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Mapa, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratioa. Thoae too large to be entirely included in one exposure ore filmed beginning in the upper left hand comer, left to right and top to bottom, aa many framee aa required. The following diagrama illustrate the method: Lee cartea. planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre fiimte d dee taux de rMuction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour itre reproiduit en un seul clichA, il est filmA A partir do Tangle sup4rieur gauche, de gauche i droite, et de haut en baa. en prenant le nombre d'Imegee n^cessaire. Lee diagrammes suivpnts iiiustrent la mtthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 *^^ Cu'%,^^^ QLAilVriQATIOH ' #' 1 J' i\ H'nts FOR. INTENDING KLONDIKERS. By... Goldseeker. CONTENTS PART I.— Routes. Via Vancouver. " Victoria. " Ashcroft. " Edmonton. " Kamloops. v>iir^-v Table of Distances {ii^^ PART II.— Outfitting. Clothing. Provisions. Implements. Quantity and Cost. PART III.— Climate and Me- teorological Observations. PART IV.— How to Prospect for, Stake Out, Record and Work Placer Claims in the Yukcu. PART V. — Transportation and Steamboat Informa- tion, Duties and Customs. PART VL — Mining Laws and Regulations as Ob- tain in the Yukon and North-West Territories. Published by The Klondike Publishing Comp KAMLOOPS, B.C. f/sd If**' QLAaMTlCATION If. ma. fo&tcv... ASHCROFT and CLINTON The Starting Point of the Poor Man's Route to the Ooldfields of Brit- ish Columbia The Oidest Estabiished Business House in this Section of the Country HEADQUARTERS FOR MINERS AND PROSPECTORS PRICES RIGHT Elne|ulri*s by IVIaill Recelv« Prompt Att*ntlen w. E. McCartney # ^ CHEMIST and DRUGGIST KAMLOOPS, B.C.->>^ ^I^AVING had twenty years experi- ence in B. C, I am thoroughly qualified to advise intending Klondik- ers and Prospectors as to the best Medicines to take. I i .(I SPECIALTIES KLONDIKE MOSQUITO OIL KLONDIKE LINIMENT, for Bruises. Etc., Etc. HINTS... (S-jTO<^ INTENDING KLONDIKERS By QOLDSEEKER. Contents PART I.-ROUTES Via Vancouver. " Victoria. " Ashcroft. " Edmonton. " Kamloops. PART II.— Outfitting. " Clothing. Provisions. Implements. Quantity and Cost. PART III.— Climate and Metf.r- OLOGICAL Observations. PART IV.— How TO Prospect For, Stake Out, Record and Work -; Placer Claims in the Yukon. PART v.— Railway and Steam- boat Information, Table of Distances, Duties and Cus- toms. PART VI.— Mining Laws and Re- gulations AS Obtain in the Yukon and North-West Ter- ritories. 1898. " Ka nloops Standard Job Dept. INTRODUCTION. In leaving home and friends to seek for the yellow metal in the frozen gold fields of the north, the adventurer must be prepared to endure many privations, hardships and disappointments, and probable starvation and death. But who is it, who if they have the health, strength and means, but will seek those hardships in quest of that gold that is the greater power on earth to-day. Better make that effort, no matter where, than grind out a life for a mere subsistence. Science will doubtless, in the near future, reduce those drawbacks, as far as getting there is concerned, to a minmum, and before the end of tho coming summer prospectors will be able to travel in more or less comfort to the heart of this new El Dorado. Mr. Ogilve, F. R. G. S., in a recent lecture said that, as illustra- tive of the richness of some of the claims on Bonanza Creek, 100 of these claims will yield $30, 000, 000 ; that one claim. No. 30, on Eldorado, will yield $1,000,000, and that ten others will yield from $100,000 up- wards each. These two creeks alone he confidently expected to turn out $70,000,000. He asserted that he could safely say that there is no other region in the world of equal richness, there being no less than $100,000,000 in sight to-day from placer mining alone, in a dis- trict about 25 miles long and 20 miles, at the outside, wide. This did not include what might be obtained by placer and quartz mining. The district was composed of 100,000 square miles and gold could be obtained all over it. The only thing necessary to have from 100,000 to 300,000 people in there was adequate transportation facili- ties. As to quartz mining, 12 miles up Klondike assays showed from $100 to $10,000 per ton. The question will probably here suggesj; itself : What is the pro- per time to go to the Yukon, and in view of the labor and expense this is a very serious question. Yukoners declare that the trip can be safely made by any of the routes at any season of the year, but this will hardly apply to parties taking in outfits with them. It is ad- mitted that, in the past, considering the conditions as they have been, the best seasons of the year has been the months of February, March, April and May. The inland lakes and rivers are, of course, frozen over much before this, but owing to the ice formations it is impossi- ble to transport outfits across the rivers and lakes until the snow has became packed and hardened, forming on its crust a means of trans- port. In December and January the weather is very stormy, and in a blizzard, such as is experienced in this latitude there is a great amount of danger to life. Part I. — Victoria and Vancouver Routes. Tla Chllooot Pass and Dyea. Distances from Vancouver: To Dyea Miles. 996 fyea Mouth of Canyon 8 Sheep Camp 8 Summit of Chilcoot Pass 4 Crater Lake 1 Lake Lindemann Landing 9.35 Foot of Lake Lindemann 4.43 Head of Lake Bennett 60 Boundary Line between British Columbia and Northwest Territories 10 Foot of Lake Bennett 15.76 Caribou Crossing (Lake Nares) S.59 Footof Tagish Lake 16.81 Head of Marsh Lake 4.90 Foot of Lake Marsh 19.06 Heati of Canyon 26.73 Foot of Canyon 62 Head of White Horse Kapids 39 Foot of White Horse Rapids 38 Head of Lake Lebarge 13.15 Foot of Lake Lebarge 31.16 HootalinquaiTeslin) River 31.66 Big Salmon River 83.45 Little Salmon River 36.21 Five Finger Rapids 69.29 Pelly River 68.46 White River 9.80 Sixtv-Mile Creek 21.60 Dawson Cifr^ 45.29 Takaheena River 14.59 A total distance from Vancouver to Dawson City, via. Dyea and Chilcoot Pass, 1,572.80 miles. This route, and that via Skagway and the White Pass, are shorter routes to the Klondike, but their use is attended with considerable hardship. The great diflBculty has been in getting over the Chilcoot Pass, which rises to an elevation of 3,600 feet. Outfits have to be packed over this pass, a distance of 25 miles, which involves lugging over the steep hills, or paying Indians to do the packing. Last fall the Indians for such service demanded 38 to 50 cents per pound. This necessitates the expenditure of a large sum of money, or the waste of valuable time in packing. This situation will doubtless be much improved next season, if the Chilcoot Railway and Transportation Company carry their project of building a railway eight miles in length from Dyea to the mouth of Dyea Canyon, and two aerial tramways four miles in length, one between the mouth of the Canyon and Sheep Camp, with a rise of 1,000 feet, the other from Sheep Camp to Crater Lake, with a rise of 2, 500 feet to the summit and a decline of 500 feet between the summit and Crater Lake, It is claimed this tramway will be capable of trans- porting 120 tons daily. This company's rates for the transport of freight are liable to be somewhat high, yet will be less than last sea- son's cost and afford a great saving in time. From Crater Lake to Lake Lindemann the trail runs down hill and outfits with no great difficulty can be transported. m As to the trip from Lake Lindoiiiann, JoHeph Ljidue, a pioneer of the Yukon and founder of Dawson City, gives the following interest- ing description in McClure's Magazine for September : " Lake Lindenmnn is Ave miles loiiff witii ii bad piece of rapids at the lower end. But if It is early in the season you sled it down the lalte and take the mile of rapids in a portage to Jjake Bennett, which is n 28 mile tramp. It is four utiles walk to CarilK)u Crossing, then a short ride or tramp to Tnkou Lake, where, if the ice is breiiking, you can go liy bojit or raft, or if it is still hard you must sled it 21 miles to the Tagish river and lake four miles long. Talie the left bank of the river again, and you walk four miles to Marsh Lake, where you have to build a raft or boat t«) cover its 24 miles of length. If not, then you must at the Ijottom, for there begins the Lynx River, which is usually the head of navigation, for, unless the season is very late, or the start very early, the rest of the way is almost all by water. " Thirty miles down the Lynx River you come suddenly upon Miles Canyon, which is considered the worst pliice on the trip. I don't think it is dung jrous, but no man ought to shoot the rapids there without taking a look at them from the shore. The miners have put up a sign on a rock to the left just before you get to it, so you have warning and can go ashore and walk along the edge of the ice. It is 60 feet wide and seve'n-eights of a mile long, and the water humps in the middle it goes so fast. But very few have been caught there, though tliey were killed, of course. Below the Canyon there are three miles of bad river to White Horse Rapids, which are rocky and swift, with falls, bi t taking chances is