F 931 .G61 Copy 1 k -^..^' 0^ -^J^t^^o .-^^ >•'"- 5 * lO -r^ 4 o .-' .xO' ./ \ .0^ c • *. • f ,V '>' ^^ %> V^ THE GOLD FIELDS .OF ALASKA KIWHAT TO TAKE AND HOW TO GET THEREC>- ly Qus Brown Co. CLOTHIERS AND OUTFITTERS 511-515 Second Ave. Seattle, Masb. 16147 We have prepared this little booklet ifar the purpose of giving information to those intending to visit the Gold Fields of Alaska, and have included a price list of articles of Clothing and Wear- ing Apparel necessary to withstand the rigors of the Arctic Circle. Any fur- ther information will be cheerfully fur- nished by our Alaska correspondent, upon application. Respectfully, Qus Brown Co. 111-515 Second Avenue, Seattle, Wash. GUS BROWN CO., SEATTLE. We have been supplying and outfitting prospectors and parties wlio have gone to Southeastern Alaska and the Yukon country for the past eight years with their clothing, and by close observation and experi- ence in dealing with men who "have been there," we can safely recommend the following articles of wear- ing apparel necessary for these Arctic regions for one year: 1 Mackinaw Suit. 1 Suit Oil Clothing, 1 Duck-lined Suit. 2 Suits Underwear, 1 Leather or Fleece Coat. 2 Pairs Overalls or Pants. 2 Overshirts, 1 Sweater, 1 Cap, ^ Pairs Mittens, 2 Pairs Gloves, 6 Pairs Socks. 1 Pair German Socks. 1 Pair Rubber Boots (long). 1 Pair Shoes. 2 Pairs Woolen Blankets. 1 Pair Rubber or Oiled Blankets. Handkerchiefs, Towels, Mosquito Nett, Comb and Brushes, Needles, Thread, etc. These goods will weigh about 75 pounds, and of course the intending miner can regulate the quan- tities to suit his pocket and his tastes. The cost of the above outfit averages $60.00. Of course the reader will understand that he can purchase a cheaper outfit, but let him remember that he must get the best, and it would be more profitable for him in the long run to buy the best the market affords. The following are the essentials in grocery lines: Flour, corn meal, baking powder, rice beans, dried or evaporated fruits and vegetables, beans, coffee, tea, matches, salt, milk, butter, bacon, drief beef; also cooking utensils, axe, hammer, nails, saws and rope. The groceries and hardware can be purchased here at very reasonable figures, as there are others beside ourselves in the outfitting business. We deal only in clothing and wearing apparel, and give this line OUR SPECIAL ATTENTION. GUS BROWN CO., SEATTLE. We carry a large and complete stock, in various grades, as good as it is possible for money to buy them. We do not keep any inferior or shoddy goods, only the best that the market affords. Our buyer is in the market, ever on the alert for good goods, and our reputation for square dealing is the best reference we can give you. We quote the following prices, in various grades, as follows: Mackinaw Suits, $6.50, $7.00, $8.50, $10'.00. $11.00. Mackinaw Pants, $2.50, $3.00, $3.50, $4.00, $5.00. Duck Suits, blanket lined, water-proof, $5.00, $6.00. Duck Coats, blanket lined and rubber interlined, water-proof, $2.00, $2.50, $3.00. Duck Coats, pelt lined and rubber interlined. $4.00, $4.50, $5.00. Duck Ulsters (as above), $7.50. $10.00. Duck Pants, blanket and flannel lined, $1.25. $1.75. Leather Coats, flannel lined, $5.00. Leather Coats, reversible corduroy lined, $6.00, $6.50. Leather Coats, wool pelt lined. $8.50. $10.00. Leather Pants (as above), $4.00, $5.00, $6.50, $7.50. Kersey Coats buffalo lined, double breasted. $7.50. Corduroy Suits, $8.50, $10.00, $12.50, $15.00. Corduroy Pants. $2.50, $3.00, $4.50. Overalls (9-ounce), our own brand, 40c. Overalls, black or brown, 45c. Overalls (9-ounce). Levi. Strauss & Co.. 60c. Oiled Clothing. Black or Yellow .Jackets. 90c. $1.00. Oiled Clothing, Medium Coats. $1.40. $1.75. Oiled Clothing, Long Coats, $1.75, $2.50. Oiled Pants, string or bib, 90c. $1.00. Oiled Squams and Sou'westers, 20c. Oiled Hats, 40c, 50c. Oiled Sheets or Blankets, 75c. $1.00. Rubber Sheets or Blankets, $1.25, $1.50. Rubber Hats or Caps, 50c. Rubber Boots, short or knee, $2.50. Rubber Boots, hip or thigh, $3.50. Rubber Boots, hip, snag-proof, Woonsocket or Bos- ton, $4.50. Rubber Boots, hip, leather soles, snag-proof and crack-proof, $5.50. Rubber Boots, patent crack-proof, $6.00. Rubber Arctics, snow excluder, 1 buckle, $1.25. Rubber Overshoes. 