F*?| ■■! coo. 1^ A A 1 2 4 30 ~~**~~ =» 1 8 7 9 RARY FA :ility H^m^H The RALPH D. REED LIBRARY DEPARTMKNT OK GEOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA I-OS ANGKLJSS, CALIF. Die ^Vlaska (ommcf cialtk San Francisco, Cal. ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦•♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦- I PACIFIC DEPARTMENT t ♦ f ! London and Lancashire! 4 ♦ ♦ ♦ •f 4 ♦ : ♦ a. ♦ ♦ : ♦ i Fire Insurance Co. LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND. San Francisco Office, 315 Montgomery St. WM. MACDONALD, Manager. D. E. MILES, Assistant Manager. CASH ASSETS, »5'&43'5<>5- ASSETS IN U.S., 2,720,f)I4. EVERETT & CO., Agents, 224 Chamber of Commerce, Portland, Oregon. BURNS & ATKINSON, Agents, Seattle, Wash. WALTER J. BALL, Agent, Tacoma, Wash. SAM. B. STOY, Special Agent, 226 Chamber of Commerce, Portland, Oregon. ♦ ♦ ♦ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 4. + ++ + + + + + + + + + + + +++ + + + + + + + + + + AGENCIES IN ALL THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS ON THE PACIFIC COAST. : ♦ : ♦ ♦ 4 ♦ : t 4 4 t 4 ♦ 4 : ♦ ♦ LETTERS OF CREDIT will be issued on all of our principal Stations on the Yukon River. For Particulars, Apply to Alaska Commercial Go- 310 Sansome St., San Francisco, Cal. ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY INCORPORATED IN SEPTEMBER. 1868. *1595* TO THE KLONDIKE ^GOLD FIELDS AND Other Points of Interest in Alaska- GENERAL OFFICE: 310 SANSOME STREET, - - - SAN ERANCISCO, CAL. Copyrighted, i v INTRODUCTION. The phenomenally rich gold discoveries that have been made recently on the Yukon River and its tributaries have turned the eyes of the civilized world toward Alaska. Men who had toiled steadily and painfully throughout their lives to secure a bare existence, to whom luxuries were unknown and a life of labor THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY'S STORE AT CIRCLE CITY. was all they had to look forward to, had gone there and in a few months amassed fortunes that rendered them independent for life. For years Alaska has been looked upon as merely a land for the tourist and the pleasure seeker. Its glaciers and its mountains, its wealth of scenery that cannot be equaled elsewhere in the world, rendered it a wonderland that filled the beholder with admiration of its beauty and grandeur. To-day Alaska is the Mecca for the fortune seeker. When the "Excelsior" steamed into the harbor of t THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY San Francisco bringing nearl) one million dollars in gold that had been wrested from the streams of the Klondike country, it inaugu- rated an exodus without parallel in the annals of history. Though the hardy adventurers who flocked there were numbered by thousands, many decided to await the coming of spring before undertaking - the journey. The short Alaskan summer was already OLD RUSSIAN FORT \T ST. MICHAEL. far advanced, and only the most venturesome were willing to encounter the rigors of the Arctic winter. ®@ Throughout the countr y there is a demand for in- formation concerning this new land of promise. The man who would go there hoping, by a few years of labor, to place himself beyond the possibility of want, desires to know how to .'570821 4 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY reach the gold fields, what preparations to make for the journey, and what conditions he will find when he gets there. The Alaska Commercial Company has been a pioneer in the exploration of this country. When, to the popular mind, Alaska was little more than a name, agents of the company were pushing across its trackless fields of ice, navigating the torrential rivers, and investigating its limitless resources. The company has thus accumulated a vast store of information, and is eminently qualified to advise and suggest to the prospective fortune seeker who thinks of making his home in the frozen North. With a view to making this information avail- able to those who are contemplating the trip this little book has been prepared. A perusal of its pages will enable them to guard against the trials and hardships that are inevitable on such a journey. ®(i&g)®s®®®!d$^^ The information that will I a tm ^%*. tma.+^4.*.*.+*. § be found most valuable is presented in the following pages. There are two points, however, that deserve special emphasis. A large city offers advantages in outfitting for so extensive and so peculiar a journey that cannot be found elsewhere. San Francisco offers such advantages. It is the metropolis of the Pacific Coast. Its stores present the greatest variety of goods from which to select. The large volume of business transacted enables the merchants to sell at a lower price than would be possible in a smaller community. Goods can be shipped from this point to greater advantage than elsewhere. In this connection we would recommend the firms whose goods and facilities are mentioned in this book. Their goods have been tried and tested fully in Alaska, after much competition, and have been proved the best obtainable. As San Francisco is the principal city and commercial center of this coast it is naturally to the interest of any intending traveler to start from this point. ®®®®®&&£^^ Again, the time that intervenes be- ll ttahte Af th& f/itv $ tween arrival in this city and the de- parture of the steamer can be pleasantly employed in sight-seeing that involves very little expense. San Francisco has a great variety of points of interest that are peculiar to this far Western city. The cable and electric car lines, climbing the many hills in all directions present ever-changing views of the city and the bay, one of the most beauti- ful in the world. The street car lines of San Francisco are patronized by those riding simply for pleasure to a greater extent than those of any other city in the world. To the western part of the penin- THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY 5 sula steamcar lines skirt along the cliffs on the shores of the Golden Gate and Pacific Ocean, and carry their passengers to tin- Cliff Honse, with its views of the world-famed Seal Rocks, to Sutro Heights, and the baths fed by the waters of the ocean and contain- ing the largest swimming tanks under cover in the world. The •Golden Gate Park, with its concert valley, its museum, its conserva- tories, and its children's playground, the United States Branch Mint, the mineral collection of the State Mining llureau, ( "hinatown. where the life of the Orient is seen in the heart of the city, and surrounded on all sides by the evidences of Western civilization, the cheap theaters — all these, and many other features offer inexpensive amusement for the traveler whose time hangs heavily on his hands. 2S®(!XS(5Xs)S^^ Furthermore the transpor- 4>«*m«ma»h«Uh t *<»iii*u* ffi tation facilities and arrange- transportation facilities jj mcnts for the shipment ° of !X5X5)®®®(sX5)®(jX«^ freight are unexcelled, and these are considerations of the utmost importance to travelers. A sea voyage covering thousands of miles, and occupying thirty or more days, is filled with inconveniences and hardships unless every- thing is done by the steamship company to insure the comfort of its guests. For the transportation of passengers and freight the Alaska Commercial Company has its own fleet of steamships, specially equipped for the Northern trip. Included among these are the steel steamship "St. Paul," recently built for the company, the "Bertha" and the "Dora." These vessels are all staunch and seaworthy, and have been equipped with all the modern conveniences for the comfort of passengers. Information as to their cabin plans, the rates of fare and the charges for freight will be found elsewhere in this book. The rush to the North when the warm springtime comes will be enormous, and hence it is important that arrangements for transportation and the shipment of goods and supplies should be made as early as possible. ^(sX?®®<5X^)SX^X^X5)(^XJX^:® ^ n *- ms book we have, in as clear and distinct a manner as possible, described every fea- feX5)®(^®®®^^ ture of all the Alaskan 'trips, and every detail has been verified by our agents and members of the company who have had a direct personal knowledge of the entire Alaskan territory. Again urging the advantages of making San Francisco the point of departure, we commend this book to the public. Depart from San Trancisco | THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY. A Brief History of the Great Pioneer Commercial and Transportation Institution. a®®®®®&^^ Alaska was purchased from Rus- 1 Ani/iiH Af tU* #7a«mm*mii I sia h y the United States in l86 7- J Even prior to this time the Alaska ®®®®® Commercial Company had repre- sentatives there securing information regarding the country. In 1867 the Company bought out the Russian-American Company that had been engaged in trading for many years. The Pribyloff Islands were leased to the Company for twenty years from May I, 1870, under an Act of Congress, approved July 1, 1870. The annual rental paid was $55,000, with a tax of $2.62 on each sealskin taken, making the total rental $317,000.00 per annum. It will thus be seen WHARF AND WAREHOUSES AT ST. MICHAEL. that the Company has paid nearly seven million dollars in rentals to the United States. They established stations at all the principal points in Alaska during 1868 and 1869, and had a passenger and freight boat running on the Yukon River in 1869. The Company has been engaged act- ively in business for nearly thirty years, consequently, owing to this long continued occupation of territory, it possesses advantages of a superior character in connection with everything relating to Alaska. It has a thorough knowledge of the style and quality of provisions and clothing best suited to the needs of the country. Its facilities for the transportation of passengers and freight are unex- celled. It has the advantages of having a plant already established and vessels on the river ready to proceed to the Klondike district as THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY 7 soon as the riwr opens. Wood piles are already sta< k< d al coi nient points on the river, and, therefore, passengers traveling on its steamers will not be subject t<> the delays and trouble thai will be attendant upon people who have not taken time b) the forelock, and, so, thoughtfully provided themselves with fuel, which is, of course, the great essential of the river trip. The reputation of the Company for taking proper care of passengers is so well established that com- ment is unnecessary. The steamers of the Company are Eas1 and commodious, and are equipped with everything necessary for the comfort of passengers. The Company takes justifiable pride in referring to its successful business career, and particularly to the fact that since it first engaged in the transportation business in 1869 there has not been one case of a loss of life. The captains of their steamers have been on the river for many years and are thoroughly acquainted with the dangers and difficulties of navigation. In this respect it will be seen that passengers have a perfect guarantee of safety. sS^~ : NATIVK HorSKS AND <\. HE. The Company's reputation for integ- rity and fair dealing is known practi- lt$ hip imputation 1 cally the world over> and its word in )SX5®®®(sXS®®(5^^ any business transaction is as good as its bond. Passengers traveling to the Klondike will find it to their best interests to go there under the auspices of the Alaska Commercial Company and they will be sure of making the trip without danger or discomfort. They have a full and accurate knowledge of the country and its peculiar features — a knowledge not possessed by any other company, and which could only be acquired by years of direct experience and the expenditure of large sums of money. As an illustration of the fact that the Alaska Commercial Com- pany was interested in the development of Alaskan mines more than twenty years ago, the following letter is appended. The letter was a portion of the evidence furnished in the investigation of the fur-seal 8 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY fisheries of Alaska by the House of Representatives in January, 1889. It also ably illustrates the honorable policy that has characterized the Company in its dealings with its patrons: San Francisco, May 7, 1886. Mr. M. Lor ens, Agent, St. Michael, Alaska. Dear Sir: We have been informed that a large number of 0(5Xg®®®®®®€^^ miners have already started for the n n M* r*tf*t» I Yukon and Stewart River mines, and it I Jl nOtaPlC LCUCr ( i s probable that many others will be |j®(5XS)®®®®(i^ attracted to that section of the Territory in consequence of the supposed existence of rich diggings in that district. Considering that the Company's station at St. Michael is the nearest source of supply, an extra amount of groceries and pro- visions have been sent to you to meet the possible demands likely to be made upon you during the coming winter. It must not be understood, however, that the shipment referred to is made for the purpose of realizing profits beyond the regular schedule of prices heretofore established; our object is to simply avoid any possible suffering which the large increase of population, insufficiently pro- vided with articles of food, might occasion. Hence you are directed to store the supplies as a reserve to meet the probable contingency herein indicated, and in that case to dispose of the same to actual customers only, and in such quantities as will enable you to relieve the wants and necessities of each and every person that may have occasion to ask for it. In this connection we deem it particularly necessary to say to you that traders in the employ of the Company, or such others as draw their supplies from the stores of the Company, doing business on their own account, must not be permitted to charge excessive profits; otherwise all business relations with such parties must cease, as the Company cannot permit itself to be made an instrument of oppression toward any one that they may come in contact with. It is useless to add that in case of absolute poverty and want the person or persons placed in that unfortunate position should be promptly furnished with the means of subsistence without pay, simply reporting such facts at your earliest convenience to the home office. Asking your strict compliance with the foregoing instructions, which we hope will be carried out with due discretion on your part, I am, with kind regards to yourself and Mrs. Lorenz, Yours truly, Lewis Gerstle, President. For any information regarding the Yukon and Klondike districts, apply to the ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY, 310 Sansome Street, San Francisco, Cal. THE COMPANY'S STEAMSHIPS. A Concise Description of the Fleet of Steamers Owned and Operated by the Alaska Commercial Company. Of the transportation companies operat- ing between San Francisco and the Klondike gold fields, the one that is most widely and favorably known is the pioneer line — The Alaska Commercial Company. The length of its time of service, extending over a period of almost three decades, has given to it an experience that is not possessed by anv other company. As time has rolled on the Company has steadilv advanced in its carrying capacity until now its fleet of vessels is almost irreproachable. The knowledge gained by years of travel on the Pacific Ocean and the great Yukon River, has been of great value to the Company, and it is now prepared to give to its patrons the best possible service. The captains of the vessels and all of the other officers have been in the employ of the Company for many years and fully understand everything necessary for the safe and speedy transportation and the comfort of passengers. ~~~~~~~~~~~^~~.