unnecessary, and I consider it pretty good dropping. After the rapids it is 31 miles to row, sail or tramp, according to the condition of the water. From there a short port age brings you to the head of the Lewis River, really the Yukon, though we do not call it that till, after drifting, poling or rowing 200 miles, the Pelly River flows in and makes one big wide stream. I must warn men who are going in to watch out for Five Finger rapids, about 141 miles down the licwis, where they must take the right hand channel. That practically ends the journey, for, though it is 180 miles from the junction of the Pelly and Lewis, it is simply a matter of drifting. And I want to say for the hardness of this whole trip tnat I have taken horses in that way, using a raft. And it is curious to see how soon they learn to stand still while you are going, and to walk on and oflf the raft mornings and evenings at camping places." Timber for boat building is scarce, but is most plentiful on the west arm of Lake Bennett, right arm of Lake Tagish, and opposite Tagish House, at the head of Lake Marsh. Between Lake Marsh and Lake Lebarge there is 60 miles of river in which occur the Grand Canyon and White Horse rapids. If you are not accustomed to boating in swift water, do not attempt to run a loaded boat through the canyon. Get someone who is accustomed to that sort of work to do it for you. Failing this, portage your goods and run the boat through empty. Look out for rocks just below the canyon. Make a landing on the left side at the head of White Horse rapids, portage goods and let boat dfiwn with a rope. ' After sledding over Lake Lebarge, keep sharp lookout for rocks until you reach the Hootalinqua river. Many boats have been wrecked in that portion of the river, which is very swift and full of rocks. Before reaching Five Finger rapids bear to the right and keep boat under perfect control, and under no circumstances get excited. If the boat swamps, sieze a bundle of blankets and swim for the eddy at the right. Great care should be exercised every minute of the time while floating down the river, as you never know when the treacherous cur- rent may bear you into a lot of drift wood or land you on a sand bar. Via Skuffway and White Pans. The distance is practically the same as via the Chilcoot Pass, and steamers can land within a qmirt^er of a mile from the shore. Skag- way, however, possesses a good harbor, whereas via Dyea ocean steamers have to anchor about one mile out at the most favorable tide, and passenger and freight must be lightered to the shore. From Skagway goods have to be packed a distance of some 25 miles to Lake Bennett, the trail following the Skagway riv*>r to its head, which is near the summit of the pass. The first four nules are in the bed of the river, and the ascent is gradual. At fonr miles the canyon is reached, and here the route becomes more diflflcult. For seven miles the trail works its way along the mountain side rising steadily for almost the entire distance. This is the only hard part of the routo. The next three miles is a gentle rise, and they carry the trail to the summit, an elevation of 2,500 feet above the sea level. This is 1,000 feet lower than the summit of Chilcoot Pass. The country here broadens out into a valley five miles wide, having a gentle slope to the east. From Lake Bennett the route is the same as via the Chilcoot Pass. The White Pass, from a transportation point of view, is stated to be superior to the Chilcoot. The character of the trail, however, was such last season, that, while it could be used for a limited number, the ci'owds of men and horses passing backward and forward in pack- ing, cut up the trail to such an extent that it was rendered almost impassable. The trail of last year was, when constructed, not intended as a l)nck trail, but was cut out by the British Yukon Company to facili- tate their survey of a projected railway from Skagway to Lake Ben- nett. It is probable that some action will be taken towards the con- struction of this road shortly, which will undoubtedly make the White Pass route one of the best to the Klondike. A number of men ai*e steadily employed in improving the road, building bridges, etc., between Skagway and Lake Bennett to have it in the best possible shape for freighting by the time the rush com- mences. Tla the Dalton Trail. Vancouver to Haines' Miesion 985 Haines' Mission to Summit of Pass 85 Summit to Fort Selkirk 879 Fort Selkirk to Dawson City via Yukon 170 Total distance 1,560 After crossing the Chilcoot Pass there is almost a level trail for the greater part of the distance to Fort Selkirk on the Yukon river, thence there is clear navigation. It is the only safe and practicable route so far found for driving horses, cattle or sheep overland to the Yukon, and last fall quite a number of men and several women made the trip out by this route quickly and safely. It, however, has not been a favorite with those who have heavy outfits accompan3ring them. via the Btlcklne River. All the northern-bound steamers call at Wrangle. At this point all goods are transferred to river steamers plying on the Stickine river. which is navigable from about the Ist of May until the end of Heptera- ber, as far as Ttilegraph Creek, for Hteaniers not drawing more than four feet of water. A number of river steamers are being (ronstrueted for this service by comiwnies having plentv of cai>ital, notably the Hudson Bay Company, (Canadian Pacific Navigation Company and the Dunsmuirs, and good river service is assured on the opening of navi- gation. From Telegraph Oeek to Lake Teslin the journey is easy. It is comparatively level, and there is good grazing for horses and cattle along the route during the sjjring, summer and autumn. From the head of navigation the route follows through Teslin Lake, the Hootalinqna, Lew^s and Yukon Rivers, aflfording clear navi- gation for steamers drawing three feet of water, through to Dawson, with the exception of a portage at Five Finger rapids, in the Lewis river. The same route is followed for a considerable distance as shown via the Chilcoot and White Passes, the junction being on the Hootalinqua river, a short distance from the mouth of Lake Lebargt; A number of steamers have been chartered and are being built for and to operate from the head of Teslin Liike, and to be ready for iise immediately the lake and rivers are open. A strong factor of the Stickine river route, and one that should not be overlooked, rests in the fact that the route passes through a rich gold belt, on a line between the old Cariboo and Cassiar diggings and those in the Klondike. There are a number of rivers and streams to be passed en route, which have not beer- prospected to any exfont. The streams in the district that have been prosi)ected, and the reports brought down by men who have been in there, justify the statement that rich discoveries will certainly be made in this locality during the coming season. Here is a great field for prospecting and one that will repay the venture. The conclusion come to by Arthur St. Cyi% the Domnion Gov- ernment engineer, is that the Sticklin-Teslin lake route to the Yukon is the best way of the many paths to the gold fields. Mr. St. Cyr made a thorough survey of the route and had charge of one section of the party sent north, his particular work being to make and examina- tion of the Hootalinqua river. This examination proved quite satis- factory, establishing beyond a shadow of a doubt the fact that that river is navigable, and that, too, for deep draught river steamers, until late in October. Mr. St. Cyr surveyed the river carefully from Teslin Lake to the Hootalinqua 's confluence with the Lewis River, and he found neither rapids or bars to interfere with navigation. When he left the river late in October the water was still deep and there was no signs of ice. Via the Takn. This route is from the head of Taku Inlet, situated a short dis- tance south of Juneau, thence inland by Taku River and valley to Teslin lake ; the route thence being as described in the foregoing. The Taku route, however, is not likely to come into close competition with the other routes above mentioned owing to the difficulties in navigating the Taku river. Via St. MIchaelH. This is certainly the most comfortable route for those who desire to prof teed directly to the Klondike gold fields, and would be a favorite one were it not for the uncertainty of navigation on the Yukon river, and the difficult position in which the prospector is placed should it l>e impossible to get through before the river freezes over, as low water or an early freeze-uj) is liable to prevent passage to Dawson. Several steamers with their loads of passengers were caught up the Ynkt)n last season by an early freeze-up, and will have to remain until the ice breaks this season. Tlie steamer route from Vancouver is in a northwesterly direc- tion across the Pacific to Dutch harbor, on Unalaska Island, a dis- tance of about 2,000 miles ; thence to St. Michaels, on St. Michaels Island, Norton Sound, a distance of about 750 miles. This is really about 60 miles north of the mouth of the Yukon River, but owing to navigation difficulties passengers here have to transfer to light draught steamers plying upon the Yukon, which