AN ALU
ALASKA
N £ W 8 P A P E R
DEVOTED TO THE DEVELO PMENT OF ALASKA AND THE PORTLAND CANAL MINING DISTRICT
—y.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
*5.00 PER YEAR
IN ADVANCE
tit*
J
VOL 4, NO. 5
FIFTY CENTS A MONTH
HYBER, ALASKA. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24.1927
BIG HYDRO ELECTRIC
DEVELOPMENT PLANNED
Development of a big hydro
electric power plant from the
latent power resources of
Meziadin Lake, near the head
of Bear River, is presaged in
the announcement that W. T.
Batchellor, prominent Seattle
hydro-electric engineer, is now
engaged on an investigation of
the project, on behalf of E. E.
Hall, Winnipeg capitalist, and
controller of the well known
Riverside mine in this district.
Mr. Batchellor arrived from
the south Monday and left for
the scene of the proposed
power development Wednes
day in company with E. D.
Haddon, well known repre
sentative of the Hall interests,
and R. G. Mellin, managing
engineer of the Riverside mine.
The work to be done by Mr.
Batchellor on this occasion will
be of sufficient scope to pro
vide the necessary data for
working out of the various en
gineering problems involved.
In addition to making a com
plete general survey of the
project, he will estimate and
report on the amount of po
tential power available at this
time of the year, and this work
will be supplemented during
the winter by investigations
and measurements of the quan
tities of water available at
various times during that
period.
Mr. Hall has already taken
. the preliminary steps toward
the inauguration of this tre
mendously important project,
by locating a power site at the
lake, which is situated aboul
30 miles northeast of Stewart
and forms one of the import
ant feeders of the great Nasj
River.
Government statistics indi
cate that at least 20,000 horse
power of electrical energy can
be developed at the point
where the waters of the lak«
empty into the Nass. Recent
examinations also indicate that
conditions are ideal for power
development.
Mr. Hall, who has already
demonstrated an abiding faith
in the future of the Portland
Canal district by his acquisit
ion of the Riverside mine and
other important interests ir.
this locality, is said by local
representatives to possess a
keen realization of the great
importance of electric powei
development as a means of as
sisting the growth of the min
ing industry and is prepared
to push the Meziadin Lake
proposal to completion, if the
investigations now in progress
prove its feasibility and suffici
ent power can be sold to war
rant the large investment in
volved. In the event that con
ditions are found favorable, it
is his intention to develop
power in ample quantity to
meet the power needs of the
entire district.
-o—
The W. J. Neill Transportat
ion Co. has placed the motor
ship Carmen on the Hyder
Ketchikan run. The Carmen
will make one trip weekly,
leaving Ketchikan Monday ev
ening and arriving here Tues
* day morning, carrying freight
and passengers.
■ — —O
'' Mel Mathison plans to leave
for the south Sunday.
REVIVAL OF BEAR RIVER
R. R. CONTEMPLATED
That influential outside inter
ests are contemplating the re
habilitation of the old Portland
Canal railroad, running north
from Stewart, is indicated by
the arrival of J. G. Sullivan, of
Winnipeg, consulting engineer
of the Canadian Pacific Rail
road, to look over the line and
estimate the probable cost oi
placing it in condition for oper
ation.
Mr. Sullivan, who is one of
Canada’s most eminent rail
road engineers, has been en
gaged on the survey since his
arrival early this week.
Nothing definite could be
learned regarding the identity
of those behind the investigat
ion, who are described by Mr.
Sullivan, merely as “private
parties.” It is also understood
that the survey is no way con
nected with the affairs of the
C. P. R. The high standing of
Mr. Sullivan in his profession
indicates, however, that the
scheme is in all probability
backed by important interests.
Whether they are planning to
operate the road as a commer
cial venture or in connection
vith some impending mining
venture is also conjectural. Of
equal or greater interest is the
prospect that the examination
nay have some connection
with the much discussed
Peace River-Portland Canal
railway proposal.
