New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-22
THE CAPE NOME BONANZA.
VALUABLE INFORMATION FOR GOLD SEEK
Frs GIVEN By THE AMERICAN
CONSUL AT VICTORIA.

Washington. Jan p (speciaD-The Cape Nome
fever has been made the subject OF official re-
port 70 the State Department by the American
Consul at Victoria. B. c.. who gives exactly the
information needed by gold seekers bound for
Alaska. HIS Investigations have been made with
care and with view of ascertaining what miners
may expect and prepare for He says the indica-
tions are that the rush 10 Cape Nome next spring
viii be something like that to the Klondike in 1898
The distance from Victoria IS 800 miles, entirely
by water. and the transportation companies have
booked all the passengers that can be carried on
the first trips of every steamer that can be Sc
cured. These companies. compute that sixty-hve
thousand persons desire to reach Cape Nome as
soon possible and preparations are being made
accordingly
The reports that had been circulating last season
in regard TO the sold discoveries at Cape Nome
the Consul writes were quite generally disputed
here the opinion being that the Atlin and Klondike
countries were more promising and also easier Of
access. But the last two steamers from the north
enectually dispelled all uncertainties the passen-
gers bringing with them indisputable evidence that
all along the beach in the vicinity of Cape Nome
gold in paying quantities be had for the dig
ging. number Of these have called the
consulate, exhibiting specimens OF the gold, say
ing they dug 1t the beach near the waters edge;
that with only hand shovels and the simplest
and rudest of pans cleared from $50 800 and
to $500 has been reported. Nuggets worth from
$500 to 800 found Anvil Creek, and it is
believed $4,000 10 $4,000 taken at Snow
Gulch last summer; man, it is said, took out
$4,000 while another claims still more Every one
Of the men who came down expressed his resolve
TO return in the spring some even engaging return
passage on the steamers which they
down. According their statements, the gold does
not extend to great depth, i've or six feet being
as low as any have yet found paying dirt
There are now between nVe thousand and SIX
thousand people at Nome City, Anvil City, Cape
York, Port Clarence and vicinity. The buildings
are, Of course. of the most temporary character.
A large number are on the beach below high water
mark, which does not tend 10 promote health, al
though the extreme cold of six months of the year
precludes epidemics-
The Consul quotes from one of the two news
papers printed at Cape Nome the following ruling
restaurant prices: Steaks, 81 80 g; reindeer
steak 81; pork chops 81 50; boiled mackerel, 81 So
coffee and doUghnuts, 50 cents; hot cakes and
maple syrup. IS cents; corned beef hash, 81; picked
pigs feet 81; mush and milk. 80 cents; clam chow
der 70 cents sardlnes, box, 81; pork and beans,
70 cents cheese with any order, % cents; ham and
eggs 81; three eggs, 81 fruit and jams all kinds,
each 80 cents; coffee, tea chocolate, % cents
one loaf of bread, 25 cents
An ordinary two story dwelling Of eight rooms
rents frequently for 800 a month. Freight taken
from the beach, where II is landed from steamers
in barges. costs from So to 40 cents per hundred
weight; for the delivery OF heavy freight by horse
team and wagon SO an hour is charged
hair cut. 81 80 A bath costs g. Fifty cents IS
charged laundering flannel shirt, 70 cents for
washing colored linen shirt and 81 for the rehabth-
tatiOn of the rare and luxurious garment known
the white shirt. Cigars and drinks cost 50
cents each. Longshoremen have received 81 an
hour for their labor Carpenters receive 81 80
hour The prevailing fare TO Cape Nome just
from Seattle Victoria is 800 for first class and
$50 for second class PASSAGE freight, $40 The
earliest date at which any of the steamers
advertised TO sail for Cape Nome is May /