The Routes and Mineral Resources of North Western Canada

Front matter

THE GOLD FIELDS OF CANADA AND HOW TO EEACH THEM. Being an Account of the Eoute s and Mineral Eesoueces of Noeth- Western Canada. BY E. JEROME DYER, F.R.G.S. Honorary Secretary of the Incorporated Llndon Chamber of Mines, London. CHEAP EDITION. Published under the Auspices of THE INCORPORATED LONDON CHAMBER OF MINES with which are affiliated the Australasian and Canadian Chamber of Mines, London). LONDON : GEORGE PHILIP & SON, 32, FLEET STREET, E.C. LIVERPOOL : — Philip, Son & Nephew, 45 — 51, South Castle Stbeet. 1898. (All rights reserved.)

Preface

. In my capacity as Honorary Secretary of the Incorporated London Chamber of Mines (with which is affiliated the Canadian Chamber), I have had continuous occasion to remark the need of an abridged hand-book upon the mineral resources of North- Western Canada. The gold discoveries in the Upper Yukon Country have made this want even more keenly felt, for it is believed that throughout the vast expanse of the Northern Dominion there are innumerable openings for the intrepid mineral explorer with the fascinating possibility of many " Klondikes " awaiting the pick and pan of the adventurous pioneer. Meanwhile millions of many nations that have heard the name and news of " Klondike " are eager for more information of the Great Territory of which this newest marvel in goldfields is but a spot. Shaping my efforts by the numerous enquiries that have come before me, I have endeavoured to compile a work to meet the demand, and have embodied other necessary information that I think will interest those concerned.

The chief consideration, after ascertaining the existence and locality of payable minerals, is how to reach them. A considerable proportion, therefore, of this book is devoted to the question of routes. On this subject, for obvious reasons, I write from the point of view of a resident in England and show that there are many routes into the N. W. Territories and the Yukon from the East and South East which are, perhaps, superior to those from the Pacific Coast. This question, together with Mining Fields being developed and those prospective, is dealt with in Part I. Special attention is drawn to the Mackenzie River and Bay, for the discovery of an evidently immense tract of gold-bearing Country in the Mackenzie- Yukon lends a deeper interest to the value of Mackenzie Bay by making it a means of opening up a Commercial route to the Bay by way of Behring Straits and the Arctic Ocean.

Its superiority over the Yukon River Boute is also a2 pointed out. Dr. Dawson's views — that Mackenzie Bay will one day serve British North America as the White Sea serves Russia will, doubtless, soon become fact. The illimitably rich resources of this huge territory reached by the Mackenzie, Peel and other rivers flowing into Mackenzie Bay are indicated, as also are the advantages of a direct route from Hudson's Bay through Chesterfield Inlet, or from some other point leading from this great arm of the sea. Part II. and the Appendix consist wholly of a classified digest of the chief works of reference, books of travel and exploration, recent reports and other publications of the N. W. Territories together with extracts from various official reports, leading newspapers and expert authorities upon the resources, chief waterways, routes and distances around and throughout the far Northern Dominion, and more particularly of the Yukon-Mackenzie Country and the means of access to that region.

I would direct special notice to the accompanying map which is based upon the most recent information and discoveries, and has received the best attention of the Publishers. Whether this book fulfils the object with which it is written or not, I shall be quite satisfied if it directs some attention to the splendid work of the Geological Survey of Canada under the brilliant directorship of Dr. G. M. Dawson, to whom I must acknowledge my chief indebtedness. Nor can the name of Mr. Wm. Ogilvie be omitted in any present day work on Canada's Mining Industries : a name, practically, synonymous with the World's greatest goldfields, whom the "Times" (London) describes as a man of indomitable courage and sterling integrity, whom the "Toronto Globe" names " The Modern Cato," to whom thousands of Miners will owe more than they can ever repay and to whom this Book's greatest attraction is due.