-^ The latest acquisition of the Com- ® pany is the magnificent new steel $tCait1$bip " $t. PaUl ' \ steamship "St. Paul," which has been constructed by the Union Iron Works, of San Francisco, and that fact alone is direct evidence of its superiority. The Union Iron Works had practically carte blanche regarding the building and equipment of this vessel, and every feature of the most modern plans of marine architecture has been introduced. The steamship is two hundred and eighty-eight feet long, with a thirty-eight-foot beam, and has accommodations for two hundred and fifty-seven first-class cabin passengers. Its register is twenty-five hundred tons and its horse power eighteen hundred and fifty. Its staterooms are all commodious, well venti- lated and lighted and are furnished with only fore and aft bunks. The rooms are fully equal in luxury and in size to many of the great Atlantic liners and in them one can easily believe himself to be in a hotel instead of at sea. The decorations are artistic in soft, yet rich effects, and the conveniences for the bestowal of the passengers' IO THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY belongings are most ingenious. There are electric lights every- where and electric bells for the summoning of attendants at a moment's notice. There is also a saloon and a smoking room fitted with lounges and easy chairs for the comfort of passengers. Though not exactly following the well-known remark of James Russell Lowell, "Give me the luxuries of life and I will dispense with the necessaries," the Alaska Commercial Company has made a most happy combination of both of these features, and, in providing prop- erly for the comfort of its patrons, it will feel confident of their unqualified approbation. Believing that cleanliness is akin to godli- ness, the Company has supplied a plentitude of bath-rooms, with porcelain tubs, and hot and cold water will be ready at all hours. A rt _inmniM THE YUKON STEAMER I,< >UISE. notable feature of the vessel is its cold-storage rooms, which enables the Company to carry fresh meats, fruits and vegetables for the entire round trip. The "Portland" is another one of the Company's steamships. It is a wooden vessel, of fifteen hundred tons gross, and it has been entirely rebuilt and refitted and is in first-class condition. All of the state- rooms are new and the equipments, in every particular, are the | Steamship "Portland" THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY same as those on the "St. Paul." Its passenger accommodations in every way are unexcelled and exceed those of an) vessel of any other line. The steamer is staunch and seaworth) and will be under the command of one of the Company's mosl experiem ed captains. The well-known steamers the "Dora" and the "Bertha" have also been thoroughly refitted and equipped in fir I style and will be used on the ocean voyage as they have in years p The fleet of river boats used on the Yukon is a matter of pride to the < !om- pany as their construction is the result of years of experiments and practical experience in transportation. They are all commanded by officers X *"£*■■? A REPRESENTATION or THE NEW STJKOH STEAMERS "SARAH," "HANNAH" \\l> '■ srslK." who have had years of experience in navigating the river and are thoroughly acquainted with whatever dangers and difficulties that may exist. The steamers that are now ready for the Yukon River trade are the Alice, the Bella, the Margaret, the Yukon, the W. H. Seward, the Saidie, a new steel side- wheeler, the Leah, new. the Sarah, new, the Hannah, new, the Susie, new, and the Louise, new. These vessels are all thoroughly fitted in first-class style for the transportation of passengers in the best possible manner, possessing every equipment that the necessities of such a trip require. 12 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY ^®®®®(i)®®®®®®(s:@ The care of the inner man is one feature not to be overlooked. In this respect the Alaska Commercial Company has spared no expense in furnishing the best culinary artists and in providing an exceptionally good and liberal table. Through its system of cold storage, fresh meats, vegetables and fruits are sup- plied daily, which is a feature that should be appreciated by passengers. THE STEAMER " AT,TCE." THE SHADE DECK OF THE STEAMSHIP "ST. PAUL. ' ' Jp, o ") UJ 50000 |D 3 » SIS" ooooo O C> ^ — I 2 ?^ ■=! Effi Ed TO THE KLONDIKE GOLD FIELDS. A Graphic Description of a Trip to the Rich Arctic Ophir. Together with Much Historical Data of an Interesting Character Relative to the Yukon District and Alaskan Points in General. }S®®®&&^^ To those who intend tr y' m S in the Ka for tho Klondike I i * ar Klondike land their hazard of great fortunes, any words that will make the way easier and the burden lighter will not come amiss. In the line of such information is the story of the trip from San Francisco to the lands of gold by way of the Alaska Commercial Company's swift new steamers. ST. MICHAEL AND THE STEAMER "ARCTIC." Terrors of the tales of the Chilcoot Pass and of the dread Ska- guay Trail are fresh in the minds of all. The illustrated journals have pictured the paths littered by dead and dying horses; the fearsome, frozen summits; the disheartening bogs. Those who have turned back have talked of blizzards that man could not face; of steeps he could not climb; of discouragement, THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY 15 T\ Pleasure Crip despair, and the loss of all supplies. When the words of warning come from lips eloquent with suffering-, there comes also the admonishment, "Try not the Pass." 1 Then is there no kindlier way? Cannot fortune be secured without facing these dreadful dangers that lurk in every footstep? Must a man put his life at stake with every mile of advancement? Is there no way of avoiding the blizzard, the quagmire, the awful rapids, the sudden floods, the avalanche and the famine of the trails? There is. A man may reach the gold fields of the Yukon without the faintest trace of hardship, making a journey which is all a pleasure, an ocean voyage over summer seas; a river journey in which each succeeding vista is a greater delight. Before long this will be one of the most attrac- tive excursions for the pleasure-loving tourist and the globe trotter who seeks for lands and peoples of exceptional interest. Yet just such an excursion will bring the treasure seeker to the place of his heart's desire. To one who goes this way warmth and comfort and the delights of the table are assured. There will be no sudden pitching of tents in dark morasses when the night comes on. No thieves will lurk along the way. No storms of sleet and snow will bellow down the gulches to freeze the hands and feet and make the battle for life itself desperate, uncertain and full of fear. Instead of the smoky camp fire fitfully flickering in the storm will be the warmth and light of steamer cabins. Clean linen and soft beds will take the place of damp blankets thrown upon the frozen ground. Well-served tables will glad the eye and lure the palate instead of scanty rations half cooked upon the sodden coals. Yet both ways have the same end. Both lead to Dawson and the mines. So why try the hardships, the risks and dangers of the passes and the trails, when the same result may be attained in easy enjoyment, without danger or delay? •XsXjXsXsXsXsXsXsXS)® The object of this sketch, by one who has made the journey, is merely to tell something of what )®®®®(»x»)®®®(^^ is to be seen. The facts that the Alaska Commercial Company was the pioneer in Alaskan traffic; that its steamers have never met with serious accident since it began to do business in the northland, thirty years ago; that experi- ence has taught.it what to do and how to do it, are all guarantees of safety, certainty and dispatch. No other company has had the same experience; none is so well equipped for the business in hand. i6 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY ,®®®®(sxs)®(sX?X5^^ The start from San Francisco is in from San franclsco its u elf s ° methin g ^ charm those to ® whom the scenic glories of the great California harbor have not become familiar. The big, new steamers go churning out through the Golden Gate, that romantic doorway which opened upon the golden placers of California in the days when men sought and found fortune there just as they now seek and find in the Yukon's wondrous tribu- taries. On either hand frown the bastions, the scarps and buttresses of war. Here are mounted the great dynamite guns, the many \ i JPHHhM 1 _,*«'- -w,«, ».. ^Tetidi'' i » — • 1 ■mBP^ it •*=•/■ 1 - THE HARBOR OF UNGA. Beauties of the Bay mortars, and the big thirteen-inch rifles which could sink a ship twelve miles away. ®@ The crags and cliffs upon the right of the Gate give back upon Mount Tamalpais, which looms in purple grandeur, lifting its head over 3,000 feet above the hamlets and dotted chateaux around its base. To the left is old Fort Point, mossy and scarred by the spindrift, and still beyond this war lord of the past jut those rocks where herds of sea lions come continually to bask and bark and roar. THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COM TAW 17 With a glimpse on one hand of the bay where Sir Francis Drake moored his ships in the Ion- ago, and on tin- other of the Farallones de los Freyres, the island "lighthouses of the brothi which served as a landfall for the early Spanish navigators, the steamer makes for the open sea. With the Californian roast once lost to the eye, there will be no other land to see until the wild beauties of the Aleutian Islands burst upon the view. The long sea trip is, however, not without its charm. The Unarms the calm surface. ocean is full of life. Great whales spont and sport upon or near Frequently the steamers pass close to large num- C1RCLE CITY. bers of them. Schools of porpoises play about the bow. Occasion- ally the swift fin of a shark skims darkly along. Big sea birds follow in the steamer's wake, dipping for the crusts and scraps thrown to them. Now and then a sail is seen, and perhaps one of the heavy ocean liners on the run to China and Japan speeds across the path. On board there are comfortable cabins and a well-stocked larder, and everything will be done to speed the time and make the voyage one to be remembered with a feeling of regret that it is over. Then come the "Fire-breathing Islands" of the long Aleutian chain. And here is scenic grandeur, which, when it is better known. will charm the wonder-loving world. 18 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY Some of the Uolcanoes €@ The volcano Makushin is on Un- alaska Island, Shishaldin and Og- romni on Unimak, Akutan on the island of the same name, and Pav- loff on the Alaskan Peninsula. All may be seen smoking, belching or glowing if the landfall is plain or the nights are clear. A TYni'AL ESKIMO AND HIS DOG. Through a narrow pass between the green-cliffed islands, and passing the commanding figure of "The Priest," a picturesque rem- nant of a grand pinnacle, the entrance of Unalaska Harbor is reached. This is one of the most beautiful of bays. A shimmering fjord makes up between overhanging cliffs, the rock strata of which show by their weirdly disrupted markings the volcanic lift which THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COM TAX Y *9 threw them up into the glimpses of the sun. The hay then broadens and includes within its waters small, green islands- islands within an island, pearls within the shell. Exploration Island, Mug Island and Amaknak are the names of these, showing the difference in poetic temperament of those who named them. Beautiful wild flowers spangle all the hills, the violets being especially remarkable HAULING UP THE MOOSE ABOVE CIRCLE CITY. for their abundance and exceptional size. Up the pleasant Glacier Valley, through which runs a stream famous for its trout fishing, the mountain climber who seeks the summit of smoky Makushin will come upon the remnants of a glacier, with its ceaseless, imper- ceptible motion, and its suggestions of how gold may have been 20 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY worn from the rock and deposited in the gulches in the time when all the world was ice. Few people appreciate the fact that Unalaska, Ht JlttAl/Klt/i ( *-he ancien ^ settlement that nestles on the bay, is farther west than Honolulu. Though part of the United States, it is more foreign than the islands of the Hawaiians. The Russian church lifts its minarets as the most notable structure in the village. The Russian language falls from the tongues of the older Indians — the active little Aleuts who seem part Eskimo and part Japanese, and form a link between the two races, — and in making the change of commercial trans- FORTY MILE POST. actions the dollar of Uncle Sam has to be reckoned in the rouble of the Great White Tsar. The samovar is beside the hearthstone, and some beautiful specimens of Russian crockery and earthenware may be found in the stores and warehouses — truly delicate and artistic specimens of the potter's craft. For it was the Russians who first came upon Unalaska. It was the adventur- ous Alexei Chirikof, lieutenant and