Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1898 — RICHES OF EL DORADO [ARTICLE]

RICHES OF EL DORADO

RETURNED KLONDIKER TAKES ROSEATE VIEW. Has Been a Team Laden with a Ton of Gold—Ten Pounds Washed Out in One Day—Pears, Peaches and Apricots Short in Californio. Bonanza Creek a Failure. William Ewing of Tacoma returned from St. Michael's, having come down the river in a rowboat from Dawson. He aays: “Were I to tell you all I have seen of riches of El Dorado I am afraid my veracity would be impeached and what little value my story lias would be lost. I will say, however, I have seen eight mules and as many men in one team heavily laden with the precious metal. Each mule carried 250 pounds and each man from 50 to 80. I have seen ten pounds of gold taken in a day from one claim on French Hill. This gold was washed in a rocker and I saw it weighed myself. A friend of mine sunk a shaft on his claim and took sixty-four ounces before he struck bedrock. He bonded his claim for $75,000 before he drifted a foot. He was allowed to reserve all he could take out himself during the winter. Now he prays the option may be forfeited. Lest these statements seem to roseate for strict impartiality I will admit there is another side. Bonanza creek has proved a failure. There is no definite pay streak, and the few strikes have been from isolated packets, which are extremely irregular. I do not look for a prosperous coming year in the Klondike district. If much work is done it will be on the American side. The reason for the depression around the Klondike is the increasing oppression of the Dominion Government, which has made it almost impossible for a man to work even a rich claim successfully. As a result mine owners are resting on their oars, hoping that matters will be adjusted. Those who cannot afford to be idle will transfer their operations to the American side, where they will be at least allowed to keep what they find. The Dominion postoffice is in unscrupulous hands, and it is frequently impossible to get any attention without bribing the officials. They look over the mail in a perfunctory way, and announce that there is nothing for you, but later, out of office hours, you are given to understand that if you make it worth while they will look again, and usually successfully.” Race for the Pennant. Following is the standing of the clubs in the National Baseball League: W. L. W. L. Cincinnati ..57 30 New York... .44 40 Boston 55 30Philadelphia. 37 42 Cleveland ...51 32Brooklyn ... .33 49 Baltimore .. .50 32 Washington. 31 51 Chicago 47 40 Louisville ..31 55 Pittsburg .. .45 40 St. Louis.... .23 63 Following is the standing of the clubs in the Western League: W. L. W. L. Indianapolis. 53 30 Columbus ...42,37 St. Paul 51 34 Detroit 39 50 Kansas City.sl 36 St. Joseph... .28 49 Milwaukee ..50 39 Minneapolis. 27 60 Shortage in Frnit Crop. Notwithstanding the fact that thejje is a shortage in the deciduous fruit crop of California this year, the shipments of green fruits so far this season exceed those for the same period of last year by 175 car loads. Freight Traffic Manager William Sproule of the Southern Pacific company, who has made a thorough study of the supply of green fruit in all parts of the State, estimates that about 4,000 car loads will be shipped this year, against 5,300 last year. The shortage is chiefly in pears, peaches and apricots. There will be an increase, however, in the shipments of prunes and raisins. Killed In an Explosion. An explosion took place in the nitroglycerin house of the Hercules Powder Company at Pinole, Cal. No one was in the building at the time. Later a crew was sent to clear away the debris and extinguish the flames, and a second terrific explosion took place, killing five men and fatally injuring many others. That some unknown miscreant caused the first explosion has been definitely established by the finding of a piece of fuse, five feet long, under the mixing house.