The many others to whom I am indebted are mentioned below along with such publications and special reports as I have quoted in Part II. and the Appendix, and to some extent in Part I. E. JEROME DYER. V ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. List of Authorities consulted in the preparation of this Work. Report of the Select Committee of the Senate appointed in 1888 to enquire into the Resources of the Great Mackenzie Basin (many of the names mentioned below — indicated by an asterisk — gave evidence at this Committee). British Columbia Year Book (Gosnell's) for 1896—97. Victoria (B. C), 1897. Exploratory Surveys in 1887 — 88 by Mr. Wm. Ogilvie (Ottawa, 1890), and Mr. R. G. McConnell (Montreal, 1890), and by Dr. G. M. Dawson (Ottawa, 1890). Annual Reports of the Geological Survey of Canada for the years 1886 to '95, inclusive.

Official Handbook of the Dominion of Canada, published August, 1897. Reports on the Yukon and adjacent country by Mr. Wm. Ogilvie during 1895, '96 and '97 (Ottawa, 1897). Summary Report of the Geological Survey Department of Canada for 1896. Annual Reports of the Minister of Mines for Canada for 1894 — 96. The 12th Annual Report of the U. S. Geological Survey referring to Mr. Frederick Schwatka's exploratory tour through the Yukon Valley in 1891. Canadian Pacific Railway publications for 1880, and also for 1896, '97, '98. Chartered Hudson's Bay and Pacific Railway publications, compiled by Col. 3. Harris, F.R.G.S., F.R.C. Inst., London, 1897. Journals of the Royal Geographical Society of Great Britain (numbers referred to where quoted). "The Early Chartered Companies," by Geo. Cawston, Barristerat-Law, and A. H. Keane, F.R.G.S., London, 1896.

" On Snow Shoes to the Barren Grounds," by Caspar Whitney. London, 1896. " The Barren Grounds of Northern Canada," by Warburton Pike. London, 1892. "Through the Sub-Arctic Forest," by Warburton Pike. London, 1896. "History of the North-West" (3 vols.), by Alexander Begg, Toronto, 1884. VI " The Great Lone Land," by Major W. F. Butler, C.B., F.R.G.S. London, 1874. ;' The Wild North Land," by Captain W. F. Butler, F.R.G.S. Montreal, 1874. "The Great Fur Land (Sketches of Life in the Hudson's Bay Territory)," by H. M. Robinson, New York. "Our North Land," by Chas. R. Tuttle, of the Hudson's Bay Expedition of 1884. Toronto, 1885. "Life and Labours in the Far North West," by W. Henry Barnaby. London, 1884. " History of Canada " (8 vols.), by Wm. Kingsford. London, 1887—95. "By Track and Trail through Canada," by Edward Roper.

London, 1891. " Manitoba and the Great North-West," by John Macoun, M.A., Dominion Government Explorer of the North-West. London, 1883. " British North America " (Stanford's). London, 1897. British Columbia Development Association's publication. London, 1897. Bulletin de la Soeiete de Geographie, Paris, 1875. Narrative of Discovery and Adventure in the Polar Seas and Regions, by Professors Leslie, Jameson and Hugh Murray. Edinburgh, 1830. Geology of the Mackenzie River, by G. F. B. Meek, Chicago Academy of Science, 1868. Reports by Dr. R. Bell on the Geology of Canada, 1882—84. Boat Voyage through Rupert's Land and the Arctic Seas, by Sir J. Richardson, London, 1851. A Voyage of discovery, for the purpose of exploring Baffin's Bay, &c, by Sir John Ross, in 1818, London, 1819. Geological Appendix by Dr. McCulloch.

Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea in the years 1819 — 22, by Captain J. Franklin, London, 1823. Appendix 1, by J. Richardson, M.D. Journal of a Second Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West Passage, &c, 1821—23, by Captain Parry, London, 1824. Journal of a Third Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West Passage, &c, by Captain W. E. Parry, London, 1826. Appendix by Prof. Jameson on Geology of Countries discovered during Captain Parry's Second and Third Expeditions. Narrative of a Second Expedition to the Shores of the Polar Sea in the years 1825 — 27, by Captain J. Franklin, London, 1828. Appendix 1, by J. Richardson. Narrative of a Second Voyage in search of a North-West Passage, &c, 1829—33, by Sir John Ross, London, 1835. Appendix on Geology by Sir J. Ross. Narrative of the Arctic Land Expedition, &c, 1833—35, by Capt. Back, London, 1836.

