The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-12
It Is a Work Saver.


which left the breaking Of the trails en-
tirely to the Indians
sfxry-five Below Zero.
The Journey Of sixty miles across the
fat summit was one round Of bitter hard
ships and terrible experiences The Their
mome.er fell as low as IS below zero, the
cold not infreouentiy being accompanied
by driving wind which meant death 20
well nigh every living thing within its
reach The white men were utterly unable
to travel with the Indians and the frequent
haits 50 often made necessary through ex-
haustion made progress very slow. Every
man In the party was more or leo fr00en.
Hodge and McNslis suffering the most. not
being provided with proper clothing 10
Withstand such terrible cold. AS much OF
the travelling as possible was done in the
timber, but on the open places they were
left at the mercy ofsthe wind. After leav-
ing the summit the party crossed Pike
lake and proceeded down the passage lead
ing into Lake Attn At the upper end OF
this lake party of six Takou Indians were
found encamped. engaged in hunting and
trapping. Being DESTROYS of securing some
new moccasins the Indians stopped here
day while they were being made. Hodge
and McNeIis. realizing what an impede
ment they were TO the Indians, resolved
not to wat. but to keep on travelling and
get as far along as they possibly could be-
fore the Indians overlook them again. The
route down the lake was shown them and
they started off. The next morning the IN
dams followed their trail until a point was
reached where they should have turned OF
to get into Takish lake. and there 1t was
seen the two men had gone astray. Jack
son continued on the right trail, presun,ing
that the white men, when they found they
were wrong. would retrace their steps and
then follow his tracks. Seventy miles be-
low the first Indian camp and about Nifty
miles above Takish lake another party OF
Takous were found encamped. they like
wise being engaged In hunting and trap
ping.
The Last OF Hodge and McNelis.
On his way out. and while at Dyea. jack
son met one of the Indians with whom
he camped at Atlin lake. He said that
week after the Jackson Indians had left
their camp. Hodge and McNelis had re-
turned IN an almost starved condition.
They bought and traded for all the I eat
they could get. taking fresh. sailed.
smoked or anything the Indians would
dispose of. Upon leaving they said they
were going to Forty Mile and would fol-
low Jackson's tracks. Since then not a
word has been heard from the unfortan-
ate men. II they succeeded in reaching
the second camp of Indians and remained
there during the hard weather, they are
undoubtedly safe, but in the event of
their getting of the trail and falling to
reach that point there Is not one CHARGE
In a million of their being alive. Know
ing what he does Of their being able to
stand fatigue and shift for themselves,
Jackson does not believe they ever reached
the second party of Indians.
Kept the Carcass for Food.
During the trip down from Lake Atlin
to the Takish houses, the dogs suffered a
great deal, and at the lower end of Takou
lake the last but one died. Jackson OK
pected to get some fresh supplies and also
some dog food at the Takish houses. but
found them unoccupied, not an Indian te-
ing In sight When this point was left
their sole supply of provisi ons to feed
three men during the balance of their
journey. q distance Of 80 miles. consisted
OF twenty-eight pounds OF -four and about
five or six pounds of beans. A very Sc
we're storm was encountered in crossing
Mud lake, and the Chilkat Indian became
so exhausted through fatigue and the cold
that he was expected to die. On Lake Le-
barge a camp was made on one OF the isl
ands. They were then reduced to Few
spoonfuls OF flour, and having 10 deg
feed either, their last sledge animal was
shot to save him from starving to death.
The carcass was carefully skinned and the
meat slowed away to be eaten when hun
ger compelled ii. The next day the Coop
er party was met en- route to juneau. They
were travelling light and would not give
the famished Indians mouthful- Shortly
afterward the Mcdonald and Mcconnell
party was met and from them enough was
gotten to carry them TO Travellers tar,
where some miners were wintering. They
were also short, but gave the Indians
twenty pounds Of -four and cup each of
sugar and tea. A few days later the Bob
above Pelly river. Jackson had but one
meal left. and upon explaining the situa-
ton Bob opened his pack and. with the
generosity characteristic of the man, told
them TO take what they wanted. Har-
per's post was distant but a days travel
and it required but little to carry them
there. At the station the following Gay
plenty of supplies and a fresh dog team
was procured and the balance of fhe trip
to Forty Nile was made without incident.
At the Post.
When It became known that jackson had
arrived with the mail every man. woman
and child in the camp hurried to the trading
post to receive news from the outside
world. it being the first to arrive in six
months. Miners were SO elated at the in
trepfdity and courage shown in the Indians
masking the trip at that season OF the year
that hat was passed around in the store
and nuggets to the amount Of $50 were
quickly dropped into it. Forty Mile was
reached March %. and after res, OF
week jackson started out on the return
trip via the Chilkoot pass. His nephew
Albert and the Chnkat Indian were left at
the post, being in too bad condition to at
tempt TO return at once. Both were badly
frozen at different times. and it is remarks
able that they should now be alive. The
return trip was made alone as far as Sixty
Mile. a Stick indian accompanying him out
from that point. One week was lost on
the road through snow blindness. but IN
actual travelling they made the quickest
time on record-twenty-two days-from
Forty Mile to Dyea.
The Thompson party WIS nine days be-
hind the Indians on the way down the
river. They arrived at Forty Mile safely.
bat we're pulling their sleds them selves,
having lost all their dogs
After the Thompson party. the first in
going Yukoners were met near the mouth
Of the Tahkeena. Others were passed IN
Lake IAnderman. j. NJ Wilson, of the
A c. Co. and Bishop Rowe were seen on
Lake Bennett. and were making good time
Sheep Camp was found deserted. all par
ties having succeeded In getting across the
summit.
Jackson plainly shows the effects Of his
terrible experience. His face and hands
are 50 brcwn as to be almost black. On
each cheek Is a dlscoiorei spot as large as
a silver dollar. showing where the frost had
penetrated deeply. His hands. and partic-
ulariy his wrists and each forearm. are
likewise spotted He viii remain here a
month or two taking a rest. and will then
begin making preparations for another trip
next winter. He will 20 over the same
route as travelled last winter. but during
this summer ne VII establish stations be-