Evening star., 1900-09-29

the Nome Water Company has met this de-
mand with q promptness that is most com.
mendable. The material for the conduit
was landed about the middle Of June, and
the latter days Of July saw the piping COM
pleted. and pure water from the mountain
springs delivered to the city In abundance.
Several hydrants have been erected within
the city limits, where the throngs OF
money and without price. The water Is
sold at the rate Of eight buckets for twenty
five cents, which is not an excessive charge.
Gold Digging.
Last winter we heard many tales Of the
marvellous beach diggings-fortunes that
were easily and quickly washed from the
ruby sands of the seashore. The beach be-
tween Nome and Penny rivers for dis
tance Of about twelve miles has yielded
many pounds of the royal metal. Some who
rocked the virgin ground last summer real
lied small fortunes. This season the beach
has been worked and reworked by hum
dreds of men-I should judge from 500 to
2,OOO-with all sorts of gold-saving appli-
ances, and many thousands of dollars have
been extracted. The gross output of the
beach would represent a handsome sum-
but it has been distributed among many
workers. Scores of steam and gasoline
pumping plants have been operated along
the beach These have taken out consid-
cradle gold, but, owing to the high rates of
transportation and the cost of fuel and
labor. the net results have not been fiatter-
ing. In fact, there have been many fall
ures, and machinery has been offered for
sale at half its cost or less. Nevertheless
we may expect to see many rockers work.
ing on the beach next season. nor would 1
be surprised If majority were able to
realize good wages.
There was a small section of gold bearing
beach discovered last spring about sixty
miles east of Nome. This is generally
known as Topkuk although 1t is situated
month
miles beyond the Topkuk river, and the
camp itself is called Bluff City. A small
strip of the beach and four claims on
Daniels creek have proven to be wonder
fully rich. The miners agreed to divide the
beach into twenty-foot strips, and num-
Der of these claims yielded from $1,000 to
$1,000 each.
On the Creek Claims.
During the early part of the season there
was some confusion and delay on the creek
claims Many of the owners were waiting
for the mad throng of "cheecharcos" to
buy them out, but the newcomers did not
invest as readily as had been hoped. Some
were unable to work through lack of
water while others were handicapped by
litigation or the fear of 1t should they de-
velop anything worth a contest. The lat
ter condition still exists; the claim jumper
deplorable condition. Nevertheless, there
are many men now at work in various sec
tons of the country. Rich strikes have
been made in this vicinity; in the kougrok
district, seventy-five miles to the north
west; on the Bluestone, near Port Clarence.
and excellent reports coming in from
the creeks in the GolOvin bay and Council
City section.
Prosperous Future for Nome.
We hear of strikes where from SO to $50
has been taken from a single pan of gravel,
but l do not know of any considerable
deposits of that grade. However, it is my
conviction that there is a great amount of
gold in this portion of Alaska. In some
sections of the Day streaks are extremely
rich and large quantities of gold are easily
and quickly obtained. On other claims
there is plenty of pay dirt but 1t will
quire money, time, effort and judicious
management before the best results can be
realized. / am one of those who incline to
the belief that Nome will be better camp
next year than 1t has been this. Many
people came to Nome this year expecting
to obtain something for nothing. 1t goes
without saying that a great majority of
these have been sorely disappointed. All
who come with a similar purpose are liable
to share a similar fate. That a prosperous
future awaits this section of Alaska there
can be little doubt. and those who are
willing and able to labor and endure and
persevere may confidently hope for reason
able and substantial reward.
JOHN P. CLUM.