The sun., 1900-10-06
THE ALASKA GOLD FIELDS.
Expert whitehead SAYS Nome Beach Cannot
He Counted On Other and Richer strikes.

WASHINGTON. Oct 5.--ENpert Special Agent
Cabell Whitehead OF the Treasury DeTat-
meut who has spent the summer NJ Nome.
Alaska, has reported under date Of Sept, 3.
10 Director of the Mint Roberts on the pro-
dction of the Nome gold fields and tho ex-
uerience Of miners on that beach this year.
Mr. Whitehead says that IL is now known that
the Nome beach cannot be counted upon,
even as small producer. In the future. He
estimates that the beach has produced be-
tween s?5oOO0 and $4,000 this season.
At Anvil Creek. the greatest producer at
present and. in Mr. Whitehead's opinion. the
probable greatest producer in the near fu-
ture. $4,000 in gold has been taken our this
year. There are a number Of very rich claims
on Dexter Creek. which is practically dry and
will be worked by pumping plant. Snow
Gulch, another rich creek, has produced only
about 5000 this season. while last year it pro-
duced 100000. This falling on Is due 10 the
lack Of water brought about by drouth. Mr.,
Whitehead says.
rOf the now discoveries since last season
Topkuk located on the beach sixty miles east
Of here easily takes the lead. From space
not over Ave hundred feet in length. along the
beach and back TO the tundra, there was taken
out this spring between $4,000 and 500. 900
all with rockers. ~ present much Of the
ground is being reworked at sluices. and much
Immediate neiQhborhood are several good
claims lying along Danos Crock and pump
ing plants are now being erected to work them,
20 that next year you may look for n consdera-
ble production from that quarter.
The latest strike. and one which is AZ present
attracting most attention. l. on the Bluestone
Riycr in the Port Clarence mining district
something less than a hundred miles from
Nome. ono Of the tributaries Of this river,
Gold Run is said n exceed In richness any
thing known heretofore, IL being no uncom-
mon thing 10 get from $40 20 500 In n single pan.
Tn creek Is entirely taken up. but little work
can be done this season, though It may yet
produce $500 600.
source of gold which Is attracting much
attention AZ the present time Is the ancient
river beds along the head Of Dexter and Anvil
creeks These deposits are locally known as
the present bod Of the creeks. Some Of these
deposits are fahulously rich. nothing richer
having been found in tho Klondike ] am told.
than some Of the claims along Nickkala Gulch.
The extent Of these deposits. however, has not
vet been proven. and another season will be
necessary to demonstrate their value ! In
cline 10 the opinion that these ancient channels
are tho source of the gold found in all the creeks
in this district, as wcll ms the gold taken from
the beach, and II am right in this opinion
they should be very extensive and add many
millions 10 the worlds production
In my opinion the future Of this district
remains 10 be proven. with the chances largely
in favor of its becoming in the next two years
a very great producer and that tbs production
win be due TO the bench claims rather than
the creek claims, as IA IN n large measure the
case I'm the KlOndIke. NV estimate Of the
production up Ia this time is Si.SH,Or0 with
the chance 81 increasing this production be-
fore the end Of the season 10 100000"