CORRESPONDENCE
NKW8 FROM THE SURROUNDING
COUNTRY.
Agricultural Station.
Kprrtnl (''.mwpnnd'iK-t to thr fitnorttrroit.
Cop)>er Center, Aug. l(i—Having
promised to send in some data or
personal oltservations of this section
of the Copper river valley, from an
agricultural standpoint, I offer the
following remarks:
Arriving at Copper Center on the
17th of July, Mr. Blix, the post
master, kindly offered us the use
of a cabin, which we accepted, and
after a careful examination of the
soil, elevation and general percept
ible conditions of this section of
the valley, Mr. Fred E. Rader, the
special agent sent out by the head
of the department for this work,
(selected a tract of land comprising
760 acres in the fork of the Copper
and Klutena rivers, aliout one half
mile north of Copper Center. Then
we moved out on the station,pitch
ing our tent about where a elation
building will be erected next sea
son.
This tract, we believe will prove
to l>e characteristic of much of the
valley land. It is composed of a
succession of benches, from a few
feet nltove the river to a consider
able elevation on the upper bench
included in the tract.
The so.l varies in depth from
eight inches to two feet and is of a
very friable sandy loam with often
times a gray clay subsoil. Ac is
already known these terraces or
benches along the Copj>er, are un
derlaid with immense glaeial de
posits of gravel to an unknown
depth.
On account of the inaccessibility
of the interior, it was inqwssihle to
accomplish much this season. How
ever, we have made a fair start
under the circumstances, having
at this date four acres of land
cleared, a part of which has been
spaded up and seeded to several va
rieties of winter wheat and rye and
some grasses and nearly all are up
and growing well. The same show
ing quite green for some consider
able distance away.
Another year we will have a
team and all necessary farming im
plements, as the department prom
ises to fully equip the Copper river
station and push the work of ex
perimentation as much as possible
and it will not be surprising to
some time see this made the lead
ing station of the territory and
thus Itecome headquarters for the
department.
One is easily impressed with the
idea of transforming the broad val
ley of the Copper and its tributar
ies into a vast farming area, if he
will but walk through the gardens
of Toneina and Copper Center and
also observe the growth of oats,
wheat and barley, where seed has
been spilled along the military
road, which now stands three feet
high and almost matured at this
writing. These with the wild
grasses seen along the the swamps
or where the timber has been des
troyed by fire, are very encourag
ing to the agriculturalist.
J. W. N.
Prom Calamity Gulch.
8pecial Correspondence to the Pkosfimtob.
Calamity Creek, Aug. 1—When
the gum-boot miner dream* of his
ideal placer camp, his fancy pic
tures the Niziua placer creeks.
Fine timber is abundant, sluice
lumber can be cut on most of the
claims and the timber squares from
twelve to twenty inches and is
plentiful. The creeks have all
sufficient water for either sluice or
hydraulic purpose*, the fall of most
of the creeks is from eight to fif
teen per cent where the claims are
located. Sluicing can be commen
ced about May 20th. and contin
ued until October 1st.
Hold was first found on Dan
creek by Dan Kane in July 1001.
An Indian called Dan was piloting ^
Kane up Dan creek to show him a i
cropping of copper ore when Kane
was struck by the likely looking
• eravel bars and found coarse gold
by washing the gravel with hi*
shovel. In 1002, nineteen pros
| pectors landed their outfits at the
mouth of Young creek and divided
in sections anil started to prosjicct
the different creeks. The first re
sults came when Jack .Smith, Jack
Sweeney and Angus Chisholm dis
covered gold on Youngereek, April
23d. The next find was made by
Griffin, Griffith and Stephens, on
Calamity creek, April 29th. A
pick and shovel was found at the
mouth of this creek where some
prospector had left them years be
fore. The next find was made by
the Rowland party and Charley
Koppus and Prank Kernan, April
30th., on Chittitu creek. Since
then finds have lieen made on In
dian creek, Champagne creek and
Boulder, all tributaries of Young
creek and on Copper creek, a tribu
tary of Dan creek and on May creek.