(See also Journal Royal Geographical Society, vol. iv., 1836). Narrative of an Expedition in H. M.S. "Terror," 1636—37, by Captain Back, London, 1838. Narrative of the Discoveries on the North Coast of America, &c, 1836—39, by Thomas Simpson, London, 1843. Some account ot Peel River, North America, by A. K. Isbister, Journal Royal Geographical Soc, London, vol. xv., 1845, p. 332. Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea in 1846 — 47, by Dr. John Rae, London, 1850. Journey from Great Bear Lake to Wollaston Land, and Explorations along the South and East Coasts of Victoria Land, by Dr. J. Rae, Journal Royal Geographical Soc, vol, xxii., 1852. Journal of a Voyage in Baffin's Bay and Barrow Straits in 1850—51, by P. C. Sutherland, M.D., London, 1852. Geological Appendix by J. W. Salter.

On the Geological and Glacial Phenomena of the Coasts of Davis' Strait and Baffin's Bay, by P. C. Sutherland, M.D., Quarterly Journal Geological Society, vol. ix., 1853, p. 296. A Summer Search for Sir J. Franklin, by Captain Inglefield, 1853, Contains a Geological Appendix. " Arctic Manual" of 1875. Tha Last of the Arctic Voyages, &c, 1852 — 54, by Sir E. Belcher London, 1855. On some additions to the Geology of the Arctic Regions, by J. W. Salter. Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, 1855. Further Papers relative to the recent Arctic Expeditions in Search of Sir John Franklin, &c. London, Government, 1855. On the Geology of the Hudson's Bay Territories and of Portions of the Arctic and North-Western Regions of America, by A. K. Isbister, Quarterly Journal Geological Society, vol. xi.

(Also reprinted, without map, in American Journal Science and Arts, second series, vol. xxi., 1856, p. 313). The Discovery of a North-West Passage by H.M.S. " Investigator," Capt. R. McClure, 1850—54. London, 1857. Geological Appendix by Sir R. Murchison. A Personal Narrative of the Discovery of the North-West Passage, by A. Armstrong, M.D., late Surgeon and Naturalist to H.M.S. "Investigator." London, 1857. Arctic Explorations by Dr. E. K. Kane, American Journal Science and Arts, second series, vol. xxiv., 1857, p. 235. Report from the Select Committee on the Hudson's Bay Company, &e. London, Government, 1857. A Narrative of the Discovery of the Fate of Sir John Franklin, by Captain McClintock. London, edition of 1859. Geological Appendix by Professor Samuel Haughton. Report of the Assiniboine and Saskatchewan Exploring Expedition, by H. Y. Hind, Toronto, 1859.

The Polar Regions, by Sir John Richardson, Edinburgh, 1861. (Reprinted from Encyclopedia Britannica, Eighth edition, 1860). Scientific Results of the "Polaris" Arctic Expedition. Nature, vol. ix., 1874, p. 404. A Whaling Cruise to Baffin's Bay, &c, by A. H. Markham, London, 1874. Appendix C, List of Geological Specimens, by R. Etheridge. Manual of the Natural History, Geology and Physics of Greenland and Neighbouring Regions, &e., Edited by Professor T. R. Jones, London, 1875. Geographie de l'Athabaskaw-Mackenzie et des Grands Lacs du Bassin Arctique, par l'Abb6 E. Petitot. Bulletin de la Societe de Geographie, Paris, tome x., 1875. L'Expedition Polaire Americaine, sous les ordres du Capitaine Hall. Letter by Dr. E. Bessels. Bui. Soc. Geog., Paris, vol. ix., 1875, p. 297. Narrative of a Voyage to the Polar Sea during 1875—76, &c., by Captain Sir G. S. Nares, London, 1878, Appendix xv., Geology, by C. E. De Ranee and H. W. Fielden.