rival of Vitus Bering, who, on Septem- ber 4, 1741, in the days of Peter the Great, discovered the island and gave to it a name. The Russians had a dominating settlement THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COM LAW 21 Che Company's Beginning at Unalaska long before Cook dropped into the harbor in 1778. This settlement was named llliuliuk, and the quaint old town on the beautiful Unalaska Bay bears this musical Indian name even to this day. The Russians turned over all Alaska to the United States for $7,200,000, on June 20, 1867, and on January 4, 1868, two days before the Russian Christmas, Captain ( i. Niebaum, of the Alaska Commercial Company, sailed into the bay at Unalaska, established a post, and began the business which has continued ever since. Here has been the center of the fur-gathering industry, and here it still remains. On the islands far and near, as Kipling puts it, "the little blue fox he is bred for his skin and the seals they breed for themselves." Here come the diminishing catches of the sea otter, dozens being taken where thousands once were captured. Walrus tusks, for ivory, and all the valuable skins still grace the company's warehouses, and the curios brought in by the natives are a delight to the eye of the collector. The Jessie Lee Home and the Gov- ernment School offer examples of what may be done in developing the intelligence of the Aleut, while the ceremony of the Russian church is engagingly picturesque and reverentially beautiful. The skill of the natives in piloting their kyaks, or skin canoes, is a source of continuous wonder to the visi tor. In this respect they have not changed since the days of Chiri- kof. Still they venture into troubled seas, still in their frail cockle- shells hunt the leviathans of the deep, still with a flirt of the paddle turn themselves completely over in the boat, bobbing up after com- pleting the under-water round as lightly as so many corks. But the fortune hunter will be eager to fare forward, no matter what the attractions of beautiful Unalaska and its quaint settlement, llliuliuk. Passing out of the harbor the captain may tell you of the island Bogoslav, to the westward, which, after being found by Captain Cook, sunk and rose again, impelled by "drastic lift of pent volcanic fires." Then the steamer, now out in the great sea named for Vitus Bering, passes not far from the world-famed Pribyloff Islands, the rookeries and breeding places of the fur seal. The Alaska Commercial Company fostered this fur seal industry, made it the most lucrative of Uncle Sam's investments in the far North, paid back from it the purchase price of Cbe Seal Industry : 22 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY all the territory, protected the seals, cared for the natives, and, in 1890, when the lease of the islands passed to other hands, left the industry in a flourishing condition. Bancroft said, writing in 1885, five years before the company's lease expired, "Leasing a few leagues of rock, hanging almost midway between the continents, this company has paid over to the United States almost the face of the whole Alaska purchase money." The steamer skirts Nunivak Is- ® land, which is so improperly CbC CM St. £ros$ mission § • , .. T \ ^ ,, „ g Anne and the Jesuit Fathers. Here the voyager will be greatly interested in the gardening, which shows what may be done in the way of raising the hardier vegetables whenever an increasing population shall put Alaska to the test of its capacity for supporting life. Tur- nips, radishes, lettuce, potatoes, cabbages and celery are grown with more or less success, and continuous experiments are made with THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY 31 different seeds. The work among; the Indian children shows their wonderful capacity for receiving a certain measure of instruction, though as yet the moral results have not been all the devoted mis- sionaries have hoped for. By this time the traveler in the months of June and July will have found one UN llZOSClUitO PC$t < grea t blur on the beautiful picture drawn by Mr. V. Wilson and quoted hitherto. This blur is represented by a cloud of mosquitoes. Thi -ugh they are not troublesome while the steamer is under way, once a stop is made the adventurer is given a foretaste of what he must expect when he starts prospecting. These pests are so numerous and aggressive that mosquito hats or masks, high boots and gauntlet gloves become absolutely necessary in the miner's outfit. Bed nets are essential if sleep is to be obtained. ^Y-Y^SYsysysyssj^ysyy^ Anvik, the next landing place, is half a *» >; *'**" THE "ALICE" LANDING SUPPLIES AT DAWSON. For any information regarding the Yukon and Klondike districts, apply to the ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY, 310 Sansome Street, San Francisco, Cal. THE COOK'S INLET TRIP. A Comparatively New Source of Wealth Having Great Possibilities. Hydraulic Mining to be the Particular Feature. Rich Gravel Deposits, Active Volcanoes and a Balmy Climate. With the vast wealth of the Yukon district in view one must remember that there are other parts of Alaska containing untold riches, which, from the latest reports, bid fair to rival the golden ■ THE BELLE c >F THE TUK< IN Klondike. The new district is known as Cook's Inlet, but it differs in almost every respect from the Yukon district. It is lure that hydraulic mining should be the great feature, as the results obtain- able from this system will be almost incredible. Since the discovery of gold in this district no work has been done, practically, other than with the pick and shovel, yet the results, as will be shown, are most encouraging. Through the use of the latest improved Indian lie machinery and the appliances connected with it. a ea oi gold-producing gravel should soon be opened and. successfully prospected. 4 o THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY The commencement of the trip to Cook's Inlet is made from San Francisco via the steamers of the Pacific Coast Steamship Com- pany as far as Sitka. The ocean voyage is one of pleasure, and there are many things to interest one on the way. At Sitka connection is made with the well-equipped steamers of the Alaska Commercial Company and the haven of the prospector is reached after a delight- ful voyage. r^ _^^^ The Russians always esteemed Cook's Inlet as the most pleasant portion of j) J\ DCIlQntlUI SPOt ( Alaska in the summer season, with its bright skies and well-wooded shores. It stretches far inland in a northeasterly direction and is quite out of the region of the fogs which prevail on the coast. Cook's Inlet is situated about 500 miles west of Sitka and cuts back into the mainland toward the Yukon Valley about 200 miles. It is fed on the east by the Kussiloff and Kenai rivers and on the north by the Kem- nick, Shushitna, Chuitna and many other smaller streams. The Inlet lies between the 59th and 62d parallels of north lati- tude and the 150th and 154th meridians of west longitude. Its greatest width, from Port Graham to the West Shore, is about 60 miles and its length about 165 miles. I'sxw®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®® ^ e I 11 ^ * s renowned for its scenery fa n\ c ® wmcn Captain Cook was first to extol. He discovered the great estu- ®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®® ary during his search for a passage to Hudson Bay, passing the south point of Kenai Peninsula on the birthday of the Princess Elizabeth, May 21, 1778. Captain Cook took possession in the name of His Majesty, and buried coins and records in a bottle at Possession Point at the head of the Inlet, and Vancouver searched for these records in vain. Cook's Inlet is the finest Alaskan pleasure ground for scientists, sportsmen, anglers, artists and yachtsmen, and its climate enhances all attractions. (^j®®®®®®®®®®^®^®®®® ^ chain of active volcanoes extends along the west shore. Iliamna, the great volcano of the Inlet, 12,066 feet high, ®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®® was named Miranda, the Admirable, by the Spanish navigators. It is snow clad, but steam and smoke issue from two craters near the summit, and, when arrested for any time, frequent earthquakes are felt. Many hot springs are situated on the slopes, and the heat furnishes a luxuriant growth of trees in the val- leys and ravines. The natives have many superstitions concerning it. There are other volcanoes in the district, some of which are active and some whose fires are extinct. THE ALASKA COMMERi IAL COMPANY 41 ctober, ij| Balmy Climate 1 j" c f lusiv .y , the wea * er ; sas p^sam as g one could reasonably desire. No snow ®<^&^^s^s^S(S(s^^i&s^(s) falls, and, while it rains occasionally, the weather is not at all gloomy or disagreeable. As a matter of com- parison many residents there have expressed the opinion that they would prefer the weather there during these months to that of Chicago, Philadelphia or New York. Considerable snow falls din- ing the winter months and the temperature falls as low as ten degrees below zero.^ In reality the weather is not mo r< in winter than that in parts of Dakota, Minnesota and Michigan. There is an abundance of timber, much of which is suitable for lumber. Early in the history of the Inlet gold was found in small quantities all along the shores and tributaries of the Inlet, but no extensive prospecting was done until four years ago. Then gold was found in paying quantities on Resurrection Creek in Turnagain Arm, and soon after the discovery a rich placer mine was made twelve miles above this, around the present site of Sunrise City. These mines have yielded during the last season's work about $340,- 000. But little prospecting was done in the Inlet in 1897 on account of the excitement resulting from the gold discoveries on the Yukon, but a few miners visited the Shushitna, which is the largest of the rivers of the Inlet, and heads in the same range of mountains drained by Forty Mile Creek. Coarse gold was found in several places and good finds are anticipated in this river when thorough prospecting is done, as well as in many other of the streams empty- ing into the Inlet and which show good indications at their mouths. ^^ # ^_^^ xs ^ X 5 )( j )( j X j )( j x y^ Tyoonock is the head of deep-water navi- I Vho t»ttl*tn*HK (I gation for ocean -g° in S steamers - From $ CIlC 9?lll?lll?lli» | this pomt a ijght-draft steamer takes pas- ®(«X»X»X»)®®®®(«^^ sengers to the various points around the Inlet. This is the main supply station for the miners in the Inlet, branch stores being located at Hope City, Sunrise, Knik and Shu- shitna, the latter being thirty miles up the river. All classes of mining supplies, tools, provisions, and clothing necessary for the climate are carried. Saldovia, on Kachemak Bay, is a trading station, and has a population of about fifty natives. Homer, which is a postofhee station, situated sixteen miles above Saldovia, is the headquarters of a mining company. It has a store and warehouses and a permanent population of about six people. 42 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY Anchor Point is also the headquarters of a mining company and has a store and a population of about six men. Nenilchik, or Munina, is a Russian settlement about twenty- five miles above Anchor Point, and has a population of about one hundred people. Kusillof and Kenai are salmon canneries, employing, during the fishing season, several hundred men; during the winter the watchmen alone remain. Turnagain Arm, eighty miles in length, which is the northeast arm of Cook's Inlet, is quite an extensive bay, but has rather a narrow channel. The rivers of Cook's Inlet are merely creeks, none of them being navigable except to the limit of tide water. The largest are the Beluga, Shushitna and Knik. Small vessels can enter these upon the high water as far as the tide limit, but only on high water as each has a bar or shoal at its mouth. The Chuitna, Cuskitan, Cres- son and Kenai are mere creeks. h®&&®®®®®@^^ The south side of Kachemak m, 1 * ^1 rr^ X Bay is mountainous and car- the Country 1 n .J three large glacierS| one ) of which is more than thirty miles long. The formation is mostly basalt. The north side is an elevated bench, from fifty to one thousand feet high, carrying numerous seams of lignite coal. From McNeal's Canyon to Anchor Point, a distance of forty miles, the whole shore is filled with coal. It answers well for local consumption. On the plateau above are many lakes ranging from one acre up to several hundred acres in area. They are natural reservoirs and lie one above the other in such positions as to be easily ditched into each other. For hydraulic purposes they are unexcelled as their elevation is great enough to give all the pressure required and the labor of connecting them will be small. ^^^^^y^^$^^i^i)(i) In this connection mining here differs \ E«/i«*«iitA msHtMA « vastly from that in the Yukon district. § hydraulic mining $ rru ? . . .. t . , , , .. (g ihe introduction of improved hydraulic mining machinery will undoubtedly prove of immense value to those who can afford the expense of the first cost. Heretofore most of the mining work has been done by the crude process of the pick and shovel, from which, however, excellent results have been obtained. Capital is needed in this prac- tically virgin district to develop its immense resources. The gravel is easily worked, and by the use of modern machinery and appli- ances the results should be simply marvelous. THE ALAS K.I COMMERCIAL COMPANY 43 ®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®® Between Tyoonock and Chuitna the SRith fiMO^I IkttCKiK • Plateau is formed of gravel up nearly p l\*n wrav«l UC|WMI> | to the grass root. The gravel depi ®®®®®®®®®®€^^ is tine, bul t\-w large boulders being seen. Lake Como, lying upon the bluff within three hundred of the beach, has an area of some twenty acres ami a depth of forty feet. Only a short distance west of Lake Como lies another, the second of the series of lakes which extend in a chain toward the mountains for a distance of thirty miles. The gravel deposits are very extensive, and recent developments -L< >\\ that they carry gold to a value of twenty-five cents and more per cubic yard. Some pros- pecting by careful men has keen done in tin-. d< posits and has shown values of several dollars per cubic yard. Experienced men are of the opinion that the -old is very evenly distributed through- out the entire mass of gravel. The facilities for conducting an (•) g^ operation anywhere along the I facilities fOr OpCrdtittd | west shore in the vicinity of Tyoo- nock or Chuitna are excellent. The monthly mail steamer anchors within three hundred feet of the shore at Tyoonock and readily discharges supplies. The steamer "Perry" acts as a tender for the mail steamer and transports any cargo it brings to any part of the Inlet. At high water the "Perry," being flat bottomed, can come so near the shore that the falling tide will leave her high and dry so that any cargo can be readily dis- charged. The situation of this section is such that mining opera- tions can be carried on easily and conveniently. As a gold field Turnagain Arm must f® ®® ^jl undoubtedly prove to be a success. About § Curtiagaifi Jlrtll fl two thousand people went there last lk.