The Nome nugget., 1903-10-14
THE ORIGIN OF GOLD.

From Nome comes pamphlet by Conrad Sem setting forth theory of the origin of gold, which the author describes "of particular interest to the peo pie of Nome." In these days of scientific speculation it is also of interest to the general public since it fur nishes what is at least plausible explanation of the method by which nature has produced and continues to produce her golden ores, says the San Francisco Call.
 Starting with the sound proposition that what na- ture has done she is always doing, Mr. Siem argues that the process by which gold produced in the past is going continually, and that new stores of gold being wrought out in the giant lab oratores of nature with nexhaustible and unceas ing energy. The particular interest which Nome has in the theory is due the fact that according to the author the production of gold is always carried on under glacial conditions the precious metal being the result of the fusion of elementary matter by volcanic heat under the pressure of mighty ice caps.
 Mr. Sem says "We have evidence that gold grows. Conceiving it is product of time, a pro- duce of natures great laboratory that is actively refining, may it not we'll be that the best breeding and producing grounds of gold lying under these very ice caps? The downward pressure of the ice and the upward pressure of the earth alike and with these titanic hammer and anvil nature forges matter to the fneness of gold"
 A geological argument too elaborate to be accu- rately summarized is advanced in the pamphlet to maintain the thesis that Seward peninsula, jutting out it does between the frozen north and the Pacific bears the brunt of the conflict between those forces which tend to spread Arctic conditions downward to the south and the counterbalancng forces that tend to uphold the existing equilibrium. He says: "Over its extent the ice of the Arctic and the warm waters of the Pacific have fought for supremacy through the ages. In periods it has been compressed and de- pressed by towering mountains of ice and in others following the would wash clean over it from the south. Whenever it became relieved from the over bearing ice it would always gradually rise, and ing its head high above the sea, would hold the gate against the north."
 It will be perceived that the theory requires for it's maintenance proof that wherever gold is found there has once been tremendous ice cap. but that does not disturb the author He says: "Taks region after region and by studying thoroughly their forma- tions and by following closely all the traces yet in existence, you shall see in what places alternately through the ages the poles situated; where the central ice cap rested; how from the central the glacial streams radiated."
 In explanation of the method by which the gold production is carried on beneath the Arctic ice cap, he says Slowly and surely the ice cap is grinding along crushing and shifting rocks and strata with
 
 which catches in the mbedded and compressed layers upon layers of what once life-highly resinous trees, pubs of all sorts, sulphur nitres The sub stances fire. They burn explode and then smolder, explode and explode again. There is no escape for the gases The ice cap doubles them back the fire Steadily fed by them the heat grows stronger and stronger With tho upward pressure of the heat the downward pressure of the ndomable ice ever increases. That is natures formidable smelter none of the gases escape, but all their virtues stay with the mass, which is in continuous state of chem ical metamorphosis."
 It will be seen that upon this theory Nome be- comes the center of natures gold laboratory in our time. and the essayst predicts that wonderful stores of the will be found there in the least expected places. Of the probability of gold production art6c- ially he has little expectation, saying: "The alche- mist has tried for ages to initiate the process of