It will be recalled that the
long defunct line was original
ly intended by its builder, Sir
Donald Mann, as the first link
in a system which would ulti
mately extend from Portland
Canal to the great Peace River
district.
That the old, neglected road
will ere long fulfill the destiny
’or which it was created by
Canada’s great industrial lead
er is becoming increasingly ap
parent and it is not beyond the
oounds of probability that the
survey made by Mr. Sullivan
may be a step in that direction.
-o
M. R. Greenland, prominent
mining engineer, has been en
gaged in making an examinat
on of the Northern Light
Group, owned by Wm. Bunting
and situated along the north
arn boi'der of the Premier
properties, west of the B. C.
diver and Sebakwe.
It is understood that Mr.
Greenland is representing Eng
| lish capital and Eastern Can
| ada interests, who are associ
ated with the Hayes interests,
by whom the property was
bonded some time ago.
-o
Rev. S. V. Warren and Mrs.
Warren will return to Hyder
Sunday morning, after attend
ing the annual Puget Sound
Conference of the M. E.
Churches, and will hold ser
vices in the local church Sun
day evening, according to a
telegram received by Attorney
Ernest Blue.
-o
1 B. W. W. McDougall, promi
nent mining engineer, is visit
ing the district.
Jimmie Daly expects to leave
Sunday for a vacation in the
south. j|
WORK REVEALS HUGE
EXTENT WOODBINE
ORE MAIN OREBODY
The huge extent of the main
ore body on the Woodbine
property is further revealed by
•ecent development operations
in that well known and high
ly regarded property. At the
ulose of the past week the low
?r tunnel had been extended
i total distance, of 332 feet
from the portal, 177 feet Tun
ing as a crosscut in a westerly
direction and the remainder as
a drift, extending 155 feet
southwesterly and at a right
angle from the cross cut. As
was the case in the cross cut
section of the tunnel, the drift
has been driven through solid
ire throughout its entire
length. Just how far the drift
can be run before reaching
the southerly limit of the huge
ore zone is problematical but
all present indications point
to its continuance for a consid
erable distance .beyond the
present face. The work so far
lone, however, has opened an
ore body of massive size, car
rying splendid working values.
The ore found in the drift
tunnel is identical in appear
ance with that of the great!
Premier, which borders the
Woodbine on the east. The j
ore shows galena, steel galena,
gray copper and occasionally
native silver and also contains
excellent gold values.
The new power plant, made
up of a 70 h. p. Swedish semi
diesel engine, driving a single
stage Sullivan 3-machine com
pressor, is reported working
in excellent manner. Included
in the new equipment recent
ly installed is also a small semi
diesel engine, which drives the
dynamo used for lighting the
splendidly equipped * bunk
house, blacksmith shop and
assay office. A small auxiliary
air compressor is also employ
ed in starting the large 'en
gine.
Reports from the company
headquarters in Vancouver
during the week announce the
payment on September 20th,
of a $20,000 installment on the
purchase of the property.
•O'
Arrivals from the Texas Creek
section report that the Texas
Creek pack trail is now in bet
ter condition than at any time
since its construction, as a re
sut of the excellent work of
the Bureau of Public Roads.
The work of fixing up the trail
was done this year by Malcolm
Smith, Will Durney and Dan
Sullivan, all of whom are in
terested in the Texas district
and are owners of valuable
properties in that locality. As
a result the $600 allotted by
the bureau was spent to the
best possible advantage and
with results that are much ap
precited by the men who
tramp the trail. Worn spots
have been filled, culverts fix
ed and brush grown spots have
been cleared and traveling is
now said to be easier than ever
before.
-.-o
W. W. Noyes, owner of the
Noyes Boat Co., operator of
an extensive motorship fleet
out of Ketchikan, and holder
of the Hyder-Ketchikan mail
contract, was a visitor in camp
Wednesday.
