The daily Alaskan., 1905-02-13
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION or
 ATLIN DISTRICT
E. T. Hamshaw, the Mining Engineer Tells of Northern Goldfelds Where Wealth
 Awaits Capital and Brawn

perty it might be stated that while it is seven miles in length, only seven hund- red feet were worked b. the company during the four months ofopen weather this summer. Mir. Hamshaw talked enthusiastically on the subject of hy- draulic mining, giving vivid description of the methods used in laying lhe hum- es, which bring the necess iry water from the reservoirs and deliver at ter rife pressure st the working point.
 Hydrulic mining, explained in few words, is process in which water, un- der great pressure, is thrown against a gravel bank. The water washes the gravel away, and Is caught in sluice box as ou the bottom of which are "riffi- es", or cross pieces, against which the golden particles, being heavest, lodge.
 Heavy iron pipes are used 10 convey the water and it is said that the stream of water leaving the nozzel is so com pressed and running Vith such great velocity that it is impossible for a man to strike sn ax through the stream, which will ring like steel bar when struck. It can be readily seen that this great force washes the gravel away rapidly ana with It the precious golden particles and nuggets, which falling to bottom, lodge against the "riifles'.
 After a certain interval the streams are shut of and the "clean-up" takes place, when all the gold lodged against the rifles Is scraped away and put into pans for It's final asserting.
 MT. Hamshaw brought out areal gold pan, one which had seen service in the Alaska, also long. s'im buck skin bag, tied with shoe string at the top, which was filled to its capacity with pure gold, it's contents being worth S5 OOO. Then placing the pan across the knees of his interviewer he poured out the golden nuggets as one would pour out a few quarts of black berries. The nuggets were of pure virgin gold, no traces ot quarts or other foreign substances be- iug discernibie. The gold is of Surpris- ingly brilliant, light ye low co or anG the nuggets are of every conceivable shape and size, from the size Of an egg down 10 minute particles So pure Is the go that it Is readily worked into articles of jewelry without any prepara- tion what ever. Mir. Hamshaw display ing several magnificent watch guards. belt buckles, stickpius and lOsnette chains, made from carefully selected nugge united with links fashioned from the same mlleral. The b 'auty and elegance of these articles cannot be imagined vii hOu; an inspect on Ct them.
 In referring to life in Alaska, Mir, Hamshaw said that it Is the most health ful climate imaginable. The the JheT- mometer often drops to as low us 60 degrees below zero and yet the cold IS not felt as severely AS is zero weather in New York state, The climate lS so dry that all forms of pulmonary weakness are promptly cured.
 Like all other places, liquor Is the greatest foe of the Alaskan gold miner and it Is the one thing which prevents him from returning home laden with the wealth with which the country Is overhowing. The temp;ation to resort to use of liquors there cannot be over esti mated, as the men have no other form of disversiOn than to go to the sal oons and drinking places. In dealing with his smen, of whom he of, en employs one hundred. Mir. Hamshaw tOlera;es no drinking and does not allow the men to frequent the drinking places.
 In order to give them some diversion the young ladies of his family were in the habit of visiting the camps, of the men one or two evenings weekly, and take musical instruments with them.
 They would then entertain the men with music and songs, (which gave them a great deal of pleasure.
 Mir. Hsmshaw is an enthusiast on the subject of Alaska. He says that there Is no reason on earth why man cannot 20 into the country and make three or four thousand dollars during the four months of open weather, even though Le does not ''strike it rich," provided of course that he will let whisky alone.