The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-28
THE YUKON STEAMER.
She Arrives Safely at st. Mich
ael'S in Sections.
LOTS OF GOLD AND OUTLAWS.
The Amiable but Filthy Esqutmaux-
Curious Conoes Of the Aleuts-
News OF tho Water Front.

Fred W. HaRefdorn, OF New YORK city, mas
returned from Alaska whittier he had gone
with the North American Transportation d
Trading Company, and has an interesting story
to tell concerning the trip and what he saw
after he got near the Yukon river.
The party left here on the Alice Blanchard on
July 6 The ship had on board nearly 500 tons
OF freight, which consisted mainly OF provi-
sions that were to be used for trading purposes
after the Yukon river had been reached On
the deck of the Alice Blanchard were
the parts of steamboat, which was
to be put together after the party
had landed at st. Michaers. In addition to the
regular crew there were on board +. Is. Weare,
the president OF the company, and his son Fred,
fifteen carpenters. one blacksmith and several
other mechanics, whose services were to be used
in putting the steamboat together. 1t was the
intention of the company to put the new steamer
on the Yukon river in order to divide the BUSH
ness which the Alaska Commercial Company is
already doing with two small steamboats,. Nh.
Hagerdorn said:
We had some very rough weather going up,
ana in my opinion the northern cdast is very
treaeherous, but we weathered all storms and
reached Coal Harbor, there We tried To coal up.
There was 40 coal there, so We had to go on to
Unaiaska Tor that purpose, and reached there
on July b. There we saw the United States
ship Yorktown AMI several revenue cutters.
From there We went through Bering straits to
ST. MichaePs, distance OF about $40 miles,
reaching there July 81
81. MichaePs is ABOUT sixty miles from the
mouth OF the Yukon river. We stayed ut this
place for twenty-five days discharging cargo
and attending to other matters. and on August
"A started back to Unalaska aud thence homo.
leaving st. Michael's the Weares and their force
of men. At the time of our departure consid-
cradle work had been done in the way of getting
the parts of the boat together and it was the ex-
peciation at that time that by September Is
everything would be in readiness for the first
trip OF the company up the river. that is, If
something does not happen to prevent. Idon't
believe that the men who were taken up are al
together satisfied with the Way they have been
treated anc don't say there will be, but there
may be trouble.
While the Alice Blanchard was still at st.
MichaePs two men found their way into the
hamlet who had come down from the mining
regions up the river They gave glowing ac-
count OF what they had seen and brought back
substantial evidences Of the truth OF their mar
veilous stories. They said that mining could
only be carried on for the three warmest months
TO the Intense cold at oil other times and the
heavy SHOWS. The country up the river and
along its banks is rough and dangerous, and
only the strongest men can stand the rigors of
the climate and the battle with the
rnde soil. At ali seasons of the year the
atmosphere Is foggy and the air is damp
The nights are very short. 1t is never dark until
10 O'Clock in the evening and begins to get day
light again at from $50 to O. clock. The great
river which seems to be the Mecca for all who
seek fortune or safety from the law is said to be
over 1000 miles long and Mt places several miles
wide. 1t teens with salmon and other eatable
fish, and along its banks is as fine hunting as
can be found anywhere in the world. 1t il also
infested with number OF reckless and danger
Gus outlaws and is said to afford a refuge to
many of the worst criminals OF the world
Shortly after l arrived at st. Michaels had
the good fortune to a band of Esquimaux
They came into the place in their canoes. In
winter they use snow-sleds pulled by eighteen
aud twenty dogs, aud can make from seventy to
eighty miles per day. These dogs are fine large
ANIMALS with shaggy coats, aud gentle,
affectonate and faithful l brought down two
pups, and intend to see IL the breed will live in
this climate. The natives are very dark of skin,
and l wondered how it was that such dark
creatures should live in so cold climate. but [
will let the scientists explain that. The EsQui-
naux are very kindly people, but it mnst be
confessed they are about filthy rs any
ever saw. They attire themselves in garments
made OF sealskins, walrus hides and the CUTS of
other animals well creased with seal oil to keep
ont the rain and staye off the cold. The very
nature of their garments makes them uncleanly
and one does not aspire To close contact with
these Inhabitants of the far northern country.
Some OF them wear rings in their nose and all
insert piece of glass in the chin as a mark of
the tribe to which they belong. The color of
the glass indicating the tribe.
had some excellent hunting several days
and managed To kill reindeer, moose and elk,
some rabbits and any number of quail. Tho
latter are exceedingly plentiful and afforded to
the party one of the CHIEF articles of TODD.
We had a smooth trip down, and notwith-
standing the new experience which had, am
glad 10 be back. | cannot cay that Alaska has
many temptations for me.
Mr. Hagerdorn is a New York ran and the
nephew OF a banker there. He has been in most
parts of the world and took the trip merely as
one of pleasure and observation. He thinks that
he Will locate permanently in seattle