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CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBEB 30, 1913.
NUMBER 50.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29.—There is no»' no longer auy
question in the minds of the friends of Alaska as td the °
early next December of the bill to provide for the eoBstnttdk?11
of railroads in Alaska. Late on Saturday afternodft agreed
upon bill was reported to the House judiciary coinnfiftee. It
is practically the measure that was introduced in the Senate
by Senator Jones, of Washington, and in the House by
Delegate Wickersham.
Chairman Houston of the House committee on territories,
states that no attempt will be made to pass the bill at this
special session. In fact he states that according to an agree
ment entered into between the leaders and the administration
the bill will not be favorably reported to the House until just
before the extra session closes. He added, “No move will be
made to put it through until at the next session. I believe it
can then be passed early by the House without any difficulty.”
mittee from Washington state, adds that the bill will be
favorably reported to the House before adjournment, and that
in his opinion there will be no strong effort made to change
the clause which gives the President the right to determine the
routes. He believes that there is absolutely no question about
the bill becoming a law next December or January.
'
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25.—The Department of Commerce
has prepared its estimate for necessary appropriations, to be
submitted to Congress in December. In the items is $60,000
for aids to navigation in Alaska. Some of the friends of
Alaska contend that this amount is not sufficient to begin to
supply the present pressing needs of aids to navigation in
Alaskan waters. The recent wreck of the State of California,
and the consequent loss of life has been brought to the attention
of Congress through memorials passed by Seattle commercial
bodies. They have asked that an investigation be made of the
uncharted waters and of the necessity for lights. There is a
strong inclination upon the part of many representatives and
senators to make liberal appropriation for a great necessity
in Alaska.
_
McCARTHY, Sept. 25.—Information has been received
liere indicating that the Hazelet expedition, which is marking
a short winter trail to the Chisana country, had reached a point
three miles over the summit onto Chisana glacier. They found
a passable trail over the Nizina glacier, which was properly
marked, and are now pushing on toward the end of their
journey. Ross Kinney, a representative of the Alaska Road
Commission, who had just returned with A. C. Baldwin, of the
Alaska Boundary survey, from a trip to the Chisana, reported
by wire from here to the road commission. He was instructed
to return and join the Hazelet party and make an inspection of
the new route. Mr. Kinney had been on the far end of the
Chisana glacier and states that the rest of the route by the
Hazelet party would be easy. He states that it is now assured
that a short wagon and sled route for winter traffic is assured.
The news has been heard here with great satisfaction. As a
result of the good news, Otto Rubbe is now contracting to
deliver freight for 25 cents per pound from McCarthy to
the Chisana. He will start with an outfit at once, going the
first 30 miles, as far as the Nizina glacier, with wagons.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26.—Attorney General McRevnolds
,has been impressed with the idea that there is a lot of dead
timber throughout the country in the offices of the United
States district attorneys. In some instances it is the head
official while in others it is the deputies. As a result of many
complaints, and “for the betterment of the service,” he has
decided upon a sweeping reorganization of the offices. He will
make reappointments without regard to the time of expiration
of terms of present officials. In other words whenever he
thinks that a district attorney’s office is not up to the standard
in efficiency he will select a new official. As a result of this
decision upon the part of the attorney general, Democrats
throughout the country will no doubt give him hearty applause.
More than half of the present incumbents have from one to two
years yet to serve before the expiration of their four-year term.
In alaska three Republicans may come under the ban. They are
John Rustgard, appointed June 20, 1910; George R. Walker,
December 19, 1910; James J. Crossley, August 8, 1912. The
fourth district attorney in the territory, Bernard S. Rodey, of
Nome, confirmed December 13, 1910, was asked the other day
to send in his resignation, and he forthwith complied with
the request.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27.—The tariff conferees, who have
been working industriously for the past two weeks, announced
this morning that they had practically completed their work
and would soon be ready to report a completed tariff bill
which would be passed by both houses and signed by the
President. The one stumbling block is the Senate addition to
the House bill which adds a tax of one-tenth of one cent a
pound on cotton sold for future deliver}’. The conferees have
not yet reached an agreement on this clause, but hope to do so
soon. The members of the conference are as follows:
Senate—Democrats: Simmons, Shively, Williams, Johnson;
Republicans: Penrose, Lodge, LaFollette.
House—Democrats: Underwood, Kitchen, Rainey, Hull;
Republicans: Payne, Fordney; Progressive, Murdock.
I •-—--—
There is considerable excitement at Seward and to thr
westward over the seeming discovery of another big gold piaGei
1 district. Gold to the value of $1,200 has been brought by one
pari ” t0 which was taken out under difficulties and
without m *ny facilities- Tbo location of the new placer find is
northeast of the* ^atanuska coal fields, and about 110 miles
distant from Knik an^ P°88ibly^ a little longer distance from
Chitina, via Willow creek Copper Centre, and then along
the Tazlina river to the mouth ot *2'e Xelchina river.
