GOLD IN SOLOMON AND NIUKLUK BASINS. 155 
AURIFEROUS LODE DISCOVERIES. 
During the last few years there has been a noticeable increase in 
activity in the search for lode mines, with the result that several 
veins of promising character at the outcrop have been located. As 
has already been stated, the Big Hurrah mine is the only gold- 
bearing lode mine in operation in the district at the present time, 
but this condition can hardly prevail long. 
DESCKIPTION OF LOCALITIES. 
A very promising ledge of quartz has been located on the divide 
between Goldbottom and Ophir creeks near the head of Crooked 
Creek. The lode occurs near the contact of limestone and schist, 
and specimens show considerable free gold. It is reported to run 
nearly $40 to the ton, but it is not known how the sample was col- 
lected. This discovery seems to be very significant in connection 
with the fact that the gold in many parts of Crooked Creek is very 
sharp and angular and much of it has quartz fragments attached. 
A specimen of gold seen near the mouth of Crooked Creek, derived 
from a placer deposit at that place, was of such fragile shape and 
crystalline form that it seemed impossible for it to have been carried 
more than a few feet from the vein from which it was derived. 
Another lode which has recently been found is located about half 
a mile southeast of Post Creek, a tributary of the Niukluk from the 
north. This vein has quartz as the gangue mineral, occurs at the 
contact of a schist and limestone, and is about 8 feet in width. 
According to reports it shows considerable free gold, and the values 
obtained by crushing and panning indicate that the vein would run 
nearly $35 to the ton. No responsibility is assumed for this state- 
ment, as it is not known how the sample was collected. It is an 
interesting speculation whether or not the vein on the divide at the 
head of Crooked Creek and this vein near Post Creek are connected. 
Still another lode has been located on the south side of the Niuk- 
luk near the head of Camp Creek. No specimens were seen from 
this vein, and the descriptions were meager. They sufficed, how- 
ever, to make it certain that a quartz vein carrying free gold in visi- 
ble quantities has been found at this place and that developments 
are being pushed as efficiently as a small force and funds permit. 
In addition to these well-authenticated finds, there are numerous 
rumors of other lode locations. These reports seem to indicate 
clearly that more and more attention is being paid to the search for 
lode deposits throughout the district. 
