FUST NEWS OF RUBY CITY STRIKE
Frank Alba Writes of Codditions in New Camp to Which There Has Been
a Stampede—Plenty of Supplies on the Ground But There
Is Great Need of Small Prospecting Boilers
Frank Alba, well known in Cordova and Cliitina, sent the
first news of the new strike down the river from Fort \ ukon,
which has been circulating in mining circles for some time,'
which will prove of interest to his many friends. He writes
from Ruby City, under date of July 25th, and says:
“Pay was found yesterday on Glen Gulch, a tributary of
Flint creek. Nolan and his partner sank two holes and found
five feet of two cent dirt all the way down.
“I am taking a lay on two association claims on Flint
creek. This is supposed to be the best creek in here, but until
winter nothing can be done owing to freight now being 30 j
cents per pound and no boilers can be hauled at any price, j
The ereeks here are about thirty-five miles from town, and;
the trail is no trail at all. I have great faith in the camp and
from what I have seen I am sure she is going to be a good
one.
“At present everybody is going away to get a grub stake.
and return, for this is no place for a broke man. I wouldn’t
advise anyone to come here unless they have enough money to
carry them. The town is on the Yukon lJo miles below Fort
Gibbon and there is already six stores, six restaurants, two
billiard halls, two big buildings for saloons waiting for a
license. There is a commissioner and a marshal and one
church. There is plenty of machinery on the beach on the
Yukon, but it will not be hauled in before winter.
Anyone coming here this winter will not need to bring
along supplies, for everything needed can be bought at Fort
Gibbon as cheap as in ( hitina.
People should bring along, however, small prospecting
boilers. There are lots of chances to get good lays or an in
terest for reaching bedrock, but the work is very expensive.
I still have the team that I had in Chitina. Horse feed up
here is five cents. Give my best regards to all of my old
friends.”_
output or mm win bt a surprise
Placer and Quartz flinning Progressing Satisfactorily—Rapacious River
Claims Fifteen Victims On Account of Goverment Failing
to Do Its Duty in Providing Bridges for Pioneers
(Special Corresuondence)
Nizina, Aug. 25.—Autumn tinted
foliage and a general tightening up
of the glaciers will soon be in order
now, and the prospectors are making
strenuous efforts to close their field
work for the season to the best ad
vantage possible.
It is yet too early to give any ade
quate figures as to the amount of
development to be credited to this
year’s work, but it is safe to say that
the progress made, both in placer
and quartz mining (when the time ar
rives to tabulate the real facts) will
be a pleasant surprise to those un
familiar with the Nizina district.
Bridge Much Needed.
Perhaps in no part of Alaska has
the need of a bridge been so keenly
felt as at some convenient point
on this treacherous river with its
shifting currents and moving quick
rands. Already since the original
stampede into this great copper and
placer belt more than fifteen strong
hearted and able-bodied men have
perished in Nizina waters, and how
many more than the fifteen recorded
God only knows. It is of course bet
ter late than never and it surely must j
be “ripping” news to old timers par
ticularly to know that Uncle Sam is
about to potlatch a bridge across this
rapacious river.
Awakened the Boys.
The news that Major Richardson
is at last to turn his attention this
way has already enthused the entire
district. Permission has already
been given to allow the money for
the Nizina to be used locally in the
district. There will be no cash paid
as the entire population will turn
out and work. One part of the force
will make a road to connect the
bridge with Young Creek and the
other contingent will build a road
to connect Chittitu and Dan creek.
On this piece of road the Clearwater
stream will have to be bridged, but
the crowd feel equal to the emerg
ency. The Fagenberg brothers, gen
et al merchants at Kennicott and Chit
titu, own and operate a pack train
from the railway terminus, and with
out their assistance in fording the
Nizina, many hardships would have
been encountered by the traveling
public this year.
SHAMEFUL NEGLECT BY
ROAD COMMISSION
Col. W. P. Richardson, chairman, and other members of
the Alaskan Road Commission, seem to be forgetful of the fact
that there is an immensely rich and large mineral belt east
of the Copper river and contiguous to the Kotsina, Kuskulina,
Nizina, Chitina, Chittistone and other rivers. For many years
past hundreds of prospectors have hazarded life and limb in
climbing about almost impassible mountains and fording swift
water currents in the hope of locating rich mineral claims.
And it has not been without the loss of many lives and
great physical suffering to a large army of patient and per
sistent miners, that the present known valuable copper proper
ties were discovered. Their development, in the district re
ferred to, has already been the cause of an expenditure of
over two million dollars. And by reason of the large number
of companies now working on promising properties it is fair
to assume that several million dollars more will soon be ex
pended in the making of the greatest permanent quartz mining
camp of Alaska.
It has been assumed that where legitimate and persistent
prospecting is being done by hundreds of daring men that
the road commission would soon follow in their wake with
much needed trails, roads and bridges. This is considered
the duty and the pleasure of the government, in the hope of
encouraging the discovery and location of mineral claims that
may be developed into valuable mines and thus add to the
wealth, population and growth of the territory.