(^&&mm&$®&&M spring, but only about fifty per cent of them made any money, for the reason that the majority of them were ignorant of mining, roamed around like lost sheep or else stayed in camp and grumbled. The real workers made money. A party of five men opened up a piece of ground on one of the tributaries of Six Mile Creek, and closed the season with twenty-six thousand dollars to their credit. Another miner, on Lynx Creek, spent about two thousand dol- lars opening his claim and cleaned up more than thirty thousand dollars. His work was preliminary, getting ready to work, rather than working as he can. in the future. At least one hundred others realized from a few hundred to several thousand dollars as the result of their work. 44 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY Several hundred thousand dollars have been taken from the district during the past season, just how much cannot be told defi- nitely. The field is without a doubt a splendid one, but operations should be carried on upon a much larger scale. The use of hydrau- lic mining machinery and appliances is particularly recommended, for the reason that the situation will admit of advantageous work and there is no use of taking fifty years to do what can be done in five years. An experienced mining expert has given his opinion that the future will prove this district to be a better and richer field than the Yukon. As he aptly expressed it, "Two to three ounces of gold per day for each man in the Turnagain Arm district is better than ten ounces would be in the Yukon country." BIKD'S-EYE VIEW OF KADIAK, ALASKA. The Hopkins Alaska Gold Mining Company owns six- fiopkins mining Company !• teen hundred acres of placer §®®(5X5)®®«x^^ ground on the west side of Cook's Inlet. It is on an elevated bench from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty feet above high tide and is all gravel from the sur- face down to bedrock. They place the value of their gravel at from twenty-five to fifty cents per cubic yard throughout the entire deposit. A large degree of their prospecting has shown much more, but they are fully satisfied with an average of twenty-five cents, which they consider is better than five dollars per cubic yard would be in the Yukon country. They consider that fifty cents per cubic yard is a bonanza. THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPAXY 4S ®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®® They do not have to burn cord k Other mining Properties 1 wood to thaw out the - rfiv ' '■ ® ® Hydraulics can be worked from ®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®' •; ' • , • May to November inclusive. The Gladhow, Edlunt, Sneezer, Hamlin, Johnson, Hula Hula, Block and all other claims on Mills, Canon, Lynx and other creeks tributary to Six Mile and Resurrection creeks have done well and made money. The ground is considered good for from two to three ounces per man each day, and as yet the ground is hardly touched. Nuggets weighing as high as six ounces have been taken out. A party • cleaned up a three days' run and X?)®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®® took out two thousand four hundred dollars, the majority of which was in large nuggets. Coarse gold predominates and the work of getting it out is comparatively easy. There is plenty of room and plenty of work there for good men who understand the business or are willing to learn it. This class of men with improved machinery, necessary supplies and a proper outfit of clothes and provisions, all of which they can obtain in San Francisco at the very lowest rates, can through hard work accom- plish a fortune within a reasonable length of time. TllK STEAMER " BELLA.' THE MAIL ROUTE. Interesting Information Regarding the Trip to Sitka and St. Michael, with Authentic Notes about Mo unt St. Elias, the Alaskan Alps, Karluk, Unga, Unalaska and Other Points. Tourists or prospectors who desire to go to St. Michael Island by what is popularly known as the Mail Route can do so via the steamships of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company as far as Sitka, where connection is made with the fast steamships of the Alaska Commercial Company. The trip from San Francisco to Sitka is an ideal one. The summer excursions to this point are known to trav- elers all over the world. The steamship company carries the United States mail and always calls at Mary Island, Wrangel, Juneau, Douglass Island, Killisnoo and frequently at Glacier Bay and other points of interest. The trip, on what is called the outside passage, takes from seven to eight days, but when the steamship stops at Seattle about three more days are necessary to complete the journey. The ocean voyage north is not by any means devoid of interest. There are various modes of enjoyment on the steamers; new and sometimes lasting friendships are formed, and, altogether, the trip is replete with pleasure. g(JXJ)GX5)®®^^ Sitka is the capital and the seat I TU* <7*Mt*\ Al Ulacka I of government of the Territory P^CapitO^ of Alaska. It is situated on the west coast of Baranof Island and is the official residence of the Governor, United States District Judge, and other territorial officers. It formerly was the home port for the United States men-of-war detailed for protective duty in Northern waters, and the marines are quartered on shore. The town is built on level land at the mouth of Indian River and at the foot of Mount Verstovoi. Lincoln is the main street and it extends from the government wharf to the old Russian sawmill and The Governor's Walk, a beach road built by the Russians, and continues to the Point, a half mile distant. A large parade ground fronts the harbor. Mail steamers generally remain here twenty-four hours. Ships' time is one hour in advance of local time, a fact that should be remembered. The Greek Cathedral Church, the Indian village, the block houses and Russian cemeterv, the Sitka Mission and THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COM I' AX Y 47 Industrial School, the Sitka Museum and the park along the banks of Indian River are the chief objects of interest. There are several stores there where unique Alaskan curios may be purchased as souvenirs. The rainfall at Sitka is generally quite heavy, hence an umbrella, a gossamer or a mackintosh will be found very conve- nient. Heavy shoes and warm underwear are also essential. ^^i ...... . At Sitka connection is marie teanm ; "I th . th f e *"™*fc ot the Alaska Commercial Company. These steamships have been built especially for the Alaskan trade and are in every respect emi- A WINTHU SCKNK ON THE KLONDIKE. nently qualified to fill every requirement. The cabin accommoda- tions are ample and comfortable in every respect and the table service is not excelled in any of the leading metropolitan hotels. They are all of the most modern style of marine architecture and their equipments are in every way unsurpassed. This is best attested to by the passengers who have been carried to and from their desti- nations in years past. Here commences what is probably the most interesting part of the northern trip. The steamship passes swiftly over the deep, still waters of the Pacific giving ever and anon glimpses of scenery that would well rival that of Switzerland. The mountain peaks are clad 48 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY mt. $t, €lia$ in a mantle of misty purple, and those in the far perspective are wrapped in shrouds of snow, making a vista that is majestic. The first landing place is Yakutat, which is two hundred and twenty miles distant from Sitka. It is from near this point that Prince Luigi, of Savoy, started to make his memorable and successful ascent of Mount St. Elias. This is probably the highest mountain in Alaska, and, indeed, is one of the half dozen loftiest peaks on the globe, reaching the remarkable height of about twenty thousand feet. A remarkable feature of this mountain is that it practically springs at once from the level of the Pacific Ocean so there is nothing to detract from its picturesque effectiveness. Vitus Bering first sighted this mountain on St. Elias' day and so gave it the name which it bears. It is constantly covered with a mantle of ice reaching down almost to the sea-level and arises in pyramid form, straight, regular and massive, to three times the height of Mount Washington, which is the giant of the White Mountain Range of New Hampshire. Only the Himalayas and the Andes exceed it in altitude. A won- derful feature of this mountain is the Agassiz Glacier, which is esti- mated to be twenty miles in width and fifty miles in length, cover- ing an area of a thousand square miles. On any clear day Mount St. Elias is visible one hundred and sixty miles at sea. It is one of the grandest scenic wonders of the world. -gQ ( 5 X j x g@@ ( j ; @Q@@£ ) There are but two indentations in the plateau bordering the ocean from Cross Sound to Yakutat Bay, and these have no commercial importance. The plateau supports four great peaks ranging from ten thousand to fifteen thousand five hundred feet in height. The Crillon and La Perouse glaciers join and front on the ocean for two miles just north of Icy Cape. The bay always contains much floating ice from the glaciers at its head, and a heavy surf beats on the St. Elias shore. Yakutat Village contains some original Tlingit lodges and the Yakutat women are the finest basket weavers on the coast. In the vicinity there is much gold-bearing black sand and also coal deposits, which, but for the difficulty of loading ships in that bay, would supply coal for all of Alaska. ®®^®SX^®SX^®®(^$®^ Two hundred and fifty I nucbck ana the em* *» j ™^T ™?££ which is at the entrance of Prince William's Sound. The old Russian trading post was known as the Redout Constantine. The furs of the Copper River country Yakutat Bay THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY 49 are brought to Nuchek, where there is the station of the Alaska Commercial Company. Orca and Odiac arc also trading stations situated on the sound. The Chugach Alps surrounding Prince William's Sound hold sonic of the grandest scenery of the Alaska coast, and the tide-water glaciers in the recesses of the sound even surpass those of southeastern Alaska. The glaciers take on a rose red tint in a certain light which is in picturesque contrast to their usual immaculate tone of white. The next point the steamer touches at is Homer, in Cook's Inlet, which is about one hundred and thirty-two miles ^®®®(«X?xS)®®^^ distant from Nuchek. It is at the mouth of Katchemak Bay, which is sometimes called Coal Bay. A postoffice and a trading station are located lure. fiomer and Kodiak : FORTY MII.E POST. Then the steamer speeds onward to Kodiak, which is a beauti- ful spot and is a general station of the Kodiak district. This port boasts of two wharves, several warehouses, many frame buildings and a Russian church. There are no saloons there as it is against the law to sell liquors. Kodiak is a coaling station for the steamers and also the general depot of the district for the furs that are brought in by the Indians for sale. There are but scattered groves of trees in the neighborhood of Kodiak as the dense forests of the northwest coast finally cease at the line of the Kenai Peninsula. The shores beyond that line are covered with grasses, shrubs and thick mosses, that, freshened by perpetual fog and rain, are so brilliantly and intensely green as to dazzle the eye. It is here that the dug-out 5 o THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY canoe disappears and boats of sea lion or walrus hide stretched over driftwood frames replace them. The bidarka, a narrow shell pointed at either end, carries one or two men, who sit each in a small hatch, furnished with an apron that fastens around his body, and these bladders ride the roughest seas safely. Women and children are even packed beneath the oarsman's feet for short voyages. Lutke called these bidarkans the "Cossacks of the Sea," and Billings wrote, "If perfect symmetry, smoothness and proportion constitute beauty, they are beautiful beyond anything that I ever beheld." They also have the oomiak or large open walrus hide boats, as a family and trading canoe, and these two craft, with slight modifications, are in use from Kodiak around to the Arctic coast. t)®®®®®® A distance of ninety miles inter- ~j i„ ^-s^i.., t** G) venes between Kodiak and Kar- luk which is the greatest sal- mon fisHng station in the world. Two-thirds of the entire salmon pack of Alaska are fur- nished from the waters of the Karluk River. This river is sixteen miles long, from one hundred to six hundred feet wide, and less than six feet deep. These figures give the dimensions of the solid mass of salmon that used to ascend the Karluk to a mountain lake before canners came with traps and gill-nets in 1884. A single haul of the seine has beached at least sixty thousand salmon. The hun- dreds of Chinese, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Americans con- gregated there constitute the most untrammeled communities any- where under one flag from May to September of each year. There is much agricultural land in the vicinity and cattle graze the year round, the thermometer never recording zero, and snow lying on the ground but for a short time. This is the headquarters of the Alaska Packers' Association. ®®®®<^^ After leaving Karluk the steamer \ iiua* *.