is navigable its entire len^h. The Yukon is open for navigation about the ist of July and closes again about the end of September. The trip to St. Michaels occupies about 15 days, and from St. Michaels to Dawson City, a distunce of 1,650 miles, about 20 days. There will be a number of steamers on the rout<» *o St. Michaels, and this year's deet on the Yukon will be largely " icreased hy the number of st^aT^'ers now under construction for the Yuk n service. The energetic manager of the Canadian Pacific Navigation Company, Capt. Jol Irving, M. P. P., is having built at St. Micuaels for his company a steamer to navigate the waters of the Yukon from its mou'^^h to and beyond Dawson City. The season is so short that sten tiers cannf-t l)e expected to make more than three round trips. The Ashcroft Route. Overland, via Quosnelle and Tvlof^rapta Crook. Ashcroft is a thriving, up-to-date, healthy and pleasant little town or the C. P. R. main line, with goocl supply for pack horses, etc., is gootl from early in May to the end of October, also good water all the way. A number of rivers will have to be forded, but help can most always be obtained from the Indian villages near the fords and crossings. Beyond this the prc^pector will find very little difficulty en route. At Teslin Lake, where a saw mill has been erected, he will have to secure a few Jiundred feet of lumber, build his boat, load it, and from the time he starts down the lake until he reaches Dawson City he encount'Crs no bad water except at the Five Finger Rapids, where great caution will have to l>e exercised in running loaded boat through them, and a competent boatman should be employed. Leaving Lake Teslin, at the north end flows the Hootalinqua River, where the Five Finger Rapids are encountered. From the Hootalinqua comes the Lewis and down to Yukon. The country passed through on this route is full of int^erest to the pros- pector, leading through the rich and far-famed districts of Cariboo and Cassiar, where valuable placers and quartz mines are being suc- cessfully operated. In Cariboo from two creeks. Williams and Light- ening, about $40,000,000 was taken out in early days. The route has been appropriately called the Poor Man's route. The Edmonton Route, via Lesftcr Slave Lake, Forkf* of Nelson, Pelly Rivers. Edmonton is reached by rail from Calgary on the Canadian Pacific Railway, and is thoroughly well prepared to outfit all intend- ing Klondikers at reasonable prices. The overland route to the Yukon is via the Peace, Nelson, Liard and Francis Rivers to the Pelly River, which latter runs into th? Yukon at Fort Selkirk. Route. — Edmonton to Pembina River, 45 miles ; good wagon roads and feed. Pembina River to Athabasca River, 30 miles ; good roads and feed. Athabasca to Slave Lake, 85 miles ; feed scarce ; trail being cut by government. South shore of Lesser Slave Lake to west of lake, 40 miles ; good feed and water, open country. Lesser Slave Lake to Peace River, 60 miles ; good wagon roads, good feed. Peace River to Battle River, 60 miles ; good pack trail, excellent feed. Bat- tle River to Hay River, 130 nziles ; open country, good feed, but trail not too well defined. Hay River to forks of Nelson, 60 miles ; country covered with small timber ; old trail gone out of use ; good feed in openings ; plenty of water all the way. From the Forks of the Nelson to the Pelly River the country is chiefly timbered and feed is consequently not so abundant as in the more open country, but still is ample for summer travel. The route follows the valleys of the Nelson and of the Liard, keeping on the high ground from the forks of the Nelson along the foothills lying west of the river. As the country is more rugged south than north of the Liard, that river should be crossed below the canyon. There is good navigation from the forks of Nelson to the foot of the canyon of the Liard, 135 miles. Therefore, boats might be built at the forks and the supplies taken in them to the foot of the ainyon while the 9 horses were driven overland without loads to the same point. The horses could be used to portage the supplies up the length of the canyon, 35 miles, while the boats were taken up light. In the suc- ceeding 40 miles to the foot of Brule portage the navigation is good, and again, the boats could be used to advantage. It is in this stretch that the Rocky mountains are crossed. From the foot of Brule port- age to the head of Cranberry portage it would probably pay best to again use horses, either for the whole distance in one trip, or in three portages of two miles, one-half mile and one-half mile respectively. From the head of Cranberry portage the boats could be used to ad- vantage again while the horses were driven light overland to the month of Finlayson Creek or Francis Lake, 175 miles. Although there is a canoe route from Francis Lake to the Pelly River by way of Finlayson Creek and Lake and Campbell Creek, it would prob- ably be found advantageous to use horses for the whole 50 miles if they were available. The feed for horses on this portage is said by Dr. Dawson to be very good. By taking advantage of the water com- munications there would be only about 100 miles of packing on horses from the forks of the Nelson to the Pelly River, 450 miles. Total dis- tance from Edmtmton, 950 miles. Tlie Pelly River joins the Yukon at the junction of the Lewis River at Fort Selkirk, 166 miles from the Klondike River and Dawson City and contains no impediments to navigation. An Alternate Route. From the forks of the Nelson there is a clear course down the Nelson, the Liard and the Mackenzie to the Peel River, without lake or rapids to impede navigation. The Nelson and Liard opens up about the 10th of May, and the Liard opens the Mackenzie from the junction down to the mouth, while the part above the head of Great Slave Lake and the lake itself remains solid. The lake cannot generally be crossed until the end of June or the first week in July. By going to the forks of Nelson on the snow, and being ready to take boat as soon as the river opened, the prospector could reach Peel River nearly two months sooner than from Athabasca Landing. Could, in fact, be at Fort Yukon before the parties now wintering on the south shore of Great Slave Lake could start across the lake. An a 11- water route, via the Mtickenzie and Peel Rivers is also ad- vooited. A boat big enough to take four men and two and a half to three tons of provisions, etc., would cost at Athabasca Landing about $200. Start should be made in April, or even on high water at latter end of May. The total amoimt of portaging in the whole trip is only about three miles. Good prospecting the whole of the way. Distance from Edmonton to Dawson, 2.500 miles. The Kamloops Route. via BridKe Creek, Quesnelle, Telegraph Creek and TeHllu Lake. Kamloops, the inland capital of British Columbia, is on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, at the junction of the North and South Thompson Rivers, and contains about 2,000 inhabitants. It is well equip Ted with an electric light system and waterworks ; contains large stores and outfitting establishments, the enterprising merchants 10 of which have made a speciality of Klondike outfitting. It is also the centre of an immense mining district, placer and quartz. To the south of Kamloops there is a large deposit of gold-copper ore which has been reported on favorably by Dr. Dawson, the celebrated Canadian geo- logist. The proposed rout« commences up the east side of the North Thompson River to Little Fort at the head of the upper Indian res- ervation, 57 miles from Kamloops, over a good wagon road, with plenty of water and feed all the way. Leaving Little Fort, in a north- westerly direction, following a jwck trail through an exceptionally good prospecting and agricultural country, which is nearly all open to settlement, we come to Bridge Creek on the famous Cariboo Road. 55 miles, with good feed and water throughout. From Bridge Creek the route takes a northerly direction to Quesnelle, 137 miles, over the Cariboo Road. Quesnelle is a thriving little northern town, the resources, natural and otherwise, of which, are chiefly mining and agriculture, fine oats and hay being raised in the vicinity. A little above Ques- nelle the Fraser River will have to be crossed, also the Blackwater and a few creeks. After crossing the Nechacco River, about 60 miles from the Blackwater, a series of lakes will be passed and some swamp land. The trail then follows the east bai.!"