THE ALAJ
vol. r
PROSPECTOR
4
Valdez, Alaska, June 25, 1908. N<>. 24
HOME RULE VOTE
GALL IS SENI OUT
Committee Appointed at Cale Mass Meeting Issues
Proclamation Asking All Alaska For
Expression of Opinion.
Efforts toward holding an election in August, on the name clay as the
election for congressional delegate, for the purpose of obtaining an expres
sion of opinion with regard to home rule for Alaska are progressing rapidly.
Tho committee appointed at the Cale mass meeting of Tuesday night, con
sisting of Mayor Fred Brown, Judge Edmund Smith and W. H. Whittlesey,
has issued a call, copies of which will be sent to every precinct in Alaska
and also to the political leadors of the various sections of the territory. This
call is as follows:
"All true Alaskans are urged to vote in separate ballot box, at the regu
lar delegate election, to beheld in Alaska, on August 11, 1908, on tho ques
tion of a territorial form of government for Alaska.
"Ballots can bo printed in each Alaska town, and distributed in the
various voting preeinct«, aa follows:
"For a reasonable, modified form of territorial government for Alaska—
Yes.
"Tho judges and clerks of election can count those ballots, after the
official vote for delegate is counted, and in no wiso will it interfere with
their regular oflicial duties. Tho ballots should not be deposited in tho samo
ballot box with the official delegate ballots, but separate boxes should bo
provided for each precinct.
"This is the opportunity for Alaskans to express thomselvos oil this im
portant question, and say whether they desiro Alaska to remain a foot-ball
for politicians, with self-constituted "boosters," quarreling at Washington,
during every session of congress, as in what are the real needs of Alaska,
or whether the people of Alaska are capable of, and desirous of, attending
to their own business, and managing their own affairs.
"Wo earnestly recommend that this matter be taken up by all patriotic
residents of Alasku, in every town and precinct in order that congress may
bo emphatically advised that on at least one matter, Alaskans agree by an
overwhelming majority."
WICKEBSHAH IS TO
RUN FOR CONGRESS
James Wickersham of Fairbanks,
formor territorial judge, is to make a
fight to be a delegate from Alaska to
congress. Early in the prosent cam
paign Mr. Wickorsham deolinod to
becomo a candidate for nomination to
the position in qucHtion but at the
eleventh hour ho baa altered this
opinion as is evidenced in tho follow
ing telegram sent tho Prospector to
day:
"Fairbanks, Alaska, June 25—
"Prospector Valdez Alaska. "I am a
candidate for delegate to congress.
People of Tanana strongly urging
me. Please announce my candidacy
through your paper to the people of
Southwestern Alaska and say that I
wish their support. Will wire you
more details later.
"James Wickersham"
This docision of Mr. Wlekorsham
will, it is believed by men familiar
with the political situation in Alnska,
have the effect of benefiting the can
didaey of John Corson, tho Hoggatfc
choice for delegate. Many of tho
politicians of Alaska desired Mr.
Wickersham to aeeept the nomination
when it was believed that Thomas
•Oale would refuse to run again but it
is pointed out that now, with Cale in
the field and his fight thoroughly or
ganized, the Wickersham candidacy
will of necessity bo weak and will
logically have »i tendency to Hplit tho
vote that would otherwise go to Cale.
The politician** of Valdoz aro at a
Iohh to account for the decision of
Wickeraham to enter tho fight at this
late date. They Hay that Wickorsham
is far from friendly with oithor John
Corson or Governor Hoggatt and they
cannot conceive of his entering Into
any compact having as it* purpose
the deliberate desire to aid tho Hog
gatt candidate. On tho other hand,
it Is declared that Wickorsham is
such an astute politician that It is
imjKissihle that ho fail to roalizo that
his candidacy is detrimental to that
of Thomas Cale.
In view of theso facts tho politi
cians are in tho air when it comes to
venturing an explanation of tho Wick
eraham dotormlnation to toss his am
bitions into the political ring at this
time, especially after ho declined to
participate In tho festivities at a stage
when lie could for the taking have
had tho nomination of the anti-Hog
gatt facllon and would have stood
an almost unquostlonod chanco of
oleotlon.
MILITIA NOW BRANCH
OF THE REGULAR ARMY
Washington, Juno 2A—The war de
partment had perfected whore
by the militia of the various states of
the union Is now to all practical pur
poses a branch of t.ho s regular army.
