Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-06-03
SURVEYS
INTERIOR ALASKA
Government Busy Mapping
unknown Land for
Trappers Miners

When Secretary of States Seward, in
1857. bought Alaska from Russia for
about $7,000,000. the transaction was
generally regarded with disfavor in
the United States. 1t was considered
foolish waste of American money,
and the only excuse or explanation
then offered was that the payment Of
this amount for that frozen region was
mode of compensation to Russia for
friendliness manifested and service
rendered to the United States during
the Civil war.
The native name Alaska mean great
land" 1t was said, and the land was
without doubt impressively great in
area; but no one attached any value
to that half-million square miles of
supposed barrenness and snow and ice,
presumably uninhabitable by civilized
men and far removed from civilized
lands. 1t had been only a burden to
Russia, and the czar and his men of
state were glad to be rid of II. The
seals and fisheries had been a source
Of some revenue, but not enough to
defray the cost of administration. Yet
40 years later, in 1906, a small frac-
ton of that "great land" had produced
in gold the sum Of $10s, roo more
than IA times the amount OF the pur
chase money. Within the last 10 wears
Seward Peninsula alone has produced
over $4,000, 000 about s7,500,000 Of
which is credited to the wear 1905
more than enough TO pay the bill for
the territory.
Development of MINING.
At first all the gold mining was done
in the gravels of the creeks, but during
recent years the pan and the sluice
box Of the placer miner have in sornk
places given way to the ore mill of the
lode miner, who has kept pace with
| the geologist in the search for the
original sources of the golden sands
| and nuggets of the placers. The search
! still continues, as may be learned from
the United States geological surveys
report on the progress of investiga-
tons of the mineral resources of
Alaska in 1906, just published. This
volume, which may be obtained on APP
plication to the director of the survey
at Washington, d. c., contains a gem
eral account of the progress Of the
surveys and the conditions of the min
ing industry, by A. H. Brooks, Reolo-
/ gist in charge OF mineral investiga-
tions in Alaska, and number of de-
tailed reports on various portions of
the territory by other members Of the
force.
Investigations were made in SOUTH
eastern Alaska, in the Yakutat- Aisek
region, about Controller bay and Cook
inlet, on Seward peninsula and in the
Yukon district These investigations
did not relate solely to gold, but COM
prised examinations OF deposits OF
copper. tin and other metals, as wen
as beds of coal. seepages of petroleum.
available supplies of building stone
and gypsum. and water resources for
placer mining.
Practically Unknown Land.
! Less than one-fourth OF the area OF
the territory has been mapped, and
| less than one sixth has been survey
ed geologically 1t is worthy of note
that although nearly half million
dollars has been spent on Alaskan SUR
veys and Investigations. this is less
than one-half of one per cent of the
value of the gold output during the
period covered by the surveys.
Transportation problems are stii in
the forefront throughout Alaska.
Steamboat service. both on the rivers
and on the sea and its inlets. is being
rapidly improved, but except on a
few short railways overland transport
tation is still very primitive. The
! Alaskan road commission is doing
much to help the mining interests in
various parts of the territory by high
way and trail constrpctiop. Year by
year the demand for railway connec-
ton of the inland region with open
water becomes more imperative and
until such roads are built the interior
Of the territory can be but slightly de-
veloped
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