Renounce Their Allegiance

Toronto Globe
November 10, 1897

The Gold Bearing Zone. [Original Title. From an interview with William Ogilvie]

“In the summer of 1896 a Canadian named Robert Henderson, a native of Prince Edward Island; a Scandinavian named Swanson, and a man named Munson determined to prospect Indian River, now known as Dominion Creek. At Gold Bottom Creek they struck a rich streak of Klondike gold. Henderson, having to return for provisions, started down the Yukon again, and at the mouth of the Klondike met an old acquaintance named Geo. W. Carmack, a native of California, who was fishing for salmon. Hearing from Henderson of the gold find on Gold Bottom Creek Carmack prospected Bonanza Creek. On the afternoon of the third day he struck rich pay on Discovery Clain, panning out $12 in a few minutes. This was on Aug. 16, 1896. Staking out four claims, two for himself and two for others, he went to Forty Mile and exhibited the gold to incredulous miners. Klondike had been prospected in 1887 and again in 1893 without success. However, a day or two saw a rush to Klondike, and the excitement began.”

Character of the Miners

“There is hardly a country in Europe or America which has not representatives at Dawson. A great many natives of Sweden and Norway have been very successful and think highly of our country and institutions. The most successful of those are making their way back, not to the United States, but to their native land and will no doubt advertise Canada favourably. Many of the foreigners have become Americans. But expect nothing for their allegiance to that country. If it were necessary they would tomorrow renounce their allegiance and become British subjects. I have heard them say they would do so if it was necessary to enjoy the advantages of our laws and institutions, but enjoying them as it is they remain as they are. I saw no single case of opposition to our laws. Even where I myself, without direct authority from the department, had to settle disputes no objection was made to my awards. Every one seemed rejoiced that there was some one on the ground to take charge of matters and do away with miners’ meetings that were generally carried by the most popular man. This feature was very often discussed in a way very complimentary to Canada. Good Americans declared that they would rather mine under Canadian laws than under their own. The majority of miners in the country are Americans either by birth or adoption, but the adopted care little and say nothing about the United States. There is a good sprinkling of Canadians, who hold their own for intelligence, energy and enterprise.”