The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-23
NAN WHO FOUND
KLONDIKE IS HERE
O. w. OARMACK DROVE FIRST
STAKE AT BONANZA CREEK.
In One Day He Was Transformed from
Poor Prospector, Who Had Been Wan
dering About Frozen Alaska for Thir-
teen Years, to Owner of Two Best
Gold Claims in Klondike.

@. W. Carmack, the man who discov-
cred the riches Of Klondike Alaska, and
who has almost more money than he
knows what to do with, is at the West
hotel today with his wife.
Tho Mr.. Carmack jumped in one day
from a poor prospector who had been
wandering around the frozen mountains
of Alaska for thirteen years to the own
er of the two best gold claims in the
Klondike, claims which in one year pro.
duced over 100000, wealth has in no
way changed his character, and he is
today the courteous, wholesouled man
he has ever been. .
That Mr.. Carmack is not afraid to
spend his money is demonstrated at one
glance. On one hand is ring from
| which hangs an immense diamond that
headlight. In his tie is jewel of near
" as great size and brilliancy. Mrs.
| Carmack, a striking brunette, dresses
richly in velvets and wears gold chain
around her neck which hangs down be-
low her waist, with large diamonds set
every, five or six inches. Her hands
are also covered with magnificent jew
els. -.. 1922
It was in company with two Indian
guides, "Skookum JIM and "Takish
Charlie,' Aug. II, 1896, that Mr.. Car.
mack rove the first stake, on Bonanza
Creek in the Klondike country. BY
right Of being discoverer, Carmack was
entitled to two claims, each running SOC
feet up and down the creek, and, in the
words of the prospector, extending
from rim rock to rim rock' (bank to
bank). Both Indians also secured rich
claims
How He Found It.
~ made my way, down to Forty Mile
in telling his story, "just as soon as
my claims were staked. On the road
met four prospectors who were utterly
discouraged and were going to the coast
to take boat for the States. You never
saw such change in men as took place
the gold dust I had PANIED out on my
claim. told 'em where to go and make
their fortunes.
"When I got to Forty Mile I founi
between twenty and thirty men in thu
town, all discouraged prospectors. Whe1
l told my news the whole town was
cleaned out before dusk the same day
One man was dead drunk, but his com
pan1Ons took him to Bonanza creek will
them in a boat and he woke the mex
day a wealthy man.
IL didn It file on my claim at once
as l was hard up. l went back to j
and in four days PANIED out $1,000 il
gold. Then / made my fling.
II have sold out my claim and an
now living at Seattle. How much hav'
} / made9 Well, enough, I guess, so tina
I won't have to worry about anythin,
for the rest of my life.''
, The Bonanza creek claims are on Can
, adam soil, and Mr.. Carmack cannot sa,
enough against the Canadian govern
ment for compelling all miners who re
newed their leases from 1898 on to pa,
the government royalty Of 10 per cen
on all gold. He says he paid the gov
eminent $4,000 in one year. Mr.. Ca1
mack fought the matter thru the high
: est court, going from the Ottawa court
to the highest tribunal at London, wher
two out Of three judges ruled agains
l him.
Mr.. and Mrs. Carmack expect to re
r main here about week.