- of the Bulkely River past Morristown, a trading post, and on to Hazel ton. This part of the trail offers many op])ortunities to prospectors. Water will be found in abundance, but the grass is rather scarce in places between Quesnelle and Hazleton, and we would advise packers and others to provide themselves with sufficient grain for the horses to tide them over between these two points. The Skeena River is then reached. This is a very rapid river, but navigable, the Hudson Bay Company, about a year ago, having ac- complished this difficult task by putting the steamer Caledonia in suc- cessful operation. The trail from Hazleton to the Stickine River has not been used for regular traffic for a number of years, but at the time of the Cassiar mining excitement was used by drovers to take cattle and sheep to the mines. The country is roiling and well watered, with feed enough to supply the wants of pack teams. The creeks all contain gold in more or less paying quantities. The head w^aters of the Stickine, Naas, Iskoot and the first fork of the Stickine Rivers are all within a mile of one another, any any of these routes may be chosen fco descend, but we would advise the south fork of the Stickine as the best. By following the east side no diffi- tulty or grade of any consequence will be found. On the Stickine River steamboats have been in operation since 1873, when the placer mines of Cassiar were being first developed. At Telegraph Creek, a mile above the confluence of the first south fork and the main stream, the trail commences to Teslin Like, the head of navigation for tlie Yukon, and to DeavSe Lake for the Mackenzie and the rich Cassiar dis- trict. The distance from Telegraph Creek to Teslin Ljike is about 135 miles. The country is rolling, with plenty of water and feed for pack trains, but, as we suggested before, a little grain would be advisable. The climate is dry, the rain and snowfall light. The average he^it in summer is from 75 to 80 degrees and about 20 degrees below in winter. 11 Ihe Ith ten ?()- Hh Ith iiy to 55 [he he A charter has been granted for a railway to be built from the Stickine River to Teslin Lake and one to Dease Lake to tap the Cas- siar district, which produced over $5,000,000 in its day, both lines to commence from Stickine River and connect with navigation. The Slickine-Teslin line is in the hands of the C. P. R. and the other is controlled by an English syndicate, so that before the summer of 1898 is ended the miner, investor and others will be riding in cars in com- fort and ease, via Stickine River to Lake Teslin. Lake Teslin, which is the gateway to the Yukon, is 160 miles long and from one to 17 miles in wide. It is a natural reservoir for an immense surrounding country, nil the creeks and several large bodies of water emptying into it, all c^jrrying more or less gold. Quartz is also known to exist in this vicinity, and with improved communication will undoubtedly be developed. A saw mill has been erected and it is now possible for the miner to get lumber for building his boat for prospecting. Flow- ing out of the ijorth end of the lake is the Hootalinqua River. Though this stream has now been well explored, miners who have navigated it report the liurrent at about five miles per hour, and ex- l)erienced no difficulty by reason of bad water. All along the river are gold-bearing bars yet to be mined. Passing down 109 miles the River is increased by the waters of Lake Lebarge and those flowing from what is known as the Lynn Canal route. Cassia r b-ir is passed 26 miles further, seven miles on Big Salmon River, and then the Little Salmon River and other creeks are passed and the celebrated Five Finger Rapids are met with 135 from Lake Teslin. These rapids are the only serious obstruction to navigation on the upper Yukon, and great care and caution should be exercised in descending them. After getting through the rapids the remaining 57 miles, to where the Pelly River joins this river, are good. At the junction the Pelly and Lewes Rivers is an old Hudson Bay post, known as Fort Selkirk. The name is now used to designate the point at which the name Yukon is first used for the river. After leaving the Pellv river and entering the Yukon the White River is passed on the left, 96 miles distant. Ten miles further on, on the the right liank, is the Stewart River, which is proving to be nearly aa rich as the Klondike, which latter is 60 miles down on the same side. Passing the Klondike and Dawson City we come to Forty Mile Creek, which has been mined ever since 1887. At the foot of this creek or river is Fort Cudahay, which was, before the Klondike discoveries, the headquarters of the British Yukon mail and the Northwest n .iunted police and government offices. The entire distance from Kamloops to Dawson City is about 1250 miles. Part ll.—Outfitting. The following is a list of supplies necessary for one man for one year in the Klondike mining region. All authorities are agreed that th(jse who go with less will l)e tempting fate. Outfits should be pur- chased in Canada to save the duty of 33 per cent. The markets here ^ 13 60 IK 60 1 1 00 4Ji 1 00 4 76 IK 60 1 ■ 80 6 1 26 1 60 1 60 10 80 7 1 50 M 16 6 1 50 2 2 00 1 60 3 00 3 5 20 60 125 00 DoTible Outfit— One-Half to Be Charf(ed to Each Man. Lbs. Set grizzley irons 16 Iron wheel barrow 11 Whip saw 10 Hammer 1 Hand saw 2 Augur, IJ^ inch ij^ Brace and bits 4 Chisel and cold chisel 1 Large kettle 4J^ Folding reflector 4 Tracking line 12 Pitch 10 Oakum 15 Wedge tent, 7x9, 7 ounce duck 15 Fibre tub 3 Caulking iron and sundries. Cost. % 60 1 25 7 00 50 1 25 85 1 00 65 1 50 9 00 8 00 80 1 20 9 00 1 00 3 40 Total 110 $35 00 Clothln^BT and Sundries, Special. Two pairs Hudson Bay blankets, @ 19.50 per pair $19 00 One yard duffel for heavy socks . . . 1 40 Four yartls stroud, for grizzley blankets, @$1.40 per yard 5 60 Two pair beef moccasins, fur lined, @ $1.60 per pair 3 00 Rubber boots, hip 5 00 Two suits heavy underwear, @ $2.25 per suit 4 60 Six pair wool socks 1 50 Four pair overalls, @ $1 25 per pair 5 00 Leather jacket, sheep lined 10 00 Mackinaw shirt 3 50 Two pair wool mitts 1 00 Slicker 4 00 Rubber sheet, 4 feet by 6 feet 1 50 Two dunnage Imgs 2 00 Needles, thread and sundries, weight, say 76 pounds 7 00 Total cost $76 00 This brings the cost of outfit to each man up to $195 and the weight to 1, 250 pounds, and does not include guns and ammunition. iil 16 % A prood breach-loading shot gun will cost |25 ; cartridges, per 100, $3. A Winchester repeating rifle, 44.40, will cost $17; cartridges, $1.70 per 100. Pack Train. Two hundred pounds is a maximum load for a pack horse on a long road. Where the road is new and the jmckers new to the busi- ness the loads should be still lighter, and 170 pounds should be the maximum. The mistake made by most people is overloading. A few pounds of overload on a pack horse tells more heavily on both horse and man than on any kind of conveyance. Eight horses to pack and 1 to ride and 1 spare is the full number of each man's outfit, if a year's supply is to be taken and good time made. Ten horses, at $16 to $25 per head .9250 00 Riding saddle and bridle 15 00 Eight pack saddles at |5 each 40 00 Eight pack covers. }4 ounce duck, a : |1 50 13 00 Sixteen saddle bags, }i ounce duck, at 45c 7 50 Ten sets hobbles. . s 6 00 Five halters 5 OO Rope and sundries • 6 60 1340 00 In counting this last cost it should be remembered that the jiack outfit is worth its cost for future use, so that this outlay is not prop- erly chargeable to 1 year's expenses. The price of pack horses has been put at $25, but horses can be purchased for much lower prices than that, but care should be taken that good strong horses only are selected. It is generally considered that 6 loaded horses are as many as one man can hiindle satisfactory. This being the case it would be as well for 2 men going together to purchase two more horses and supplies to load them, and hire an extra man, than to load 12 horses Avith 200 pounds api€)ce. Part III.— Climate and Meteorological Observations. The Yukon Climate. A few years ago the United States and geodetic survey made a series of six months' observation on the Yukon River, not far from the Klondike. As these observations extended from October to April, their records afford a reliable test of the wintier climate which may be expected by persons going into that country. Tlie average tempera- ture for October was 33 above zero ; for Novemb'^r, 8 above zero ; December, 11 below zero ; February, 15 Ijelow zero ; March, 6 above zero, and April, 20 above zero. For 168 days the temperature re- mained below the freezing point. The lowest temperature registered during the winter were : February, 55 below zero ; March, 45 below zero, and April, 26 below zero. The greatest continuous cold occurred in February, when the average for five days was 47 below zero. In the Klondike region, in midwinter, the sun rises from 9 :30 to 10 a.m., and sets from 2 to 3 p. m. In June the sun rises about 1 :30 p. m. in the morning and sets about 9 p. m., giving about 20 hours of daylight and four hours of twilight. Writing with reference to these records. Prof. Willis L. Moore, chief of the weathei* bureau, says : " Alaska is a lanJ of striking contrasts, both in climate and topography. When 1^ the 9un Hhines the atmosphere is remarkably clear, the scenic effects are magnificent, all nature seems to be in holiday attire. But the scene may change very quickly ; the sky becomes overcast, the winds increase in force, rain begins to fall, the evergreens sigh ominously, and utter desolation and loneliness prevail." These treacherous con- ditions will lure many a brave fellow to death upon the lonely trails. The soft autumnal languor of that lonely land may change within an hour to the swirling darkness of the storm. When nature thus changse her smiling mood for the tempest's frown, the moimtain trail becomes charged with terrible dangers. On the riniate and Mode of Living of Klondike Mlnern— The Kind of Men to Go. It may be of interest to mention