*** t* a m; u ., fa proceeds to Unga, a distance of two hundred and fifty-five miles, the trip being of a pleasant and interesting nature. Unga is one of the principal stations of the Alaska Commercial Company. It has a store and warehouses there and employs a large number of men. The Apollo Consolidated Mining Company, which is one of the largest gold quartz producing mines in Alaska, is located at Unga. It is worked through a tunnel six thousand feet long, from which a shaft has been sunk to a distance of more than four hundred feet. One hundred and twenty men are on the pay roll of the company. Popoff Island, opposite Unga, is the head- quarters of the cod-fishing fleet, and there are large warehouses THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY 5* there for the salting and storing of fish. A coal mine on Unga Island furnishes sufficient fuel for local consumption. By a regulation of the United States Treasure Department, only natives are allowed to hunt the sea otter, and therefore man. white men have married native wives, thetvl>\ becoming natives in the eye of the law. The revenue derived from the sea otter trade on this island is said to average about seven hundred dollars a year to every family. COURT YAH!) AT ST. MICHAEL. )®(i£)@(i)@&$®®^® From Unga to Unalaska is two hundred and seventy-two miles. This is the coaling station for the steamers on the route to St. Michael ;X»XsXsXiXs)®®® i s i an( i Jt is on the chain of Aleutian Islands. Unalaska is known to be rich in both gold and silver mines. There is a large lake of sulphur within its borders from which loud reports issue at intervals like the boom of cannon. Unalaska is the most important island of the Aleutian chain. It is mountainous through- out with the volcanic mass of Makushin, five thousand nine hun- dred and sixtv-one feet, at its northwest end. CANADIAN MINING LAWS. Information for Prospectors who Intend Locating Claims on British Soil. ®(5XiXsXsXiXSXSX5xg®®®®^ Following- is a complete copy of the regula- I CbC RCQUliltiOllS 1 tionS & overnin & P lacer mining along the Yukon River and its tributaries in the Northwest Territories: "Privy Council, Canada, at the Government House at Ottawa, Friday, the 21st day of May, 1897. Present: His Excellency, the Governor-General, in Council. Whereas, it is found necessary and expedient that certain amendments and additions should be made to the regulations governing 'placer mining' established by order of the council of the 9th of November, 1889. "Therefore, His Excellency, in virtue of the provisions of the Dominion lands act, chapter 54, of the Revised Statutes of Canada, and by and with the advice of the queen's privy council for Can- ada, is pleased to order that the following regulations shall be, and the same are hereby, substituted for the governance of placer mining along the Yukon River and its tributaries, in the Northwest Terri- tories, in the room, place and stead of those regulations established by order in council of the 9th of November, 1889. (Signed) "JOHN J. M'GEE, "Clerk of the Privy Council. "To the Honorable the Minister of the Interior." "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 cov- )®®®®®®®®(sX!XsXi^® ered at low water. "Mines on benches" shall be known as bench diggings, and shall for the purpose of defining the size of such claims be excepted from 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. "Claims" 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 1 Interpretation THE ALASKA COMMERi I At i OMPANY 53 from the top. Both sides so squared shall measure at least four inches across the surface. It shall also mean an) stump or tree cut off and squared or faced to the above height and size. "Close season" shall mean the period of the year during which placer mining is generally suspended. The period to be fixed by the gold commissioner in whose district the claim is situated. "Locality" shall mean the territory along a river (tributary of the Yukon), and its affluents. "Mineral" shall include all minerals whatsoever other than coal. KsXsXsXsXSXSXS)®^^ First — Bar diggings: A strip I nature and Si« of Claims | of ' a " d ,cx ? feet J""* at high water mark, and thence ex- tending across the river to its lowest water level. AN ESKIMO DOG TEAM IN W1NTKK. Second — The sides of a claim for bar diggings shall be two parallel lines run as nearly as possible at right angles to the stream, and shall be marked by four legal posts, one at each end of the claim, at or about high water mark, also one at each end of the claim at or about the edge of the water. One of the posts at high water mark shall be legibly marked with the name of the miner and the date upon which the claim is staked. Third — Dry diggings shall be ioo feet square, and shall have placed at each of its four corners a legal post, upon one of which shall be legibly marked the name of the miner and the date upon which the claim was staked. Fourth — Creek and river claims shall be 500 feet long, meas- ured in the direction of the general course of the stream, and shall extend in width from base to base of the hills or benches of each side, but, when the hills or benches are less than 100 feet apart, the 54 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY claim may be ioo 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 be legibly marked with the name of the miner and the date upon which the claim was staked. Fifth — Bench claims shall be ioo feet square. Sixth — In defining the size of claims, they shall be measured horizontally, irrespective of inequalities on the surface of the ground. Seventh — If any person or persons shall discover a new mine, and such discovery shall be established to the satisfaction of the gold commissioner, a claim for the bar diggings 750 feet in length may be granted. A new stratum of auriferous earth or gravel, situated in a local- ity where the claims are abandoned, shall, for this purpose, be deemed a new mine, although the same locality shall have previ- ously been worked at a different level. Eighth — The forms of application 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. Ninth — A claim shall be recorded with the gold commissioner in whose district it is situated within three days after the location thereof, if it is located within ten miles of the commissioner's office. One extra day shall be allowed for making such record for every additional ten miles and fraction thereof. Tenth — In the event of the absence of the gold commissioner from his office, entry for a claim may be granted by any person whom he may appoint to perform his duties in his absence. Eleventh — Entry shall not be granted for a claim which has not been staked by the applicant in person, in the manner specified in these regulations. An affidavit that the claim was staked out by the applicant shall be embodied in form "H" of the schedule hereto. Twelfth — An entry fee of $15 shall be charged for the first year and an annual fee of $100 for each of the following years. This pro- vision shall apply to the locations for which entries have already been granted. Thirteenth — After the recording of a claim, the removal of any post by the holder thereof, or any person acting in his behalf, for the purpose of changing the boundaries of his claim, shall act as a for- feiture of the claim. Fourteenth — The entry of every holder for a grant for placer mining must be renewed, and his receipt relinquished and replaced every year, the entry fee being paid each year. THE ALASKA COMMERi 1. 1 1 I OMPANY 55 Fifteenth — No miner shall receive a granl for more than one mining claim in tlu- 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 ma) arrange, provided such agreement be registered with the gold com missioner and a fee of $15 paid for each registration. Sixteenth — 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. YOKON HI VIH S \ 1 MOK Seventeenth — Every miner shall, during the continuance of his grant, have the exclusive right of entry upon Ins own claim for the miner-like working thereof, and the construction of a residence thereon, and shall he entitled exclusively to all the proceeds realized therefrom; hut he shall have no surface rights therein, and the gold commissioner may grant to the holders of adjacent claims such rights of entry thereon as may be absolutely necessary for the work- ing of their claims, upon such terms as may to him seem reasonable. 56 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY He may also grant permits to miners to cut timber thereon for their own use, upon payment of the dues prescribed by the regulations in that behalf. Eighteenth — 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 appropriated, as shall, in the opinion of the gold commissioner, be necessary for the due working thereof, and shall be entitled to drain his own claim free of charge. Nineteenth — A claim shall be deemed to be abandoned and open to the occupation and entry by any person when the same shall have remained unworked 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 reasonable cause may be shown to the satis- faction of the gold commissioner, or unless the grantee is absent on leave given by the commissioner, and the gold commissioner, upon obtaining evidence satisfactory to himself that this provision is not being complied with, may cancel the entry given for a claim. Twentieth — 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 applies for entry to furnish proof that he has acquired from the owner of the land the surface right before entry can be granted. Twenty-first — If the occupier of the lands has not received a patent therefor, 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 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 pay- ment for land. Twenty-second — When the party obtaining the mining rights cannot make an arrangement with the owner thereof for the acqui- sition of the surface rights it shall be lawful 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 according to form to be obtained upon application from the gold commissioner for the dis- trict in which the lands in question lie, and shall, when practicable, be personally served on such owner or his agents, if known, or occu- pant, and after reasonable efforts have been made to effect personal service without success, then such notice shall be served upon the owner or agent within a period to be fixed by the gold commissioner before the expiration of the time limited in such notice. If the pro- prietor refuses or declines to appoint an arbitrator, or when, for any THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY 57 other reason, no arbitrator is appointed by the proprietor in the time limited therefor in the notice provided in tin's section, the gold commissioner for the district in which the lands m question lie, shall, on being satisfied by affidavit that such notice has come to the knowledge of such owner, agent or occupant, or thai such owner, agent or occupant willfully evades the service of such notice, or cannot be found, and that reasonable efforts have been mad.- 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. ^ Si IU"[ I, DIM Twenty-third — (a) All arbitrators appointed under the author- ity of these regulations shall In- 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 occupant of such lands according t<> their several inter- ests therein shall sustain by reason of such prospecting and mining operations. (b) In estimating such damages the arbitrators -hall deter- mine the value of the land, irrespectively of any enhancement thereon from the existence of mineral therein. (c) In case such arbitrators cannot agree thej may select a third arbitrator, and when the two arbitrator- cannol agree upon a 5« THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY 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 the lands lie. If any cases arise for which no provision is made in these regu- lations, the provisions of the regulations governing the disposal of mineral lands other than coal lands approved by his excellency, the governor in council, on the 9th of November, 1889, shall apply. ^g^jxj^j^jxjvj,^ The form of a certificate of ® assignment of a placer mining I Certificate of Assignment | claim is as fo ii ows: ®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®® Form J— No Department of the Interior, Agency 18. . . This is to certify that (B. C.) has (or have) filed an assignment in due form dated 18. . . and accompanied ON THE BANK OF THE YUKON. by a registration fee of two dollars, of the grant to (A. B.) of of the right to mine in (insert description of claim) for one year from 18. . . This certificate entitles the said (B. C.) to all rights and privileges of the said (A. B.) in respect of the claim assigned, that is to say, 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 proceeds therefrom, for the remaining portion of the year for which the said claim was granted to the said (A. B.) that is to say until the 18 . . . The said (B. C.) shall be entitled to the use of so much of the water naturally flowing through or past his (or their) claim, and not already lawfully appropriated, as shall be THE ALASKA COMMERi IAL ( OMPANY necessary for the due working thereof, and to dram the claim free of charge. This grant does not convey to the said (B any surface rights in said claim or any rights of ownership in the soil covered by the said claim, and the said grant shall lapse and be forfeited unless the claim is continually 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 are subject to all provisions of the said regulations, whether the same are expressed herein or not. Gold Commissioner. ® ^0 The form of application for grant | Application for Grant | for placer mining claim and affi- ®®®®®®tX?X^^ davit of applicant is as follows: Form H : I (or we) of hereby apply under the Dominion mining regulations for grant of a claim for placer mining as defined in the said regulations in (here describe locality) and I (or we) solemnly swear: First — 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 Second — That the said claim was previously granted to (here name the last grantee), but has remained unworked by the said grantee for not less than Third — That I (or we) am (or are) unaware that the land is other than vacant Dominion lands. Fourth — 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 Yukon 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 bj any other person. Fifth — 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 dale hereto attached signed by me (or us) sets (or set) forth in detail to the best of my (or our) knowledge and ability its position, form and dimensions. Sixth — That I (or we) make this application in good faith to acquire the claim for the sole purpose of mining, prosecuted b\ myself (or us) or by myself and associates, or by my (or our) assigns. 