The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-08
Dawson Gold Commissioner Offers
Them Under Hammer.
SALE PROBABLY IN PROGRESS.
Was Scheduled TO Open October 3
Entire KIondike Absorbed In the
Matfer-In n Manner Lottery
The Hydraulic Concessions Grab
Thwarted by Ottawa Government
-Preparations for Yukon Winter.

sneciai Correspondence Post-1ntelligencer.
DAWSON Sept. E.-rhe auction sale or
crown claims OF the Kiondike, which Is 10
be held beginning October 2, and opened
again November $. is one of the most ap-
sorbing and stirring announcements tna'
have been made in the camp since the DAY
II was heralded as a great gold held
Hardy, norny-hrteG miners and willy spec
uiators are industriously scouting about
the field looking up the prize properties
the queen has for sale.
No one knows Just what claims TO be
offered are blanks or which contain the
hidden prizes. but many there are who
are willing to base their judgment on the
situation and enter the contest
Everywhere old-timers and newcomers
are talking ard specializing about the
properties TO be sold. The claims en-
brace all that have lapsed to the govern
ment from failure In representation ana
other cause and all that have been re-
served as alternate properties. No doubt
thousands, and very likely millions, OF
dollars In gold lies hidden In the lands
that are 10 be put under the hammer.
All that the public does not see Mt to
buy will be thrown open TO relocation by
any who may wish to stake thirty days
after publication of the unsold list.
The gold commissioners office Is visited
by constant stream of people asking as
know the status OF specific properties.
Nothing can be ascertained from the gold
commissioner as to the reputation of the
property to be sold. No one knows. Many
think they know, but they simply look In
nocent and keep silent.
The gold commissioner says that from
5000 70 10000 claims win be offered fer
sale. He has men at work ascertaining
the number. The claims are on nearly all
the creeks. and the work of ascertaining
the list involves a search OF title as to
practically every claim In the district.
numbering perhaps 10000. This sale af-
plies to all properties OF the class subject
to sale in Yukon territory.
An important order In council has just
been issued from Ottawa. and is law re-
gardIng mining in the Yukon territory.
II provides that no hydraulic leases shall
hereafter be granted which shall embrace
land valuable as placer or quartz ground.
This Is considered q Godsend to the small
err miner Concessions applied for would
cover nearly all creeks In the Klondike
The idea of those seeking the conces-
sions. II is quietly understood. was not 10
much to have the outlying land above the
creek and bench claims for hydraulic as
Il wns to seize the privilege which was
offered by the law that after a claim is
worked out for placer 1t shall lapse 10 the
man holding the surrounding hydraulic
concession. The old creek claims are
looked on as being worth working over
by hydraulic. The new order Kills this
scheme for the future and Affects all
pending applications.
But eleven applications are known here
to have been granted. They are given on
the principal streams and some extend
for miles along the creeks. while others
are in areas of thousands of acres The
new order states that no concession shall
be granted even for lands lying In the vi
entity OF placer or quartz properties. The
order Is effective now
This and the order for sale of reserved
properties are considered great steps
toward relief OF the Klondike. As a cam
paign ia on in Canada. some have said the
new orders come Just at time to be cap
itai TO the Tins"