so aiething concerning the climate, mode of living of the people generally and diseases met with. The climate is wet. The rainfall last summer was heavy. Although there is almost a continuous sun in summer time evaporation is very slow owing to the thick moss which will not conduct the heat. In conse- quence, the ground is always swampy. It is only after several years of draining that ground will become sufficiently dry to allow the frost to go out, and then only for a few feet. During the winter months the cold is intense with usually considerable wind. A heavy mist rising from open places in the river settles down iu the valley in calm extreme weather. This dampness makes the cold to be felt much more and is conduclive to rheumatic pains, colds, etc. Miners are a very mixed class of people. Thoy represent many nationalties and come from many climates. Their lives are certainly not enviable. The regulation "miner's cabin" is 12 feet by 14 feet, with walls 6 feet and gables 8 feet in height. The roof is heavily earthed and the cabin is generally very warm. Two, and sometimes three or four, men will occup^'^ a house of this size. The ventilation is usually bad. Those miners who do not work their claims during the winter confine themselves in these small huts most of the time. Very often they become indolent and careless, only eating those things which are most easily cooked or prepared. During the busy time in summer, when thev are "shovelling in, " they work hard and for long hours, sparing little time for eating and much less for cooking. This manner of living is quite common amongst beginners, and soon leads to debility and sometimes to scurvy. Old miners have learned from experience to value health more than gold, and they therefore spare no expense in procuring the best and most varied out- fit of food that can be obtained. In a cold climate such as this, where it is impossible to get fresh vegetables and fruits, it is most important that the best substitutes for these should be provided. Nature helps to supply these wants by growing cranberries and other wild fruits in abundance, but men in summer are usually too busy to avail them- selves of these. The diseases met with in this country are dyspepsia, anaemia, scurvy caused by improperly cooked food, sameness of diet, overwork, watit of fresh vegetables, over-heated and badly ventilated houses ; rheumatism, pneumonia, bronchitis, enteritis, cystitis and other acute diseases from exposure to wet and cold ; debility and chronic diseases, due to excesses. Venereal diseases are not uncom- mon. One rase of typhoid fever occurred in Forty Mile last fall, 18 probably due to drinking water polluti^d with decayed vegetable mat- ter. Men going to the Klondike should be sober, atroig and healthy. Tliey should be practical men. able to adapt then> selves (piickly to their surroundings. Special cjire should Ix^ taken to see that their their lungs are sound, that they are free from rheumatism and rheu- matic^ tendency, and that their joints, especially knee joints, are strong and have never been weakened by injury, synovitis or other disease. Men .should l>e of cheerful, hopeful dispo.sition and willing workers. Those of sullen, morose natures, although tliey may be good workers, are very apt, a.s soon as the novelty of the country wears off, to become dissiitisfied, pessimistic and melancholy. Approximate Tlnio of SunriHu and Sunnut at DawRon Tlty. (From the Meteorological Office. Toronto.) TwiUliHT TWTU(4HT i^llVKISE. SUXSKT. BKOINS. EXDS. Jan. 1st H.51 a.m. 3.17 p.m. Feb. 1st «.:w " a.50 " March Ist 7.0H '• n.l9 " 4.18 a.m. 8.07 p.m. ♦April 1st B.ltt " «.r>3 " Mavlst 3.30 " 8.24 " June 1st. 1.53 " 10.03 " :Jiine2l8t 1.28 " 10.35 " July 1st 1.39 " 10.28 " Ang. 1st 3.08 " 9.04 " Sept. 1st 4.44 " 7.16 " Oct. 1st «.10 " 5.29 " Nov. 1st 7.45 " 3.42 " 4.52 a.m. fi.;?8p.m. Dec. 1st 9.00 " 2.38 " +Dec. 21st 9.55 " 3.02 " H.19a.m. 5.38 p.m. ♦From April 10th to Sept. 1st there is continual twilight from sunset to sunrise. +Longest day. tShortest day. ObHorvatloiiH at Fort CoiiHtantine, Yukon River, INOG. i4 ^ <^ < '^ ^ <=i < ri O y. P\ >* Highest temp 8.0 25.0 39.0 48.0 (55.0 80.5 82.3 75.5 07.5 54.0 23.6 9.0 83.3 Lowest " -05.0 -03.0 -35.0 -38.0 5.0 38.5 ;J!}.5 39.0 5.5-1.0-89.0-40.0-05.0 Mean " 38.3 23.3 7.5 10.3 40.8 53.2 57.3 53.6 43.3 3(5.3 -9.3-13.1 17.3 Yukon River froze in 1895 on Oct. 35th; in 1S)6 on Nov. 5th. Broke in 189(i on May 17th; in 1897 May 16th. First rain, 1896, April 17th; 18t)7, April 15th. Part IV.-"How to Prospect for and Work Placer Mines on the Yukon. Character of the Country, Regarding the surface of the country and the difficulties of pros- pecting, Mr. Ogilvie, in his report on the Yukon countrj'-, stiys: Passing down the river in a boat one sees a succession of trees, 10. 13. Hand 16 inches in diameter, and he naturally comes to the conclusion that it is a well timbered country, and so it is— along the margin of t\w. river. But let hiiii dis- embark and go inland and he will find the ground covered with what are locally known as "niggerhends,"' which consists of columns of decayed coarse grass pecu- liar to this region. They are formed by the annual growths of grasses decaying and falling down, while year after year the roots of the growing grasses bind this together into an almost solid column, which stands upon a bed of nuid. To walk across a niggerhe^id swamp is one of the most fatiguing exercises one can tttke. ^S 19 You cmiTiot walk on thorn— you must walk betwi'eu them. Put you foot on top of (>ii(> of them — it swiiyH uiuler yon, und down you ao to your knet's In the mud lu'twi'en tliein. '1 ht^ rosult Isrhiit the miners iind other residents of that country keej) iis fjii- iiwav from the nipgerliead swamp as they conveniently can. avoiding it as they would the jilajrue. For the rest of thecountiy, the surface is covered l)y from one foot to two ot moss and underneath the everlasting frost. On this a s('rul)l)y jrrowtli of trees is found extendinjr up the mountain sides to an altitude of from 1, ()()() to 1.5()() feet a))ove the river. It is this which appears to those pass- injr down the river in hoats to l)e a continuation of tlie pood timl)er seen along the bank.-i. Timber lit for anything is scarce. Above the timi)er line you come tothe I are rocks — tlie crests bare save wheiv clothed with a growth of lichen on whi(!h the carii)ou feeds. There is no timlier in the way here, no moss and no tirush. The miners consequently keep as much as possible tothe top of the ridge. IltMirock ProHpectlnfl:. B(Mlrock proHpecting necessarily has to be reserved for the winter. First the inoss has to he cleaned away, and then the muck or decayed ve{?etahle mold havS to be picked away for a depth of two or three feet. After two or three feet in depth has been picked out a fire is built in this "hole," as it is termed, in the evening. In the morning when the ground which has been thawed by the fire is shoveled out, and in the afternoon wood for another fire is procured. In the even- ing another fire is built, the ground thawed l)y this is shoveled out the following morning, and so on until bedrock is reached. Six, S, 10 and 12 feet of the surface is decayed vegetable matter and alluvial deposit of sand in the clay, termed by the miners "muck." As soon as gravel is struck i)rospecting is commenced — that it:, a pan or two of the dirt is washed to determine whether it is worth "keep- ing" or not, as the refuse is thrown on one side of the hole and the pay dirt on the other. Near to and on the bedrock the ptiy is found, which is generally not more than two or three feet deep. One claim holder may locate pay at the very first hole. The man adjoining may have to sink many. I know of one instance in which I I holes were siuik across the valley without anything being struck in any of them. In fact, the valley was almost crosscut, as it is termed, vet a miner in the vicinity pjiid this unfortunate man t2. .500 for a half interest in his claim, being well aware of the fact t^^.:*i 11 holes had been ])ut down and nothing found. This gives one an idea of the (confidence the miners have in the ground on those creeks. Now, suppose pay is struck in one of the holes. The pay streak is seldom more than three feet in depth. On the side of the hole which shows the best indications a fire is placed, which thaws out a few inches on that wall. In the morning the waste dirt, or what con- tains no imy, is shoveled out and thrown to one side, the pay dirt be- ing placed in what is termed the dump, which freezes solid soon after it has reached the top. This process is continued in the direction of the best pav, a distance which is governed by the thickness of the crust on top. If this is 20 feet, you may drift 30 feet with safety, when a new hole or a shaft has to be sunk and the drifting continued. In this way the pay streak is taken from underneath the surface in the winter lintil the' water begins running in the spring, finds its way into the shafts and hinders operations to such an extent that they are closed. Preparations for the erection of dams are then made and sluice boxes procured with which to wash the dump. 20 Nlulclnir* A sluice l)ox is about 10 inchas in width and 12 ftiet in length, the boxes so made that they fit into o«ich other like the joints of a tele- Hcoije. In these are placed what are called riffle Iwrs, whi(!h are Htrii)s of wood about 1 inch square and 8 or ten feet lonjjj, nailed together at their ends so as to be iMirallel with each other and almut one-half to three-quarters of an inch ai)art. 