Prospects of old remains of man all along the river are slight if
any. Old silt flats have doubtless been mostly washed away (as now)
and rebuilt. Only on the older parts, now often far from water,
could anything remain and there it is all a jungle of forest with
undergrowth, with all surface traces absent (no stone, no shell), and
no one here to find things accidentally. As to the hills that approach
the river, the slopes (shales, overlain by what looks like stratified
mud and silt rock) are mostly of recent exposure, and have doubtless
been receding slowly through erosion, so that the bank line along them
is not old; and their valleys are few, narrow, and were higher formerly
as well as more extended toward where the river flowed then. The only
hopeful spot is about Hot Springs, where fossil animal remains are said
to exist, but here nothing as yet has been noted suggesting ancient man.
June 18, 4 p. m. River getting broader. Some low dunes. In distance
a range of bluish hills before us--the hills along the Yukon. Boat
meandering from side to side. Every now and then a necessary steam
blow-out of mud, or a short whistle, hurry of a man over the top of the
barge and of two half-breeds along its side to the prow to test, with
long pointed and graduated poles, the depth of the water, calling it
out to the captain. The calls range from "no bottom" to "4 feet," at
the latter of which the boat begins to touch and back water.
5 p. m. Arrived at Tanana, a cheerful looking town, extending over
about half a mile along the right bank of the Yukon, here about 20
feet high; but now, with the gold rush over, rather "slack" on both
business and population, as are all other Yukon towns. Somewhat
disappointed with the Yukon--not as majestic here as expected. See
storekeeper--introduced by captain. Hear good news. The Indians have a
big potlatch at the mission, 2 miles above. Tanana Indians expected.
And there will be many in attendance. Rumors of this potlatch were
heard before, but this was the first definite information. Get on a
little motor boat with Indians who were making some purchases, and go
to the St. Thomas Episcopal Mission, Mr. Fullerton in charge.