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ALASKA CENTRAL
LETS BIG CONTRACTS
llj ! . _ " ■ ,
Seattle, Aug. 16—The Alask Central Railroud Company today
awarded the contract for boring the placer river tunnel to Rich &
Harris. The company also awarded a contract for 25 miles
of rock work along the north shore of Turnagain Arm to
Welch Brothers of Spokane. Both firms announce their inten
tion of working all winter with as large forces as can be employ
ed to advantage. —
Representatives of these firms made a careful inspection of the
proposed work a short time ago, and the letting of the contracts
was hot unexpected in Seward. The tunnel work embraces fiive
short tunnels with a total length of about 3,000 feet.,.. The rock
work along Turnagain Arm is one of the most difficult stretches
of the road and will probably take more time than the tunnels.
RUN OUT JAP FISHERMEN
Revenue Cutter Perry Confiscates
30,000 Salted Salmon
The revenue cutter Perry last month
found four Japanese fishing sclioonors
engaged in salmon fishing along the
island of Atu, at the extreme western
end of the Aleutian archipelago. The
Perry made the trip opt for the ex
press purpose of stopping any such
proceeding and its commander con
fiscated 30,000 salted salmon which the
Japanese had in their possession, and
gave the Japs 24 liours.to loave Ameri
can waters’ They were out of sight in
less time. The crew of ,t),ie Perry then
burned the Japanese camp on nhe
island.
Assistant U. S. Attorney Clegg of
Seward brought the news here on his
return from Bristol Bay. He traveled
on the Perry from Unalaska to the
canneries on the mainland. The cutter
hlld then just returned from its trip to
the westward.
• —T----—,
WORK ON POWER PLANT
Butler Brothers Begin Laying
Flurhe up Lowell Creek
Butler Brothers have completed the
roadway to the source of their, writer
power a mile and a haif up Lowell creek
and have begun hauling lumber for
the flume. The flume will he laid un
der the surface and covered with gravel
to prevent it from injury by floods or
malicious trespassers. It is calculated
that the flume should be completed to
the site of the power plant on the east
water front by October 1, and machin
ery for generating electrical power will
be in operation very soon afterward.
Arrangements are cojnplate for a con
solidation of tbe interest's of the electric
.light plant with those of the power
company and the plant of the lighting
company Will be moved to the site of
the power company. As sootl ‘As con
nection can be made with the Lowell
creek power electricity for lighting
will be obtained from that source.
GOT NEW IDEAS IN NORTH
Members of Engineers’ Institute
Learned Something at Dawson
The resources of Alaskn and %; Yu
kon were a revelation to the thelrtiihrs
of the big party from the American -
Institute of Engineers who recently
.made a tour of the northern mining;
camps. Tho Dawson correspondent of
the Seattle Post-Intelligencer writes of
their visit to that region:
. The engineers toured the Klondike
creeks,, saw the great piacer claims In
Opperation under rocker, sluicing,
.steam thawing, hydraulic, steam shovel,
dredge and other processes, and w'ere 1
delighted. The Klondike did itself
proud. It cost not a cent for the visit-!
Or:: to tour the creeks. Ki ve thousand'
dollars was spent in entertainment on
the creeks and in the city. Gold sou
venirs, which will help direct attention ]
,lo the Yukon when the visitors go
among their Eastern friends, were
given the engineers and their compan
ions.
Placer Strike on Henal River
John Hunter and five others report h
good placer strike recently made on the
Kenal river. Every pan contains colors
and the locators are working the ground
steadily.
Kampart is out of nails, and miners
.sire (nuking sluice boxes with wooden
pegs.
SALMON PACK RtJNS HIGH
Official Figures Show 1,062;000
Cases at Bristol Bay
Official returns of tho Bristol Bay
red salmon pack for the present season
show a total pack of aboilt 1,062,000
cases. Other canneries in this district
from Orca west will have a total out
put of about 250,000 cases. The run
was not quite finished at last reports in
some places. The Bristol bay run end
ed about the last of July.
, The Bristol bay pack is nearly double
that of last year and will bring the ag
g.regate of all Alaska canneries much
above last year’s total. The Cliignik
pack will he about 121,000 cases, which
is nearly the same as that of 1004. The
Karluk pack will be about 50,000. The
fish were still running there a few days
ago. The Uyak pack is 31,OO0; that of
Orca about 35,000. The pack at Kusil
ofT was about 40,000, but part of it was
?ost in tiie fire. The quantity lbst is
variously stated from nearly all to only
a small fraction.