6o THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY Sworn before me at this day of 18. . . (Signature) The form of grant for placer claim is as follows: | Graitt fOr PlaCerS < Form I : Department of the Inte- ©SXsXSXsXsXsXsX^^ rior, agency 18. . . In consideration of the payment of the fee prescribed by clause 12 of the mining regulations of the Yukon River and its tributaries by (A. B.) accompanying his (or their) application No dated 18... for a mining claim in (here insert description of locality), the minister of the interior hereby grants to the said (A. B.) for the term of one year 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 construc- tion of a residence thereon, and the exclusive right to all the pro- ceeds derived therefrom. That 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 appro- priated 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 surface right 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 forfeited 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 provi- sions of the said regulations, whether the same are expressed herein or not. Gold Commissioner. For any information regarding the Yukon and Klondike districts, apply to the ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY, 310 Sansome Street, San Francisco, Cal. HOW TO STAKE A CLAIM. Information Regarding the Methods of Locating Placer and Quartz Claims in the Klondike District. DSXSGXsXSX^^ The re P° rt of the Canadian mining \ n **i m • " aws P u ^i s hed in this book will yive to the intending - prospector a correct idea of the legal methods to be pursued in securing a mining grant. Now for the practical part of the ques- tion. After having made a find the prospector proceeds to stake out his claim. He must not exceed one hundred feet up and down the creek, the general course of the valley. The width of the claim can run from base to base of the hills or mountains. If there are no I A TYPICAL previous claims located on this particular stream, the claim is known as the "discovery claim," and the stakes used are marked "o". The next claim staked up the creek is marked No. I, as is the next claim going down the stream. There can only be two claims marked No. I on any one stream. After driving the four stakes, each marked with the initials of the locator and the letters "M. L.", which means "mining location," the miner must bound his claim with cross or end line and then proceed within sixty days to file the claim with the Government Recorder at Dawson City. When recording it is in sary to make affidavit that the claim is properly staked, the date given, and that gold has been found. The number of the claim must also be given, and if it is not the discovery claim it must be mentioned, as for instance, No. I or No. 10 above or below "discov- ery claim," as the case may be. The prospector has sixty days in 62 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY which to prosecute the search for gold if a claim is staked before gold is discovered thereon. If he is unsuccessful at the expiration of this time he can no longer hold the claim, as it is absolutely neces- sary to find the metal in order to secure the permanent holding of the claim. A similar method of procedure is necessary in staking a quartz claim. The size of the claim is fifteen hundred feet long by six hundred feet wide. The stakes are marked as in placer claims, and the same rules govern in regard to the rinding of gold and filing the claims. After the miner T -V— =,'■ {ii.-; iff I .-. * jjSte&<4 ■n imi'iMiii*- ' • rVifcihri Swr'niii •**' -—pas*" ^^Pu&S iT **' ^^^^BEr •"" -»~*T" ra *'^*WP*WW wkfr-z^mk Wi9 k fW»> UNLOADING AT ST. MICHAEL. has filed his claim it is necessary that he shall work his claim three consecutive months in each year. Although they are simple these requirements are imperatively necessary for the pro- tection of the miner, for, should a miner attempt to work a claim without first properly staking and recording the same, anyone could come in, work on the property, properly stake and hold the claim, and so compel the first man to leave. Only one claim can be filed by a prospector. He may, however, acquire other claims by pur- chase, and the bill of sale must be properly recorded at the time of the transfer. If a miner abandons a claim he can. of course, locate another one. Regulations Governing the Use and Occupancy of Lands within the Limits of the Military Reserva- tion of Fort St. Michael, Alaska. War Department, Adjutant-General's Office. Washington, November II, 1897. By direction of the Secretary of War the following Regulations, governing the use and occupancy of lands within the limits of the Military Reservation of Fort St. Michael, Alaska, are published for the information and guidance of all concerned. SAM'L BRECK, Adjutant-General. Reg2ilations Governing the Use and Occupancy of La7ids within the Limits of the Military Reservation of Fort St. Michael, Alaska. War Department, Washington, October 20, 1897. No. 1. By authority of the President, the land known as St. Michael Island, Alaska, with all contiguous land and islands within 100 miles of the location of the flagstaff of the present garrison on that island, is set aside from the public lands of the Territory of Alaska, and declared a Military Reservation. Parties who have, prior to the receipt of this order, located and erected buildings on the land so reserved, will not be disturbed in their use of lands, buildings and improvements, nor in the erection of structures needed for their business or residence. No. 2. The Military Reservation above declared, and the mili- tary post located thereon, will be known as Fort St. Michael, and will be under the control and supervision of the Commanding Officer of the troops there stationed. R. A. ALGER, Secretary of War. In the absence of other provision of law and of all local civil officials within the limits of the country surrounding the island of St. Michael, and the mouth of the Yukon River, the foregoing described reservation has been established for the security of life and property, the preservation of order and the protection of property 6 4 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY and business interests. Proper persons, associations, or corpora- tions already located on, or desiring to enter upon and conduct legitimate business enterprises within the limits of this Military Reservation, will observe the following regulations: No. i. Applications for permission must be accompanied by testimonials of good character and standing, and be made in writing, addressed to the Secretary of War, reciting the nature of the busi- ness to be conducted; the location, as nearly as possible, on unoc- cupied land within the reservation; the area of land necessary; num- ber and character of buildings, etc., to be erected, and probable date when occupancy is to be commenced and terminated. Those located on this reservation at the time the reservation was made will, in like manner, present their application for permits, and the THE HARBOR OF ST. MICHAEL. Commanding Officer will not disturb them in their use and occu- pancy in conformity to these regulations until the action of the Secretary of War on their application is known. No. 2. The permit to be issued by the Secretary of War will describe the persons, business, location, etc., and will authorize the grantees to enter upon the reservation, at the location named, and maintain the specified business, and none other. Where a definite location cannot be given in the permit, authority will be given to the Commanding Officer of Fort St. Michael to authorize an appropriate location; but no permission will be given to use land that was included under the original order as located and used, and no permit will be given to locate on the land set apart for buildings, wharves, parade and drill grounds for the post of Fort St. Michael. THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY 65 A plat showing authorized locations and grounds, with the name or names of the holders of permits, will be kept in the office of the Commanding Officer. No. 3. This permit will not be negotiable and will be of no value or effect until presented to and recorded In the ( Commanding Officer of Fort St. Michael, and the location staked out by him. It will not be transferable without the approval of the Secretary of War, except where both parties to the transfer are on the ground and one desires to dispose of his interest, in which event the Com- manding Officer of Fort St. Michael may authorize the transfer, reporting his action to the War Department. It will give no right or title to ownership of lands occupied and is revocable at the will of the Secretary of War. No. 4. Application for permission to sell any improvements made through virtue of these permits must be made through the Commanding Officer of Fort St. Michael to the Secretary of War, and will only be approved on the same conditions on which a permit is originally issued. No. 5. Persons, associations or corporations occupying lands, buildings or privileges under these permits will be subject at all times to such police regulations as may be imposed from time to time by the Commanding Officer of Fort St. Michael, or higher authority. No. 6. Any modification of this permit, after use, must be applied for in writing, and forwarded, through the Commanding Officer of Fort St. Michael, for the action of the Secretary of War; notice of a proposed termination of the permit will be given by the grantee at least thirty days before removal, and upon removal from the reservation the permit will be surrendered to the Commanding Officer of Fort St. Michael; and the location must be left by the occupants in good sanitary and police condition. No. 7. In case of naturally restricted landings, sites for build- ings, shipyards, etc., no monopoly will be given to any person or corporation, and no permit will be construed to do this, and all dis- agreements between holders of permits, will, after a careful hearing by him, be settled by the Commanding Officer of Fort St. Michael. No. 8. No retail of distilled spirits on the reservation will be allowed; but this prohibition shall not include light wines or beer. (Section 1955, Revised Statutes; Act approved May 17, 1884.) No. 9. It is to be understood that these permits arc issued Mihject to any subsequent legislation of Congress. For any information regarding the Yukon and Klondike districts, apply to the ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY, 3ioSansome Street, San Francisco, Cal. WEATHER ON THE KLONDIKE. Chief Moore Describes the Climate of Coast and Interior Alaska. ®®gXs)®®®®®®®®®®®®®®® Under the direction of Secretary of ® /rii****!* /7k*MAA* ® Agriculture Wilson, Chief Moore, of § Climatic %Mtffl$ ® iU w t1 r, i , Vi- ® ® the \\ eather Bureau, has made public a statement in regard to the climate of Alaska. Mr. Moore says: "The climate of the coast and the interior of Alaska are unlike in many respects, and the differences are intensified in this, as per- haps in few other countries, by exceptional physical conditions. "The mean temperature of Sitka is 62.5, but little less than that of Washington, D. C. The rainfall of temperate Alaska is notorious the world over, not only as regards the quantity that falls, but also as to the manner of its falling, viz, in long and incessant rains and drizzles. Cloud and fog- naturally abound, there being on an aver- age but sixty clear days in the year. North of the Aleutian Islands the climate becomes rigorous in winter, but in summer the differ- ence is much less marked. "The climate of the interior, including in that designation prac- tically all of the new country except a narrow fringe of coastal margin, is one of extreme rigor in winter, with a brief but relatively hot summer, especially when the sky is free from cloud. ®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®© "In the Klondike region in midwin- ® tua. uiAM/iti** OaaIam ® ter tne sun r i ses from 9:30 to 10 a. Cbe Klondike Region j , M> and sets from , Xo J 2 p ^ the ) total length of daylight being about four hours. Remembering that the sun rises but a few degrees above the horizon and that it is wholly obscured on a great many days, the character of the winter months may easily be imagined. "We are indebted to the United States Coast and Geodetic Sur- vey for a series of six months' observations on the Yukon not far from the site of the present gold discoveries. The mean temperature of the months from ( )ctober, 1888, to April, 1889, both inclusive, are as fallows: "October, 33 degrees: November, 8; December, it degrees below zero; March, 6 above; April, 20 above. The daily mean THE ALASKA COMMERi 1. 