East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-07-20

Il have been wishing for country
where the weather is warm" said
Mayor Matlock this morning. and evi-
IDENTIFY, in spite of the heat, Pendleton
is pleasing to him after his months
sojourn in Alaska.
The mayor arrived last evening on
the passenger train from Portland, af-
ter having been absent from Pendle-
ton just month and eight days.
During that time he travelled 1000
miles, mostly by sea. crossed the Arc
tic circle. visited Skagway, Dawson.
Circle City, st. Michael, Nome and
other celebrated places of the frozen
north. It was a most interesting
route that was covered. and when
seen this morning in the office of the
First National bank, he talked most
entertainingly of his trip.
From Seattle 1 sailed for Skag
way" said he, "and from there took
the White Pass railway for White
Horse Rapids, and from there crossed
on the lake to Dawson and there
changed to a steamer for Nome. In
coming back 1 sailed direct for Seat
tie from Nome. and was nine days on
the voyage. the outside route being
followed"
According to the mayor Nome is
holding up we'll to its past reputation
as a great placer mining center. There
are about 10000 people there during
the summer, while the cleanup" is
being made, but during the winter
months only about half that number
stay Most of the mining is now be-
ing conducted on a solid. steady basis
and much machinery has been placed
in operation. Consequently, affairs
are different from what they were
during the first rush six years ago.
However, new discoveries are still be-
Ing made, and last year what is re-
garded as the richest find in the world
was made within few miles of Nome.
1t is the Portland bench. and had been
gone over repeatedly by prospectors
ever since the first rush. At the time
of the discovery it was being worked
by four men on LAY" or lease, given
for the purpose of having the land
prospected. Under the contract they
were forbidden to work more than
four men, and then only for a limited
time. Nevertheless, within that period
they were able to secure $3.50. 600 in
gold from the bench.
Mayor Matlock does not believe
that too much attention should be
paid to the fabulous sums that are
being taken from the mines of Alaska
and the stories told concerning them,
for they do not tell of the thousands
Yrh N Of hNy thnfr nv
periences in that region. AS a field
for investment and a wealth produc-
ing country he regards Umatilla
county as worthy of consideration it.
self. In talking with Nome people
about the amount of gold that is be-
ing taken out annually, the mayor
was told that between four and five
millions was realized annually from
the mines there. However, he told
them that this was but little more than
was received each year for the wheat
of Umatilla county, and no hullabaloo
was made about the latter, either.
The mine at Nome which is owned
bv Mr.. Matlock and associates. Is not
being run this year, as an option on
II has been given with the understand
ing that it should not be worked TINS
season. The selling price is $4,000
and of this amount 10000 was paid
to bind the bargain. William Beagle
formerly of Pendleton, and who is also
interested in the mine with Mr.. Mat
lock. Lester Swaggart and others
came down to Portland on the steamer
with the mayor. being afflicted with
rheumatism contracted at Nome.
''While the weather was cool nearly
all of the way and especially on the
ocean. it was not cold at any tlme'
and I did not wear an overcoat all the
time | was away" said Mr. MatlocK'
on June 81. while on the trip down
the Yukon, the Arctic circle was
crossed at Circle City. At that place
and for some distance around, the sun
does not set at this time Of the year
consequently there is little to dlstih-
guish the night from the day.
Mrs. Matlock did not accompany
the mayor on this trip, but remained
in Portland. where the family has
rented a house for the summer ana
where they will live until fall.