Besides the paek of salmon about
8,000 barrels were salted at various
places.
AT READY BULLION MINE
Tunnel Driving Shows Ore Body
, of Surprising Dimensions
The tunnel at the Beady ,Bul]ion
mine on Lynx creek is being run
through the ore body which was struck
some time ago and has not yet passed
it. Cross sections are being run along
the lodo to test its quality. About
twenty men are engaged in the work
and the prospects are extremely llatter
ing for a valuable mine. Nate Smith,
bne of the owners, is in charge of the
work.
The tunnel is in 300 feet. The ore
body wns struck 234 feet from the apex
of the hill. Deputy U. S. Marshal
Wybrant) who was at the mine last
week, says appearances indicate that
the whole mountain is pretty nearly
one vast pile of ore. Work will soon
begin upon another tunnel several hun
dred feet below the first one.
Mr. Wybrant reports that mining
work is active in the Suhri'se, district.
Operations are being pushed at
Wible’s on Lynx creek, and Singer’s
ditch and flume for his hydraulic plant
at the mouth of Canon creek is com
lete.
Star of Russia floated
The cannery nhlp, 8tur of Russia,
belonging to thp Alaska Packers Asso
ciation, whic$ Was beached on Chiri
koff island July 30, with 28,000 cases of
salmon aboard, was finally floated
after 10,000 cases wers jettisoned,
The ship was driven ashore at high
water, so the only chance to floivt, her
was to lighten her burden. There
was no way of taking it ashore do
cargo was simply dumped overboard
until the .-.hip read !r. the Water a«.
Blatant District Attorney Clegg brought
the news>
Track-lft.vlng will hegain oh the rail
road ne*t week. The rails which came
on the Kdith will be sent to the front
rapidly and within afow weeks the track
will be completed to mile .13. The grad
ing is nearly finished to that point and
little remains to he done besides sur
facing. J. B. Cameron, construction
engineer, said today that cars would bo
running to 33 early in September.
Pay dirt lias been discovered on In
dian rivpr aud a small stampede from
| Dawson resulted,
PEACE EFFORTS
IN DEADLOCK
Japan Wakes Five Demands Which
Russian Envoys are Unwilling
to Accept
Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 18—Pre
dictions of the failure of the peace con
ference are revived by the present at
titude of the plenipotentaries on both
sides. The hitch is over live articles
proposed by the Japanese^ envoys pro
posing a limitation of Russia's sea pow
er in the Orient, and in Oriental poli
tics, the cession bf Snghalieh island,an
indemnity of Japan sufficient to remun
erate her for her war expanses, and
the surrender of the Russian warships
interned in neutralpqrts. Seven ar
ticles have been agreed upon.
M. Witte, the chief Prussian conferee,
favors an adjournment until Monday
in order that the Uu^sikn representa
tiaes may have an opportunity to con
sult fully with the czar by cable. The
Japanese envoys say that the live dis
puted articles are essential to the
safety of the mikado’s empire, and the
assurance of a lasting peace jn the Far
East, They have cabled daily a full
report of the proceedings of ,tlie con
ference to the mikado and have re
ceived instructions.
English official sentiment supports
Japan, and is reflected fully in the
daily newspapers of that country.
American sentiment also is with Japan,
and it is not thought likely therefore
that she will recede from aii'y of her
demancls. ^
After a short session this niorning
the conference was adjourned until
next Tuesday. The Russian envoys
expect by that time to have full in
structions from their government.
Portsmouth, N. H. Aug. 17—The
peace plenipotentiaries have agreed up
on the .cession of the Chinese Eastern
Railroad from Harbin to Port Arthur
by Russia to Japan. Russia is to re
tain the line from Harbin to Vladivo
stok, which runs part way through
Manchuria connecting the Trans-Siber
ian Railroad, which terminates at Har
bin, with Vladivostok*
Portsmouth, N.. H., Aug. 16—The
peace envoys have agreed upon article
five o^a )reody of peace, which cedes
to japan the Russian leases from China
in ,.£he Liaotung peninsula, except
fort Arthur and Dalny. These two
ports are to be considered separately.
Portsmouth, N. Hr, Aug. 15—Tho
peace ..plenipotentiaries)., agreed last
night upon three articles of a peace
agreement, as follows:
B'irst’, Japanese protectorate over
Koi'ciVi.that country to maintain Its In
dependence.