The first finds have been made on Albert creek, which is
a tributary of the upper waters of Caribou ei’eek, and at the
headwaters of the Xelchina river. The location is just south of
the 62 line of latitude and between the 147 and 148 degrees of
longitude. Caribou creek is a large and lengthy stream, having
a large number of tributaries, among them being Albert, Billy,
Sheep, Alfred, Squaw, Chitina, Divide and Hicks creeks. The
headwaters of the Xelchina river being very close to the notliern
part of the Caribou. In turn the Xelchina runs into the
Tazlina river near its headwaters.
The railroad surveys of the line from Seward to the
Matanuska coal fields gives the distance from Old Knik, near
the mouth of Knik river on Knik Arm, to Cliicaloon, the
terminus, as nearly 50 miles. From there eastward along the
I hicaloon river to the mouth of Hicks creek the distance is 20
miles. It is nearly 15 miles up Hicks creek to Caribou creek
and Alfred creek. It is 10 miles or more up Caribou to Alfred
creek, making the total distance from Knik, 110 miles. From
Mile 72 on the railroad, to which point construction has been
made and which is known as Kern creek, it is 70 miles to
Chickaloon. This would make the total distance to the new
strike, 180 miles from the end of railroad construction, or 252
miles from Seward.
The new field is possibly more accessible from Cordova.
The railroad can be used 131 miles to Chitina. From there a
good grade and trail runs over to the Matanuska field. The
railroad survey runs close to the government road from Chitina
via Willow creek to Copper Center, 50 miles. From there it
follows close to the Tazlina river 52 miles to the mouth of the
Nelchina river. It is possibly 15 miles up that river to its
headwaters and to Alfred creek. This route would make the
trail distance from Chitina 117 miles, or the total distance from
Cordova, 248 miles. Should it be advisable to continue along
the railroad survey route from Nelchina river to the mouth of
Caribou creek, the distance would be 30 miles. It would be 10
miles up the creek to Alfred, and from there 10 miles to Albert.
This would make the distance from Chitina about 152 miles.
By these figures it may readily be seen that if the new
camp turns out to be rich and extensive that it will be accessible
from both Seward and Cordova. People from the westward
would naturally go by way of Knik, while those coming from
the Tanana valley would go via Copper Centre. The stampeders
from the states would find the route from Cordova and Chitina
the quickest and most accessible. It will also be possible to go
over the government road from Valdez, 100 miles to Copper
Center and from there follow the route described as from
Chitina. This would make the mushing distance 50 miles
longer than from Chitina.
Cordova, September 25
J. L. Denny came over from the westward on the steamer
Northwestern. For five years past he has been prospecting in
the Susitna country, and is now contemplating a trip from
Cordova into either the Chisana or the newly discovered
diggings in the Nelchina district. While at Knik he met McCor
mack and Joe Palmer, who had just come from the new strike.
Mr. Denny says that the strike was not made on a tributary
of Caribou creek, but that it was a few miles beyond and across
the divide, on a tributary of the Nelchina river, and near its
headwaters. The first rich dirt was taken out by Duncan
McCormack, who went into that country last winter. Three
years ago a small crowd from Valdez had run a cut on this same
claim, but before reaching bed rock they struck frost and
abandoned their work. This summer McCormack continued ou
the same cut and on reaching bed rock struck good pay.
Joe Palmer, Ed. Miller, Oleson and Getchell, and several
others soon made good locations and took out good pay. A
large number of others have since gone from the Knik country.
He states that G. C. Martin, of the Geological survey, and
whose report was published last year on the geology and coal
fields of the lower Matanuska valley, has been in the countrv
this summer where the new find has been made, and is still
there. He is quoted as stating that it looks good to him and
further expresses the opinion that there is a large area of
placer ground that has great possibilities.
Mr. Denny states that from the conversation of the
returning miners he gleaned that the the rich ground is 7 miles
above timber line, about 12 feet deep leading into the benches.
That it looked like underground workings,^ as the glacial
matter was not frozen, but that the under wash earning the
pay was frozen. He says that considerable work had been
done in previous years on various tributaries of Caribou creek,
without much success, but that the work in the country across
the divide indicates rich ground.
In the opinion of Mr. Denny it is impracticable to even
think of going to the new district from the westward during
the winter season. He talked with the Iioiel iuati and owner of
the large store at KnuV bud they admitted that the only feasible
way of getting into the during the frozen season was
trom Valdez or Cordova. The e6sk*st route is considered via
Chitina over the government road to the mouth of the Tazlina
river, at Copper Centre, a distance of 50 miles. Then to folio v
the Tazlina a distance of 52 miles to the mouth of the Xelchih i
river, and on up this river for nearly 25 miles to the rieW
diggings.
The distance this way is shorter than if the strike kad
been made on a tributary of Caribou creek, which flows into
the Matanuska river. The strike is on the other side of the
divide and is more properly in the Tazlina country, as the
Xelchina flows into that river. There is also a short cut from
Valdez across the glacier 28 miles long, but this is a hard trip.
