The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-22
IN ALASKA'S HEART.
A Trail For Pack Horses Cut
Into the Interior.
RICH CENTRAL VALLEYS FOUND.
work Of Z. j. GIaye and Jack Dalton
In Opening An Unexpiored Coun-
try-A hazardous Trip.

word received in this city yesterday brings
news fhst At last trail for pack horses has been
uncovered into the very heart OF Alaska
LAST April Lieutenant Z. J. Gave and Jack
ration started from here to explore the interior
OF Alaska Mr.. Glave wss in Africa with stan
.ey' and afterwards with the expedition for the
Iounaing OF the Congo Free State. In 1880 ne
and Dalton were with the Frank Leslie expedi-
tlon, and explored the country between the
ioKon and the south coast, going north and
south. This year they were intending to 90
east and west, and reach an entirely unknown
region. Dalton is al experienced Alaskan pros
peetoF, and probably knows more OF the coun-
tFy than any man living. They found some
tien mineral deposits last year, and one OF the
great oolects OF this years expedition was to
nnd trail by which pack horses might be
TAKEN into the interior and the mines developed.
he I'm possibility OF getting horses into Alaska
nas hitherto been an absolute barrier against
opening mines there
letter was received by the PosT-IsTELLr-
GkNcER yesterday written June 9. a. Neska Ia
Hsin, In Central Alaska 1t was posted at Chill
cat July 10 In that letter Lieutenant GIaye
says:
venture OF taxing pack horses into the heart of
Alaska. The attempt was considered by many
quite quIxotIc, but am writing this letter from
one OF the most central points Of inner AIaska.
from part of the land entirely d itfereut from
me snow-coyered heights SO popularity supposed
70 De the only ground 10 be found in these re-
s. aS1a from our present position an immense
valley, thIckly clothed with fuxurisnt grasses
stretches away for miles in all directions
We have had all kinds OF experiences
IN IN reaching our present point, but al
tnougn we have had dangerous. steep as
cents and descents TO make, swift streams
70 cross, bogs to founder through and snow to
pass over, still we are here safe and sound, with
Eli our horses in as good condition az they en-
Ioyed III Seattle. They have carried their $50
pounds with ease, aud now they are ENJOYING
the wild timothy, blue top and bunch grass
growing thiekly everywhere
Alaska has long remained undevsloped: its
inaecessihility has kept the country in
an UNEMPLOYED condition, but now
that We have proved that transport
vent Alaska at once assuming an important
position as mineral producing country Al
aska - sncircied at all its limits by rugged and
preelpitous boundary walls. When its difficult
barriers are crossed, splendid country IL
reached-deep. swift streams and lakes ali well
stocked with fish, and fine pasture and wild
severe, but lot so dreadful as generally sup
posed;
With g good way in and out OF the country and
the praeticability of pack horse transport
proved, nothing should hinder quite an import
ant immigration to Alaska. ii anything OF any
value Is TO be found. Our present trail has
necessitated great deal of hard work to render
II possible TO take our horses over il. I shall
apply TO the governments of the United States
and Canada and endeavor 10 obtain the right-of-
way Tor ourselves OF the road. This seems to
me only fair, for have been put TO a great ex-
pense in carrying out this work. and have been
entirely unaided by any scientific institute in
the government.
JACK Dalton, who Is my partner in this ven
ture, is doing wonderful work in this wild
country. Without his valuable experience
among horses and in the woods, this present
journey would have bean impossible. He il the
best sll-round man ever saw.
have an opportunity of sending this letter
by some Indian hunters returning to the sea;
and shall not have q chance again for several
menths
There are several expeditions in this country
this year. Lieutenant Schwatka is away to the
north OF me somewhere, and Professor Israel c.
Russell is trying ST Elias again. Ny present
expedition has at least the recommendation of
originality, and if succeed, Q great gain TO the
country Is st once obtained.
Lieutenant GlaTe viii come kown to Pyramid
harbor some time in September or October.