Geology of the Coasts of the Arctic Lands visited by the late British Exdedition under Captain Sir George Nares, &e., by Captain H. W. Fielden and C. E. De Ranee, Quarterly Journal Geological Society, vol. xxxiv., 1878, p. 556. Narrative of the Second Arctic Expedition made by C. F. Hall. Washington, Government 1879. Appendix iii., by Prof. B. K. Emerson. Encyclopedia Britannica, Greenland, by Robert Brown. Polar Regions, by C. R. Markham. (Geological sketches appended to both these Articles.) Three Years of Arctic Service, an account of the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition, by Lieut. A. W. Greely, New York, 1886. Reports of the Royal Commission on the Mineral Resources of Ontario. Toronto, 1890. Notes to accompany a Geological Map of the Northern portion of the Dominion of Canada. East of the Rocky Mountains, by Geo. M. Dawson, D.S., F.G.S., Montreal, 1887.

Descriptive Sketch of the Physical Geography and Geology of the Dominion of Canada. By Alfred R. C. Selwyn and G. M. Dawson, Montreal, 1884. " Canada — A Geographical, Agricultural and Mineralogical Sketch," by T. Sterry Hunt. Quebec, 1865. Report on the Climate and Agricultural Value, General Geological Features and Minerals of Economic Importance of part of the Northern Portion of British Columbia and of the Peace River Country. By Geo. M. Dawson, 1880. Lecture by Mr. Wm. Ogilvie, delivered Victoria (B. C.) on November 5th, 1897. Government Printer, Victoria (B. C), 1897. Annual Reports of the Governor of Alaska for each year, from 1884—95 inclusive. Washington, U.S. The 6th Annual Report of the Ontario Bureau of Mines (1897). The 18th Annual Report of the British Columbia Board of Trade for 1896-97. •James Anderson, Explorer, Franklin Search Expedition (quoted by his son before the Committee of the Senate, Ottawa, 1888). •His Lordship Bishop W. C. Bompas, N.W. Territories.

Archibald Blue, Director Bureau of Mines, Ontario. (Summary of Geological Survey of Canada for 1896.) F. G. Hinde Bowker, N.W. Territories. (Interview, Pall Mall Gazette, London, October 28th, 1897.) Inspector Constantine, Commandant Yukon Police Division. (Reports of the Commissioner of the N.W. Mounted Police for 1895 and 1896. •Hon. Wm. Christie, Late Chief Inspecting Factor, Hudson's Bay Company. •His Lordship Bishop Clut, Mackenzie River District, N.W. Territories. tDr. G. M. Dawson, C.M.G., F.G.S., Director of the Geological Survey of Canada. Thomas Deasy, Chief of Fire Department, Victoria, B. C. (Extracts from Letters to Commander Wells, R.N., London, August 27th, 1897.) Russell L. Dunn, M.E., London. (London Mining Journal, October 2nd, 1897.) fProf. J. B. Hurlbert, Geological Survey of Canada.

W. A. K. Isbister, Explorer N.W. Territories, 1844 (mentioned elsewhere). Joseph Ladue, Yukon Pioneer, Dawson City. (McClure's Magazine, September, 1897.) Sir J. H. Lefroy, President Geological Section British Association, 1880. A * X tProf . Macoun, Geological Survey of Canada. R. G. McConnell, B.A., Geological Survey of Canada (mentioned elsewhere). Hon. H. C. Macintosh, Lieut.-Governor of N.W. Territories. (Interview, Pall Mall Gazette, 16th September, 1897.) •Donald Mclvor, Manitoba. •Wm. J. McLean, Chief Trader, Hudson's Bay Co. •Malcolm McLeod, Q.C., Ex-Judge, Ottawa. •Stuart D. Mulkin, N.W. Territories. Wm. Ogilvie, F.R.G.S., Survey Department of Canada (mentioned elsewhere). •Frank Oliver, Editor, Edmonton, N.W. Territories. Roger Pocock, Journalist, London (for many years in the N.W. Territories, and Special Correspondent Lloyd's Weekly, London, October and November, 1897). •His Lordship Dr. Reeves, Bishop, Mackenzie River District.