1 buckle, for German socks, $1.50. Rubber Overshoes. 2 buckle, for German socks. $1.75. GUS BROWN CO., SEATTLE. Rubber Gloves, $1.25, $1.75. Rubber Mittens, $1.00, $1.50. Felt Boots, wool, 75c. Felt Boots, Chinook or Gold Seal, $1.00. Felt Boots, Ball Brand, snow excluders, $1.50, $1.75. MINERS' LEATHKR BOOTS AND SHOES. Miners' Shoes, laced or straps, with excluders or strings. $2.50. Miners' Shoes, full kip or seal, with excluders, $3.00. Miners' Shoes, full high cut. outside counters, etc., $3.50. Miners' Shoes, extra heavj' double tap sole, outside counters, high cut, $4.00. Miners' Shoes, whale* skin, grain or calf, outside coun- ters, high cut, $4.50. Miners' Shoes, extra high cut. calf or grain. $5.tO. No extra charge for hob nails if desired. Weed's Flesh Boots, heavy and solid, $2.50. Dongola or Kip Boots, $3.50. Surveyors' Boots, laced. $4.^0 to $6.00. Leather Belts, 25c, 50c. Leather Pack Straps, 75c, $1.00. Leather Blanket Straps, 15c, 25c. Moose Moccasins (native), $1.50. $2.50. Moose Moccasins, special tannage, $3.50. Moose or Pelt Caps, reversible, $2.00. Moose or Pelt Hoods, reversible, $2.00. Heavy Wool Caps, a large variety of Windsors Tur- bans and Scotches, 50c, 75c, $1.00. Fur Caps, $1.00, $1.50, $2.00. Sealskin Caps, $2.50, $3.50, $4.00, $5.00. Woolen Knit Toques, 50c, 75c, $1.00. German or Arctic Socks, 75c, $1.00, $1.25. Woolen Socks, knit, ribbed or Shaker, 25c. Woolen Socks, homespun, 35c. Woolen Socks, extra heavy, 45c. Woolen Scarfs, 75c, $1.00, $1.25. Woolen Gloves and Mittens. 25c, 50c, 75c, $1.00. Woolen Mittens, leather palms, 50c, 75c, $1.00. Woolen Mittens, leather palms. $1.25, $1.50. Leather Mittens calf, cordovan, unlined, 75c, $1.00. Leather Mittens, woolen lined, 75c, $1.00, $1.25. Leather Mittens, moose or cordovan ' fleece lined $L50, $2.00. Leather Mittens, extra California buckskin wool fleeced, $2.50. GUS BROWN CO., SEATTLE. UNDERWEAR. Cotton Fleece-Lined Underwear, per suit, $1.00. Natural Wool Underwear, per suit, $1.00, $1.50, $2,00. Natural Wool Underwear, per suit, $3.00, $4.00. Natural Wool Ribbed Underwear, per suit, $2.00, $2.50, $3.00. Vicuna or Camel's Hair Underwear, fleece lined, per suit, $3.00, $4.00, $4.50. Vicuna or Camel's Hair Underwear, special Arctic fleeced, per suit, $4.00. California Flannel Underwear, red. blue, brown, per suit, $2.00, $2.50, $3.00. California Flannel Underwear deuble breasted, extra heavy, per suit, $4.00. OVERSHIRTS. ' California Cassimere Overshirts, $1.00, $1.25, $1.50. California Cassimere or Tricot Overshirts, $2.50, $3.00, California Cassimere or Tweed Overshirts, extra heavy, $4.00. California Flannel Overshirts, navy blue, single breasted, $1.25, $2.00. California Flannel Overshirts, navy blue, extra heavy, $2.50. California Flannel Overshirts, navy blue, double breasted, $1.50, $2.50. California Flannel Overshirts, navy blue, extra heavy, $3.00. All-Wool Sweaters, maroon, navy, black, $1.50, $2.00, $2.50. All-Wool Sweaters, maroon, navy, black, hand-made, $2.50, $3.50. All- Wool Sweaters, with hoods, extra heavy, $4.00, $5.00, $6.00. Men's Suspenders, heavy web, 25c, 50c. Men's Suspenders, leather, 50c, 75c. Canvas Pack Sack free with outfit. Owing- to increase in cost of both labor and mater- ial, prices are subject to chang-e. GUS BROWN CO., SEATTLE. The Yukon Gold Fields are reached by two routes, Tiz., the Overland and the Ocean route. Practically the great basin of the Yukon is reached by but one route — the overland route — this being the shortest, quickest and cheapest, and the one taken by fully ninety-five per cent, of the gold seekers of the- vast interior. The first part of this route is accom- plished by steam navigation from Seattle to Dyea or Skaguay. The next stage is made by canoe and