Second) Both Japan and Russia to
evacuate Manchuria entirely and to re
cognise the integrity of China.
Third; Cession to Japan by Russia of
the Chinese Eastern Railroad, from
Harbin to Port Arthur.
A delegation of American Hebrews
called upohM. Witte today, asking that
steps be taken for the amelioration of
the condition of Jews In RjVSteia. M.
Witto said that it was the intention of
the Russian government to insitute re
forms gradually in tho inlottAt of the
Jews.
C. D. LANE BECOMES BLIND
Suffers Total Loss of Sight While
On Way to Nome
Nome, Aug. 18—Charles D. Lnnc,the
mining mlllloniltre, became totally
blind on bis way here on the steamship
Oregon, tie has jujit Arrived.
Mr. Lane Is ofl£ 6f tfie best-known
mining men on the lfliclflc Coast and
one of the heaviest operators in Nome.
Hi is the chief ownef of tho Wild
Goose property, whose long litigation
wns settled In favor ot his company n j
few days ago. Ho Is abdut 70 years of |
age.
Council City, Alaska, Aug. 12—The j
litigation involving Utle to claims
i numbered 24 to 28 above Discovery on
j Ophir creek, has been,,settled. The
j The Wild Goose Mining Company, j
. headed bv Charles D. Lane, gets the
property. The litigation has been in
1 progress four years.
NEW STRIKE IN
TANANA DISTRICT
Gold found at Eureka Which Runs
$5 and $10 to tHe Pen Uhd
Big Rush oni
Fairbanks, Aug. ,15—Pans containing
•$5 and $10 in gold liave been taken out
at Eureka in,tlie .Kanteshin district.
A new town, lias been started there and
a big rush is on,
Steamers .run within seventy-five
miles ol the pew diggings ami supplies
ure being sent in large quantities for
the men who have gone to the new
camp. The strike is the biggest sen
sation of the season.
Fairbanks, Aug. 17—Tne excite
ment of the hour is the wild stampede
to tlie new strike in the Kuntishna dis
trict. A Anew town has been, founded
on the Bear Paw river and men are
rushing in from all directions. Extra
vagant stories of the richness of the
new diggings continue to come in.
TO BOOM ALASKA FAIR
Godfrey* Chealander Coming
North for That Purpose
Godfrey Chealander is coming north
soon to work up his project* for an
Alaskan exposition ip 190", to be held
in Seattle. Mr. Chealander collected
the Alaska exhibit for the Portland ex
hibit, which has attracted much inter
est there" Yet Mr Chealander himself
confesses that it is far , from complete
because lie lacked sufficient time to
visit all parts of Alaska. , He traveled
several thousand miles hut was unable
to reach several important localities
which have attained considerable de
velopment.
Since last year the development of
many portions of Alaska has proceeded
at a phenomenal rate. The Tanana a
year ago was in its infancy. The Alas
ka Central Waq regarded outside as an
uncertain quantity,—merely a prospect.
Two years more will doubtless see
greutei' growth .throughout the terri
tory than the past half dozen years.
Because of this belief, and because he
realizes that Alaska’s resources have
never been properly adequately placed
before tha public even of the Pacific
Northwest Mr. Chealander has conceiv
ed the project of an Alaskan, exposition
to commemorate the fortieth nnnivar
sai’y of the purchase of the territory
by the United States.
The Seattle newspapers have taken
up the project With much enthusiasm.
They .know that It will be a good thing
for Seattle, just as Alaska itself is a
good thing for Seattle. It isproposed
to hold the exposition in Seattle be
cause It would have many more visitors
in that city than it possibly could draw
anywhere In tlie territory itself. The
location of the fair ip Seattle would
avoid any local jealousy among Aluska
towns. There it would be .visited by
thousands of. people who pe.Ver would
come up this far for that purpose, but
who might cmrni up here after seeing
the display.
Mr. Chealander proposes to have at
the exhibition not only the resources
of Alaska which arh, productive of
wealth)—-its mineral,'deposit’s of all
kinds, its timber, fisheries,agriculture,
furs;—but its curios, which are varied
and of descriptions ditforing fronqthose
of all other parts of the wqrld, . Ho be
lieves,that the exhibit, would work
wonders in the way of* advertising'
Alaska, and his project has met gener
al favor.