Hon. Lindsay Russell, Surveyor General for Canada, 1881. Hon. John Schultz, late Lieut.-Governor of Manitoba. (27th Annual Report of the Department of Marine and Fisheries of Canada for 1884. Inspector Strickland, Yukon Police Division. A. E. Ironmonger Sola, Klondike Pioneer, and Author of " Klondyke, Truth and Facts." London, 1897. J. Burr Tyrrell, B.A., Geological Survey of Canada (Chesterfield Inlet Expedition of 1893. Ottawa, 1897). J. W. Tyrrell, C.E., D.L.S., Geological Survey of Canada (Chesterfield Inlet Expedition of 1893. Ottawa, 1897). H. de Windt, Explorer (Strand Magazine, London, October, 1897, and London Times, July 23rd, 1897). Professor N. S. Shaler, Harvard University, U.S.A. Dr. W. H. Dael, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, U.S.A. Professor Geo. F. Wright, Professor of Geology, Oberlin College, U.S.A. Wm. Van Slooten, M.E., U.S.A. J. Edward Spurr, Geological Survey, Washington, U.S.A. Dr. Geo. F. Becker, Geological Survey, Washington, U.S.A. And others, together with the many reports, publications and newspapers mentioned along with their respective extracts. * Gave evidence before the Committee of the Senate, 1888, mentioned at the beginning of this List. t Also gave evidence before the 1838 Committee, and are identified with several works quoted separately. INDEX TO

Part I

-AEGUMENT. PAGM. Introductory Chapter i What has hitherto prevented Mining development ... 1 The first and following Mining developments ... ... 2 A matter of the highest importance to commercial men 2 The Colonizing power of gold discovery ... ... ... 3 Present wealth and future prospects of the N.W. Territories ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 The great future of the region ... ... 4 The question of access ... ... ... 4 The great keynote — gold 4 A splendid future of mineral developments ... ... 5 Mining Fields now being Developed 5 British Columbia 5 First discovery of gold and subsequent work ... ... 5 Vancouver Island ; gold and coal ... ... 6 Kootenay b' Gold output and characteristics of the country 7 Other minerals ... ... 7 Classification of B.C. ores ... ... ... 7 Government mining grants... ... ... ... ... 8 Mining wages... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 Dr. Dawson's opinion of B.C. mining prospects ... 8 Ontario 8 Free grant lands ... ... ... ... 8 Nickel 9 The new value of nickel ... ... ... 9 The minerals and metals of East Ontario ... ... 9 Petroleum springs and salt wells ... ... ... ... 9 The oldest mining district ... ... ... ... ... 10 Lake of the Woods district ... ... ... ... ... 10 Lake of the Woods gold output 10 A new goldfield 11 Northern Alberta 11 Gold on the Saskatchewan River ... ... ... ... 11 The Yukon Country 12 Reference to Part II. and Appendix INDEX — continued.

PAOB, Mining Fields awaiting Development 12 Important Extracts from a notable report 12 Extent of auriferous country in the N. W. Territories ... 12 Location of various mineral deposits ... ... ... 13 An immense petroleum area 13 Rich fields beyond the Klondike district 13 The new gold discoveries at Michipiooton ... ... 14 The Canadian Chamber of Mines, London 14 Professor Wilmott's Report on Michipicoton ... ... 14 Position of the new field 15 Routes to the Michipicoton country 15 Gold-bearing country north of Lake Winnipeg ... ... 16 A New Mining Field 16 Routes to the field ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 Numerous quartz veins ... ... ... ... ... 19 Promising field for prospectors ... ... ... ... 20 Soil and climate ... .. ... ... ... ... 20 Extracts from Geological Notes on the North-western Territories by Geo. M. Dawson, C.M.G., D.S., F.G.S., Director of the Geological Survey of Canada 20 Slave River, petroleum deposits ... ... ... ... 20 Salt springs 21 Great Slave Lake 22 West end of the Lake — Bitumen ... ... ... ... 22 Geological definition 22 Mackenzie River, from Great Slave Lake to Bear Lake River 23 Geological formation 23 Bituminous shale ... ... ... ... ... ... 23 Liard River 23 Graphite and iron ore 24 Beds of lignite 24 Great Bear Lake and vicinity 25 Bitumen, alum, shale and brown coal . . ... ... 25 Limestone rocks, saturated with petroleum 25 Salt 25 Mackenzie River and vicinity, below Bear Lake River ... 26 Peel River INDEX — continued. _ PAGE, Country between Great Slave Lake and the Mouth of Coppermine River 26 The copper mountains ... ... ... ... .. 29 Mode of occurrence of the copper ... ... ... ... 29 Country North of Copper Mountains 30 Chromic iron ... ... ... ... ... ... 30 Arctic Coast, West of the Mackenzie River 30 Continental Coast, from Mackenzie River to Boothia Peninsula 31 Boothian and Melville Peninsulas, and vicinity 34 Melville Peninsula 34 Northern Continental Shore East of Hudson Bay, with Baffin Land 35 Copper and iron ores ... ... ... ... ... 30 Coal formations ... ... ... ... 37 Coal outcrops ... ... ... ... 38 Routes to the Yukon and Far N.W.