Under the plan 300,000 men trained in
military tactics are now suhjoet to
call exactly an arc the soldiers of the
regular army.
Technically the militia Soldiers will
be known an volunteer regular* and
the plan hv which they hccomo auch
also provides for additional arrange*
monts for their training along mili
tary linen.
MYRON HERRICK IS TO
RE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
Cleveland, Juno 25—Myron Merrick
haw accepted thn chairmanHhap of the
republican national committee aftor'
(IIsouhhIiik tbo quoHiion with Vlce
proBldontial nomlnco Hherman. Frank
Hitchcock was the choice of the dele
gation of national committeemen who
went to Cincinnati to confer with
Taft about the chalrmanahlp but
llltehcoek declined on tho grotindfl of
more Important bualnotui. Taft'a Ohio
Mipportera wanted Merrick.
FORMER PRESIDENT
CLEVELAND IS DEAD
Disease That Caused Illness
of Two Months Ago Fi
nally Proves Fatal.
FAMILY IS AT DEATH BED.
Deceased Twice Served as Chief
Executive Under Democratic
Administration.
Princeton, N. Y., June 24—Grover
Cleveland twice president of the
United States died at hiB residence
hero this morning at 8:40 having been
unconsious since midnight. His fam
ily was present the physicians having
announced early in the afternoon
that death was a matter of only a few
hours. Death was the result of the
ravages of the diseaso which two
months ago threatened to prove fata)
to Mr. Cleveland and which is diag
nosed as rheumatism of the stomach.
Mr. Cleveland recovered temporarily.
Grover Cleveland was born in Cald
well, Essex County, N. J., March 18,
1037, making him a little more than
71 years old at tho time of his death.
In early life he was a school teaeher,
deserting that profession to practice
law and gravitating from the law into
politics. He served in various official
capacities in New York state finally
being elected governor. It was tho
strength developed in tho guberun-1
tori a 1 campaign that resulted in Mr.
Cleveland being chosen to head the
democratic party in the campaign of
1884-5, a campaign that resulted in
his election and the defeat of Jam«8<
G. Blaine. He first took olllcc as
president March 4, 1885.
Mr. Cleveland ran for re-election
when his term expired but was de
feated by Benjamin Harrison. Four
years later Mr. Cleveland ran a third
time, defeating Harrison.
In 1886 Mr. Cleveland was married
to Miss Florence Folsom, a woman
considerably his junior, and four
children, one hoy and three girls wore
born of the union. After his last pres
idential term expired Mr. Cleveland
retired from political life, making his
home in Princeton.
The death of Mr. Cleveland ro
moves from life the last of those who
have sorved the United Htates as
president and whoso terms have ex
pored.
LEGATIONS ARE TO
LEAVE VENEZUELA
Caracas, Venezuela, Juno 2T>—With
the exception of Germany all foreign
countries have ceased diplomatic ro
lationH with Venezuela, and the
American legislation i» oven now
aboard the gun boat Marietta which
will toko the diplomat* to i'ort
Cahello, en route to the United Htntes
The roproHontativeH of other coun
tries are still hero but they liaye
practically abandoned any attempt to
act in an official capacity and they
expect notice to start, for home to
reach them any minute.
Tho cauHO of tho actions of the
various homo government** Is unex
plained by tho representatives in
Vonezuela and no 0110 connected with
tho Venezuelan government will give
any oxplanation. At the Gorman
legislation ovorything is tho samo an
UHual and tho country's representa
tives say they ha'vo received no in
Imatlon of trouble.
P resident (Jast.ro has refused
to grant any courtesies to tho
departing oinbassies, nor will ho
grant thom immunity and safe
passage. Ho says that the diplomats
must take their chances In departing
from Venezuela.
flHx Oetfl CotiitnlHBlonernlilp
ItlnKwald Blix, proprietor of tho
Hotel llolman, at. Copper Canter, Jihh
by Judge Hold boon appointor! com
miHnlonor for t.ho Ooppor Co/
olnct. Thin proolnot at pi
oltldM the Vrtldoz orcok mining
trlot.
BEATSQN'S MINE
IS REAL BONANZA
Ore Is Chiseled From Moun
tain Side Which Is One
Vast Copper Deposit.
REGULAR SHIPMENTS MADE
Most Famous Red Metal Ledge in
Alaska Is Located on Pic
turesque Latouclie.
