Gilpin observer., 1907-01-17
Alaska and It's Possibilities.

sion OF the American Mining congress
of 1906, by ]. T. Cornforth, formerly of
Denver, the resources Of Alaska are
graphically set forth.
It was Humboldt's primary theory
that the great gold belt extended from
the Arctic ocean in the Rockies to
Cape Horn, and because of the pc
culiar formation he held that the far
North contained by far the greater
part of the precious metals.
In 1889 Prof T. G. Mendenhall, OF
the United States Geodetic and Coast
Survey Department, went further and
undertook, in report of an actual sur
vey made by him, to trace the gold
through the Alaska peninsula. He
picked it up in the foothills of the
Rockies, at point 100 miles back Of
Nome, followed 1t to the headwaters
of the Koyukuk and Porcupine rivers,
thence along the western slope OF the
Rockies at the exact point OF the
source Of the Klondike river.
In 1882 the first gold was discovered
in Alaska on the Anauk river, tribu-
tary of the Kuskokwim, which joins
the latter stream about twenty-five
miles below Kalmakofsky, according
to the Ketchikan Alaska Mining Jour
nal. by Ivan Simensan Lukeen, at
which time he built Fort Lukeen,
trading-post of the Russian-American
Trading Company Lukeen was born
of Russian and Spanish-American Gre
ole parents in the Ross colony in Cali
fornia. He was well educated, and
proved to be an active, energetic and
intelligent officer.
At the time of the discovery OF gold
in the Klondike, but little or nothing
was known by the world of the exist
ence of such rich mineral country,
SO the opening of Alaska dates from
1897.
The production of gold increases
each season. The scarcity OF water
is the greatest drawback, the numer-
GUS bitches now finished III the Sew
ard peninsula, costing many millions
of dollars" will double the present
output of the yellow metal next year.
The Tanana district stands at the
front this season, with production OIL
over eight million dollars.
The Malchatna and Koyukuk coun-
try will be the next district to be
heard from.
Quartz mining is not attracting the
prospector at this time. for placer
grounds are so numerous and brinS
the ready cash in the shortest space
of time. The one quartz mine with
stamp mill is the Hurrah. located on
the Seward peninsula. Its output Is
from 100000 to 100000 annually.
This is the only mill in operation in
the North. Numerous ones are IN
southeastern Alaska, but this article
does not cover or refer to that section.
Southeastern Alaska is a territory in
and of itself, and the value OF its rich
mines are well known.
Many believe that we have nothing
but placer gold in the North. Hun
dreds of prospects Of gold quartz veins
have been found running from two to
fifty feet in width. and carrying from
"a trace to hundreds of dollars ton
in gold.
Many are invading the Kuskokwim
country this summer. Several experts
from Montana and New York are ex-
ploring the country. Five steamers are
now in the river trade. stores are being
established, onc at the forks OF the
main stream and the east fork some
500 miles from its mouth on Behring
sea. Everything points to heavy
rush there in the spring, as the coun-
try is known to be rich in minerals.
The mining camps of Alaska have
received from Puget Sound ports this
year 1906) over 250.000 tons OF
freight, in value many millions OF dol
lars. The business continues to ex-
pand every year. The principal OK
ports from Alaska are gold copper.
furs and canned salmon. The imports
are everything that a rich new coun-
try calls form developing the mines.
building the home, feeding and cloth
ing the people. 1t is the most valuable
asset of the United States.
1t is predicted that the presence or
two representatives in the federal Con
gress will give industrial development
and advancement that was impossible
without representation at Washington.
We also to render our support for 4
department OF mines and mining. We
of Alaska know 1t would be of ines
timable value to the whole American
people. We owe much to the officers
of the United States Geological Sur
vey, which is but n slight introduction
to what Cabinet officer would be able
to accomplish for the mining interests
of our country.
One of the greatest events of the
year was the arrival of Captain Roald
Amundsen in his S0-foot sloop Gjoa at
Nome. He arrived by way OF the
Northwest passage from Norway, be-
ing the first man that ever made the
trip. He was given a great reception
by the people OF the Seward peniE-
sula.
To-day the only means Of trave! Is
by water, sled, foot or horseback.
Major Richardson Is building few
miles OF government wagon roads; II
continued support is given him b?'
Congress. his work will result in grea.
BENEFIT.
Railroads are building that will give
relief and transportation all the year
to open ports on the Pacific.