I erritories cf Canada ... 39 Routes to the Yukon from the West Coast 39 Railways from the West Coast ... ... 40 Objections to short costly railways ... ... ... 40 Railways from a dividend-paying point of view ... ... 40 Good waggon roads v. short railways ... ... ... 40 Travellers and Traffic v. Railway Shareholders ... ... 41 White Pass and Stikeen routes ... ... ... ... 41 The White Pass route 42 The Stikeen route 42 Ugly features of the St. Michael's Chilkoot and Taku River routes ... ... ... ... ... ... 42 The St. Michael's Route 43 The Chilkoot Pass Route 43 The Taku Pass Route 43 Chief object of these pages 43 Routes and approaches from the East and South East ... 43 Overland from Edmonton 43 A bad feature in the railway question 44 Liard and Peace River routes 44 The Mackenzie River route 44 Route from Hudson's Bay to the Yukon 45 The Route of the future 45 Hudson's Bay INDEX — continued.

PAGE Safety of navigation in Hudson's Bay 46 Resources of the Hudson's Bay country 47 The route after leaving Chesterfield Inlet 47 A waterway between the Inlet and Great Slave Lake ... 47 The Great Slave Lake section of the route 48 The Mackenzie River section ... ... ... ... 48 Navigation of the Mackenzie 48 Country tapped by a Hudson's Bay route 49 The navigable area of the Mackenzie and its resources ... 49 The Teace River 49 The Liard River 49 The Peel River 50 Serviceable tributaries of the Mackenzie 50 A report of great value 50 Summer route from the Mouth of the Mackenzie to the Yukon 51 Winter route from the Mouth of the Mackenzie to the Yukon ... ... ... ... ... . . ... 51 Valuable discoveries on this route ... ... ... ... 51 The through Peel River route 52 Mr. Ogilvie on the through Peel River route to the headwaters of the Stewart River ... ... ... 52 The Up-Porcupine route via Tatonduc River ... ... 52 Navigation of rivers by the Mackenzie Mouth Route ... 53 Proximity of Yukon and Mackenzie navigable waters ... 53 Official particulars which establish important facts ... 53- Route via Behring Strait and Mouth of Mackenzie ... 54 The Arctic Ocean route ; important points 54 A noteworthy extract bearing upon the navigation of Canadian Arctic seas ... ... ... 55 An important adjunct; Arctic Sea Fisheries 55 Whaling in Mackenzie Bay... ... ... ... ... 55 Taking machinery, etc., to headwaters of the Peel, Stewart, and Macmillan Rivers ... ... ... ... 55 American whalers in Mackenzie Bay 56 An attractive opening for Britush enterprise 56 The Archangel of North America 57 Comparisons with Arctic seaports in Northern Europe and Asia ... „ 57 The Canadian Dominion's future INDEX TO

PART IL

-ATJTHORITIES SECTION PA<5B 1. Untold wealth of Alluvial Gold in the Country 59 The Yukon Goldfields 60 The Klondyke River and District 64 1888 Committee's Report and Evidence of Bishop Chit ... 67 Mr. W. Ogilvie's 1887 Report 67 Important and Reliable Newspaper Reports, commencing at page — 69 Report of Inspectors Constantine and Strickland 76 The Stupendous richness of Klondyke 77 New Gold Discoveries of great richness ... 80 A Quartz Reef on the White Pass 81 A Stupendous Output of Gold predicted for 1898 ..-. ... 81 The Great " Rush " of 1898 82 Klondyke's Marvels, by a Yukon Pioneer 83 A Miner's Life on the Klondyke 84 A New Field in Alaska 84 An Interview with an Alaskan Pioneer 84 Interview with a Klondyke Miner 87 Ontario Mining 87 The Richest Man in the World 88 Mr. Wm. Ogilvie on the Yukon Goldfields 88 Value of Yukon Gold 89 2.

