Seward gateway., 1904-10-21
MINING ENGINEER
 ON THE KLONDIKE
The Same can be Said of the In-
 terior Tributary 10 Seward

IT we could step Into the future fifty yedrs 1t would be to see at least 100000 men mining in Alaska. That number would be found wrestling min eral wealth gold, copper and lead from the districts on ether side of the great Yukon In other words. the line of fortune-seekers would extend from Juneau and Skagway across to and down the Yukon and around to Nome."
 The foregoing observations were made yesterday by Henry J. Powers, a veteran mining engineer and expert, pon his return from the Klondike passenger of the steamer Jefferson. For many years NIr. Powers has passed upon mining properties in the capacity of an expert and engineer for the Cud- ahys of Chicago. his mission north was to map out a plan Of winter oper- alton of the Klondike mines of the North American Transportation and Trading Company, in which the Cud- ahys are the heaviest stockholders. Mr. Powers continued;
 When say ,OOO, ,OOOmen will be found mining in Alaska half century hence | l believe it, of course, and think the statements. however extravagant it may seem to those who know nothing of that vast treasure land, is consera- tive. And if l,OO0,O0O people are min ing there. then they will certainly be making a living and better. That much we have a right to assume, else they would not be so engaged. And with that number of people digging out mineral wealth, one can scarcely compute the annual production.
 Take the Klondike, which to my not ion is the most remarkable placer gold district in many respects ever discover ed, and we find that they have hardly more than begun to take out gold. ,TrGe'i has produced over SlOQ,0OO,- GOO in gold, but there is much more left
 The district.a whole, is the greatest hydraulic proposition l ever saw. All of the creeks, tailings and everything else. will be washedover by Hydraulics. There is plenty of tailing ground which will run $l to the cubic yard.
 My iudoment is that the Klondike river, from which the famed district takes its name; and from which no gold to speak of has thus far been talk en. will within the next five years star- tie the world. It will be done through dredging operations. There is con- tinuous deposit of placer gold extend , ing from the mouth of the Klondike fourteen miles up to the mouth of Hunker. This gold, my theory k, has been washed into the Klondike from Hunker, Bear and Bonanza creeks, all tributaries. These three streams are fabulouSly rich. That their placer treasures, a very large percentage at | least, have been washed out into the larger stream, and more or less for that matter on into the Yukon, seems to me most reasonable.
 It is well known that the Klondike river carries gold in paying quantities. Prospecting has shown that to the satisfaction of any experienced miner. The reason it has not been worked be- fore now is because of the heavy cost of the machinery necessary to its develop ment., But within fire years l expect no less than 100 dredgerS will be found in operation on the Klondike rivers.
 Joseph Boyle, poor man, owns mineral concession covering practically all of the fourteen-mile stretch of river I am discussing. His concession, while still alive and effective, has so far brought him but little, mainly for the reason that he has not the money with which to operate. '-Seattle P.-L. 5th instant.
 From all information that can be gathered, the great Panama and it's tributaries will be equally productive as the Klondike. When it is taken into consideration that at least five tons of material, including provisions, tools, machinery, etc., per man each year must be hauled into the country, not counting the outbound freight, some conception of the enormous tonnage for railways into the country can be ar rived at. a,l
 Not only the Tanaha, but the Suslt- ma, the MatanuslSa, Chickaloon, and other well known water courses have been proven to be prolific in their
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