The age-herald., 1900-09-16
FLoURlsHING NEW GOLD FIELD
Room in Koyukuk for Thousands, But
 They Should Take Money Along
From the Chicago Times-Herald.

From the Chicago TtmeS-Herald.
 Charles R. Glow, who has just returned from the Koyukuk district of Alaska, brings a hattering report of the conditions in the new gold fields. Notwithstanding that it has been but three years since gold seekers discovered that the Koyukuk was abundant with the precious ore, MT Glow says that a conservative estimate of the output for this year is from s1,00O,0OO to $1,- 5OO,0O0 for this year is from S1 900 to Sl,-
 This is the first season that has brought paying results a condition accounted for from the fact that 1t requires about three years to develop a new mining district to the stage where it may be regarded as pro- ductive. MT. Glow left Chicago about three years ago, becoming one of the early set tiers of the Koyukul1 district. Ho has watched its development with great inter- est, and believes that it will have a mar velous future.
 MT. Glow has several claims, but as they are yet undeveloped he cannot give an es- innate of what they will yield him. Every claim thus far has brought splendid re- suits, however, and 1t is a safe prediction that he will realize handsomely from his venture. Whether he will return to Alaska is a question which he was debati when seen yesterday at the home of his father, James b. CIOW, al the GidZa.
 'The Koyukuk Is an immense district, and there Is room for thousands of people," he said, ''but man has no business going in there without a good roll of money, for under no other circumstances can he ex- pect to get returns. It is a mistaken idea that all one has to do Is to walk in there and carry off the gold. It is not standing around In sacks with tags on them. A man needs about Sl GOO in order to get through a winter. That amount will just about pay for his provisions, and it is possible that even a larger sum than this would be needed"
 Here is the regulation bill of fare for the Koyulluk country, and anyone who con- templates moving there may do well to take note of its limitations as to price: Flour .......... ...... ............S per barrel Sugar ...... ........ ...... .25 cents per pound Bacon ...... ........ ......50 cents per pound Rice ........... ..... .......25 cents per pound Dat meal .......... .......25 cents per pound Corn meal ...... .........15 cents per pound All canned goods .........75 cents per pound
 Mr. Glow says that these prices closely conform to those of Dawson City. It Is much more difficult to get provisions into the Koyukuk district than to Dawson City, but the consequent tendency toward a high CT price Is enumerated by the fact that no duty Is placed upon the provisions for the Koyukuk
 Myrtle Creek Slate Creek and Gold Creek" continued Mir. Glow, "are the three streams where gold is found in paying quantities. When I left there were eighteen claims In operation on Myrtle creek, which Is wonderful for new mining country Every one of them Is yielding pay dirt from 50 cents to S190 pan. A pan is an ordi- nary shovelfu That Is marvellous when you consider that 6-cent dirt is considered rich. If there is much of that S.90 brand those who are taking 1t out will not have to work long to accumulate a fortune. An toly 4r, ten hours. The dust assays s1S.40 an ounce, as against $14.50 for that secured at Daw- son. This is great difference - much greater than one might suppose, unless he did little figuring.
 "It is this difference in the value of the gold dust, together with its great abund- ance and the fact that the Koyukuk coun- try is new. that is going to make that dis trict the choice of prospectors. It certainly offers the best of inducements. The rich claims are held by young men from New York, Massachusetts and the State of Washington. I believe that Boston is the best represented by holders of choice claims
 ''Bettles is the name of the settlement In the district, and 1t is second to Dawson. There were about 800 settlers in the town when left. The Alaska Commercial Con- pany has large store in Bettles, and that one concern will place in stock 700 tons of provisions for the winter. The Alaska Ex- ploration Company of San Francisco and the North American Trading and Transpor- tation Company will soon establish branch stores there Bettles will be a good town within another year."
 MT Glow says that a pecuiiarity of the Koyukuk country is that the bed rock seems to be reversed. From the grass roots to a depth of three, four or five feet pay dirt is obtained that is worth from to 12 cents Then there is a little streak of dirt that yields 30 cents Then nothing Is found through the gravel down to bed rock.
 The cost of transportation from St. Michaels to Bettles is s200, which permits of taking 150 pounds of baggage, but no provisions. It Is 900 miles from St. Mich aels to the mouth of the Koyukuk river and 800 miles from there to the mines With ordinary good luck the distance is covered in ;xtc day