All of the almve mentioned streams
prospect fine and it is safe to say
that all will be producers.
There are now four sets of sluice
lioxes lieing worked and although
the season is well along, the ring of
the whip-saw assures us that there
is more coming. A very peculiar
thing is the variety of metals. In
each clean-up several pounds of
copper in pieces from a penny
weight to a pound is gathered from
the sluice boxes and chunks weigh
ing fifteen pounds have been found
on bed-rock. When panning, the
native copper is a certain indica
tion of gold and the two metals
seem to run together. Nuggets of
native silver, platinum and cinna
bar are also found. There is a
scarcity of magnetic sand which
is so prevalent in most placer dig
gings. The gold is very coarse and
cleans up in the lioxes very nicely.
ilie coarsest gold is found on Dan
creek where the average of ten
ounces taken out weighed one quar
ter of a penny-weight. No large
nuggets have been found, but many
have been found weighing from
four penny-weights to a half an
ounce. In all Nizina is a model
placer camp and is w'hat so many
have sought for, “A place to shovel
in a homestake.”
Dan Kane, Jack Williams Tom
my Blakeney are prospecting on
Dan creek.
Angus Chisholm, Jack Williams
and John Sweeney are developing
their property on Copper creek.
M. S. Griffith, Charley Koppus
and Frank Kernan are sluicing on
number one Rex gulch.
Bob Young and Chas. Craig are
prospecting on the north side of the
Nazena.
McCuen and Buzza are prospect
ing on tlie.head-waters of the Chit
tyna.
Geo. Hooper, Bert Stevens, Boh
Fulkerson,Chas Talbot, Tom Gains,
Eli Payment and Guy Banta came
in from the Bremner. The latter
workid diligently one day with axe
and pencil and bid us a fond fare
well.
Geo. Hooper, Bert Stevens and
Bob Fulkerson have taken a lay
from Griffin and Stevens on num
ber three Calamity creek, where
several Bremner boys are prospect
ing.
When the Farewell knl was here
he was given a pan of dirt that
turned out five dollars. He said it
was not as good as the Bremner.
“Why did he stampede ?”
Bert Carvey wonders why he
stayed with the pack train so long.
Bert has located several good claims
and talks of the St. Louis exposi
tion.
Tobacco is worth eight dollars
per pound and nails are twenty-five
dollars a pound.
J. ti. S.
Another Strike Reported.
Chittitu Creek, Aug. 4th—A new
strike is reported north of (iolconda
creek in Ha: a.^ita valley. Most
all who were on (iolconda have
SLampcdcd over there. 1 have not
l>een able to ascertain the richne-s
or extent of the strike a> vet l>ut
will let you kno.i a. earliest peri
od. 1 am now visiting on the Clm
Pacific Clipper Line.
The Fast and Comfortable New
Steamship Santa Ana
Sails from Seattle on the loth of each
Month, and from VALDEZ to
on or about the 30th of Each Month.
The Santa Ana is the LARGEST and FASTEST BOAT on this
run and Carries Mail and the
ALASKA PACIFIC EXPRESS
Ship Your GOLD DUST hy This Boat.
LOWEST RATES.
For Further Information Apply to
JAMES FISH & CO., PACIFIC CLIPPER LINE,
Agents, Valdez. Seattle.
titu. Things here have a very
favorable outlook. Two to four
ounce diggings are a very common
thing. A great deal of native cop
per is found in with the gold nnd
also a good amount of native silver
nnd some platinum. The last pan
taken out was fifteen dollars and
many go twelve dollars and one
twelve dollar nugget was found.
Dan creek is also very rich. The
gold from this creek is the coarsest
of any found in the country. A
new strike has been made recently
on Copper creek, a tributary of
Dan creek. Experts arrived all
right at Bonanza. Guy Bantawas
over buying up Chittitu property.