sleigh, or, if preferred, by pack train, twenty-four miles to Lake Linderman, where boats are built in which the downstream journey is continued to des- tination. A new pass called the White Pass has been opened! this season. It is of an easier grade than the Chil- koot Pass, and extends to Lake Bennett, where there^ is a plentiful supply of lumber for boat building. The valley of the Yukon may be reached by four- different routes, crossing the Coast Range of moun- tains through as many passes, the Dyea or Chilkoot. Pass, the Chilkat, Moore's or the White Pass, and Takou. The Ocean route, i. e., via St. Michaels, where the ocean steamers connect with river boats that ply oil the Yukon, is becoming quite popular, as it avoids the hardships encountered on the overland trip. The first steamer over this route generally leaves Seattle the early part of June of each year, and starts on its last trip for the season some time in August. The last boat for the westward leaves the vicinity of Dawson City during September, but the time is regu- lated entirely by climatic conditions. GUS BROWN CO., SEATTLE. WHEN TO START. Those taking the overland trip should start from Seattle during March or April, although it is possibk- to cross the mountains in January, should the con- ditions be favorable, as they can then do their trans- porting on sleighs across the summit and down ihe lakes to where good timber for boat building is to be found, and the start down the river made when the ice breaks, which is much earlier than on the lakes, and the mines may be reached a month sooner than if the boats are built on the lakes, and a wait made tor the ice to break there; but the trip can be made very successfully as late as August. Four or five men should compose each party, as one tent, stove, set tools, etc., will suffice for all. One of the party should have a knowledge of boat building, for it is an absolute necessity that the craft shall be staunch and substantial. The boat should be at least thirty feet long. No man should attempt the journey alone. After the outfit has been brought across the sum- mit, the next move is to Lake Linderman, about three miles distant. The route now lies seven miles across the lake to its outlet, down the outlet three cr four miles in a northeasterly direction to Lake Bennett, down to the foot of this lake, twenty-five miles, then down the river four or five miles and Takou lake is reached. This lake is some twenty miles long, and empties into Mud lake through an outlet three miles long; Mud lake is about ten miles in length, and. at the foot of it open water is usually found in April. Open water will probably be passed before reaching this point in the rivers connecting the lakes, but firm ice at the sides affords good sled- ding; but at the foot of Mud lake a raft or boat must be built. Dry timber can be found along the shores v/ith which to build a raft, which will take everything to the Lewis river canyon, about forty miles to the northwest. The course down the lakes has been much in the form of a horseshoe, and now bears to the west instead of the east. Before reaching the canyon a high cut bank of sand on the right-hand side will give warning that it is close at hand. Good river men have run the canyon safely even with loaded rafts, but it is much surer to make a landing on the right side and portage the outfit around the canyon, three-quarters of a mile, GUS BROWN CO., SEATTLE. and run the raft through empty. The sameness of the scenery on approaching the canyon is so marked That many parties have gotten into the canyon before they were aware of it. Below the canyon are the White Horse Rapids— a bad piece of water; but the raft can be lined down the right-hand side until near the White Horse, three miles below. This is a box canyon about a hundred yards long and fifty in width, a chute through which the water of the river, which is nearly 600 feet wide just above, rushes with mad- dening force. But few have ever attempted to run it. Below the