Mohave County miner., 1891-05-09
The MOHAvE MINER.
Published every Saturday by the
MINER PUBLISHING CO.
HARVEY HUBBS, Sec. and Treas.
ANSON III. SMITH. Ed. and Manager.
In Far or Aiaska,

dition sent out year ago by Arkill x
Harrison arrived here to-day ON the
steamer Mexico. Recently newspaper
reports were ahoat that H. Hazard Wells,
the chief, and one man had probably per-
lshed from starvation. Tho last news
from them was in July, 1890, when Wells
was pushing into the interior Of Alaska.
The explorer and three men in his party
had thrilling experience baetling against
starvation and other dangers, and barely
escaping with their lives. One man,
named DeHaas, an old mountaineer, was
left at trading post suffering from pros
traitor from the journey. The men re-
turned are +. Hazard Wells, the leader !;
A. b. Schanz, scientist, and Frank
Princk. The Chilakat native, Tndiank,
was left at juneau, Alaska. He accom-
panied Wells through all his trials. Other
whites and natives employed in the work
Of exploi alton were discharged in Alaska.
Altogether over $50 persons saw service
at different times az retainers Of the ex-
plorers. Mr.. Wells says none Of them
attempted to travel beyond the river Jor-
dan as newspapers report. "We paused,
nearly starved, upon its bank" said he.
ITO correct fanciful sratements pub
lished," continued Mr.. Wells, addressing
a reporter, II will briefly present you
with some facts. "The original expedi-
ton consisted Of five white men and
twenty-nine Chilikat Indians. We left
the Pacific Coast at klockwan, Alaska,
May 10, 1890, 10 cross the Chilikat
Mountains by route never before ira
versed by white men. Dr. Kran, OF Ber-
lin, had previously ascended by another
route to the summit OF the Chilikats on
the ocean side, and had looked off into
the country beyond, but bad returned
without entering. Our party was the
first to descend the far side. After liz
mile march across mountains, glaciers
and torrents, large lake was found and
named "Arkell.,' A smaller lake was
named "Maud." Lake Arkell proved TO
ne a reservoir OF Tahr River. We claim
it to be the source OF the Yukon River.
The head waters Of the Yukon were To-
Gated by Lieut.. Schwatka in the Chiiikat
Mountains further south. At the upper
end OF Arkill the native packers were all
discharged save Indiank and returned
home. T. J. Glave and John Dallon we're
then detailed to do exploration work on
the Altezk River, supposed 70 be close at
hand. They successfully accomplished
the undertaking, but we saw them no
more. Glaye's narrative has already been
Published. The main party continued its
explorations on the lake and then on
Tahkr River, which Was mapped. The
severe sickness Of A. b. Schanz next
necessitated change Of plans. He was
left at Surveyor McGrath's camp on the
Yukon River in care Of ? doctor. then
enlarged the party by adding two white
miners, DeHaas and Le9gitt, and started
on long contemplated journey overland
into the interior OF Alaska, marching
through an unmapped region for several
hundred miles. The scenery was caaot-
ically grand. The moon seemed to have
photographed an impression of itself upon
the face OF the earth. Leggitt went back
to his gold claim the four Of US remain
ing pressed on aud we're finally reduced
10 desperate straits by starvation.
"a mountain trap incIosed us in gloomy
silence. We blazed large fir traes and
wrote names, dates and directions as TO
our intended route, 80 that our fate might
perchance be one day be known il we
failed TO escape. Baffied in one direction,
we foated down a hitherto unexplored
river for $50 miles. Amidst exciting ad-
ventures and hairbreadth escapes from
death we struggled 700 miles 10 a trading
post. The narrative Of this journey would
fill pages. Subsequently with five men ]
made the journey Of 1900 miles on the
cold days Of fall and winter, using dogs
and sleds for 800 miles through snow.
We reached the southern coast Of Alaska
in safety, having fortunately been re-
joined by Schanz, whose labors in the
interim had been important. 1t appears
hat after he recovered from his illness
he left surveyor McGratb's camp with
two men, undertaking a skif Journey