H. B. G.
CHURCHES SOCIETIES ETC.
Endeavor Cono. Church—Cor.
Glacier Avenue and Hobart
Street. Rev. D. \V. Cram, Pastor.
Services every Sunday at 10:30 a.
m. and 8 p. m. Prayer meeting
Wednesday night. Christian En
deavor Society meets Sunday even
ing at 7 o'clock. Melvin Dempsev,
President.
Church ok tiik Epiphany—Cor.
Glacier Avenue and Hobart
Street. Services on Sunday at 11
a. m. and 8 p. m. Rev. F. S. Tay
lor, Rector.
Orderok Alaska Moose, Pioneer
Tent No. 1. Meet in their own
xlall on Reser
vation Avenue,
every Thursday
evening at *8
o’eloek. John
Goodell, Ruling
Spirit; A. J. Ad
ams, Kee|>er of
Wa Wa.(See)
Arctic Brotherhood—
Valdez Camp No. 10.
Meets ai Moose1
Hail every Tues
day evening.
A. M. Edwards,
Arc-tie Chief. J.
G. Snyder, Sec
retary.
Brotherhood of Alaska Pioneers
Arthur Bohgal, Chief, W. J.
McDonnell, Secretary.
Headqnartere, Afognak, Alaska.
Valdez Chamber of Commerce—
Meet on the first and third
Friday night of each month. J.
Goodell, Pres. A. \V. Rochford,
Alaska’s Official Directory.
Governor—John G. Brady.
L\ 8, Judges—Melville C. Brown. Mat. No. 1,
►eal at Juneau: James Wlekersham, Dint. No. 3,
seat at Noma
L*. 8. Attorneys— *. A. Friedrich, Dtst. No. 1;
Joseph K. Wood, J. Harlan.
Clerk—District No. 1. W. J. Hills, Dist. No. 3,
A. K. Heilig.
V. 8. Marshals—James M. Hhoup, Dist. No. 1;
Cornelius L. Vawter. Dist. No. 2; G. G. Perry,
Dist. No. 3.
Commissioners-Edward de Groff, Sitka; II.
H. Folsom, Juneau: F. P. Tustin, Ft. Wrangell;
L. K. Woodward, lualaska; P. Gallagher, Ko
diak; J. J. Roberts, Skagw ay; W. J. Joaes, Circle
City; L. H. Shepard, St. Michael; Sol Ripinsky,
Ilaiues Mission: J. P. Smith, Ketchikan; G. M.
Irwin, Ikmglas; C. T. Brooks, Sunrsie; John
Lyons, Valdez, Prescott Sawyer, Eagle.
U. 8. Laud Officers—Surveyor General—\V. 8.
Distiu.
Register—John W. Dudley.
Receiver—A. P. Appersoii.
Clerks— Geo. Slow ell. W. F. Jefferys.
Dc-iiiy t; s. Marshals DM. No. I, special
" McNair J. W Sma>k, Skagway; J. 1
Can >»bcll. Sitku* E. F. Kelly. Juneau; Win. I*
’•rant, Wrang.-I; w. llillg. :*•;** i-t;,,, •
K lvsr.lt lla-cy. Valdc/.: i • »vi- t. fk.wcr
K. iakiP.-ter Ni ^»n. Pot . upiuv; W.G. Thoi.
j* , Udi'lii/iiu; J. 1*. U.j >iu>Ua<U| Lagie. j.
Zuboff, Killisnito.
WHERE
we ? Who?
STOP
Everyone From Valdez.
AT THE
FRANKLIN
OF COURSE.
Only First Class European Hotel in
JUNEAU.
John T. Spickett Proprietor
HOTEL DILLER.
Headquarters for VALDEZ People
120 Rooms. Rates 50e, 11.00 anti
$1.50 per day. First class res
taurant in connection. Free
bus. Opposite U. S. Postoffice.