White Horse Rapids the journey continues seventy-five miles to Lake LeBarge. This lake is about forty-five miles long, and there is an island about midway. Little snow will be found here late in April, but it will be all glare ice. After camping on the island a day's journey will make the foot or the lake, and the sledding is completed. If one ex- pects to stay in the country, however, the sled should not be thrown away, as it will prove useful later on. Going down the Lewis River, the Hootalinque, Big Salmon and Little Salmon Rivers are passed on the right before reaching the Five Fingers. Here four large buttes stand like giant sentinels of stone to dispute your farther ingress into the country; the water, in five passages, runs swiftly between; the right-hand passage is the only one which is practica- ble, and though the water is swift it is safe if the boat be kept in the center. A few moments of strong pulling and careful man- agement and the boat is rapidly approaching Reef Rapids, three miles below. Here again the right- hand side insures safety, and having gone through them the last dangerous water is passed. Next comes the Pelly River, and the junction of the Pelly md Lewis form the Yukon proper. At this point the first trading post is reached. This is known as Harpers, and is 510 miles distant from Juneau. Continuing the journey. Stewart River is passed •^••n the right; then White River on the left, so named on account of its milky looking water; the next tribu- tary on the same side is Sixty-Mile Creek, so called on account of its being sixty miles above Fort Reli- ance. A hundred miles below, on the left side, is Forty-Mile Creek, forty miles below Fort Reliance. Here the Yukon is over two miles in width, and on GUS BROWN CO., SEATTLE. the upper bank of Forty-Mile Creek is the principal trading post of the interior. This is the starting point for all the mines, and is 1,500 miles from Seattle. This journey is made in early spring by most miners, in order to save expenses of packing, and requires then from six to eight weeks, although it can be made in summer from the lakes in eight or ten days. Plenty of provisions should be taken, as little if any game is seen unless one goes back into the hills for it. Fish are plentiful, and a gill net should form a part of every outfit. The whitefish taken from the ice-cold waters of the lakes are the finest in the world. In the spring gull eggs are abundant on the small Islands at the foot of Lake LeBarge. In summer the weather becomes very warm, and the present tent life is comfortable. The winters are long and cold, the mercury going down to forty, and even sixty, degrees below zero, but the snow is seldom more than a foot and a half deep. Very sudden changes from one extreme ot temperature to the other are the most troublsome features of the climate. Laborers, it is asserted, are paid as high as $15 a day; carpenters, blacksmiths, all trades, and men who can work at them, can make more than the average miner. But the advice is given that no man can afford to go to the new camp without |500 to $1,000 with which to support himself and insure the possibility of return in case of adversity. Living, of course, comes high. The region pro- duces little or no fruit or vegetables. The Indians prophesied the present diggings, and others farther up, as follows: "One creek, gold; two creek, little gold; three creek, no gold; four creek, eight sleeps, all gold, too much gold!" Too much gold is what the boys are now looking for. The In- dians have picked up nuggets there. A WARNING. But, take warning; let no man go into the Yukon who cannot endure hardship, who cannot work with pick and shovel for ten hours, who cannot carry a pack, and who cannot bring a full outfit with him. The men who come light and try to get here first — just after the ice — will be a hundred times worse off than those who come a month later with a full outfit. This is absolute truth, and time will prove it. TABLE OF DISTANCES— OVERLAND ROUTE. Miles. Miles. Seattle to Dyea (per steamer) 884 6 Dyea to foot of Canyon 6 10 Foot of Canyon to Sheep Camp 4 15 Sheep Camp to Summit 5 24 Summit to head Lake Linderman 9 30 Lake Linderman (length) 6 31 Foot Linderman to head Lake Bennett... 