1 1. ( OMPAK V 67 temperature fell and remained below the freezing point (33 degn from November 4, [889, to April 21, 1890, thus giving [68 da; the length of closed season of [889 90, assuming that outdoor opei ations are controlled by temperature only. "The lowest temperatures registered during the winter Thirt) two degrees below zero in November, 47 below in Decern ber, 59 below in January, 55 below in February, 45 belovy in .March, and 26 below in April. The greatesl continuous cold was in Feb- ruary, [880, when the daily mean for five consecutive days was 47 degrees below zero. Greater cold than that here noted has been experienced in the United States for a very short time, but never has ii continued so very cold for so long a time. \ N ESK I Mi "In the interior of Alaska winter sets in as ^ early as September, when snow storms g may be expected in the mountains and passes. Headway during one of these storms is impossible, and the traveler who is overtaken by one ol them is indeed fortunate if he escapes with his life. "The changes of temperature from winter to summer are rapid, owing to the great increase in the length of the day. The mean temperature in the interior doubtless ranges from 60 to 70 degrees, according to elevation, being highest in the middle and lower in the Yukon Vallev." SUGGESTIONS FOR MINERS. Some Valuable Hints Regarding Provisions, Clothing, Shoes and Other Articles Required for a Perfect Outfit. ■ S)S) r i)fi)9cean. Both the Examiner and the Call selected Royal Baking Powder. L. N. McQuesten, the "Father of Alaska," writes: "The Royal Baking Powder is the only powder that will endure the severe climatic changes of the Arctic regions. A man with a can of bad baking powder is almost helpless in Alaska. Therefore, we have used nothing but Royal Baking Powder." }®@®®®&&^ The same argument applies to a can of milk. There is nothing more precious, g perhaps, to a miner in the Arctic than a can of good condensed milk or cream. This is so well known in Alaska that the miners there will buy noth- ing but the "Eagle" brand, but it is the ignorant miner — and only the ignorant miner — that is fitting out in San Francisco or Seattle who ever allows any other brand to be foisted upon him. If he is an experienced miner returning, he has got to have the "Gail Borden Eagle Brand." If he is an inexperienced miner, possibly some one will palm off a cheap brand on him, and he will find out when he reaches Alaska, where the temperature is 80 degrees below zero sometimes, that his cheap, inferior milk is no good. ^®®®®®SXS®^^ The matter of cereals is an- ; other case. It is known that oatmeal takes about fifty min- utes to cook and has 73 per cent nutriment. Wood is scarce in the Arctic and a fire is a precious luxury, and a miner has not time to spend fifty minutes in cooking oatmeal. Therefore, it has been found that "Germea" is the only cereal that will do in Alaska. It takes three minutes to cook as against oatmeal, fifty minutes. It contains 95 per cent nutriment as against oatmeal, 73 per cent; but the great economy is, that one pound of Germea makes four pounds of solid food, and one pound of oatmeal makes only two pounds of solid food. Again, our friend McQuesten, the "Father of Alaska," comes out and states in regard to Germea as follows: 7 o THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY "The question of foods in Alaska must be studied from many standpoints, and a perfect food, meeting all the requirements, is hard to find. I have recommended Germea to the miners of Alaska because it is in the most concentrated form, — a pound of Germea containing more nutriment than nearly four pounds of anything else in the shape of cereals. It being concentrated, can be carried in a comparatively small package and does not burden the miner. "Next: It contains more nutriment than any other cereal, and, taking but three minutes to cook when oatmeal takes sixty, the economy in fire, time and labor is tremendous, but, above all things, it is a preventive of scurvy. "As some form of cereal is absolutely necessary in the Arctic, ( iermea fills the bill, in my opinion, most perfectly." ®SX5XsX»)®(sXsXS®®®®®^ In going to the Klondike you want to « n if# * c T\ ® £ et * ne strongest goods that you can I DnWtt SHOW TlOttr | for your money< Therefore, the arti- ®®®®®®®®@® cle of California flour, which is dryer, contains less moisture and is therefore stronger, appeals to most people instead of the moist flour of the Northwest. Old miners re- turning from Alaska will tell you they cannot use anything but Cali- fornia flour in Alaska. Owing to the California flour's dryness it is easier to work, and it is only a short time off when nothing but Cali- fornia flour will be used in Alaska. A brand called Sperry's "Drifted Snow" commands in Alaska a premium over any other. ®5X5Xs)®®®®®®®®®®® There is more nutriment in . g cocoa or chocolate than in g nearly any food product, and, if it is high grade cocoa and chocolate, it is one of the greatest delicacies known in Alaska. Chocolate cannot withstand extreme heat or extreme cold unless it is of the purest quality. Walter Baker & Company's Cocoa and Chocolate is the only known chocolate that will actually fulfill all Arctic conditions. We knew of a whole mining camp whose supplies were reduced to a few cereals and 50 pounds of Walter Baker & Company's Chocolate that lived on these articles for months without any danger of scurvy. Their health was per- fect, the miners being in robust condition all the time. xS® Take the matter of clothes also; this is a very important thing to miners. It may seem ridiculous, but with the temperature 80 de- grees below zero it is difficult to use a needle. It is too cold, there- fore, when buttons fall off to sew them on, and clothes are hard to P. Sf B. Building Paper | THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY 71 manage. There is a copper riveted clothing thai 1- made in l fornia that will last indefinitely, ami is particularly adapted t" the Klondike. ( )ne could go on ad infinitum. We suggest as to whal should he dour. The principal Feature to hear in mind i-. 11 \oi: a well-known brand that is selling tor a little more than any other brand, you may make up your mind that it is a little better, tor there is some good reason for the increased price, and. in these da; competition, the only Logical reason is because the brand must he a little better than cheaper and unknown g Is. In the cold, damp climat< Alaska a warm, dry shelter is as essential to the existence 1 >i 1'. living there as food and clothing, yet Few of those going to the Klondike make any provision for pos- sessing such a dwelling place, preferring to chance it rather than to secure the proper materials in San Krancisco, where they are abun dant and cheap. The only lumber to he procured in Alaska is rough sawn and unsized, and with it the most careful carpenter cannot make a draught-proof, moisture-proof building; hut with this same lumber and the I', and Ik Building Taper, the unskilled have it in their power to construct a cabin that will defy the cold, damp rains and will effectually exclude all earth moisture — a building warm in winter, cool in summer, and healthful all the year round. In Alaska this paper is worth its weight in gold, hut in San Francisco a thousand square feet of it, enough to completely line the walls and floor of a cabin, may he had for from three to eight dollars. It is put up in rolls containing a thousand square feet each. and weighing from thirty to one hundred pounds — hut a small addi- tional weight to a miner's outfit. The P. and Ik Building Paper, unlike tar and rosin-sized build- ing paper, has great strength, is waterproof, and is absolutely odor- less, and, in case of necessity, flour, tea. sugar and salt may he wrapped in it and conveyed to the mines without damage, and the wrapper then Used to line the cabin. If there is one thin- of a! 1 things that miners prospect- ing in Alaska actually require $®@®®d®®^^ it is rubber boots. The Good year Rubber Company have a factory in San Francisco for the man- ufacture of them, and it is the opinion of experienced miners that the boots of this company are unexcelled. The company's store in San h'rancisco carries a complete line of Hip Muck Leather So Boots, Crack Proof and Snag I 'roof Hoots of their own manufac- Goodyear Rubber Company : 72 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY ture, and every heel has a guarantee stamp on it. This company also carries a full stock of Oil Socks, Overshoes, Felt Boots, Alaska Socks, Rubber and Oil Clothing, Wool Boots and Socks and the most essential Rubber and Oil Blankets. The reputation of this company is so high that the mere mention of the name Goodyear is a guarantee that the goods are first class in every particular. Mr. R. H. Pease is the Pacific Coast Manager for the Goodyear Rubber Company, and their offices are 573, 575, 577, 579 Market street, San Francisco, and 73 and 75 First street, Portland, Oregon. Naturally, when one is going to Alaska , for either a definite or an indefinite tVapOratCd TOOtt ( pe riod, the supplying of the wants of the £$®®®SXs)®®^^ inner man is a paramount question. The matter of weight and freight is of importance. Those who have been up on the Yukon advise the use of evaporated vegetables such as potatoes, onions, carrots, turnips, cabbage, beans, and evaporated fruits such as prunes, peaches, apricots, pears, plums, apples, raisins, etc. The firm of Haas Brothers at 100 and 102 California street are the manufacturers of the celebrated California Preserve Company's goods, which have been used in Alaska for many years and are highly recommended. They are easily transported and are practi- cally as efficient as fresh vegetables and fruit. This firm also carries the celebrated Blue Point Oysters, which are considered the best in the world. The Elephant Brand of Tea and Imperial Ground Spices are also specialties with this firm. They also have the agency for three of the most prominent quicksilver mines on this coast. The importance of obtaining proper min- ing supplies cannot be over-estimated. In this respect the firm of John Taylor & Co., 63 First street, San Francisco, have been long and favorably known. It is the oldest, largest and most extensive house that is engaged strictly in the mining supply busi- ness in the United States. They keep a full supply of crucibles, fur- naces, assay scales, gold scales of all kinds and all articles required by a prospector up to a quartz mill, including chemicals and other accessories. ®(sxsxm)®(«x»)(^^ The firm of Buckingham and \\S/ Hecht is widely known 'I RionaiRe Hoots ana Sboes | throughout the united states ®&d®®®$®(*^^ as manufacturers of boots and shoes. They have made a specialty during the past twenty-five years of boots and shoes for miners, and their goods stand the sever- est test. They manufacture the seal waterproof leather boot, the mining Supplies 1 THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY Klondike- mining boot, and a complete line of mining, digging and prospecting- shoes particularly suitable for the Klondike and the Arctic. These arc their great specialties and all of them can be relied upon. Their factory is one of the largest in the country and every article issued from it is guaranteed. Their wholi 221, 223, 22 5 and 227 Bush street. Kast and ( !ompany at 738 and 740 Market street are the retail distributors for the- firm. Miners and prospectors on the Yukon Bilker & fidttliltOtt % re( l mrc more things than the same class 1 of people would need in other mining regions. Warmth in their cabins by day and night is an essential feature not to be overlooked. In this par- ticular it is worth one's time to examine the telescoj iron stoves that are manufactured by Baker & Hamilton, which is one of the most prominent business firms in San Francisco. These stoves do not warp, and suffer not in the least from contraction or expan- sion. Another commendable thing about them is their lightness, which enables them to be carried to and fro with ease. They weigh but seventeen pounds. Baker & Hamilton also carry an extensive stock of all kinds of miners' supplies, such as Alaska freight sleds, Yukon picks and handles, spring-point shovels, Klondike pit saws, dog harness, and a thousand and one things that are absolutely necessary in carrying on the business of mining and prospecting in the proper manner. These goods are all manufactured in San Fran- cisco under the personal supervision of members of the firm, and every article is guaranteed. The reputation of the firm is such that everyone purchasing from them may feel assured that the goods in every case will be exactly as they are represented. vxjxv)(s)(5X5Xi)®®®S(s)®@ Doubtless there will be quite a num- ber of people coming to San Fran- cisco on business relative to the Vu- 1 kon mines who will remain here and send their representatives to the Klondike. During their resielence here they may have a desire to invest some of their surplus funds in local securities and bonds, or they may need the services of compe- tent and responsible financial agents. Mr. A. W. Blow, who for many years has been a prominent member of the Stock and Bond Exchange, and Mr. Sig B. Schloss, are associated in business under the firm name of A. W. Blow & Company, with offices at 238 Mont- gomery Street, and have the very best facilities for the transaction of any business of a financial character. ft. W. Blow $ Co. HEADQUARTERS FOR Boots and Shoes FOR THE KLONDIKE. RUBBER-SPRING RUBBER BOOT-THE BEST MAKE. KLONDIKE MINING. ARCTIC SOX. OUR SEAL WATERPROOF LEATHER BOOT. WOOL BOOT FOR RUBBER SHOE. OUR SEAL WATERPROOF BOOT. We have made a specialty the past twenty-five years of Boots and Shoes for the mines. BUCKINGHAM & HECHT 221, 223, 225 and 227 Bust) Street, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. KAST & COMPANY, - = - 738 and 740 Market St., Retail Distributors for San Francisco. WINCHESTER RIFLES Always Reliable and Up-to-Date. New Styles and Calibers Especially Adapted Tor ALASKA Repeating Shotguns, 1897 Model. AMMUNITION. Illustrated Catalogue Sent Free by the WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. 418 and 420 Market Street, San Francisco, PACIFIC COAST DEPO I '. Greenebaum, Weil & Michels, MEN'S FURNISHING GOODS. HEADQUARTERS FOR Complete Alaska Outfits. 17-19 Sansome Street, San Francisco. + ♦♦♦♦♦♦ +4"H^+++++++++++-+^+» ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦+♦+++♦+♦♦♦ California Blankets. OVERSHIRTS. $ — ♦ MACKINAWS. I — + Blanket-lined | Overalls. ULSTERS. I SWEATERS. SOCKS. Sleeping Bags, Etc. Puny, trait i h.. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL and. SEATTLE, WASH. ► ♦♦♦♦♦♦ ■MtMHIHMM ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦- ++++++- ►++++++++>♦++< 3 for 25 cents. 10 cents each. 2 for 25 cents. The Trade Supplied by.... The Wertfieimer Company, CIGAR JOBBERS. 115 Battery St., SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Robert MANTELL ...Havana CIGARS... I CLEAN — scrupulous cleanli- ness enforced at the factory. t PURE — no adulteration — no f drugs — natural flavor. t FINE — high-grade Havana to- ~t bacco, perfectly made up. X UNIFORM— all alike; and $ always alike. + These are about the only merits + of the — et^ Write for Samples and Prices. Castle Brothers, 200, 202, 204 Davis Street, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Importers • and • Commission • Merchants iamdi_e:rs or California Dried Fruits, California Evaporated Vegetables, Coffees and Teas. Samples and Quotations Furnished on Application. THE CALIFORNIA POWDER WORKS OF^F^ICE : 330 Market Street, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Manufacturers of Dynamite (" Hercules Powder ") Blasting Powder, Sporting Powders, Military Powders and Explosives of all grades. MACK & CO., WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS. Drugs, Medicines, Medicine Chests — AND — Druggists' Sundries. WE ARE SPECIALLY PREPARED TO FILL ORDERS FOR DRUGS AND MEDICINES USED IN ALASKA, HAVING FOR YEARS SUPPLIED THAT TERRITORY AL- II MOST EXCLUSIVELY. 