W. (S. POTTS, Manager.
Cor. 1st Ave. and
University St. SEATTLE
Cameron Golden
1090 Pioneer lonsorial Parlor 1090
Tl»e Oldest and Most
Reliable in Town.
Ladies’ Shampooing
a Specialty.
Ladies* and Gents* Baths
Porcelain Tubs. Fresh
and Salt Water
Baths. Rooms Sep
arate from the Shop.
AIlModrn Improvements
T. J. Coles.
amiuuif iuk
Dladunitbinf
JOBBING.
GLACIER St. and McKINLEY Av.
COOK INLET
Prospecting and Hunting par
ties can be supplied with
necessary outfits by
H. N. WETHERBEE,
at Kenai and Kussiloff at the
Most Reasonable Prices in Al
aska, thereby saving freight
and trouble of landing sup
plies.
CEO. S. MEARNS, Agent.
Kkxai, Alaska.
PATENTS Bsg&sga
• ■ “ oncommissionbasis.
• Sin TOR BOUYBMIK LIST
Inventor*, Manufacturers. Seller. andrwr*
>f patented article, defended aeainat Infringer*.
poKy Co’*-,
MCARA. MICHEL. REGISTERED ATTORNEY,
•M DROADWAV. NEW YORK. ^
m
Pacific Padiin; {flavijafion (o.
Successor.' to PACIFIC ST HAM WHALING CO.
EXCELSIOR
Z. S. MOORE, Master.
AMD
N EWPORT.
F. S. MOORE, Master.
EXCEI^IOR Sails from Seattle about 25th of Each Month lor
Yakutat, r.lliiniar, \ ALDEZ, lllinnimi and Cooks Inlet Points.
Sails from \ ALDEZ abont 12th of each month for Juneau
c6ftttl6.
NEWPORTsails from Juneau about 1st of each month for Valdes and
western Points.
Sails from VALDEZ about 25th of each month for Sitka and Juneau.
For Information and Rates Apply at Office of
Pacific Packing & Nav.Co.
2‘£e1Sui,,?in1?' 8eatt,e> Wash. j. c. martin, Agt.
oil California Street, San Francisco.
W M. WORKMAN p MAGNESON
Workman’s Road House
First roadhouse built on Government
Trail. Can accomodate oO people, has large
warm ham for 20 horses and good quarters
for dogs. Good meals and everything the
nmsher desires.
Twenty Miles From Valdez.
Roberts’ Road House.
Before crossing the Summit on the way to
the interior stop for rest and shelter at Mrs.
Robert’s. BEST and ONLY place for feed
and water on the road. 21 Miles From Val
dez.
MRS.’H. ROBERTS, . . PROPRIETOR.
^arroigan [MdfloGse.
ON THK AU.-AMKRU AN TRAIJ. 33 MILER FROM VAI.DKZ.
Best of Accommodations
For Man and Beast.
Reopened under New Management.
FIRST STOPPING PLACE AFTER CROSSING SUMMIT.
Donation Roadhouse*
TOBSIIM BRIDGE.
Outfits Cached Free of Charge Free Horse and Dog Stables.
Distance From Valdes, 774 Miles, via Government Trail. Best
Accomodations for Travelers.
CHAS. C. YAGER, Pkop. 77 Milks From Valdes
When on the Way to the Interior, Stop at the
Loomis Roadhouse,
Tonsina Bridge.
Good Meals. Good Beds.
Complete Line of Merchandise and Miners Supplies at
Valdes Prices with Freight Added.
I. H. LOOMIS, Prop. 77 Milks From Valdks.
Harry C. Murphy WillDav*
HOTEL HOLTMN
Best roadhouse on the All American Route to the
Yukon. Fresh vegetables during season from our
own garden. Good feed for stock near by. Best of
accomodations, winter or summer.
COPPER CENTER, ALASKA. 103 Milks From Vaubk
C E. BOQ/IRDUS,
Assayer and Chemist.
Gold and Silver $1.00 Gold Silver and Co;per $2.50
60 Columbia St., Skattlf, Wash.