The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-14
ALASKA'S WEALTH HAS
BEEN BARELY TOUCHED
Timber Resources of Vast Proper
tons Have Not Yet Been
Drawn Upon.
GREAT SALMON INDUSTRY

TACOMA, Wash, Feb. 1S.-Gold mining.
though the largest industry, forms only
part of the industrial activity in Alaska.
Railroads are being built for the develop
ment of gold. coal and copper mines. Two
trunk lines. each more than four hundred
miles long, are projected through central
Alaska Sixty steamers are being operated
up and down the Yukon, one great fleet be-
tween st. Michael and Dawson. loo miles.
and a smaller fleet between Dawson and
White Horse, 800 miles
Besides gold Alaska is producing salmon
10 the value of several million dollars year
ly, furs in great quantity, sulphur, tin and
petroleum. Sheep-raising has become an
established industry the nearer Aleutian
ISLANDS. The development of agriculture
has begun and will grow TO great proper
uons following the extension OF base line
surveys TO Alaska, enabling settlers TO sur
vey their lands and obtain clear title.
Government Investigations show the cli-
mate OF southern and central Alaska, tenn
pered by the Japan current, TO be more
mild and equable than that of the Dakotas
and Manitoba. Experts predict that within
ten years central Alaska will be exporting
wheat. Stockmen, crowded out OF the Pa
cific Northwest States, are looking to the
rich valleys of the Copper, Susuna and
other southern Alaska rivers as their fu-
ture base of operations
Alaska's timber resources remain I'M
touched. While not comparable to the fir
forests of Puget sound, they constitute a
great source of wealth, especially the
AlaSk cedar, which takes a high finish and
will ultimately be largely used in the man
ufacture of fine furniture.
Along the coast of southern Alaska about
Kayak and Catella has been found a pc
troleum district which promises TO rank
with that of Pennsylvania. Oil springs and
seepages are numerous. Three gushers have
been struck and about twenty wells are be-
ing bored. Experts have been sent into the
country by oil syndicates of Pittsburg, Buff
falo, California and Puget sound.
The high grade of the petroleum makes 1t
seemingly more important than that of Cal
ifornia and Texas. Tests show the Alaska
oil to compare favorably with the Pennsyl-
and paraffine base. Capital has been
pledged to build a refinery as soon as the
output warrants. Experts are now push
ing further into the interior with the OBJ
ject of defining the boundary of the oil dis
trict.
Not least among Alaska's varied mineral
resources are the tin deposits of Cape
York, three hundred miles north of Nome.
At least one immense ledge of tin has been
uncovered, tests showing the rock TO con-
tain a high percentage of ore. The value
of these deposits will reach millions if
promises are made good. Americas entire
tin supply is now imported from the Straits
Settlements and Europe.
Coal is found throughout Alaska. AS a
rule. the quality is not high, but 1t will
suffice for local needs. Much of the prod
uct is lignit. Several excellent bituminous
coast. Their development will permit the
establishment of an important coaling sta
ton at Dutch Harbor for American mer-
chant ships and war vessels crossing the
Pacific by the Northern route.
Outside of fur seals. Alaska is the chief
American source of supply for fox, mar
ten and other furs. Several islands of
southern Alaska have been converted into
fur ranches for the propagation of blue
and silver tip foxes.
An immense bed of sulphur. running
about seventy-five per cent pure mineral,
has been found on Unalaska island, one
of the Aleutian archipelago. Experts es-
innate that there are $4,000 tons of the
deposit in sight, offering a supply for all
America. The mine is Mount Makus-
kin. Title having just been secured, de-
velopment operations on a large scale, are
to be begun next season. A tramway is to
be built from the sulphur beds to tide
water in Captains bay.
Experts say that the copper deposits OF
the Copper river valley will surpass those
of Montana and Michigan in richness and
production when transportation is provid-
ed. BY decision rendered in November, q
company controlled by the Havemeyers
sugar refners, Of New York, is declared
the owner of the Bonanza group of copper
claims, located 100 miles inland from Val
deS. The company purposes building a
railroad which will form part of an all
American trunk line running from Valdes
| to the Yukon, at point near Eagle. The
Bonanza group is but of many valua-
| BILE copper properties. More than $1,000 OOC
| has been paid for a single copper property
] on an island in Prince William sound.