Beatson's Bonanza on Latouche in
land iH the real thing in Alaska cop
per mining but it runs along summer
and winter with ho little fuss that
most persons forget it is there except
when they call at the dock on a
steamer. Yet it is valued at $10,000,
000 for the ore "in sight," and a sum
not far from that figure has been re
fused by its owners.
This remarkable mine has an ore
body 300 feet and nobody knows how
deep into the hill it runs. It is
blocked out in two directions with
tunnels. Unlike most mines it is not
worked by shafts. It is strictly an
outside mine. The men who work
it simply tear oil the ledge matter
from the Hide of the hill where an ex
pansive face is exposed. Down this
the miners slide ore, gangue and
uountry rock, a few "horses" being
Htabled in the huge vein.
At the bottom of the workings the
ore is sorted, for be it known only
ore of good grade can pay transpor
tation to the outside and smelter
charges and leave a profit. The ore
shipped from Beatson's mine to the
Tacoma smelter runs from 7 to 10 per
cent copper, with a trace of silver.
The lower grade ore is shoved into
a huge dump to await construction of
a smelter or concentrator in the vic
inity.
Millions In Copper
Beatson's Bonanza wiih located
July 4, 1807 by Andrew K. Hcatsou
and others. It begun shipping stead
ily about 1902 and its output in
1007 through the Taconia smelter was
1,0*20,000 lbs. copper and 0000 ox. sil
ver. It usually employs about thirty
men, all work being done by hand.
The owners do not contemplate work
ing it any other way so long as the
profits are largely eaten up by trans
portation and smelter charges. When
the ore can bo reduced at home at a
(Continued on page 1)
BEATSQN MINE IS
CAUSE OF RUMOR
There is a well founded rumor of
change of management in tho Beat
son copj>or properties on Latoucho
island, HHsertions to this effect being
made by passengers who came north
on tho Farallon. On the steamship
were two men, Messrs. dark and
Bain, tho latter said to he one of the
heirs of Andrew Robinson, who at the
time of his death was a four-fifths
ownor in tho Beat son proporty, and
these men are on their way to !<<>
touohe.
Roth on tho Farallon and whilo
they woro In Valdoz Clark and Bain
discussed briefly the purpose of their
visit and tho gonoral impression of
those to whom they talked is that tho
hoirs of Andrew Robifison havo
bonded their interest in the property
and that Messrs. ('lark and Main are
going to tho mine to make such ar
rangement* as are necessary to trans
fer tho proporty on the terms of the
bond. It is probable that the courts
will ho sought if there Is any t rouble
In adjusting matters with Mr. Beat
son and that this Is feared by Mossrs.
Clark and Haiti is given credence by
the fact that they made inquiry with
regard to wetting Into Fairbanks dur
ing July.
Pennsylvania la Coming
Seattle, Juno 2/V Steamship Penn
sylvania doparted for Valdoz. yester
day with lOtt passengers, and a largo
consignment of cattle for Valdoa.
VALDEZ GREEK UP
10 EXPECTATIONS
Prospectors Return From New District and Declare
That Its Future as a Big, Rich Gold Camp
Is Practically Assured.
Lute report* brought out by a|
party of minora arriving here Satur-,
day night indicate that a great gold
Held ban developed from wlmt lias I
heretofore been considered only a i
favorable prospect. This < ountry is |
at the headwaters of the Susitna
river, and the conter of operations is j
on Valdez creek, named for this town j
by Peter Monahau, one of the miners I
who llrst found gold in paying quan
tities there.
Sufficient work has now been done J
to demonstrate beyond the shadow of |
doubt that the new diggings are not
only rich in values, but that the gold !
carrying gravels cover a wide area.
Already pay has been located on ten
creeks, and there yet remain innum
erable streams that have not been
located, much less prospected. Pay
ground yielding from 50 cents to $10
a pan is new being mined, and on
various creeks *r> a day can be
made in the creek beds, with bed
rock not in sight. It is reasonable to
assume that the pay on bedrock will
be exceedingly rich, when such likely
prospects are found in the loose
sands and gravels which lie near the
surface.
Frank A. Sellers, George W. Need
ham and W. A. May are tho miners
who bring the tidings of the rich
strike. They left Valdez ereok on
the third day of June. A shortage of
provisions forced them reluctantly to
leave the promising camp, hut as
soon as snow Hies they will begin to
haul in food supplies from Valdez for
next season's work They located
ground upon which good prospects
wore found. Sellers, the spokesman
of the party, is unqualified in his
opinion that the Susitna discovery
will prove one of the big gold fields
of Alaska. He says that in this be-j
lief he is joined by the miners now
working there. From fifty to seven-1
ty men are in the country, diligently
mining and prospecting, and all are
jubilant at the results obtained.