MOUNTAINVIEW TUNNEL
NEARING OBJECTIVI
The main tunnel on the Fisl
Creek properties of the Mount
ainview Gold Mining Co. i;
fast nearing its objective, thi
so-called Gray Copper vein
which promises to provide i
large and valuable ore re
source for future operation
The vein is located near th<
north end of the property, a
an approximate distance o
1800 feet from the portal o
the tunnel. The face of th<
tunnel is now some distance
beyond the surface outcrop:
but, owing to the dip of th<
vein, must be pushed abou
200 feet farther ahead before
reaching the ore body at i
vertical depth of about 35C
feet.
The tunnel cut through twc
veins of the “blind” type a feu
days ago. Manager Arthui
Moa states that both veins are
well mineralized, and may de
velop into important ore bodie:
with further exploration.
The company is at presem
preparing a number of sample:
of ore from the various ore
bodies, which will be sent ou1
for smelter tests in the neai
future.
One lot approximating 125C
pounds, which assays $132 pei
ton will gd to the Selby smelt
er; another of similar size
which assays around $80 e
ton, mainly in gold, silver anc
copper, will go to Tacoma
and two lots containing con
siderable zinc will go to Trail
The ore included in one ol
the latter consignments assays
about $110 per ton, that Tr
the other ranging around $12E
per ton.
—--o
The last baseball game o
the present season will be play
ed by the Hyder and Stewar
teams on the Stewart ground:
Sunday afternoon, commenc
ing at 2 :30 p. m.
The primary object of the
contest is to raise funds to cov
er the deficit created by th<
recent trip of the local tean
to Prince Rupert. As the visit
of the team to Ketchikan anc
Rupert were a splendid anc
far reaching advertisement fo
this district, the clubs are en
titled to receive all possibh
assistance from the local pub
lie and every one who can i
urged to attend the game. Thi
teams will be as evenly match
ed as possible, thereby as3ur
ing a good contest. The base
ball ofiicials are also planninj
to add a great deal of amuse
ment for those attending by i
number of funny surprises, thi
details of which will not b<
revealed until later.
o
A telegram conveying th
sad news of the death of hi
father, Henry Blue, at Port
land, Oregon, was received b,
Attorney Ernest Blue Friday
Mr. Blue senior passed awa;
at the family home in Port
land Friday morning followin:
a paralytic stroke, sustained
jseveral weeks ago.
The deceased was 72 year
of age and had been a higlil
respected citizen of Portlan
for upward of a quarter cer
tury.For many years prior t
his demise the late Mr. Blu
j was in the Civil Service in th
: capacity of inspector,
j He is survived by his widov
two sons and four daughters.
HUNT SUGGESTS CEDING
SKAGWAY TO CANADA
i Senator Forest J. Hunt, oi
- Ketchikan, has offered the
i following interesting addition
: to the discussion raised by Sii
, Hugh Dennison’s recent sug
i gestion to internationalize
- Sltagway, Alaska. The sena
, tor’s views.on the subject were
i embodied in a letter to the ed
: itor of the Vancouver Daily
Province and were printed by
that journal recently. He says:
! “Sir,—My attention has been
! called to a suggestion made by
s Sir Hugh Denison, before the
: Canadian Club of Vancouver,
on August 2, that an effort be
made to secure the internat
ionalization of Skagway har
bor, as a benefit to Skagway
as well as Canadian interests
more or less affected by the
status of this harbor. I am
glad to see this subject given
attention and feel constrained
to do what I can to stress the
importance of some public
movement to remedy the ex
isting situation of this port. ■„
i “During the early days of the
Klondike rush, Skagway be
came the metropolis of south
east Alaska, but today, poor
old Skagway is nothing but a
j remnant 'of the past.
| “With no mines or commer
i cial resources in that vicinity,
on U. S. territory, it stands
j “neglected and alone” by this
government; it is the port of
entry to all Canadian interests
throughout the vast region of
mineralized territory tributary
to the head waters of the Yu
i kon and the Atlin country.
