The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-05-28
bad" Men Are Sent Out into
the Wild Country with
Small Ration Supply.

fusion OF new foreign blood, new man
ner Of living and other less apparent
causes have changed the American
in the tsates to different kind of
man and a different looking man, eth
biological change being scarcely less
pronounced than his change In man
ners and customs, but the Alaskan
living back in the hills, removed from
the influences and tendencies OF the
past decade or so, is still largely typi-
cal OF tho American from ,Jackson's
time down, to say, that OF Garfield.
lie is few in numbers, but he is ever
ready with cheer for the flag and
the eagle. He quotes Emerson, Thack-
cray and Dickens, and reads his Bible
with firm conviction of the literal
truth OF the essential propositions of
the Christian religion. He entertains
profound respect for the memory Of
the fathers OF the republic; believes
firmly In the equality of all men be-
fore the law; and regards the practice
Of good citizenship as both privilege
and duty of the highest character.
And he longs to sec Alaska u full
fedged state, or at least with self
government
The prospector is the most pictur-
esQue and in some respects the most
useful citizen we have. The true pros
pector is Invariably a dreamer, an
enthusiast and an optimlst. His bust
ness is to search for gold or other
minerals, which he confidently OK
poets to find tomorrow, although
years Of disappointment may lay be-
hind him. His property consists of
pick. pan, blanket, rifle and little
flour, coffee and bacon. The rest OF
his food is supplied by the forest and
streams. His clothing consists OF
khaki or corduroy. heavy wooden I'M
derwear, a blue flannel shirt and
hobnailed shoes laced to his knees.
When unable TO supply himself with
necessary equipment he easily finds
some one who will. This is called
grub stalking" and entities the per-
son providing the grub stake to an
interest in any minerals the prospec-
tor may find.
When successful in finding a min
eral deposit of sufficient value to
make its working profitable tho pros
pector locates" It by driving stakes
and posting notice to indicate its
ownership. The claim is then duly
registered and. upon the performance
OF certain required assessment work,
the law protects the title thus ac-
CURED. Prospectors frequently sell
their claims to mining companies, but
sometimes work them alone by primi-
tive methods. Such small mines
usually pay the prospector from IS to
$50 day, but occasionally much
more. Such miners live alone In re-
mote regions, acquire peculiarities as
rule, talk to themselves almost
habitually and make only such visits
TO the settlements as may be neces-
sary 10 replenish supplies. Such in
frequent travellers as may pass his
cabin are expected to stop and, II tho
miner is absent, to use his food. bunk
and other conveniences with perfect
freedom. A fixed rule is that the
dishes shall be washed and other
things be left as they were found.
The gold produced by these small,
individual miners probably would ag-
gregate close to 10 per cent of the
total annual yield in Alaska. The dis
covery of big deposits and their sub
sequent development by large com
panies is the prospector's dream and
the source Of his greatest economic
usefulness. Such q find makes him
rich at once.
1t is a popular fallacy in the
states that experience or technical
knowledge are necessary to be a sue
cessful prospector. Very little is re-
the ground as another. Some OF the
biggest strikes in the territory have
been made by men who never saw
gold-pan until they arrived in Alaska.
The man with past is frequent in
Alaska. What has name used TO be,
why he left the states, and such
purely private matters are not In
quired into, 1t being considered par
ticularly indicate breach OF good
taste to solicit information concern
ing purely personal subjects which
would be voluntarily disclosed II
necessary or desirable. There are
known to be a considerable number
OF men in Alaska, now good and use
49, Nibl6phot "hOoO PIOpSA AoLiNo
would doubtless be familiar to most
readers OF The Telegram. as once held
in high esteem in the states until
clouded by some misadventure. Dis
appearing from the scenes OF their
disgrace. they reappeared in Alaska
wearing new names. leading new
lives, and creating new fortunes. So
long as they deport themselves prop
erly no curiosity is exhibited. Alas
kans having no wish TO uncover the
past or to subject TO needless humilia-
ton and distress any man who has
reformed and is living on the square.
Politicians. particularly those called
lame ducks" find seemingly secure
haven in Alaska. Legislators and
other officials repudiated by their
home constituencies. but with ade-
Quate influence at Washington. for
whom there are no places in the Phil
ippines or Hawaii, are frequently bill
leted on Alaska in one capacity or
another. The territory, being gov
erned by fifteen or twenty separate
departments, bureaus. commissions
boards, etc, vast number Of offices
naturally exist, and as they arc most
" entirely useless for any other i'm
eg1nable purpose, they como in handi-
IL as refugees for the lame ducks"
which each succeeding administration