Quartz Reefs in the (Mountains and at the Headwaters of the Rivers 90 Wm. Ogilvie's 1896-97 Report on Quartz Reefs 90 Inspector Constantine's Report ... ... ... 91 Interview with Dr. Dawson ... ... ... ... ... 92 3. The Source of the Klondyke Placer Gold 93 Quartz Reefs in the Rockies towards the Mackenzie River ... 94 Quartz Reefs on Stewart River and Headwaters 94 Formation of the Yukon Goldfields 95 4. Other Minerals 97 Reports of 1888 Committee and Experts, commencing page.. 97 Mineral Resources of the N. W. Territories 99 Evidence of McConnell and Prof. Bell 99 Evidence of Anderson, the Explorer, and Dr. Dawson ... 101 Evidence of Wm. Christie and J. Burr Tyrrell 102 Discoveries of Gold, Iron and Copper ; Chesterfield Inlet and Lake Athabasca INDEX — continued. PAGE 1ECTI0X Petroleum Fields of Immense Value 103 Ironstone and Copper, West of Chesterfield Inlet 103 Coal for Visiting Steamships, Manufactures and Mining 5.

Industries 104 Evidence of Professor Macoun and Dr. Hurlbert 104 Evidence of Wm. Ogilvie and M. McLeod, Q.C 105 Coal near the Mouth of the Mackenzie 106 A Fore-runner of Great Coal Discoveries 106 Coal on the Yukon 106 6. Hydraulic and Placer Mining 107 Report by Mr. Wm. Ogilvie 107 Gold in the Stewart River (R. G. McConnell) 107 Placer Mining in the Klondyke Country 108 Prospecting with " Rocker " and Pan 112 7. Furs, Ivory, &c 113 Evidence of Experts 113 London Sales of Hudson's Bay Company's Furs, etc 113 Large and Exceptionally Fine Specimens of Ivory found ... 114 An Alaskan Plain strewn with Ivory Tusks 115 3. Steam Navigation from Vancouver via Behring Straits to Mackenzie Bay and through to Mackenzie River 116 The only Navigable Channel ; a Safe Harbour 119 Whaling and Sealing off the Mouth of Mackenzie River; Splendid prospects 120 9.

Valuable Ivory Deposits 122 Whaling Statistics 123 Inspector Constantine's Report on Mackenzie Bay and the Whaling there 124 Whaling Profits and Particulars 125 Whaling in the Arctic Ocean via Mackenzie River 126 10. Navigability, Ac, of the Country's Seas, Rivers and Lakes 126 a. Distance between Mackenzie and Yukon Rivers 128 The Mackenzie River and Tributaries 128 6. The Porcupine, Rat and Bell Rivers 129 Bell and Rat Rivers, and McDougal's Pass 131 c. The Peel River 133 d. The Yukon River 134 A Trip up the Yukon INDEX — continued. SECTION PAGE e. The Klondike River 135 /. The Tatonduc, Porcupine and Peel Rivers 136 g. The Stewart River 139 h. MacMillan River 141 The Porcupine Mackenzie Route ... ... ... ... 141 i. The PeUy River 142 j. The Lewes River ... ... ... ... ... 142 k. The Liard, Francis and Dease Rivers ; also Dease and Francis Lakes... ... ... ... ... ... ... 142 The Liard River 143 Dangers of the Liard Route 144 From the Liard to the Pelly 144 Gold on the Liard and Francis Rivers ... ... ... ... 145 Francis Lake , 145 Road from Francis Lake to Pelly Banks ... 145 I. Dease River 146 m. The Peace River 146 Coal on the Peace River ... ... ... ... 146 Distances and description of the Peace River ... 146 Agriculture on the Peace River 148 n. Old Stikine Route 148 The New Stikine Route 150 The Stikine Route Railway 152 The C.P.R. and the proposed Stikine Railway 152 Gold on the Stikine 153 o. The Tes-lin-too (Hootalinqua) River 153 p. The Big Salmon River 153 q. The Tahl-Tan River 154 r. The Chilkoot (Taiya) Pass 154 A Railway Line from Chilcoot Inlet to Fort Selkirk ... ... 154 8.

