The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-11-07
ALASKA CONDITION.
Report Of Gen, Randall Commanding
the Department.
MILITARY PREVENTED RIOTS ).
and Bloodshod-Aid Should be CIV
en- the Natives-claim Jumping
Has Been the Order Of the Day at
Nome-Large Area That Has Not
Been Prospected. rS ~

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Nov. 6.-Brig-
adler General George NJ. Randall, COM
handing the department OF Alaska. un-.
der date Of September 2oiats st. Michael,
has submitted his annual report. A
great deal Of the report Is devoted to
conditions at Nome, which he found
upon his arrival at a critical stage. It
was difficult to obtain convictions by
Jury trial in the United States commits
sioners' court, which emboldened the
lawless. Labor organizations prevented
men from working for less than 81 an
hour, and were the cause OF much des-
tI,utlon and want and destruction Of
property.
Fully $4,000 people arrived at Nome in
June. Claim jumping was the order Of
the day. Nearly every one seemed to
think he had a divine right to take pos
session OF a claim or town lot wherever
found. Many property owners were
disposed to defend their rights by talk
Ing the law in their own hand. The ar
rival of troops prevented bloodshed
and serious disorder. On the request OF
the chamber of commerce. the mill
tary took charge, thoroughly examined
into all complaints, and where the
rights of property could be determined
placed It in the possession of the lawful
owner. Capt. w. A. Bethel. who acted
as Judge advocate In these cases, is
highly praised by General Randall
The sanitary conditions were placed
under the charge Of Major E. Ebert.
surgeon. who has heretofore reported
upon conditions. The energetic efforts
Of the military improved. these condl-
lions during the summer.
. { Y Mining Operations.
There were about five hundred men
working on the beach at Nome with
machinery at one time, and manyide-
cllned to give answers concerning the
prospects for gold. while others admit
ted they were taking out only from 81 to
Sc a day. The beach was practically
worked out last year. The tundra Is
believed to be rich. but 1t would re-
quire large capital to produce results.
There is q large area of country which
has not been prospected, where gold
can yet be found, but It requires men Of
experience to develop such n country.
General Randall discussed the various
points where mining operations have
been In progress, most OF which have
come to the knowledge Of the public in
reports from Alaska.
He says It has been decided to estab-
fish a permanent military post on the
Island Of St. Michael. He recon-
mends the purchase of two stern
wheel river steamers for operations on
the Yukon, and that all coal, forage
and building material intended FOR
Alaskan posts he started from Seattle
not later than June Is. and shipped In
sailing vessels for economy. Also
that a cable be laid from Seattle via
Juneau and Skagway to Valdez, con-
netting with the telegraph line now
building over the all-Amerlcan route
from Valdez to Port Egbert, and down
the Yukon river to Fort Michael.
When this line is completed. General
Randall says. the military headquar-
ters should be in southern Alaska, or at
Seattle. -. $780,,
He recommends life-savlng station
In the vicinity of Nome, as the tales OF
death by"drowning on the shores OF
Herlns seq are appalling. and there is
no knowledge of how many lives were
lost. He also recommends that light
houses with fog whistles be established
In southeast Alaska at the followlns
places: Cape Fox. near the southern
boundary OF the territory: Cape Com.
mana, entrance from the north Into
conSas Nnrrows; Five Fingers, In
Frederick sound: also fog signal Al
tnimak Pass. He also recommends O
military reservation at Dutch Harbor
and 4 coaiing station, and thinks thai
the. need may arise at some future timc
for erecting fortIfIcations Mt this place
The Natives of Alaska.
General Randall devotes conslderabl.
space to the natives of Alaska, ant
says the Esqulmau mas been unnoticct
by those he has befrlended and ha.
been allowed to die for the lack OF pro
per care and food For years he ha.
extended his hospitality to adventurou.
white men, and his hut has been th'
shelter for sh!pwrccked sailor ant
trGst-bltten miner. From all points
Cape York. Port Clarence, Topek, Colo
lin bay, Yukon river, and elsewhere
reports, have been received OF sickness
starvation and mortality so great tina
promised TO wipe out almost the en-.
Tire race. Lieutenant T. II. Jarvis, Of
Ire United States revenue service re,
potts these facts to General Randall
and the tug Meteor was placed at hi.
disposal for relief work. and about {
hundred destitute natives cared for n
N'fhe. The revenue cutter Bear ha,
psen distributing supplies to the desti
tU'e natives, while others In the vicIn,
ny OF Fort st. Michael have been caret
Tor by the commaning officer OF thu
post The work OF Lieutenant Jarv!!
IS highly commended by General Ran
dali. as .igg,H4
IN closing this particular feature OF
''a report. Gennral Randall says:
IN many parts OF the United State.
provision has been made for the Indian
reservations have been set apart for