The Nome nugget., 1902-04-19
NEWS or
 K0YUKUK Two Letters From the Distant
 Camp.
DIFFERENT IN VIEWS
Frank Whs';ey Says the District May Prove Rich, But Speaks Conserva- tiveIy-tiarry Hamburger, a Trader, DAclares It Is a Wonder.

Dawson, Y. T, Feb. 2l.-Two letters received by mail from the lower river today contain interesting information in regard to the Koyukuk. One of the writers, Frank C. Whalley, who has an interest on Hammond creek, and has prospected in the camp for several winters, takes conservative view, and fears the diggings may be over estimated on the outside. He says it did not come up to expectations last year. Harry Hamburger, from Daw- son, says the camp promises to be one of the greatest in the North, and that 1t is now booming and Hammond is a wonder.
 Mir. Whalley writes under date of January l2, on Hammcnd creek, to his brother, Ernest NJ. Whalley, the Daw- son newsdealer, and says:
 Bettles has a fixed population of about 30 men. The people of the camp, as whole, are scattered over hundreds of miles of country. It may be differ ent next summer, if the middle fork country turns out good enough to sup port the crowd that is reported to be coming. amafraid that the resources of this section are Over-estimated out ,uhere. The diggings did not come up to expectations last year, and there is nothing new found yet. Hammond river prospects we'll in places, but rhere will nut .be much money come out next summer, even if it does pay.
 "I can see nothing to justify stam- pede in here, and all'reports circulated to turn cro Sd this way can easily be traced to a few saloon men, townsite boomers and others who would benefit by such rush. It is a good enough country to prospect in, but how is a man going to live He must be idle for nine or ten months, and if he can not get work on the few claims that hire men, where is he going to get off? It is all right fora couple hundred men, but if thousands come, let each one be supplied with enough grub or money to last him over winter.
 "I put in November and December prospecting oa Marion creek. but found nothing. lam now on No. 2 above dis covery on Hammond river, where have q half interest. We have only been here about a week. This creek may be all right.
 "We are having some very cold weather now. Today is the coldest day, believe, that l have ever seen. 1t is no fun living in a tent. Wood is hard to get, and it takes us half our time rustling @ dry stick for the fire"
 Mir. Hamburger writes under date of January -, at Coldfoot, and says:
 'I did not get away on the first Of this month, as intended, on account of the weather. 1t has been a fright. hope to get away some time in Feb rnary.
 ~This country is coming to the front. Hammond river is turning out to be an Eldorado. Good pay has been dlscov cred for over 20 miles along the river and on the benches. There is a ter rible lot of excitement here over power of attorney claims. Everything is be- ing jumped and rejumped. 1 never saw anything like it. Some property airas been jumped three and four times.
 ''I believe Coldfoot will be a second Dawson. All kinds of prices are be- ing asked for town lots. Property that two months ago sold for $l00 is worth 5000 now.
 "This is the only place on the river where there is enough wood to build . city. I understand the Northern Commercial Company will build right away. .,
 "rhis camp will knock Nome silly. and big rush is expected from there.
 ''On Hammond river they are pan ming from $50 to $200 a day on frac- tion at discovery, that Is for two men.
 of q nvod good, and pay has been located for three miles.
 "sUnion creek, where the big nugget was found, looks good. On discovery they are getting as high 'as $50 to the pan. The paystreak is ten feet wide.
 AsThere is considerable winter dig cips on Gold creek Snd Emma creek. They will be big producers.next season. Gold bench will be worked to its fullest capacity next season.
 hThis is going to be the camp of the country. 1 never saw such an excite ment. Everybody seems to have gone silly on Hammond river. ftfs over l5O miles long, and it has been staked for 50 miles. ,.
 "There is local law prohibiting powers of attorney and that is causing the trouble. No goods could be brought here on scows like they can to Dawson. There will be big money in merchan- ,dise, but man will not be able to get in on . shoestring."
 A. J. Gillespie, an old-time Dawson. ite, writes from Koyukuk to Michael Deane, of this city, under date of De- cember 21, the following letter,
 ".Winter here so far is mild. Tom Morwick is with me. We have been on Union gulch, but we are going to Slate to represent.
 'sWell, Mick, suppose you heard oi the big nugget taken from sSnc our clam; sa It is true. It amounted to S66O.6O. also rocked $900 out of the claim in q few days, but there are no $2O pans there, and the ground is very spotted, at any rate.
 'I have six claims and two town lot; at Coldfoot. The numbers of oul