'fliese are placed longitudinally in the sluice boxes, which are set up so as to have an incline of 2 or 3 inches fall per foot of their length. Into this system of boxes a stream of water is directed, which must be of sufficient volume to carry with it the gravel and dirt that are in the dump. As soon as the sun has attained sufficient force to thaw out the surface of the dump it is shoveled into these sluice boxes. The water carries down with it to the tailings, as it is termetl, the refuse — that is, the gravel, sand and other matter which is not want<^d. The gold and the black sand, which is simply pulverized magnetic ore, owing to their much greater weight, fall between the riffle bars and are held there. As soon as the riffle bars are filled, so that there is danger of the gold passing o/er >'nd downward to the tailings, the flow of water is stopi^, and wnat is called the clean-up is made — that is, the riffle bars are lifted out and the contents of the sluice boxes gatheretl and the black sand and other refu.se seiMvrated. I Part V.-Transportation and Steamboat Information. The Canadian Pacific Railway Company has purchased two fine steamers front the Union line and it is the intention of the company to have them ready for the coast service early in March or April at the latest. It is understood that the steamers in question are about 4,000 tons, and their passenger accommodation, both first and second-class, will be very extensive. They will probably make two trips a week during the summer season, commencing February 16, from Vancouver and Victoria to Fort Wrangel, at the mouth of the much -talked of Stickeen River, and from thence river boats will be taken to Telegraph Creek, which is 150 miles from where the ocean boats transfer the gold-seekers at Fort Wrangel. The rates at present to Fort Wrangel are : First-class, $30 ; second-class, $20 ; to Telegraph Creek, Skag- way or Dyea, $50 first-class and $35 second-class ; to Juneau, $32 first class. $17 second class. According to the tariff of freight rates to the Klondike, Canadian Yukon Territory and the Alaskan gold fields, issued by the Grand Trunk and Canadian Pacific Railways, the Canadian Pacific Naviga- tion Company (Limited), and the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, which went into effect on December 20, it will be pretty expensive to get goods into the above named districts. For instance, from Vancouver to Fort Wrangel, via the Canadian Pacific Navigation Company, the rate on flour, l)eans and pork, per ton weight, is $8 ; to Telegraph Creek, $53 ; to Juneau, $9 ; to Dyea and Skagway, $10 ; to St. Michaels, $100, and to Dawson City and Yukon points, $120. < ► • i > 91 Gonenil morfhandise, por ton wolpfht, or mensurflment, ship's o])ti()]i, coHts tlio Hunni as tli<' abovo, witli the exception to Dawson City and Yukon ])oints, in which ease the rate is liaoo. Do^s cost 17 per head to Fort Wranf?el, llO to Telegraph Creek, $7 to Juneau, Dyea and Bkagway. The rates via the Pacific; Coast Htejimship line are : Gernral mer- chandise and ordinary miner's supplies, $8 per ton, 40 cubic feet, or 2,000 pounds, at the carriers' o])tion. To Juneau the rate is )|;9, and and to Dyoa anchorage on Bkagway Bay |10. At Wrnngel and Junoaa wharfage is additional, dogs al)out |1 each and merchandise, |2 to $2.50 per ton. Freight rates to Dyea cover only to anchorage, at which point the coniiwny's responsibility ceases. The comi^my as- sists in the landing of freight without extra charge, live stock to swim ashore. Freight charges on merchandise and live stock for Skagway or Dyea must be preiwiid, also on live stock for Juneau or Wrangel. The minimum charge on merchandise and miners' supplies is 11.25. The above rates are entirely exclusive of marine insurance, and are subject t3 change without notice. Live stock is taken at the con- venience of the carrior, as the accommodation is limited, end feed must be furnished bv the shipper, which will be carried free, but any exc3S8 delivered at destination will be charged for, as those rtvtes only apply from Vancouver ; goods shipped from the east, with the rail way tariff added, will be pretty valuable when they rea !h their desti- nation. Duties and Customs. There is nt » duty to be paid on goods bought in Canada. All foreign goods are subject to a duty of 30 to 35 per cent. But the Canadian government is about to issue new customs and mining regulations ap- plicable to this region. Last year when there was an unexpected rush to the gold fields the Canadian government permitted free entry of miners' blankets, personal clothing in use, cooking utensils in use and 200 pounds of food for each person, charging duty on the excess. This year the privilege will be abolished and customs duties levied on everything the miner takes, except practically the clothes on his back. The Canadian government does not wish to be unfair in this matter, but is going to great expense to maintain police and establish courts of law, postoflfices, treasuries for the safe keeping of miners' gold, offices where drafts may be obtained for gold, and other conveniences, and wish to obtain revenue to meet the outlay. Outfits and supplies into Canada by persons taking the Wrangel and Stickine, St. Michael's Skagway, Dyea or Dalton irail routes will be admitted free into the Klondike and will of course not be subject to duty when taken over the all-Canadian route from Ashcroft, Kamloops and Edmonton. Part VI.— Mining Laws, &c. *' Bar diggings " shall mean any part of a river over which the water extends when the water is in its flooded state, and which is not covered at low water. Mines on benches shall be known as " bench diggings, " and shall. 22 for the purpose of defining the size of such claims, be excepted fi-om dry diggings. "Dry diggings " shall mean any mine over which a river never extends. " Miner " shall mean a male or female over the age of eighteen, but not under that age. " Claim " shall mean the personal right of property in a placer mine or diggings during the time for which the grant of such mine or diggings is made. "Legal post '' shall mean a stake standing not less than four feet above the ground and squared on four sides for at least one foot from the top. Both sides so squared shall measure at least four inches across the face. It shall also mean any stump of tree cut off and squared or faced to the above height and size. "Close season " shall mean the period of the year during which mining is generally suspended. Tlie period to be fixed by the gold commissioner in whose district the claim is situated. " Locality " shall mean the territory along a river (tributary to the Yukon River) and its affluents. "Mineral " shall include all minerals whatsoever other than coal. Nature and SIxe. of ClaliiiH. 1. " Bar diggings, " a strip of land 100 feet wide at high-water mark, and thence extending into the river to its lowest wat^r level 2. The sides of a claim for bar digging shall l)e two jjarallel lines run as nearly as possible at right angles to the stream, and shall be marked by four le'^al posts, one at each end of the claim at or above high- water mark, also one at each end of the claim at or above the edge of the water. One of the pasts at high-wat'Cr mark shall be legibly marked with the name of the miner and the date upon which the claim was staked. 3. Dry diggings shall be 100 f(^t square, and shall have placed at each end of its four corners a legal post, upon one of which shall be legibly marked the name of the miner and the date upon wl)ich the claim was staked. 4. Creek and river claims shall be 100 feet long, measured in the direction of the general course of the stream, and shall extend in width from base to base of the hill or bench on each side, but when the hills or benches are less than 100 feet ajxirt the claim may be 100 feet in depth. The sides of a claim shall be two parallel lines run as nearly as possible at right angles to the stream. The sides shall be marked with legal posts at or about the edge of the water and at the rear boundaries of the claim. One of the legal posts at the stream shall eligbly marked with the name of the miner and the date upon which the claim was staked. 5. A bench claim shall be 100 feet square, and shall have ])laced at each of its four corners a legiil i)ost, upon whi(;li shall be legibly marked th(^ name of the miner and the date upon which the claim was staked. 6. Entry shall only be granted for alternate claims, the other alternate claims being reserved for the Crown, to be disposed of at public auction, or in such manner ns may decided by the Minister of the Interior. 1 t I 23 i The penalty for treapasaing upon a claim reaerved for the Crown ahall be immediate cancellation by the gold commiaaioner of any entry or entries which the x^eraon treapaaaing may at any time make for a claim. In addition to such penalty the mounted police, upon requiai- tion from the Gold Commiaaioner to that effect, ahall take the necea- sary ateps to eject the trespaaaer. 