A serious handicap is the shortage
of food, and this will necessarily
compel some of the miners to come
out before the close of tho season.
Sellers warns any one against going
in without ample provisions, as none
can be obtained there. Sellers says
the country offers a fine opportunity
for the prospector in search of dig
gings. Plenty of ground is open for
location.
Tho Pay Creeks
Peter Monahan and associates are
working ground on Valdez creek by
tunneling into a bench claim. The:
gravel taken out produces from 50
cents to $10 a pan.
Dan Rain's company is hydrauliek
ing a bench on Valdez. He had just
begun operations when the Sellers
party left, hut- as the ground has been
prospected, pood results are assured.
Johnson, on Valdez creek, made a
clean-up after a couple of days' run,
and had §1)00 to the good.
Carlson is taking out big money at
the head of Valdez creek.
Clark Duff is working a lay on
ground owned by the Kam company
and has struck pay running from 25
to 50 cents a pan.
Dolph Smith has established a camp
on Wickershain creek, which is ahoi^M
eight miles from Valdez creek.
claims that $5 to $7 pans are com
mon on bedrock.
Other creeks being worked are
Butte, (lolil, Hear, Fourth of July and
Windy.
Dan Kain has a sawmill in opera- j
tion. I
Dolph Smith has built a large
Iiouho on Valdez rreok and diapenHerii
liquid rcfrouhmiiiitH. His partner^
micK uoyt 01 Oulkana, will lea\
that place in a few ilay8 with a pa<|
train laden with food supplies foi
new Eldorado.
Wages are $10 a day with plenl
work for all who apply.
The Merrill party which pj
through Valdey, several weekfl
enroute to Valdez creek vi;JH
Susitna river, had not reaeh^
destination when the Sellera party
left
A Prolific Country
Nut lire lias been exceedingly pro
lific* in her gifts to this section of
Alaska. Aside from the alluvial de- i
posits .containing gold, tins chicl^
necessities for gold mining are ajfl
hand. Timber for fuel and mimi^J
purposes is abundant along t lit'
banks; food stulTs in (he form of ani
mal life and wild berries may he ob
tained for the seeking, and the cli
mate is not severe. *\
The geology of the country sug
gests to the trained observer the ex
istence of gold placers, being com
posed of mica schist limestone, !U"t v
slate. Intrusive dikes of greenstone
and diorite are also noted. To the Alas
kan prospector a formation primarily
composed of mica schist and lime
stone is always considered worthy of
careful investigation, for in like form
ations practically all of t he great gold
camps of the north are to be found.
The logical gateway to the dig
gings from the outside is by way of
Valdez, thence along the government
trail to (lulkana, and from thence
branching off on a trail vJiieh leads
directly to the new camp.
TEXAS MOB LYNCHES .
9 NEGRO SUSPECTS
Houston, Texas, Juno 24—Six
negroes wero hanged and three wero
shot U> death by a mob that overpow
ered the jailor and took the victims
from the jail at Hemphill last night.
The mob went quietly about Ite work
and bonrnl and gagged the jailor who
wah surprised and made captive he
fore he could offer rosistauce. After
their mission had been fulfilled those
who were at the head of the mob dis
persed their followers and went their
various ways leaving their vlotimn
where they were killed, on the outer
edge of town.
The murder by negroes of a white
man, Hugh Dean, at a dance two
weeka ago was the cause of Inst
night's affair. The nine negroes ex
M. H. Whlttler of Hkagway has
been Appointed deputy collector of
customs for Oordova.
ecu tod by tJio mob wcrn arrested on
suspicion of complicity in tho murder
of Dean but tho otllcers hftvo boon
slow in try I off to got cvldonoo against
tho suspect s and there nromod a good
chancethnt they would be given Miolr
liberty.
In the belief of many there Ih
doubt that the negroes, at least!
or two of them, were guilty oil
inurdor of Dean. None of those v\'
arrest would give the otllcers any ^ ^ _
sistancc and it Ih bee an ho of tfk^o
fact# that the people took the law in
their own hands. The authorltloa
are making all effort to learn
the identity of those composing
the mob and wholesale prosecution*
aro promised.
Copper Remain* BteiWly
New York, June24- Copper rei^
ntemly nt 12.87-,^.