The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-28
MINES ON THE TANANA.
Emma Kelly Writes Entertainingly
of New Alaska Gold Fields.

The following is a letter to the State
Journal by Emma L. Kelly and dated
Mastodon Creek, Birch Creek District,
Alaska, June II:
Sorae months since wrote of the new
gold finds on the Tanana and It's trlpu-
tarieS. This river rises in the Tanana
range of mountains about one hundred
miles south of Circle City, its course
being westward until it forms juno
ton with the Yukon. at St. ames. The
Tanana is navigable for steamers OF
good draught to within about thirty
miles of the new finds or the district
Since my previous letter the district
has been extensively staked and Suf1-
GENTLY prospected to establish the fact
that it is doubtless the richest placer
mining district yet discovered in the
north, and perhaps the richest that has
ever been developed anywhere; Cali
fornia and the Klondike not excepted.
In topography and general formation
the district very much resembles, though
in extent about twice the area OF the
Klondike. The presence of coarse gold
in fabulous amounts is an established
fact, as every miner can testify who
has spent time in prospecting any OF
the numerous creeks that put into the
river. Good prospects appear upon eV-
cry hand, and wherever rim rock crops
out, from a foot below the surface the
gold seems to be distributed all through
the gravel, being much more easily
worked and quickly secured than was
the case in the KlOndike. With good
=
the work can be carried on through the
summer. AS siuicing is more rapid ana
less expensive than drifting, the cost
of operation here will not exceed one
half the expense in the klOnd1ke, while
a much lower grade of dirt can be
worked with a profit.
Peter McCracken, an old Montana
prOspector, spent all of last summer in
the district, prospecting the various
creeks that put into the Tanana, and to
his tenacity of purpose is due the dis
-~s..I- IL tn hi n
trict. After his summers work he came
late in the fall into Circle City for the
purpose of purchasing his winter sup
plies. The news of the rich finds he had
made, caused a stampede during the
winter and early. spring from Circle City
and the Mastodon mines; these latter
being situated about half way between
Circle City and the Tanana gold fields
Among those who went over the range,
some were provided with supplies Suffi-
Gent only to enable them to reach the
district, stake and return to Circle City
where they filed upon their claims. 9th
ers who went provided with supplies suf-
ficient to enable them to remain and
prospect the country, sinking holes to
bedrock, established the exceeding rich
ness of the new district. Many of the
holes sunlxen yielded $50, $75, and 800
day to the man. A number of miners
are now established in the district with
their camPs and supplies. and by fall
will have fully established beyond ques-
ton the richness of the diggings in the
Tanana district.
On many of the creeks coarse gold is
found right at the grass roots and along
all of the 20 creeks, tributary to the
Tanana, it has been found in paying
quantities. In addition to the streams
that have been prospected, there are
many others in the vast territory that
from appearances promise as rich de-
velopment as those that have been pros
pected.
The present difficulty is that of get
ting supplies into the district. which is
ninety miles from the nearest trading
post, as dog shedding cannot be done
in the summer and the absence of pack
mules necessitates the packing in on
the backs of miners all the supplies for
the new camp. And as the country is
rugged and broken with the Tanana
range of mountains and without estab-
ished trails. the carrying of supplies
into the district is rendered tedious and
burdensome. But the transportation
companies them A. T. & T. Co and
the A c. Co, are sending steamers
from the Yukon up the Tanana with
supplies. and for the establishment of
posts, which viii be located within