him that thought 1t was |
rich creek. He said, Well, shall We stake !
claims on i.?' 1 replied, No That |
thought it would be better to return IN the |
spring when the ice had gone and We could |
more thoroughly Inspect the creek. He
thought so, too and suggested that we go !
home and return in the spring
The next day We packed up and started |
for home, and on our return trip we met |
Lieutenant Jarvis, bound for Point Barrow |