Edith Brings large Cargo
Bringing 2300 torn of steel, a 55-ton
engine, six flat cafs and other supplies
for the Alaska cjeiyrai, the big st'ciiin
ship Edith, Capt. John 6,prlen, tied
up to the dock Sunday, afternoon at
4 o’clock. She left Seattle August 4
and came by the outside passage, stop
ping at Valdez to unload some piles for
a dock at tho new townslte.
The coast survey, steamer Mac Ar
thur, which has been lying at the dock
for several days, sailed lau Monday
afternoon for Crossj Sound, wher ■ her
corps have some work to do.
Tho spring cleanup of tho Koyukuk
country this year is estimate.! at $250,
000 to $300,000.
SIX DROWNED
IN KUSKOKWIM
Natives Jump Overboard from River
Steamer in fear of Boiler Ex
plosion and Perish.
I.\
Five native sailors and a half-breed
son of Agent petrich of the Bethel
Moravian li^ssion on the Kuskokwim
lopt.(heir„|i.v^s,fjy drowning in that
river the night of July 7 because they
jumped overboard from a steamer in a
panic, fearing a boiler explosion when
the safety valve of the engine suddenly
blew off a heavy cloud of steam. An
other half-breed son of Detricli jumped
overboard with the other men but swam
back to the steamer and was taken on
board.
The tragedy occurred near the mouth
of the Kuskokwim in rough water near
the nioutli of the river where it is very
wide and its surface is much affected
by winds and tides. The men who
drowned evidently swam some distance
from the boat in tlieir terror and,were
then unable to return. In tliedarknes
they could not be.seen and. although
the, steamer was stopped and a persis
tent effort made to find the men the
search was fruitless. The next day
nearly all the 1 todies were recovered
lhe Detrich hoys -were young inen just
grown. The survivor is about 22years
old. The one who drowned was lit.
They were horn and raised sit the Bet
hel mission, where their father itas
been a trader for many years. Their
mother was a native woman*.
The steamer wap taking up the river
a cargo saved from the schooner Vo
lant*) of Kan Francisco, which was
wrecked on the rocks at the mouth of
the river.
Schooner Volante Wrecked
Schooner Volante of San Francisco',
belonging to the Alaska Commercial
Company, ran on the rocks at the mouth
of the Kuskokwim river July ti, and
was broken in pieces'. She had- on
board a cargo of gooejs for the Moravian
mission lit Bethel’, lOOm'ilesup the river.
Natives in small boats and lighters came
to the rescue and saved the cargo,
which, was placed on a small steamer
and sent up the river.
BEGIN LAYING NEW MAINS
Nelson Brothers Will Soo i Have
Town Supplied With Water
. Nelson Brothers set a force of men
at.work this morning at the job of tak
ing, up ,the old. iron Water ..mains and
replacing them with the new wooden
ones which came ,up on the Edith.
Work began on the lower end of
Fourth avenue at; ,tl>e end of the bri Ige
leading to the wharf.
The new pipes are of the type which
have been.in use many years in Puget
Soupd towns and cities and have prov
en their cilpkcity to withstand tie
action of. the elements, l ,-They are
thickly coated on the outside with a
tav, preparation'. /The .Fourth avenue
pipes will be six inches in diameter.
I’ouy Inch pipes Will be laid on other
streets.
For the present water will he obtain
ed from tip- rqset voir npw in use. In
n short time, however,.a new and larger
reservoir will he constructed in a dif
ferent. locality,,wiiip'u will afTord sup
ply sufficient for a . town many times
larger than He ward. . „
Pipes .for Wafer Syste n
In the freight; ^brought up by tho
Edith was :t,0O0 fe<5t.(jf water main for
td\p. towp winter systetp- °n Fourth
avenue six-iu^b inaips will ho laid; on
the of,hpr strset? four-inch mains will
he ,used. Another consignment will
como later and In afojv months.So ward
will have a complete water system ex
tending whevever houses are built.
HSppy Time for Skookum Jim
Skookum .Tim, the.lndian who made
his pile on No. 1 below on Bonanza, is
having the time of his lifa at White
horse. By an net that was passed by
the Yukon coilfceil t-e was granted the
j rutrpp of .Tatn.es Mason, apd by a special
! dispensation from Ottawa he yvas gran
| ted citizenship, with the right to vote
and drink whiskey in public places.
Ho faithfully full.Is the latter clans i to
j the li nit»