The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-09-10


Mr. Sykes first became interested in
Alaskan mining in 1919, when he start
ed on his first big game hunt there
He became acquainted with a. A. Nj
Candless while travelling OF q boat
IN route from Dawson to Seattle and
ater formed the partnership which now
exists Mr. McCsndless is a native Of
.....a uuI mas peen ln TN
OF 1898. He Is now In active charge of
the mines.
The high cost of transportation and
rather difficult methods Of conveyance
which existed when the project was
first undertaken by Mr. Sykes caused
considerable delay in start of big de.
velopment at that time. Up To a year
ago, the cost OF freight from Seattle
TO Dawson was from sl06 to sl20 per
ton. Since that time the completion
OF the government railroad has reduc-
ed these figures 10 as low as $50
ton. The railroad extends from Seward
TO Fairbanks.
/ To reach the Sykes.McCand!css mine
the most convenient route is through
Canada by way OF Eagle or Dawson.
From Dawson, travel by horse is ne
cessitated for distance OF about so
miles. Hauling of materials and sup.
plies can only be undertaken during
the winter when the rivers freeze solid
and the trails are covered with ice and
snow. thus permitting the use OF slcds
drawn by horses. and dog.teams for
! lighter conveyance. During the sum.
mer months. lack of roads prevents
moving OF supplies. For this reason
the shipment which was consigned TO
the mines out OF ST. Paul will be stored
at Dawson until the freezing period
before 1t can be moved 10 its ultimate
destination.
The mines are operated only five
months out Of the year, also dug 10
/ the freezing weather. However there
are no idle hours. for when the extrac-
ton OF the gold is at a standstill, the
workmen are busy In saving necessary
lumber for houses. sluices. etc, and
are engaged In hauling materials and
eatables for the entire year from the
supply centers ana railroad terminals.
The Sykes.McCandcss mines are
operated by hydraulic methods. The
first operations consists OF the digging
OF a ditch similar TO those excavated
for irrigation Purposes in this coun'
ir,. This ditch ~ dug at u source -,
water supply in the mountains where
the elevation is high cnoagh 10 supply
Slfficl,r, CRAFTY prcesGre C.mccted
with the di,rh IL an iron aire. which
Is one Tilc In length and which starts
is inches at It's source and Is gradual
" reduced TO ten inches where tn,
water comes out at pressure OF "a
pounds 20 the square inch. which IL
considered sufficient inasmuch as a
pressure of 30 pounds Is regarded as
ample. To the end OF the pipe IN con
nected with what is known as "l.inch
giant" resembling n miniature cannon
through which the stream is shot Int
Tho gold bearing hills.
BY means OF the hydraulic pressure
the moss and sod is removed from th'
top OF the gravel In an operation knowr
rs stripping the surface" Then tn,
gold bearing gravel is dislodged and rur
into the "sluice" boxes. Beneath tbs
gravel. is found the bed rock" whlel
is also run into the sluice boxes. strip
OF wood. called rifles" are fastened
at angular positions In the bottom u
the sluice boxes and these intercep
the free gold as the gravel and be,
rock passes through II In the water
The residue known as 'tailings" ar
shot off With the stream. After al
area Vt a size Of about 400 by 200 fee
is removed from the hillside und sho
into the boxes. then the sluice boxes ar
cleaned and the gold removed. II
then ready for deposit in the banks 70
conversion into money.
The gravel contains sufficient gol
to pay operating expenses. The bet
rock beneath Il contains the richest po
tIon, and has the big gold" GRAY,
n ranges from eight to twelve feet
- thickness.
The banks IN the vicinity Of the gol
N mining regions Of Alaska aosept N
y gold just as the American hanks r,
Il cciye money for deposit. They In tur
ship Il TO the mints either In Its nj
n. tive state. or nodded into brick shape
m Values of the bricks is estimated q
e. approximately s9O.ooo. They are pacl
IN cd In iron chests. which are lifted
N cars for shipment by derricks.
Living conditions In the Alaskan r
slons are Of the finest kind. stetes N
sykes, who Is most enthusiastic ov'
re the northern territory. In regard to !
ID vast possibilities ss AN area Of wealt
IN It's scenic beauties and climatic cond
ie tions II IL q mistaken general ide
%. he says, that u II a friEid zone sr
re barren. Vegetation there has result'
o. In the production Of the best Of veg
"a tables. etc. and Its flowers and oth'
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