The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-26
SEATTLE, SATURDAY, MAY 20.
Government Work In Alaska.


recently left Seattle for Alaska and
more are to follow. the work laid out
for them being that of exploration and
examination into the country and it's
resources. The result of this work add
ed to that undertaken on private ac-
count by the hundreds OF travellers and
prospectors now overrunning Alaska
will be to furnish Information on what
will probably prove to be one OF the
richest pieces of undeveloped territory
In the world.
While the general treatment Of Alas
ka until comparatively recent times has
been that of neglect, the government
has on different occasions authorized
expeditions for research; and although
the present astonishing effort to exploit
the country has not been directly be-
cause of the publication of government
reports. there is no doubt that the off,
cial Investigations made from time TO
time under the direction of the army.
proved to be OF no inconsiderabie value.
Nearly twenty years ago Schwatkn
crossed the Chilkoot pass and descend
ed the Yukon to its mouth. His report
gave the general public about the first
official information of the country
drained by this great river. Sometime
afterward Lieut.. stoney OF the navy ex-
aplored the Boring sea coast to the north
OF Cape Nome and reported on the pres
. ence OF precious metals In thai region.
Later Lieut. Allen assembled the Copper
river. went down the Tanana and
crossed over to the Koyukuk country,
which Is now coming into notice. These
reports did not excite attention. for the
country was too remote for quartz min
Ing and coarse placer gold had not yet
been discovered
With the discovery of coarse gold In
the Forty Mile district. the opening OF
the Birch creek diggings and later the
announcement OF the fabulous richness
OF the Kiondike. Alaska began to at
tract more attention than any other
section Of American territory and there
arose a popular demand for any and all
sorts OF information concerning this
marvellous land The government has
given its assistance toward securing
and spreading this information and has
shown willingness TO facilitate the
opening up OF the new country that
promises SO much.
Extensive examinations have been
made OF the Copper river country with
a view OF determining the practicable
ity OF an all American route to the Yu-
kon across country: and the project
having been found to be a feasible one,
the war department is now at work up
on the route and in addition will con-
struct telegraph line 10 the Yukon
and down that river TO Boring sea The
coast and geodetlc survey. with Capt
]. +. Pratt in charge. has been at work
upon the Boring sea shore. making
soundings, examining harbors and the
mouths Of rivers. and the result of these
labors will be Of great value 10 navlga-
tors who have unexpectedly been called
TO service In those waters
Geological survey parties will be es-
peclally active in different parts Of
Alaska for several years. MIR Schrader
who was engaged in geological and
typographical work last year. VIII be In
the field again and during the season
very important work viii be done by
those employed in this branch OF the
government service. The copper river
country, the Nome district from Port
Clarence TO Golovin bay, and the Kotze-
bue sound region will be correctly
mapped and its geology looked into. and
what was few years ago an unknown
and tenantless wilderness will be de-
saribed by men who are in every way