Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-25
MILES OF GOLD TERRITORY
EXTRACT FROM REPORT MADE To
BUREAU OF LABOR.
Evidence That Pay Dirt Exists From
Cape Darby to Cape Prince
of Wales.


almost 200 miles in length is reported to
the United States bureau of labor in Wash
tngton by an agent of the bureau who has
recently made a trip to ST. Michael, In
5laska territory. The report goes on to
state that it Is now almost conclusively
shown that gold exists in paying quantities
throughout the entire length Of the coast
from Cape Darby to Cape Prince of Wales,
a distance west of more than 2OO miles. The
beach itself is rich for thirty miles west OF
Nome, although showing some short
stretches which will not pay under present
methods. Good prospects are found all the
way along the beach from Nome to Golovin
bay. about seventy miles. Near the east
ern limit of this stretch of beach 81 to the
pan has recently been found within six
inches of the surface. 1t can be asserted
with confidence that the beach will pay,
with barren spots here and there. for more
than one hundred miles, and nearly all the
creeks along this stretch of beach and FAR
inland have shown good prospects. Reports
from Port Clarence, eighty-five miles west
of Nome. indicate that the beach there Will
pay. Cape York, twenty-five miles still farther
west. is attracting considerable attention,
end reliable men report that many OF the
creeks there are rich. The Bonanza min
ing districts. which adjoin the Cape Nome
mining district on the east, contain many
creeks which show good prospects. and
The Norton Bay country. which was pref
ty thoroughly prospected last winter. and
from which good results were expected,
has proved a disappointment. The Cnga-
liktolik river. which flows into Norton bay
from the eastward, was the scene of a
small stampede during December and jan
uary. and forty or fifty experienced miners
prospected its tributaries, but did not find
anything OF value. Reports from Bonanza
creek a short stream emptying into the
Ungahktolik. seven miles from its mouth,
indicate that p cents TO the pan has been
found near the surface, but these reports
lack confirmation. 1t would seem that the
gold belt runs In q northeasterly direction
from Nome, across the upper half Of Colo
vim bay, and thence toward the headwaters
of the Koyukuk, thus leaving Norton bay
far to the southwark. But the immense
area Of gold-bearing country already proved
in this vicinity undoubtedly marks this as
the most extensive placer-gold field that has
been opened UP since the discovery of gold
IN California
First Discovery.
Gold was first discovered on the beach
of Boring sea in January. 1899. and 1t was
staked for a distance OF two miles above
and three miles below Snake river. The
claims We're of twenty acres each, and ex-
tended 1920 feet along the beach and $50
.eet back from the edge Of the tundra. At
that time gold was not supposed to exist
In the beach itself. Only few colors were
found in the tundra, and II had been hastily
staked on the general principle Of locating
everything in sight Ii was thought that It
might possibly be worked by hydraulic
methods. The property was turned over
to an association known as the Nome Min
ing and Development Company. About the
middle Of June fair prospects were found at
the edge of the tundra near the mouth of
Nome river. three and half miles east
of Snake river, but no work was done there.
Early in July soldier stationed at the
military post prospected in a little draw at
the edge of the tundra. just east of the
town. and washed out from so cents to 81
TO the pan This created great excitement
and several rockers were set up immediate
ly IN the vicinity. The rockers were crude
and the men who worked them were with
out experience; but they were uniformly
successful making from IS to $50 q day
apiece Within a week fifty or sixty men
had built rockers and the number constant
ly increased until. on August 8. about 400
men were rocking. being principally located
on the two miles of beach Just west OF
Snake river. A little later four men, work.
Ing eight days with one rocker. took from
space "a by 30 feet and three feet deem
$500. or a little over $1s2 day to the
man. AS high as 50 and 50 to the pan
was taken out Of this particular patch Of
ground. 1t was now thoroughly demon
strated that the beach was enormously
rich. and the entire community caught the
beach fever. Rockers were being construct
ed on every hand, carpenters making from
50 to $50 day in supplying the demand
for their crude product. BY August 10 near
~ a Thousand men were rocking on the
beach. The crowds Of Disconnected men
who had cOngregated on the streets and
crowded the saloons month before had
disappeared II by magic They were
scattered along the beach for five miles
above Snake river, where they had pitched
their tents and were rocking out an aver
age Of an ounce day to the man. A few
weeks before the town had been a scene Of
strife and turmoil Now nearly every body
was happy. and peace and contentment ap-
peared To reign on every hand.
A Busy Scene.
No thoughtful man. the report also states.
who walked along this golden street in the
bright sunlight VIII ever forget the picture
presented there. For many miles along the
beach double ranks OF men were rocking.
almost shoulder to, shoulder, while their
partners stripped the pay streak and sup
piled the rockers with water and pay dirt
and logged perseverance which suggested
the husbandman shocking his sheaves. and
/ now and then casting anxious chances at
the black cloud fast rising In the west
Others. seemingly less fearful of the future
were passing jokes or singing as they
worked. Scattered along the lines were
many of the poor fellows who had been
brought down on the revenue cutter Bear
or on coasting schooners from Kotxebue
sound. where they had spent a winter Of
indescribable hardships. Ragged and half
starved. and IN many cases suffering from