Mr. Denny thinks most of the prospectors going from Valdez
will proceed along the government road to Copper Centre and
there continue over the same route as will the men from
Cordova and Chitina, as well as the people from the interior.
Seward, Sept. 21.
What has the earmarks of another
great placer gold field has been re
vealed by a recent discovery on
Alfred creek, a tributary of Caribou
creek, and near the headwaters of
the Nelchina river. Coarse gold
has been found, the largest nugget
up to date having a value of $8.60.
Three and four dollar nuggets are
common and the smaller particles
saved in sluicing are four and five
cent pieces. While finer gold exists,
the discoverer is working with but
one sluice box, which accounts for
the saving of only the „ coarser
nuggets.
McCormack, Olsen and Getchell
have arrived at Knik from the
Albert creek gold country. Olsen
and Getchell brought out $1,200 in
gold dust, the result of some six
weeks mining, with the difficulties
attendant upon opening ground in a
new camp. They operate a claim
on Albert creek. McCormack de
voted his time to prospecting. The
strike is not on Alfred creek, as first
reported, but on Albert creek, just
over the divide. This creek flows
into Crooked creek, which in turn
empties into the Nelchina river.
Other tributaries of Crooked show
better prospects than Albert.
That the strike is legitimate and
that it is one of great possibilities
is the belief of Milo Kelly, member
of the territorial legislature; J. B.
Dyer, deputy U. S. marshal at Knik,
and Thomas Jeter, of Ship creek.
They talked with McCormack,
Olsen and Getchell, whom they
declare to be reliable men, and saw
the gold dust.
-o—o—o
Valdez, Sept. 28.
There is intense excitement in
town and neighboring mining camps
over the new placer gold strike at
the headwaters of the Nelchina
river and tributary to the Tazlina
river. Many of our people are
familiar with the locality, as they
have prospected in those waters on
and off for many years past.
A public meeting was held on
Monday evening with the purpose of
! endeavoring to secure the trade for
Valdez and to let the people on
the outside know of the advantages
possessed by this town for reach
ing the new diggings. Some con
tended that It would be possible to
go by the short route over the
glacier. Others thought that if this
route were impossible and that if it
was necessary to go over the gov
ernment road to Copper Center that
this would be a competing route
with the Cordova, Chitina and Cop
per Center route. A publicity com
mittee was appointed by the chair
man, consisting of R. J. McChesney,
John Frame and Charles Day. When
reports of the Btrike are authenti
cated this committee is expected to
go to work and endeavor to fmperss
the outside world with the advan
tages of Valdez as an outfitting
f point. It is expected that Cordova
and Seward will also make a bid for
the trade.
In a letter from Knik the infor
mation comes that an effort i3 being
made to have the new diggings at
the headwaters of the Tazlina and
Nelchina rivers taken from the Knik
recording district and a new one
created which would embrace a por
tion of the Copper Center district
as well. The petition was being
numerously signed and asked that
a recorder for the new camp be
located at Coulter. The order tak
ing the district where the diggings
have been found from the Copper
Center and placing them in the
Knik district was signed last March
by Judge Overfield. It is now be
lieved that the distance to Knik is
too far and that a separate district
should be created.
R. Blix, who keeps the roadhouse
at Copper Center has wired that a
regular stampede has occurred
from the country surrounding that
town. He also conveys the infor
mation that a reliable Indian ar
rived there from the head of Taz
lina river and reports that there
are fourteen white men and one
woman there and that they are
taking out gold by the handful. The
Indian states that the diggings are
about 100 miles from Copper Center.
Among those who left early was
Glenn Names who went light and
expects to make a hurried trip. Ho
is acquainted with many of the
miners mentioned as being in on the
strike and states that both Joe and
George Palmer are very reliable and
would not report having taken out
gold if they had not done so. He
says A. \V. Hall, who was mentioned
as having located good ground is
also reliable and that he brought
gold out to Knik two years ago
while Mr. Names was there. He
reported having good prospects and
had hopes of developing a pay
streak.
Among those leaving later in the
w'eek were: Jeff Devinney, A1 Moore,
John George, H . Johnson, Gus
Henke. They will go in via Teik
hell and on over the divide to the
Nelchina and its tributaries. Among
those going in light expecting to
make a hurried trip are: Glenn
Names, Ernest Olson, Chas. Ander
son, William Richards, John Prof
fitt, J. Camille Larochelle, Pete
Dogliani, Paul Capris, Bert Semplo
and several others.
The Devinney party will go in
over the trail as far as Tiekheli
and'wili then take the old trail over
Quartz creek to Klutina lake, thenca
up St. Ann’s river to Tazlina lake,
up Tazlina river to its headwaters,
where a strike is reported to have
been made, and across the divide to
Nelchina river and Its tributaries.
Among those who left for the new
camp Saturday were Alex Graham,
Charles Anderson, Gus Simonson.
Robert Small, J. C. Leferric and (J.
Corry. Messrs. Small and Corry
have been employed at the Cliff