7. In defining the aize of the claims they ahall be meaaured hori- zontally irrespectively of inequalitiea on the the aurface of the ground. 8 If any person or persons ahall discover a new mine, and auch discovery shall be established to the satisfaction of the Gold Commis- sioner, a creek and river claim 200 feet in length may be granted. A new stratum of auriferous earth or gravel, situated in a locality where the claims are abandoned, shall for this purpose be deemed a new mine, although the same locality shall have been previously worked to a different level. 9. The forma of ai^plication for a grant for placer mining and the grant of the same shall be those contained in forms " H " and "I " in the schedule hereto. 10. A claim shall be recorded with the Gold Commissioner in whose district it is situated within three days after the location there- of, if it is located within ten miles of the commissioner 'a ofl&ce. One extra day shall be allowed for making such record for every additional ten miles or fraction thereof. 11. In the event of the absence of the Gold Commiaaioner from his office, entry for a claim may be granted by any person whom he may appoint to ]ierform hia duties in hia abaence. 12. Entry ahall not be ,;ranted for a claim which has not been staked by the ai)plication in peraon in the manner apecified in these regulations. An affidavit that the claim was staked out by the ap- plicant shall be embodied in form "H " of the schedule hereto. 13. An entry fee of $15 ahall be charged the firat year, and an annual fee of $100 for each of the following yeara. Thia proviaion shall applv to the locations for w^hich entries have already been granted. 14. A r.^yaUy of ten p^^r cent, on the gold mined shall be levied and collec^ted by officers to be apjjointed for the purpose, provided the amount so mined and taken from any single claim does not exceed $500 per week. In case tiie amount mined and taken from any single claim exceeds $500 per wer^k, there shall be levied and collected a royaltv of ten per cent, upm the amount so taken up to $500, and upon the excess, or amount taken from any single claim over $500 per week, there shall be levied and collected a royalty of twenty per cent., such royalty to form part of the consolidated revenue, and to be accounted for by ihe otfieers who collect the same in due courae. The time and manner in which such royalty ahall be collected, and the persona who shall collect the same, shall be provided for by regula- tions to be made by the Gold Commissioner. Default in i)ayment of such royalty, if continued for ten days after notice has been posted upon the claim in reapect of which it is demanded; or in the vicinity of such claim, by the Gold Commissioner or his agent, shall be followed by cancellation of the claim. Any attempt to defraud the C'rown by withholding any part of the revenue thus provided for, bv making false statements of the amount taken out,' shall be punished l)y cancellation of the claim in respect of which 24 fraud or false statements have been committed or made. In respec ; of the facts as to such fraud or false statements or non-payment o:: royalty, the decision of the Gold Commissioner shall be &ial. 15. After the recording of a claim the removal of any post by the holder thereof, or by any person acting in his behalf, for the pur- pose of changing the boundaries of his claim, shall act as a forfeiture of the claim. 16. The entry of every holder of a grant for placer mining must be renewed, and his receipt relinquished and replaced every year, the entry fee being paid each time. 17. No miner shall receive a grant of more than one mining claim in the same locality, but the same miner may hold any number of claims by purchase, and any number of miners may unite to work their claims in common upon such terms as they may arrange, pro- vided such agreement be registered with the Gold Commi.ssioner and a fee of $5 paid for each registration. 18. Any miner or miners may sell, mortgage or dispose of his or their claims, provided such disposal be registered with and a fee of $2 paid to the Gold Commissioner, who shall thereupon give the assignee a certificate in Form J in the schedule hereto. 19. Eveiy miner shall, during the continuance of his grant, have the exclusive right of entry upon his own claim, for the miner-like working thereof, and the construction of a residence thereon, and shall be entitled exclusively to all the proceeds realized therefrom, upon which, however, the royalty prescribed by Clause 14 of these regulations shall be payable ; but he shall have no surface rights therein ; and the Gold Commissioner may grant to the holders of adjacent claims such right of entry thereon as may be absolutely necessary for the working of their claims, upon such terms as may to him seem reasonable. He may filso grart permits to miners to cut timber thereon for their own use, upon payment of the dues pre- scribed by the regulations in that behalf. 20. Every miner shall be entitled to the use of so much of the water naturally flowing through or past his claim, and not already lawfully appropiiated, as shall, in the opinion of the Gold Commis- sioner, be necessary for the due working thereof ; and shall be en- titled to drain his own claim free of charge. 21. A claim shall be deemed to be abandoned and open to occu- pation and entry by any person when the same shall have remained un worked on working days by the grantee thereof or by some person on his behalf for the space of seventy-two hours, unless sickness or other reaso:iable cause be shown to the satisfaction of the Gold Com- missioner or unless the grantee is absent on leave given by the Com- missioner, and the Gold Commissioner, upon obtaining evidence satis- factory to himnelf that this provision is not being complied with, may cancel the entry given for a claim. 22. If the land upon which a claim has been located is not the property of the Crown it will be necessary for the person who applied for entry to furnish proof that he has acquired from the owner oi the land the surface rights before entry can be granted. 23. If the occupier of the lands has not received a patent there- for, the purchase money of the surface rights must be paid to the Crown, and a patent of the surface rights will issue to the party who 1 ' acquired the mining rights. The money so collected will either be refunded to the occupier of the land, when he is entitled to a patent therefor, or will be credited to him on account of payment for land. 24. When the party obtaining the mining rights to land cannot make an arrangement with the owner or his agent or the occupant thereof for the acquisition of the surface rights, it shall be ""'-. .*iul for him to give notice to the owner or his agent or the occupier to appoint an arbitrator to act with another arbitrator named by him, in order to award the amount of compensation to which the owner or occupant shall be entitled. The notice mentioned in this section shall be ac- coT'ding to a form to be obtained upon application from the Gold Com- missioner for the district in which the lands in question lie, and shall, when practicable, be personally served on such owner, or his agent, if known, or occupant ; and after reasonable efforts have been made to effect personal service, without success, then such notice shall be served by leaving it at, or sending by registered letter to, the last place of abode of the owner, agent or occupant. Such notice shall be served upon the owner or agent within a period to be fixed by the Gold Commissi mer before the expiration of the time limited in such notice. If the proprietor refuses or declines to appoint an arbitrator, or Avhen, for any other reason, no arbitrator is appointed by the pro- priet >r in the time limited therefor in the notice provided for by this section, the Gold Commissioner for the district in which the lands in question lie, shall, on being satisfied by aflftdavit that such notice has come to the knowledge of such owner, agent or occupant, or that such owner, agent or ocxiupant wilfully evades the service of such notice, or cannot be found, and that reasonable efforts have been made to effect such service, and that the notice was left at the last place of abode of such owner, agent or occupant, appoint an arbitrator on his behalf. 25. {(f.) All the arbitrators appointed under the authority of these regulations shall be sworn before a Justice of the Peace to the impartial discharge of the duties assigned to them, and they shall forthwith proceed to estimate the reasonable damages which the owner or occu])ants of such lands, according to their several interests, shall sustain by I'eason of such prospecting and mining operations. (/>.) In estimating such damages, the arbitrators shall determine tho value of the land irrespective of any enhancement thereof from the existence of minerals therein. (c.) In case such arbitrators cannot agree, they may select a third arbitrator, and when the two arbitrators cannot agree upon a third arbitrator the Gold Commissioner for the district in which the lands in question lie shall select such third arbitrator. {d. ) The award of any two such arbitrators made in writing shall be final, and shall be filed with the Gold Commissioner for the district in which tlie lands lie. If any cases arise for which no provision is made in these regula- tions governing the disposal of mineral lands other than coal lands a^nroved by His Excellency the Governor in Council on the 9th of November/ 1889, shall apply. 