. This is a port of value to Can
1 ada, and if owned by her, no
doubt, new life and increased
value would come to all Skag
way, as well as increased
interest in all Canadian enter
: prises throughout that section,
i “The suggestion of Sir Hugh
■ Denison will, perhaps, find
lodgment and support among
! interested Canadians but, 1
■ think,.if we would arouse mut
! ual interest there must be some
i direct benefit offered to this
J country.
I “I would cail attention to the
l topography of the country ly
' ing between the head of Lynn
■ Canal and the southern bound
: ary of interior Alaska. South
5 i lei of longitude, west, lies whai
;! is known as the panhandle oi
- j Alaska, which consists of £
-j mountainous rim of rocks and
- glaciers, without habitation
: j except in Yakutat harbor, foi
- the entire southerly distance
i to Glacier Bay.
:! “I have not explored the ter
; * litory east of this boundary
i but have been reliably inform
1 ed that there is quite a consid
} i enable tract of comparatively
$ level country, much of it min
. eralized, and it is my judgmen
X I that if Alaska’s boundary line
could be extended back to th<
r
r
i
s
v
1
o
e
e
interior to a line extending ii
a northeasterly direction fron
just above the port of Haines
on Lynn Canal; to intersect th<
southerly boundary of interio;
Alaska, it would give new lif<
to Haines and would Inaug
urate & move to construct i
highway along or near thi
boundary to interior Alaski
and thus stimulate researel
and development of a sectioi
now- not i-eceiving any attent
ion.
“Instead of nationalizin;
BIG MERGER, LOCAL
PROPERTIES REPORTED
UNDER WAY
A merger of the well known
Daly Alaska, Hobo, Stoner and
Alaska Premier Groups in th
upper Salmon valley is repo i
ed under way by the Wester
Canada Mining News of Van
couver in its issue of Septem
br 10th.
The journal states that th
arrangements provide for thc
development of the properties
by a large company and tha.
it is proposed to develop suf
ficient tonnage on one of the
groups and erect a mill to
handle the total output.
-o
English capital, already heav
ily interested in placer mining
in the Fairbanks country, hm
entered the quartz field in thet
section on a large seal*'
through the purchase of th
Ryan lode properties. One
third of the purchase price of
the property, which was taken
under option in 1926, was de
posited in a Seattle bank Iasi
week. The other two paymerr
will follow at yearly interva
until the total sum of $175,001
has been paid. The properties
lie ot the divide between Eva
and St. Patrick Creeks and
| consist of eight claims. The
property was thoroughly pros
pected by the Guggenheims in
1917, but due to the fact that
war prices made operating
costs prohibitive the ground
was not taken up. The survey
showed that the~e is $400,00r>
in low grade ore in sight.
-o
W. A. Dickey, a pioneer Alas
i ka mining man, is reported by
i the Juneau press to have made
j an important discovery of the
j rare mineral known as as s'
lenium in the ores of the Ru.
; Cove mine, a big, lowgrad*
copper proposition located o'
| Knight Island, in Prince Will:
am Sound. Dickey, who is a
j sociated with another party ir.
| the ownership of the pi’ope ■
I ty, recently found that port
| ions of the iron content of the
j ore, distinguished by a pecul'n
luster, carries selenium in
’ quantities of commercial im
portance.
An ordinary sample of the
iron taken from the great
| ledge gave .28 of 1 per cent
: of selenium to the ton of ore.
Selenium belongs to the tel
| lurium group and is classified
j as one of the very rare min
! erals. Owing to its scarcity,
use of the mineral is very lira
j ited at present, the on!,
quantities available being o
i tained from smelters.
Skagway harbor, I think an
exchange feasible, and mutully
advantageous, by a cession of
Skagway harbor with the
needed tract extending to the
boundary, from the United
i States to Canada, for a tract
i from Canada to the United
, States, embracing the territory
i, between a line extending
•northeasterly (northwest?)
( from above Haines, to the
- southeasterly boundary of in
i tenor Alaska. I am fully con
, vinced that such an exchange
i would benefit both parties con
1 cerned, and stimulate commer
1 cial activity in sections now
- neglected.
Forest J. Hunt.”
Juneau, Alaska.