The Nome nugget., 1902-04-16
Summary of Work Done in
 Cook Inlet Section.
HOMER COAL FIELDS
Extensive Preparations Under Way to Develop Them - Mining and Business Possibilities of Cooks Inlet and the KuskOkWim.

An interesting batch of news is con- lained in a letter written by c. T. Brooks, United States commissioner at Iliamna bay, which was received re- gently by the NUGGET. The letter contains a summary of the work being done in opening up the coal fields at Homer, and the possibilities from mining and business standpoints of the Cook inlet and Kuskokwim sections. The letter, in part, follows:
 ''In the Turnagain arm mining coun- try several hydraulic plants are now upon a paying basis. The Arctic Hydraulic Mining Company, s. w. With, president, of Bakersfield, Cal, has operated successfully their two plants, one on Canyon creek and the other on SixMile, and arc quietly get ting possession of more ground. The Polly Mining Company, on Mills creek had very short season and worked only twelve men at the boxes (pick and shovel), but their daily cleanup went an average of better than two ounces per day to the man. This, of course, is the banner ground of the district. Sut- ton & Deery, on Canyon creek, wheeled their dirt and averaged three-quarters of an ounce day to the man. Hunt & Mills took out one-half ounce a day to the man, and Clyde X Wilson about the same.
 "The Turnagain Arm Gold Mining Company worked a number of men on Gulch creek and expect to get up their plants this winter. they having two complete plants now at Sunrise. They found $66 nugget (4 ozs. 2 pwt.) this year, and have good ground.
 "In the Hope and Resurrection creek country the work has fully come up to expectations, and Sleeper Ming. of the Bear Creek Hydraulic Mining Con- pany, fetched in some loo tons of addi- tional machinery and lumber for move- ment on to his ground this winter.
 ''The two plants of which Joseph Buzard is manager and Pi,tsburg peo- pie are the owners, on Bear and Palmer creeks. have been in operation during the season, and the usual reticence has been maintained as to results. and about all that is known is that the work continues and that gold is being taken out.
 ''Geid wood, who is interested with Andy Williamson and Arthur on Crow creek, came up late in the season and completed the surveying and making ready for the fetching in of their pipe, derrick and sawmill.
 "One of the most important bits of work is the successful operation of an arastra on Sawmill creek by Murphy, Mattox x Tilden. They are only work ing in modest way, but they are sav- ing bit better than 80 per ton in free gold, and they have uncovered more rock, and it now has the appearance of . seven-foot ledge, instead of one two and half feet wide.
 "Jn the Kussilloff country J. T. Corn forth, of Denver, Col, has bought con- siderable placer ground, which pros- poets handsomely, and in August last he brought in lighters, launch and sawmill machinery, but on account of the strike was not able to get pipe. He succeeded in getting his outfit up to . KussiIlotf lake, and this year will bring in his pipe and hydraulic plant.
 '.The coal interests at Homer would have to be seen to be realized. Cars, locomotive, eight miles of railroad, dock and buildings, all complete at Aurora. few miles above Homer. on the opposite side of Kachunak bay. Capt. Dunn has had some 200 tons of material landed for wharf and build. ings, and next year will put in mill.
 "But possibly, not only so far as this part of Alaska is concerned, but in the general development of the district, the most important enterprise and work that has come to the cs.Atry is that undertaken by the Trans-Alasks Company in it's efforts to establish g mail and stage route and eventually g railroad from all-year-round oper water to the interior and to Nome.
 "It should be considered carefully and in my opinion ought to receive the encouragement of both the government and all those interested in the develop ment of Alaska.
 "It is entirely feasible and prac ticable, and is going to give the travel ing and prospecting public an oppor tunity to not only reach such objective points as St. Michael and Nome witf comparative ease, but will give access to portions of Alaska that, while knowt to be a slate country with quart; stringers and carrying some gold' hs