30 FORM H. — APPLICATION FOR GRANT FOR PLACER MINING, AND AFFIDAVIT OF APPLICANT. I (or we), of hereby apply, under the Dominion Mining Regulations, for a grant of a claim for placer mining as defined in the said regulations, in (here describe locality) and I (or we) solemnly swear : — 1. That I (or we) have discovered therein a deposit of (here name the metal or mineral.). 2. That I (or we) am (or are) to the best of my (or our) knowledge and belief, the first discoverer (or discoverers) of the said deposit ; or: — 3. That the said claim was previously granted to (here name the last grantee), but has remained im worked by the said grantee for not less than 4. That I (or we) am (or are) unaware that the land is other than vacant Dominion land. 5. That I (or we) did, on the day of mark out on the ground, in accordance in every particular with the provisions of the mining regulations, for the Yu- kon river and its tributaries, the claim for which I (or we) make this application, and that in so doing I (or we) did not encroach on any other claim or mining location previously laid out by any other person. 6. That the said claim contains, as nearly as I (or we) could measure or estimate, an area of square feet, and that the description (and sketch, if any) of this date hereto at- tached, signed by me (or us), sets (or set) forth in detail, to the best of my (or our) knowledge and ability, its position, form an dimen- sions. 7. That I (or we) make this application in good faith, to acquire the claim for the sole purpose of mining, to be prosecuted by myself (or us) assigns Sworn before me at this day of 18 Signature FORM I. — GRANT FOR PLACER MINING. No Department of the Interior. Agency, 18 In consideration of the payment of the fee prescribed by clause 13 of the Mining Regulations for the Yukon river and its tributaries, by (A. B.) of accompanying his (or their) application No. dated 18 for a min-ng claim in (here insert description of locality). The Minister of tbe Interior hereby grants to the said (A. B. ) for the term of one yetir from the date hereof, the exclusive right of entry upon the claim (here describe in detail the claim granted) for the miner-like working thereof and the construction of a residence thereon, and the exclusive right to all the procee^ls realized therefrom, upon which, however, the royalty prescribed by Clause 14 of the regulations shall be paid. :: 27 The said (A.B.) shall be entitled to the use of so much water naturally flowing through or past his (or their) claim, and not already lawfully appropriated, as shall be necessary for the due working thereof, and to drain his (or their) claim free of charge. This grant does not convey to the said (A.B.) any snrface rights in the said claim, or any right or ownership in the soil covered by the said claim ; and the said grant shall lapse and be for- feited unless the claim is continuously and in good faith worked by the said (A.B.) or his (or their) associates. The rights hereby granted are those laid down in the aforesaid mining regulations, and no more, and are subject to all the provisions of the said regulations, whether the same are expressed herein or not. Gold Commissioner. FORM J. — CERTIFICATE OF THE ASSIGNMENT OF A PLACER MINING CLAIM. No Department of the Interior. Agency, 18 . This is to certify that (B.C.) of has (or have) filled an assignme"-' '.n due form dated 18 , and accompanied bj^ a registrar ^on fee of $2, of the grant to (A.B.) of of the right to mine in (insert descrip- tion of claim) for one year from the 18 . This certificate entitles the said (B.C.) to all the rights and privileges of the said (A.B.) in respect of the claim assigned, that is to say, to the exclusive right of entry upon the said claim for the miner- like working thereof and the construction of a residence thereon, and the exclusive right to all the proceeds realized therefrom (upon which, however, the royalty pre- scribed by Clause 14 of the regulations shall be paid), for the remain- ing portion of the year for which the claim was granted, to the said (A.B.) , that is to say, until the day of 18 . The said (B.C.) shall be entitled to the use of so much water naturally flowing through or past his (or their) claim and not already lawfully appropriated, as shall be necessary for the due working thereof, and to drain the claim free of charge. This grant does not convey to the said (B.C.) any surface rights in the said claim, or any right of ownership in the soil covered by the said claim ; and the said grant shall lapse and be for- feited unless the claim is continuously, and in good faith, worked by the said (B.C.) or his (or their) associates. The rights hereby granted are those laid down in the Dominion Mining Regulations, and no more, and are subject to all the provisions of the said regulations, whether the same are expressed herein or not. Gold Commissioner. Amendment to Mining Laws. Ottawa, Jan, 18. — The amended Yukon regulations are : Fees, $10 ; for companies, $100 ; size of claim, 250 feet ; every tenth alter- nate claim reserved by the Government ; recording fee, $15. A roy- alty of 10 per cent, will be exacted from all mines producing more than $2, 500 per annum. Any claim not worked for a reasonable num- ber of days can be claimed again. 28 ^''^'^ ^^ Hints. Establish camp rules, especially regarding the food. Allot rations, those while idle to be less than when at work, and also pro rata dur- ing heat and cold. Pitch the tent on top of the snow, pushing; the poles and pegs down into it. While some are busily engaged in build- ing a fire and making a bed, let the best cook of the party prepare the supper. If you have no stove, build a camp fire, either on an exposed point of rock or in a hole dug in the siiow ; if you have a stove, ar- range it on a " gridiron ' ' inside the tent, the gridiron consisting of three poles some six or eight feet long, and laid on the snow, on which the stove is placed. The heat from the stove will soon melt a hole underneath, but there will be enough firm snow under the ends of the pole to hold it up. For the bed, cut hemlock brush and lay it on the snow to a depth of a foot or more, and cover this with a large square of canvas on which blankets and robes are put. When finished it forms a natural spring bed, which will offer grateful rest after haul- ing a sled all day. In all except the most sheltered locations, the tent is necessary for comfort, and the stove gives better satisfaction than the camp-fire, and as it needs but little wood, is easier to cook over, and does not poison the eyes with smoke. There are fewer cases of snow blindness among those who use stoves than among those who crowd around a smoking camp-fire for cooking or warmth. Comfort in making a trip of this kind will depend, in a great measure, upon the conveniences of camping, suitable clothing, and light, warm bedding. Choose your bunk as far from the tent door as possible and keep a fire hole open near your camp. If by any chance you are travelling across a plain (no trail) and a fog comes up, or a blinding snowstorm, either of which will prevent you taking y » ir bearings, camp, and don't move for anyone until all is clear again. Travel as much on clear ice as possible. Don't try to pull sledges over snow, especially if soft or crusty. White snow over a crevasse, if hard, is safe ; yellow or dirty color, never. Press the trigger of your rifle. Don't pull it. Don't catch hold of the barrel when 30 degrees below zero is registered. Watoh out for getting snow in the barrel. If you do, don't shoot it out. If you cannot finish your rations for one day, don't put back any part,, but put it into your personal canvas outfit, bag. You will need it later, no doubt. Don't waste a single ounce of anything, even if you don't like it. Put it away and it will come handy when you will like it. If it is ever necessary to cache a load of provisions, put all articles next to the ground which will be most affected by heat, providing, at the sjime time, that dampness will not affect their food properties to any great extent. After piling your stuff, load it over carefully with heavy rocks. Take your compass bearings, n 1 also note in your pocket some landmarks near bj'', and also the r ^tion in which they lie from your cache ; i.e., make your cache, if i -ible, come between exactly north and south of two given prominent i pacific Hotel KAMLOOPS, B.C. DUPONT & CORNING - - Proprietors The Nearest House to the Railway Station. : : : The only Convenient Hotel for Railway Travellers. : : : GOOD ROOMS % ^ GOOD TABLE GOOD LIQUORS ^GOOD STABLING IN CONNECTIONS k *,< (^ifesMfe Printed by The Kamloops Standard Job Dept. "\® 5 /^vr -c/iv K V" The Leading House in Kamloops * TH * DOMINION HOTEL N., BEN WEHRFRITZ, Proprietor KAMLOOPS B. C The Headquarters for flining flen Outfitting for Klondike Excellent Cuisine Large Stabling and Sample Rooms \K J>. JK JK JK JK JK JK JK JK JK JK JK JK JK JL JK JK JK JK JK i