GOOD AND BAD REPORTS OF THE KANTISHNA
Not Enough Work Done On 'Which to Basse an
Estimate, hut Favorable Opinion
Predominates
_
Just wliat will be the result of
the Kantishua stampede is not yet
clear. There seems to be much
difference of opinion as to the prob
able value of the new district; but
a great majority of the reports so
far—though indefinite—are favora
ble. Arrivals from the Tanana
country nearly all seem to have
strong impressions of Kantishna’s
worth—based, of course, principally
on hearsay, which, while it proves
nothing, furnishes a tolerably accu
rate idea of what prospectors think
of it.
The Cbena Times of Aug. 301
says: “From information gathered |
and conversations had with different
parties returning from the Kantish
11a district, it is without a doubt a
good country. How extensive the
gold-bearing strata will prove to be
remains yet to be seen. Kureka
creek is the best so far, followed by
Carribou, Glacier and Moose. Eu
reka is said to be but a short creek,
only six miles long, while the oth
ers are much longer, but not so
rich. It is claimed the white chan
nel has been found, and should this
prove to be true no doubt much can
be said in favor of the newly dis
covered country. One claim on
Eureka has been sold for $7,500.
but others are not for sale excepting
at what looks to be fabulously high
prices, and no standard of value for
ground can be placed, owing to the]
meager state of prospecting so far. |
A new townsite is l>eing located at J
the mouth of Bear Paw creek or
river, which will likely form the
base of supply for the camp, and it
is also intended to establish another
townsite at the junction of the
Tanana and Kantishna rivers, where
the larger boats plying the Tanana
river will unload their cargoes.
Fort Gibbon must also be taken
into account as a supply point. The
new strike is a poor man’s proposi
tion, as bedrock in some places
comes to the surface and at uo place
is deeper than 10 feet. . . This
makes it also a strictly summer
diggings.'*
That the Kantishna attracts much
interest in the Fairbanks district is
shown by the space devoted to it in
the Fairbanks News. Apparently
uo opportunity is missed to print t
everything obtainable about the
new country. Most returning stain
peders are pleased with the outlook
A darker view is taken by Karl
ilyde, a letter from whom to t* W.
Carter was printed in the News of
Aug. 18. The letter says: “Have
been here some ten days and have
seen all there is to see up to date.
There is some gold in this country,
but very little, and evidently all in
one bunch. You will do me a great
favor by notifying some of my
friends to stay at home. Have Ed
Lynch tell Tom Graham to stay in
Fairbanks. Have Dan notify Joe
Lynch to stay at home. Tell Ste
phen Allison that he w-as lucky to
get on the grand jury and save a
couple of huudaed of miles of poling
and hard work. A little pay was
struck on Eureka, but it is not ex
tensive. The other creeks, Glacier
and Caribou, have no work done on
them and are poor looking creeks.
The country is shallow, bedrock
croppings showing in the creek beds
in many places. Will do some
work here, and if nothing shows
will return to Fairbanks. Be sure
and tell Lynch and Gr-’^iam to stay
at home. If anything is found here
I will send word as soon as possi
ble.”
The above letter, shown by Mr.
Carter to some friends, was the
means of stopping one large party
whieli was ready to go, as the mem
bers know Mr. Hyde and place re
liance upon his statements.
A Quiet Stampede
Down the Yukon
A letter to a Rampart friend from
W. H. Porter, dated Tanana, Aug.
31, says:
Harry Wiude and I start on a stampede
down the river today. All very much on
the quiet. Have pretty straight dope, if
we ain't too late. ... I have leased
the hotel in Fairbanks for one year—so
am footloose for that long. Have thir
teen interests in the Kantishna country. j
and if this go proves a bloomer will try
and put in the winter up there.
The first venison of the season
made its ap(>earance in Sitka Aug.
1, and the Cablegram said it was
high at $1 50 and $1.75 a hind
•{uarter. Well, venison is deer at
any price, ain’t it ?
c. A.
DAVIIWON. \ 'TV*i*»<r#=*r
HUCCCMMOr III ^ 11 i ^ I »
Huts, Clothing
ami Furnishings
$Aie/
Ceylon Tea is always uniform and always the best. Try it.
NORTHERN COMMERCIAL COMPANY, Agents.
Trail from Salt Creek
To Ray River Spring
Allen Dale has blazed a trail from
his cabin at the mouth of Salt creek
to Ray River hot spring. He esti
mates the distance over this route at
not to exceed twenty miles. If the
spring and the country adjacent
attract the attention of health seek
ers and prospectors that it is ex
pected they will, Mr. Dale will
make the new trail passable for
horses.
W htle in town last week lie said
he bad covered tlie ground between
his place and the spring in a day.
By opening a horse trail this would
become the most feasible route to
the spiing and would obviate the
tortuous journey in poling boats up
Ray river.
Mr. Dale says that Clement An
derson has la’ided his winter outfit
at Ray River canyon. He is under
the impression that Mr. Anderson
will prospect on the right fork, in
stead of establishing his headquar
ters at the hot spring, as previously
intended.
CHEALANDER
AND THE FAIR
Godfrey Chealander, who has
been delegated by the Alaska Club
to investigate the matter of holding
an Alaska exposition in Seattle
during the summer ami fall of 1907,
was to start for Alaska Aug. 16 for
the purpose of canvassing the terri
tory and learning the sentiment of
of the deople respecting the matter.
He will visit the Alaska archipelago
and western coast, in addition to
the various towns and cities ol im
portance At each place he will
invite the co-operation of the vari
ous semi public bodies in the under
taking, ami expects upon his return
to h ive canvassed the situation so
MINERS STORE
(In the Postoffice Building)
General Merchandise
Outfitting
California
Kitchen
Strictly First Class— Best Meal in Town
MEATS, FISH AND GAME.
Bakery—Bread, Pies and Cakes
CALLHAM & LeCLAIRE, Propr’s
C. P. KALNING,
Blacksmith
and
Wood Worker
General Repair Sliop
At Auction
By authority of the owners, the
undersigned will sell to the highest
bidder in front of the courthouse
door in Rampart, on
FRIDAY. SEPT. 22.
the Epler, Hendricks & Belt mining
plant now on Nick Nelson’s claim
on Rhode Island creek, consisting of
Boiler, two Engines, t able
and other equipment.
S. K. HKKTER.
thoroughly as to be able to report
just what Alaska will do in the
matter of contributing to the suc
cess of the exposition.
The Alaska Club’s plans wilt lie
held in abeyance until the senti
ment of Alaska is learned aud the
territory has outlined exactly wbat
it will do in the way of exhibits
and money contributions.