Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-23
OUTPUT OF GOLD
Subject of Bulletin Issued by Depart
ment of Labor.
TEE YUKON And nome REGIONS
Present Facilities for Travel From
Coast to the kIondike.
Observation-Disclosures

1.-The Yukon and Nome gold regions is
the subject of chapter In bulletin just
issued by the department of labor. The
article was written by Mr.. s. c. Dunham'
who. among other things, states:
The expenses, difficulties and hardships
of the summer journey from the coast to
the Klondike are things of the past. The
White Pass and Yukon railroad was COM
pleted early in July, 1899, from Skaguay
to the head of Lake Bennett, distance of
about forty miles. From Bennett City to
Dawson the journey Is now made In four
days in commodious and comfortable
steamers at cost of less than 500. in
Guiding berth and meals. The up trip from
Dawson to Bennett City occupies from six
to ten days. according to stage of water
AS a consequence OF the great improve
ments in transportation on the upper Yu-
kon and the lakes the St Michael route is
now but little used for passenger traffic to
and from the states
During the summer of 1899 about 5000
people left Dawson, half of whom re-
turned to the coast by the upper river
route. OF the other half about $500 went
to Nome and the remainder entered the
Forty Mile district. Not to exceed 1000
people arrived in Dawson from the out
side world during the sea son, and not more
than fifty of these went in by the st.
Michael route The lower river steamboats,
continue to handle the bulk of the freight,
and about 10000 tons were taken to Daw
son by way Of St. Michael during the sea-
son, while 5000 tons were brought in by
the Skaguay route.
The greatest source of surprise to one re-
turning to Dawson after a years absence
is the remarkable growth of the town.
There are no traces of the two or three
disastrous fires which occurred during the
winter. Hundreds of fine buildings have
been erected on every hand. and the hills
back of the town are covered with substan
tial log and frame dwellings. The business
portion of the town, which extends for u
mile or more along the river front, is solidly
built up for three or four blocks back from
the river. Third avenue, which in 1898
contained only few scattered buildings Is
becoming the retail or shopping street.
Population of Yukon District.
According to the census taken by the
northwest mounted police the population of
the Yukon district in the spring Of 1899
was $4,000. Dawson had a population OF
5000, and about the same number of peo-
pie were located on the Klondike and In
dian rivers and their tributaries while 5000
were scattered on outlying creeks. There
were 1900 women In the district.
Fully 10000 Of those who spent the win
ter in town were idle, and a large proper
ton Of this vast number was destitute, de-
pending upon private charity for subsist-
ence. There was no organized charity, but
there was scarcely an entertainment of any
kind during the winter that was not given
Nearly all Of the women who came to the
Klondike in search Of employment are of
the class who perform domestic service in
the states. There Is little demand for this
kind Of service in town, and consequently
there are no opportunities in that field to
any great extent for respectable women.
number of women have established road
houses on the creeks. and all appear to be
mr. haip nv he mir
In the vicinity and by the travelling public.
No demand for saleswomen exists in Daw-
son, and the field for stenographers and
typewriter operators is limited
The municipal government Of Dawson IS
a model one in every way, and there is al
most total absence Of petty crimes, while
but one murder was committed during the
winter The town has a well-organized vol
unteer fire department equipped with appa-
ratus which cost 10000. There are four
churches In which regular services are held
and are well attended
There are about fifty saloons in the town,
which pay to the government an annual
license of $1,000 each. They are required
to close at midnight on Saturday and are
not allowed to reopen until o'clock Mon
day morning.
the prices Of meals range from SO cents
to $3.50. The better class of restaurants
supply their regular patrons with meals
for SIS per week. Good cooks receive $40
$40 per week with board.
Output Of Gold.
The output of the Klondike gold fields
for the season of 1s97-9s is estimated by
the department of labor at s12OOO,OOO. This
figure is accepted by the bankers, CONNER
cial companies and government officials
at Dawson as correct, although the output
is placed as high as $15,0O0oO0 by some
other authorities. The output of gold for
the past season QS9S-99, according to
data obtained from the same sources as
for the preceding years. was SIT 100000.
divided among the creeks follows: Ell
dorado, $3.OOO,OO0: Bonanza. $1,000. 600; Do
minion. $1,000. 900; Hunker, $l.5OOOOO; Sui
phur. $1,OOO.OOO; Gold Run, $1,0CO0O0; Bear,
$3.50 600; other creeks S7J0,O00; bench and
hillside claims, $1,50O,OOO.
The government collected 100000 In roy
altieS. The exemption from the royalty tax
has been raised from $500 to 5000, and
this ia the only change that has been made
during the year In the mining regulations.
There is still widespread complaint against
the exactions of the government. 1t is esti-
mated that the receipts of the gold COM
missioners office, inclusive of royalties, will
reach S1,7OO.O00 for the year 1900. Less
than 100000 of this vast sum has been ex-
pended for the benefit of the community
from which 1t was taken.
EldoradO creek showed a production for
the season of over 100000. and thus
maintained it's position as the richest creek
in the district. 1t has been demonstrated
that the pay streak extends farther up the
valley than was formerly supposed. and
very rich ground has been found as far up
as claim No. 80. Several valuable claims
are being developed in the thirties, SO and
3s being exceptionally good: On the west
side of the creek, opposite 80. good pay dirt
has been found in the benches, which are
being worked profftably.
Bonanza creek produced 100000 during
the season, about the same as the year be-
fore. On account Of the royalty tax, no
summer work was done on the upper por-
ton OF the creek The creek claims on b.
nanza, from below Discovery to the mouth
produced very little gold. compared with
the output Of the preceding season.
Royalty Tax Causes Idleness.
On account of the royalty tax and the
searity Of wood, the owners generally al
lowed their property to lie idle, simply do
ing representation work. 1t Is conceded
that this portion Of the creek cannot be
worked profitably under present conditions,
and 1t will lie idle until more economical
methods can be introduced. While the creek