The Alaska prospector., 1902-07-03
Concerning Valdez. Questions About Alaska And Valdez Country
 Answered.
ALITTLE ADVICE THROWN IN

answering all such communications as soon as possible.
 We take the present opportunity to reply to a few letters just re- ceived, hoping that it may prove of general interest.
 The population varies greatly with the season. In summer near ly all the men are out at the mlnes or prospecting, but in winter we number about six hundred, with very nearly that number of build ings.
 We have a sawmill running, with a capacity of 15,OO0 feet per day, and prepared to turn out lumber in any shape.
 A wharf 1,S00 feet long, extend- ing out to deep water.
 A sheet metal factory, where anything in that line can be turned out. They also do steam fitting.
 The timber resources, in our i'm mediate vicinity and all along the Sound, are very good ,!consisting principally of hemlock and spruce.
 The agricultural possibilities are great. All cereals, excepting prob ably corn, have given great prom ise whenever and wherever tried. Agricultural implements have been taken to the interior lis spring. and grain raising will be properly tested. Garden truck, such as po- tatoes, turnips, radishes, bccts, let tuce, cabbage, etc., grows quickly and to large size.
 We have a good school house and a ten months school each year. The enrolment is about twenty. with one teacher at a salary of $75. per month.
 There are two churches in Val dez, the Congregational and Epis- copal. Both have houses of wor- ship, the Congregational Church building being the finest church edifice in Alaska.
 The surveys for a railroad from Valdez to the Yukon have been commenced and there is every reason to believe that the road will be specially completed.
 The climate of Valdez is not se- we're in winter, the thermometer rarely going down to zero. We have occasional severe winds, and the snow fall is heavy, but disap- pears rapidly in the early spring. The summer, with its continual daylight, is grand.
 There is, and will be, employment for labor at the various mines in the interior, but at present there is little demand for labor in Valdez.
 Land can be taken up at present only with soldiers additional script, but there is land bill pending in Congress, which, if passed, will give the settler homestead of 320 acres.
 There are five large stores deal ing in general merchandise. two jewelry stores, one furniture store, one drug and stationery store, six saloons, two blacksmith shops, sev- eral restaurants and boarding houses, and some good hotels.
 There are a number of csntrac- tors and builders here, and houses are going up all the time.
 Our population is of a peaceable, law-abiding class.
 If the above answers do not fully cover the field. just trot out your questions and we will endeavor to find space for answers.
 We do not care to assume the responsibility of advising anyone either for or against Alaska as a place in which to better ones for tune; but if you have decided to give the country trial, there are some points we would impress uron you.
 Don't start with just money enough to reach your destination for, while work may be plentiful at the mines,they are in many inston. ces away from the coast and to