But for years the Alaska Hoad Commission has persist
ently closed its eyes to the needs of the Kotsina-Chitina-Xiz
ina mineral belt. Demand after demand has been made for
trails and bridges in this section, but other than a bridge over
the Kotsina no expenditure whatever has been made by the
government in the wide belt referred to. Upon a recent visit
of tlie editor of the Daily Alaskan to that section he encoun
tered scores of prospectors, packers and operators who bitterly
complained of the lack of consideration received from the com
mission.
In calling attention to this act of omission, the hope is
indulged that the gentlemen of the road commission will realize
how recreant they have been in the past, and will endeavor to
make amends by an early activity in the desired direction.
True, there may be the explanation of the lack of funds, but
we fear no proper effort has ever been put forward to secure
an appropriation for this section.
It is bordering on criminal negligence to allow the manyi
prospectors and packers to almost daily risk their lives in
the fording of the treacherous Xizina in their effort to reach
the rich districts of Dan, Boulder, Chittitu and other creeks.
But we are glad to state thatCol. Richardson has promised the
erection of a bridge across the Xizina this winter. Here’s
hoping that he will permit nothing to stand in the way of this
much needed construction and that lie will make a demand
upon Congress for an appropriation to erect other bridges and
numerous trails and roads in that section of Alaska.
Mill SHOT HIMSELF
Tony Diamond, a well known prospector and operator
in the Nizina mining district, while riding a fractious horse,
was severely wounded by the accidental discharge of an auto
matic pistol. The 45 caliber ball entered the thigh and ranging
downward fractured the bone, finally lodging just above the
knee joint. About twenty hours later the doctor from Kenni
cott reached him, extracted the bullet, put a splint on the limb
and hurried him to the train which was held for him five hours
at mile J92. General Manager Hawkins with his usual con
sideration ordered a special train from Cliitina and in charge
of Dr. Thom, of Chitina, the injured man was on Wednesday
brought to Cordova. At the hospital here the x-rays were used
and an operation performed by Drs. Smith, Council, Chase and
Thom. The best resulas are anticipated.
mi was m success
Miss Dora Kean, of Philadelphia, the noted mountain
climber, returned to Cordova on the special train which
brought in Tony Diamond. Her attempt to scale Mount Black
burn was frought with such difficulties that her party was
baffled, giving up the ascent when only about half way up the
mountain. A heavy storm has been raging over the mountain
for several days which made the ascent impossible. The kindly
side of Miss Kean’s nature was strikingly displayed by her
interest in the injured miner returning on the train. Her
earnest sympathy and thoughtful nursing won not only the
gratitude of the sufferer but the admiration of all who were on
the train. Miss Kean and her associates made an heroic effort
to reach the mountain top, and failure to so do is not by reason
of the lack of energy or courage upon the part of the climbers.
CORDOVA’S BIG STORE j
S. BLUM & CO.’S
◄
WE SOLICIT YOUR ORFZRS <
<
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We Carry a Large Stock of :- <
General Merchandise
Of Every Description J
Having been in the outfitting business for many years, we are |
particularly well equipped to furnnisli your outfit, whether large «
of small. -t-. j \
We have reduced the price of hay & oats t $50 per ton (in ton lots) '
Prompt, Attention to Mail Orders -
4
We Will Save You Money Cordova, Alaska. *
• • • ■ ■ « ■ » » • itt » i i » . v ttt i i | i|.ir'rTTTTvvn'V't'vvvyn*
The Nevada
Special line of Old Crow anil oilier j|
standard brands of Whiskies and i
cigars. Double stamp goods, bottled 3
in bond are found here. Special *i
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wines and liquors for family use. H
Our prices are tlie lowest anil goods
the I >est in town. We invite you re ^
patronage. |j
GRIFFITH & HYIiAXD, Prop.'s OHITIXA, ALASKA
I. J. ST. CLAIR T. W. CLONINGER,
Proprietors
THE WORKINGMAN’S RESORT
LOG CABIN BAR
AND ROOMING HOUSE
WINES, LIQUORS,
AND CIGARS
. I '
FURNISHED ROOMS AND COTS.
SOLO, POOL AND BILLIARD TABLES.
Comfortabe Chairs and Reading Room.
Restaurant and Barber Shop in Connection.
WHEN COMING TO CORDOVA REMEMBER
Cordova Steam Laundry
THE ONLY REAL LAUNDRY IN TOWN
I<et us wash and clean your canvass covers, blunkets, clothes,
overalls, etc.
If you are in a hurry we can do your work in an hour's time if
necessary.
Ijeave your work at any hotel, rooming house or barber shop
and it will receive prompt attention.
I
’I’HONE 57 F. A. JONES, Manager Second Street
— ■ • - ■ ■ • ■ ■ ■ i i ■■ ■ i ■ i i ri'F1!11! 111 ■■ft f ririrTTlil|yTir»,rTirfTlil i11 j
Buy Your Clothing at the Home ]
Store and Save the Freight j
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We Will Sell You [Everything |
AT CORDOVA PRICES j
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EINKELTEIN & SAPIRO j
CORDOVA MEN’S OUTFITTERS 3
Chitina, Alaska. j
pmmmu 6UIDE RIB HUWIHB PIUHIES
Guaiantee to secure game or no pay.
PACK THAIN HORSES FURNISHED
At Reasonable Rates
Address J. LAWRENCE, (Mina, Alaska