The Chilkat Pass 155 f. The White Pass 155 v. The Taiya Pass Route 156 w. Taku Route to Lake Teslin-too 156 A Significant Incident ... ... ... ... ... ... 157 x. Taku and Windy Arms 158 y. Large Rivers Flowing into Hudson's Bay 158 11. Distances of Chief River, Sea, Lake and Overland Routes... 160 Routes from Liverpool to the Yukon Goldfields 160 W. Ogilvie's Distances, 1896 INDEX — continued. PAGE SECTION Government Map Measurements 161 The Upper Pelly !63 Dawson's Distances from Fort Selkirk to Taiya Inlet ... 163 Distances from Head of Chilkoot Inlet to the Boundary Line on the Yukon River between N. W. Territories and Alaska -165 Distances from Fort Macpherson to Fort Chipewan 166 Distances to points on Peace River from Fort Chippewyan on Athabasca Lake ... ... ••• ••• ••• 168 Athabasca Landing to Great Slave Lake ... 168 Lengths of some of the Chief Lakes 169 Route from Athabasca Landing to the Peace River 169 12.

Ice on Rivers and Lakes 169 Ice on Mackenzie and Tributaries 169 Ice on Great Slave Lake 170 Ice on the Stikine ... ... ... ... ... .. 170 Ice on Dease Lake 171 Ice on the Liard ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 171 Ice on the Peace 171 Ice on the Lewes 171 Ice on the Yukon 171 Ice on Lake Bennett ... ... ... ... ... ... 172 Ice on the Churchill River 172 13 Restrictions to large Foreign Joint-Stock Companies on the British Yukon 172 14. Climate 174 Daylight in the N.W. Territories (Actual Sunlight) 174 Mean Temperature at Fort Franklin, Great Bear Lake, Lat. 65° 12' 175 Small Snowfall on the Mackenzie 175 The Open Sea at the Mouth of the Mackenzie 175 Important Changes in the Climate 176 15. Indians and Esquimaux 177 Employment of Indians : their numbers 177 Trading with the Indians 178 16. Fish (freshwater) and Game 178 17.

Corn, Vegetables and Pasturage 180 18. Difficulties of Routes from the South INDEX — continued. SECTION PAGE 19. Sub-Arciic Winter Travelling; Reindeer, Dogs, etc. ...186 Dog-Trains for the Yukon 188 Prices and Particulars of Dogs ... ... ... 188 River Travel in Winter 189 Reindeer Transport ... ... ... ... ... ... 189 River Travelling on the Yukon 190 20. Population of the Future 190 The " Rush" of '98 to alter the face of the Country 192 New Comers must go far Afield ... ... ... ... ... 192 21. Present and Prospective Routes to the Gold Fields 193 St. Michael's Route 193 The Chilcoot Pass Route 193 The Chilcat Pass Route 193 The Taiya Pass Route ■ 193 The White Pass Route 1S3 Behring Strait to Mouth of Mackenzie River 193 The Mackenzie River Route ... 194 Edmonton Route via the Mackenzie River ... ... ... 194 The Peace River Route 195 The Liard River Route 195 The Stikine River Route via Teslin Lake 196 The Taku River Route via Teslin Lake ... ... ... 196 Bound's Overland Route ... ... ... ... 196 Dalton's Overland Route ... ... ... ... 196 The Edmonton Routes 193 All Canadian Routes 199 The Most Likely Route from Edmonton to the Yukon ... 200 The Churchill Route from Hudson's Bay 202 The Old Hudson Bay Route from York Factory at the Mouth of the Nelson, Hudson Bay, to the Mackenzie River 203 U. S. America v. British Routes to the Yukon Goldfields ... 203 The Chesterfield Inlet and Mackenzie River Route 205 Another Route from Mackenzie River to the Stewart Headwaters 205 22.