The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1909-08-27

The old saying, "Famiiarity breeds
contempt" does not hold good with
Alaska; on the contrary, it begets a
ondness which swells into enthusi-
asm as one fact after another is dis
covered and demonstrated. In some
way or other the country has a draw
,ng and winning effect upon most per
sons who have lived there If only for
1 short period. Some are attracted
by the beauty and magnificence of the
scenery, and others find rest and re-
turnng-vigO in the mildness and even
ness of the climate; some, again. at
lracted by the wonders Of the veget
able and animal kingdoms, and others.
he majority perhaps. delve into the
richness OF the mineral treasures,
writes John G.. Brady, ex-governor OF
Alaska in independent. The adven-
.urers into British Columbia, the Yu-
kon territory and Alaska are hardy
and buOyant stock.
Those who have gotten up our phys
cal Biographies were pumping from
Lly w ellis NlltH lHCy CdliC " u Sob Va
he northwest coast OF America. Much
that was given was erroneous. For in
stance. Mount ST Elias in one edition
Of the Encyclopedia Britannica Is
spoken of as a burning volcano. Many
we'll educated people we'll along in
middle life become impatient when
the deficiency is revealed to them. 1t
Is well that this is so, for by reas-
OIlable amount of diligence they can
make good the loss and have much
p easure in acquiring information so
rnuch at variance with preconceived
hdeas. The Yukon is one of the mighty
frivers of the globe. Captains who
4 upon the Mississippi and who now
have been number Of years on the
Yukon believe that during the months
Of navigation as great volume of wa
ter is discharged into Bering sea as
into the Gulf Of Mexico Its head
waters begin in the mountains east of
Skagway, in British soil, somewhat
south of the siXtieth parallel, and flow
in a generally northwest direction.
Two branches, the Lewes and the
Pelly, unite at Selkirk, at which point
It takes the name Yukon. On it's
northern trend it receives the volumes
Of other large tributaries before Daw
son is reached, near the mouth of the
NlOndike Keeping still northerly
course it crosses the boundary line
IN latitude 14l degrees, 90 miles from
Dawson Holding 3till its main direc-
zion at Circle City, it widens into
numerous channels ana great flats till
i few minutes north OF the arctic cir
cle. where it is Joined by the POrcu-
pine, coming in from the northeast.
Here is bend and takes a generally
southwest course, gathering as 1t
goes the Tanana, coming up from the
southeast, and farther on the KOyu-
kOk, mighty meanderer from the
north. and at last discharging through
numerous channels over an immense
delta into Bering sea. 1t Is nav
igable for large steamboats, as far as
Dawson, a distance of 1900 miles.
From that point smaller steamers ply
to White Horse, 112 miles by railroad
to Shakway. The summit Is but 20
mile from this town and is at an ele-
vation of 200 feet This river drains
a mighty basin.
Many good things are stored there
in. and it does seem as though the
Creator intended it for the use OF his
creatures Gold has been found on
most every stream throughout the
length of the valley where men have
made an effort to reach bedrock. even
far beyond the arctic circle on the
headwaters of the KOyukOk. The pro-
duction OF this metal. which inffuvnces
mankind so powerfully, Natures mills
have been grinding and reducing and
sluicing in past ages; what has been
separated from the lodes has been
gathered and frozen securely In her
safe deposit vaults Nearly every camp
has its own peculiar gold. There Is
n vida difference In regard to shape.