1 55 Lake Bennett (length) 24 57 Foot Lake Bennett to head Tagish Lake.. 2 75 Tagish Lake (length) 18 81 Foot Tagish Lake to head Mud Lake 6 125 Mud Lake (length) 44 125% Foot Mud Lake to Grand Canyon % 1271/^ Grand Canyon to White Horse Rapids 1% 1431/2 White Horse Rapids to Tahkeena River.. 16 158 • Tahkeena River to head Lake LeBarge... 14^/^ 189 Lake LeBarge (length) 31 219 Foot Lake LeBarge to Hootalinqua River. 30 253 Hootalinqua River to Big Salmon River.. 34 290 Big Salmon River to Little Salmon River. 37 350 Little Salmon River to Five Fingers 60 408 Five Fingers to Fort Selkirk 58 533 Fort Selkirk to Stewart River 125 553 Stewart River to Sixty-Mile 20 573 Sixty-Mile to Dawson City 20 623 Dawson City to Forty-Mile 50 873 Forty-Mile to Circle City 250 OCEAN AND RIVER ROUTE. Miles. Seattle to St. Michaels 3,000 St. Michaels to Kutlik 100 Kutlik to Andreafski 125 Andreafski to Holy Cross 145 Holy Cross to Koserefsky 5 Koserefsky to Anvik 75 Anvik to Nulato 225 Nulato to Novikakat 145 Novikakat to Tanana 80 Tanana to Fort Yukon 450 Fort Yukon to Circle City 200 Circle City to Forty-Mile 250 Forty-Mile to Dawson City 50 4.830 CANADA'S NEW MINING REGULATIONS GOV- ERNING PLACER MINING ON THE YUKON. Entry shall be granted only for alternate claims, the others being reserved for the Government. The penalty for trespassing upon reservations is cancellation of claims held by the trespasser and denial of any application thereafter from him. Claims must be recorded within three days after location thereof, if within, ten miles of Commission- er's office. One additional day is allowed for eveiy additional ten miles. The entry fee is ?15 for the first year and $100 for each subsequent year. A royalty of 10 per cent, on the gold mined is imposed upon each claim yielding $500 a week, not month, and 20 per cent, on the excess over that amount a week. [We understand this law has been modified.] Default of payment, if continued for ten days after notice, or any attempt to defraud, by withholding any part of the royalty by means of false statements as to amounts taken out, will be followed by cancella- tion of claim. No miner can receive a grant of more than one mining claim, but he may hold any number of claims by purchase, or unite with other claims to work in common. A claim shall be deemed abandoned if it shall have remained unworked for three successive working days without reasonable cause. Creek and river claims are 500 feet long, but a dis- coverer is entitled to 150 feet additional. Bench claims and dry diggings are 100 feet square. No person under eighteen years of age can hold a mining claim. "Bar diggings" shall mean any part of a river over which the water extends when the water is in its flooded state, and which is not covered at low water. Mines on benches shall be known as bench dig- gings, and shall for the purcose 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 if such mine or diggings is "toade. "Legal post" shall mean a stake standing not less than four feet above the ground and squared on four sides for at least one foot from the top. Both sides so squared shall measure at least four inches across the face. It shall also mean any stump 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. "LfOcality" shall mean the territory along a river (tributary of the Yukon), and its aflSuents. "Mineral" shall include all minerals whatsoever, other than coal. We carry complete lines of Blankets, Underwear, Hackinaw Clothing, Rubber Boots and Shoes, Oiled Clothing, Gloves and Mittens, Boots and Miners' Shoes, Hats, Caps and Hoods, Leather and Duck Clothing Sleeping Bags, Fur Robes and Clothing. H 113 81 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS III nil II 017 185 257 2 Conservation Resources Lig-Free® Type I