The San Francisco call., 1905-08-20

information has been received by the
United States Geological Survey concern
ing the progress of field work in Alascka.
In all sections of that peninsula to which
parties were sent work began promptly
with the opening of the season. Mineral
deposits in the region of Freshwater Bay,
on Coronation Island, on Cleveland PEN
insula, on Kyak Island and on the Sew
ard Peninsula are under investigation.
The work began in June. The party
sent to the Seward Peninsula started
from Seattle June and began field oper-
ations June 15 Messrs. Tarr, Butler,
Lawrence, Martin and assistants arrived
at Yakutat Bay about the end of June.
The p4rpose of this party is to make a
careful examination of the geology of the
region that is Immediately adjacent to
Yakutat and Disenchantment bays.
There are large gypsum deposits near
Freshwater Bay, and gold prospects on
Coronation Island are to be investigated.
In bulletin just issued by the Geological
Survey some details of the Alaskan work.
which is of especial interest on this coast,
are given. Extracts follow:
The members of the survey bound for the
interior OK Alaska left Seattle on June .. The
party was under the leadership OF d. c.
Witherspoon, topographer, and included L. M
Prndle. geoiogist H. w. stone, assistant
geologist; Adolph Knopf. geologic assistant;
r. B. Oliver, assistant topographer; and
packers cooks and camp hands Upon reach
ing the field, the party was divided into three
sections. The first section, under charge of
Mr.. Prindle, assisted by Mr.. Knopf. left Daw-
son June is and went westward to the inter-
national boundary. where they will begin their
work The second section, consisting of Mr.
Oliver and two ASSISTANTS, landed on the west
bank of the Yukon about 100 miles below the
international boundary. third party, under
Mr.. Witherspoon's immediate personal super
vision. landed az eife'e Oh 3uns ~ anu oesan IAN
ward Fort Hamin. To this party r. w.
Stone is attached as geologist.
On June % Messrs L. E. and c. w. Wright
met at Ketchikan, where they were Joined by
Mr.. Brooks. From there the whole party
made a trip to the Portland Canal. studying
The mineral deposits in tho Portland Canal
region were found TO be on the Canadian side
of the boundary The work in Southeastern
Alaska has progressed particularly we'll be-
cause of the remarkably dry weather which
has characterized this season. It has been so
dry in this part of Alaska that many forest
have been in danger. As the annual rainfall
in this region is about 90 inches, these con-
ditiens very unusual.
The parties bound for Seward Peninsula
sailed from Seattle on June and began field
operations on June 15 Ne ice was encounter
ed in Bering Sea. where 1t is often found early
in the season. T. II. Motif. assisted by f. L.
Hess, began the detailed geological mapping
of a belt Of country about twenty miles wide
a
tance Of about forty miles. T. G. Gerdine as
sisted by Messrs. W. b. Corse and b. A.
Yoder together with seven camp hands began
detailed topographic mapping in the Solomon
River region on June II.
DISCOVERIES IN MODOC.
The Alturas Plaindealer reports that
the people in the vicinity of Goose Lake
are greatly excited by reason of the dis
covery Of gold-bearing rock near New
Pine Creek. Modoc County Men deserted
the hay fields and travelled all night to
reach the scene. In a short time 800 men
were on the ground. The PIaindeaIer says
In part:
1t appears that the find was made by George
Pl,snimer, Bert Wade and Alexander Reid
Gold was found. In the bed of the creek, and
by panning snd following UP the creek the
ledge was discovered. The ledge is described
a great porphyry dyke, in which fine rdld
and quartz are Dlentifully scattered. Plum
merr who has worked great deal in mines
says there is ore enough In sight TO keep
big mill running for two years The ledge or
dyke stands up above the surface of the
ground. 1t is white porphyry mixed with
particles of quartz Further news has been
received concerning the rich strike made by
side of the mountains. The. ore ASSAYS s500
and is said TO be extensive. It would thus
appear that Modoe is on the eve of q great
mining boom. and from reports received we
believe rich and permanent mines have been
discovered.
MINES BONDED AND SOLD.
The Hallstead mine, on the East
Branch. Plumas County, has been bonded
to company represented by. John Abb
bott. The Piumas Star reports that the