The Yale expositor., 1909-08-20

The old saying, Familiarity breeds
contempt" does not hold good with
Alaska on the contrary, 1t begets a
fondness which swells into enthusi-
asm as one fact after another is dis
covered and demonstrated. In some
way or other the country has draw
ing and winning effect upon most per-
sons who have lived there, If only for
a short period. Some are attracted
by the beauty and magnificence of the
scenery, and others find rest and re-
turning-vigor in the mildness and even
ness of the climate; some, again, at
tracted by the wonders of the veget-
able and animal kingdoms, and others,
the majority perhaps, delve into the
richness OF the mineral treasures,
writes John G.. Brady, ex-governor OF
Alaska in Independent. The adven-
turers into British Columbia, the Yu-
kon territory and Alaska are a hardy
and buoyant stock.
Those who have gotten up our phys
ical biographies were pumping from
dry wells when they came to treat of
the 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 well along in
middle life become impatient when
the deficiency is revealed to them. 1t
is we'll that this is so, for by a reas-
enable amount of diligence they can
make good the loss and have much
pleasure in acquiring information so
much at variance with preconceived
ideas. The Yukon is one of the mighty
rivers of the globe. Captains who
have had their training on steamboats,
upon the Mississippi and who now
have been a number of years on the
Yukon believe that during the months
OF navigation as great volume of wa
ter is discharged into Boring 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 generally northwest direction.
Two branches, the Lewes and the
Pelly, unite at Selkirk, at which point
IL takes the name Yukon. On its
northern trend 1t receives the volumes
of other large tributaries before Daw-
son is reached, near the mouth OF the
Klondike. Keeping a still northerly
course 1t crosses the boundary line
in latitude 141 degrees. 80 miles from
Dawson. Holding still it's main direc-
ton at Circle City, 1t widens into
numerous channels and great fats till
few minutes north OF the arctic cir
Gle, where IL is Joined by the Porcu-
pine, coming in from the northeast.
Here is bend and takes a generally
southwest course, gathering as II
goes the Tanana. coming up from the
southeast, and farther on the Koyu
kok. a mighty meanderer from the
north. and at last discharging through
numerous channels over an immense
delta into Boring sea. 1t is nav
igable for large steamboats, as far as
Dawson, a distance of 1,600 miles
From that point smaller steamers ply
to White Horse. 112 miles by railroad
10 Shakway. The summit is but 20
mile from this town snd is at an ele
walton of 300 feet. This river drains
a mighty basin.
Many good things are stored there
in. and II 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 influences
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 bel
safe deposit vaults. Nearly every camp
has its own peculiar gold. There IL
a wide difference In regard to shape