13 and 15 Fremont St., SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Klondike Outfitters. WE CARRY A COMPLETE STOCK OF Wearing Apparel for the Klondike THE BEST OF EVERYTHING. Call and Examine our Stock. Send for Price List. THE RED FRONT, 85£tna Consolidated Quick- J silver Mining Co's QUICKSILVER. The New Idria Quicksilver X Mining Co's QUICKSILVER. X These are all goods that are necessary in an outfit for the X Alaskan Gold Fields. Having had many years' experience in the supplying of the Alaska trade, we are in position to fill all requirements promptly and satisfactorily. ► ♦♦♦♦+4 ♦♦++♦ ♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ 44444++ ■ W. W. MONTAGUE & CO., MANUFACTURERS >>\ : RIVETED STEEL OR IRON Water Pipe For Hydraulic Mining, Irrigating, Mills, Power Plants and Water Works. DEALERS IN MINING SUPPLIES CAMPING OUTFITS SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Walter Baker & Co's, Li, a (DORCIIHSTKK, MASS.) ocoas -and- REGISTERED TRADE MARK Chocolates Considered the best health sustainer, and also the best adapted article for Alaska. ... gtf- Anyone going to ALASKA should not be without... Waller Baker & Co's, L POSrOFF/CZ SAN FRANGISCO, showing the Ferry Landing (the main gateway for all travelers from the East), all the leading Hotels, Theatres, Postoffice, Custom House, etc. But what will interest Alas- ka travelers most is the loca- tion of the great house of TILLMANN&BENDEL, the controlling head of the Wholesale Gro eery Trade of the Pacific Coast ; manufactu- rers of Spices, Baking Powder, Flavoring Extracts ; importers and roasters of Coffee ; proprietors of the Oakland Preserving Co., the leading packers of high-grade Fruits and Vegetables in California. Tillmann & Bendel began business in the fifties,— the golden age of California. For many years past they have extensively sup- plied Alaskan trade, and, since the rush to the Yukon began, have naturally become the headquarters for Miners' Provision Outfits. They are thoroughly familiar with the wants of miners in the North. They are firmly committed to strictly first-class goods, — the only kind that miners can aflord to transport to the distant North. The extent of their trade and the fact that they are manufacturers enables them to offer the very lowest prices. The fine quality of their special brands of Coffees, Teas, Spices, Extracts, Baking Powder and Canned Goods has given rise to the popular expression, "If it's Tillman's it's Good." Stores: 313-327 Battery Street. Coffee and Spice Mills : Battery and Pacific Streets. Canneries: Oakland, Cal. ThiE ALASKA FREIGHT SLED THE ONLY ONE ON THE MARKET. The above illustration is a correct reproduction of the only ALASKA FREIGHT SLED on the market. This is made from a pattern furnished by \.\w gentleman who took the United States census in Alaska, and is a reproduc tion of the one that he used in traveling thousands ol miles when taking the census, aud in which- he carried his outfit and provisions. The sled is much larger and stronger than the " Yukon Miner's" sled. It is made entirely of oak, and at the joints, instead of being riveted, it is mortised aud lashed with rawhide so that there is not the saint- liability of breakage as there would be if bolted together. The top hamper is made o! oak interlaced with rawhide and tarred marline. This sled is not an experiment. It is the kind the natives use, and will be found invaluable for transporting all kinds of merchandise. It is intended to be used for a dog team or to be hauled by hand. The weight is approxim 75 pounds. Its carrying capacity varies from 1,000 to 1,500 pounds, according to the material transported. We are the only manufacturers of this kind of sled. Price is $30 each. BAKER & HAMILTON, San Francisco. M. E WOOSTER. WALTER B. COOKE. Cooke & Wooster, Adverti sing S PEC1ALISTS and Publishe rs... Rooms 23 and 24. 246 Sutter Street, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. ...COOKE & WOOSTER are the compilers of this first edition of 50,000 copies of the " Klondike and Alaska Gold Fields." Originators of unique ideas in high-class advertising. If you have property or merchandise for sale, write to us and we will inform you how to place your propositions before prospective purchasers at the least possible cost. ADELSDORFER & BRANDENSTEIN, PROPRIETORS OF Washington Manufacturing Co. IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS. PACKERS OF THE FAMOUS Red Seal Pickles AND Nonpareil Ground Coffee. AGENTS FOR Half Million Cigar - - - - lO c. Grand Republic Cigar - - -5c DEALERS IN TEAS, COFFEES, SPICES, PICKLES, ETC. 19 and 21 First Street, SAN FRANCISCO, CAI.. Joshua Hendy Machine Works, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Office and Salesroom, Nos. 38 to 44 Fremont Street. Works, Cors. Bay, Kearny and Francisco Streets. CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS OF Hydraulic Mining, Quartz AND w mill iviacmnery. FURNISHERS OF MINING AND MILLING SUPPLIES, J. M. Litchfield & Co., Fine— -<-. MERCHANT, MILITARY "• NAVY ^ , This Company has refined the bulk of the GOLD shipped from the YUKON COUNTRY during 1897. Included among its DEPOSITORS are the ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY and most of the PIONEERS of the KLONDIKE DISTRICT, to whom it refers. DEPOSITS are paid for in TWENTY- FOUR HOURS after receipt. WATERPROOF Covers, S «^b DU ♦ IN OK, Pacific Coast Agents — for — A. J. Tower's Fish Brand OILED CLOTHING. Jas. S. Gary & Son (ALBERTON MILLS) COTTON DUCK. AMES & HARRIS, MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS, 100-104 Sacramento Street, 10-12 North First Street, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. PORTLAND, OR Oregon City Woolen Mills MANUFACTURERS OF KLONDIKE I YUKON CLOTHING OUTFITS Extra Heavy Gray and Colored Blankets, Wool Socks, Gloves and Mittens, Flannel Over and Under Wear, Wool Sweaters, Mackinaws in all Colors, Heavy Corduroy Suits and Pants, SOLD WHOLESALE ONLY BY BROWN BROS. & CO., Wholesale Manufacturers of Clothing and Furnishing Goods, 121 and 123 Sansome St., San Francisco, Cal. Are you going to Will you use a Simonds Circular Saw, Cross-cut Saw, Leather Belting, Rubber Belting, Dodge Wood Split Pulleys, Emery Wheels, or Marsh Steam Pumps? When in San Francisco please call and examine our goods. First-class articles only, at reasonable prices. General catalogue free on application. SIMONDS SAW CO. 2SSES*. Ho, for the Yukon!! SProspectors' Outfits. e^. <&-} G >OLD Scales and Weights, Gold Wash Pans (Russian Iron and Polished Iron), Gold Dust Blowers, Miners' Horns of all kinds, Prospecting Picks, Gold Washers or Rockers, Horseshoe Magnets, Iron Mortars, Magnify- ing Glasses, Quicksilver, Crucibles, Acids, Chemicals, etc., including full supplies for Assay ers, and Materials and Chemicals for quartz mills, etc. The oldest and largest Mining Supply House in the United States. Established in 1852. JOHN TAYLOR & CO., 63 First Street, San Francisco, Cal. Importers and Dealers in Assayers' Materials, Mine and Mill Supplies, etc. Don't forget it or you'll regret it. P. & B. PAPER is a necessity. It will keep your cabin warm and dry. Our Other Manufactures MANUFACTURED BY ( P. & B. Roofing:, ( P. & B. Waterproof Paints. ALL DEALERS SEEL THEM. SParaffine 5Paint Company, 116 Battery Street, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. NANSEN, in his Polar Voyage, HAD, AS PART OF HIS EQUIPMENT, THE a ft Primus Oil Stoves and writes in " Farthest North " — " We took with us rather more than four gallons of petroleum, and this " quantity lasted us 120 days, enabling us to cook two hot meals a day and " melt an abundance of snow for water." BEING SAFE, SIMPLE, COMPACT, PORTABLE, ECONOMICAL, DURA- BLE, EFFICIENT AND CLEAN, THEY ARE THE BEST STOVES FOR KLONDIKE. "Primus" Braziers' Torches use ordinary coal oil, give 2,600 degrees heat, and will thaw better than any fire known. A number already in use at Klondike. Send for special circular. Klondike Camp Stoves, Ten styles and sizes of sheet-iron Camp Stoves for use in tents, log cabins, or in the open air. Furnished to fold flat, if desired, for easy transportation on sleds or pack animals, or arranged for the oven to receive the utensils. We have supplied the Alaska mi- ners for many years. Let us fit you out before you go. Steel Ranges for large camps, cooking uten- sils for camp and cabin. Gold pans, etc. H0LBR00K, MERRILL & STETSON, MARKET AND BEALE STS., SAN FRANCISCO. HAMBURG-AMERICAN LINE Fast Twin-screw Steamships. Short Route to London, Paris and Hamburg. SETHIS COMPANY OFFERS LOW THROUGH RATES FROM EUROPE, (Viasan francisco,) TO KLONDIKE , via Galveston service HERZOG & CO., General pacific coast Agents, 401 California St., S. F. Hamburg - tmeriean Line is the largest Steamship Com pany in the WORLD. Owning 69 Large Ocean Steamers, of which l *.» are Twin-screw Steamships. Over 304,000 Tonnage. Pacific Coast Agency : 401 California St, MM FRANCISCO, CAL ...**» laabng - kaericai Llit (N , Regular Mai! (N. y. , Gal. ■ ice, Mont •ice, Stettin Service, liali; ■ ice, Mediterranean Baltic Line, Union I.ine. Pacific Coast Agency : 101 California 8t, sn nuicisco, 1 \\.. CORRESPONDENTS AND CONSIGNEES FOR EUROPEAN-KLONDIKE TRAFFIC. Complete Arrangements for those traveling: Singly or in Parties. KAHN & HERZOG, shipping and commission. FOREIGN EXCHANGE. OVERLAND TICKET OFFICE. Agency UNION PACIFIC-CHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN Through Line. 401 CALIFORNIA ST., cor. Sansome, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. YATES & CO., • MANUFACTURERS OF — — • PAINTS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION FOR HOUSES, SHIPS, CARRIAGES, AND OTHER USES. Varnishes, Brushes, White Lead, Turpentine, etc. A Complete Line of Painters' Material. Illuminating and Lubricating Oils. OFFICE AND SALESROOM: 206 CALIFORNIA ST., SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Klondike Specialties YUKON MINERS' SLEDS. Alaska Freight Sleds, Yukon Picks and Handles, Klondike Pit Saws, Dog Harness, Spring Point Shovels. Telescope Sheet Iron Stoves Will Not Warp. Light and Practical. Weight only 17 Pounds. A Full Line of... miners' tools, 'h ardware, edge tools, etc. Wholesale House OF THE PACIFIC COAST. BAKER 8e HAMILTON, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. Goodyear's Rubber Goods for the KLONDIKE. HIP RU8BER BOOTS FOR MINERS. " CRACK PROOF. " SNAG PROOf." Be Sure the Hekl is Stamped : Be Sure the Heel is Stamped Cuts represent stamps on heels, also knees. Beware of imitations. None Genuine Unless Heels are Stamped : " Union India Rubber Co. Crack Proof." These Crack Proof Boots are made of the very best and carefully selected Pure l'ara Rubber, reinforced with the Pure Rubber Springs on Instep. All our Crack Proof Boots are plainly stamped on the Heel and inside of the Upper, "Union India Rubber Co. Crack Proof," and no other Boot is genuine. None Genuine Unless Heels are Stamped " Goodyear Rubber Co., Stout's Snag Proof." This Boot is manufactured with a center of Cotton Duck, with Coatings of Rubber so incorporated into the fibre of the Duck by heavy machinery as to make a waterproof, material that staiids the severest test of weal and renders it next to impossible for it to be cut or torn from contact with rough or sharp surfaces. Rubber and Oil Clothing and Sacks, Rubber and Oil Blankets, Rubber Boots with Leather Soles, Wool Boots and Socks, High-cut Overshoes. GOODYEAR RUBBER COMPANY, R. H. PEASE. Vice-President and Manager, 573, 575, 577, 579 Market Street, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. 73 and 75 First Street PORIUND, OR. Washburn & Moen Mfg. Co. Tramways, Ropeways, Cableways. BARE AND INSULATED ELECTRICAL WIRES. Telegraph and Telephone \A/ire M. SPECIALTY. The only Wire and Wire Rope Factory on the Pacific Coast. WORKS: Worcester, Mass. ••• Waukegan, III. ••• San Francisco, Cal. SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: 8 and 10 PINE STREET. FRANK L. BROWN, Pacific Coast Agent. ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦•♦•♦♦♦♦♦^♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦■►♦+ ♦ ♦ I John A. Roeblings Sons Co. I { TRENTON, N. J. t ! ♦ MANUFACTURERS OF ♦ I BARE AND INSULATED COPPER AND IRON WIRES ♦ 4,. Of Every Description and for All Purposes. + \ — : ♦; Telegraph and Telephone Wire, Submarine Armored ♦ t and Lead-encased Cables, Bi-metallic Wire, ♦ ♦ Rubber-covered Wire and Cables Aerial ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ and Underground— Insulators, ♦ ♦ Brackets and Pins. ♦ IWIREROPE! > For Hoisting, Logging, Shipping, Tramways, ♦ ^. Elevators, Etc. X I CABLE AND STRAND FOR STREET RAILWAYS, GUYS, ETC, t Flat Strand Wire Rope a ND "Hercules" Wire X BARB WIRE, WIRE NAILS, ♦ WIRE CLOTH AND NETTING. Roebling's Patent Fire Proof Stiffened Wire Lathing. ♦ ♦ — — — ♦ ♦ Sole agents Pacific Coast for IMPERIAL HIGH POTENTIAL > t PORCELAIN INSULATORS. Thoroughly vitrified and homogeneous ♦ + throughout. Guaranteed to stand, without puncturing-, a salt water + > test of 40,000 volts. Every insulator tested. Send for circular. ♦ + ♦ ♦ + ♦ PROPRIETORS ♦ NEW JERSEY WIRE CLOTH CO. t 1 WEST COAST WIRE AND IRON WORKS. ♦ 1 — ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 25 and 27 Fremont Street, - - SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. X ♦ 117 and 119 Liberty Street, - - NEW YORK, N. Y. * X 171 and 173 Lake Street, .... CHICAGO, ILL. X X 22 Front Street, PORTLAND, OREGON. ♦ X 32 South Water Street, - - - CLEVELAND, OHIO. X ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦>♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ I. N. M? QUE5TEN, > Farher of Alaska) Writes "Tf& Royal Bakikg Powder is the omly powder THAT WILL ENDURE THE SEVERE CLIMATIC CHAtfGES OF THE ARCTIC REGION^ A MIN6R WITH A CAN OF BAD BAKING POWDER IS ALMOST HELPLESS IN ALASKA. THEREFORE, We HAVE- USED NOTHING BUT ROYAL. BAKING POWDE.R.. 6ERMEA .. MUMSS4te ftfflD. ] fj Q0«£AL*Wtt57lllS.iBB). GfiRHiEAiwsa 3*mte £m„ mum. w» 50 *m.ife it£»« Alaska . A pDSflmVk; |«R£y^TiWf somgyir THE ONLY Suitable faR, Arctic (un)ate J 1 1 CWKRUUVU MANllfAClimmHY ^SperryFiour Company ji ■A| INAS, LAL r\ |T CAL1 ^^Nl^%HI: AT $perry Flour, Company. o. -ME/VOIE0RAND f gyulfe PEERlESSBlSAHJ* EVAPfciiarEfiM -♦ ^ CREAM PEUO0U3, RICH, WHOLESOME A8S0LU my awse milk. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY This book is DUE on the last date stamped below JUL B 1%$ FEB 2Q1974 JAN311W JUN 12 1992 Form L-9 30>n-l,'41<1122> F 931 A32t L 006 575 823 7 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRA! AA 001 204 087 9 F931 A32t cop. 2 }