The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-03-11
THEY'RE 0FFF0R ALASKA
A Party Of Montana Men Bound For the
Upper Yukon.
WHERE THERE'S MUCH GOLD
That Country Is Said TO Be Very
Rich In Minerals But
Pretty Rough Place TO
Live In.
WHERE THERE'S MUCH GOLD
Special Correspondents Of the standard

Special Correspondence OF the Standard.
LIVINGSTON, March 9.-The wonderful
tales tod of the fabulous richness of the
Yukon gold fields IN far-on Alaska are
lust now attracting the attention of many
Montanans. Old-time miners are begin
ming to make inquiries about the region
where it is said great grains of glittering
gold can be gathered in one summer In
such large quantities, and hundreds OF pros
pectors have been seized with the fever
and are joining the spring stampede TO
the Gland of the midnight SUM-
On next Tuesday morning there viii set
out from tins csty party of hardy pros
pectors bound Tor the interior OF Alaska.
The men who have decided to take tins
long and hazardous trip to the region
touched by the artic circle are Jonn Ennis,
Bob GrifIiths and Ed Cowan of this city.
The party will be joined en- route by j. j.
Deming of Salmon City Idaho
The party Is fortunate IN having among
it's members a man who spent one sum-
mer in Alaska. Mr.. Grifliths returned
from the Yukon gold fields four years ago
and will be able to guide the party into
the wilds of the north pole Eldorado in an
expeditions manner. He has arranged all
the details of the perllous trip across the
coast range anu uONn Nuo
Yukon, so that if no unforeseen accident
happens the destination will be reached
at the most favorable time.
According TO the programme outlined
by Mr.. Grifliths, the party will leave Seat
tie on March 10, taking passage on the
steamer Willapa. This will be the YES
sells second trip this season to Juneau
City. having SAILED for that place on its
initial voyage the Sd of this month with n
passenger list OF so prospectors en- route
TO the Alaskan gold fields. The distance
from Seattle to Juneau is about 800 miles
and the steamers generally make the run
in from seven TO nine days. Tho fare is
only $40.
The STANDARD correspondent had an
interview with Mr.. Griiliths to-day, and
learned many things OF interest about the
gold fields, the climate and the difficulties
to be encountered in reaching the valley
of the Yukon. Mr.. Grifllths said:
II spent the summer of 1890 in the
Yukon valley, having been engaged at n
salary of IS per day to accompany party
of Californians to the Alaskan gold fields.
We spent four months on Stewart river
washing gold out of the numerous bars of
that stream. We averaged about $50 per
day apiece and would have stayed over
NluitI anu NilfOuNu AuOANtI btdSOn
our party been proyisoned for this length
of time. Although We had enough grub
on hand when we started back for civil z
alton to have lasted us till the LIST of Jam
uary we dared not tarry until that time.
man takes his life in his hand when he
goes in or comes out of the Upper Yukon
valley in the summer time. But very few
of those who stay as late as December and
then start back ever get any further than
Chilkoot pass, and there are many human
bones scattered around on the bleak and
desolate coast range, showing where a
number of brave prospectors have lost
their way in tho darkness of the Arctic
winters and persisted on that fatal divide
far from human habitation.
"Our present party will outfit nj Juneau
City for two seasons in Alaska. and If all
goes well we expect TO reach home again
in the fall of 1897, with from $4,000 tc
$4,000 worth of gold dust apiece. We
will go in over tho Chilkoot pass and re.
turn down the Yukon to the Pacific ocean
on the Alaska Fur compauy's vessel.
This is the only ship that sails the Yukon
and it only makes one trip during the sea.
son to the company's trading post, ,40C
miles up the river.
"From Juneau City We will take one OF
Johnny Healy's line of coasters to his
place at the foot of Chilkoot pass, a dis.
lance of liz miles. Our party of -four
will carry about 1000 pounds of provis
ions, such as -four, beans, bacon. rice
etc. TINS will make about 1000 pounds
tina; each man will have TO pack on his
back over the mountain range. What is
called the Chilkoot pass is really not much
of pass after all. The summit Is 500
feet high, but IL is the only feasible route