The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-12
A MARVELLOUS TRIP.
Jimmie Jackson, Indian Nail
Carrier, Safe in Seattle.
1900 MILES OF HARDSHIP.
4 story Of Brave Battling VITA VIM
terss Storm and Cold, That VIII
Make Part OF Alaska's History,

Perhaps the most otficrit. most danger
oos trip ever accomplished il that made BY
Jimmie jackson. the Indian mall carrier.
who arrived in this city yesterday on the
wiliapa from Forty Mile jackson. accom-
panied by two Indians and two white men.
l.. s. Hodge. a printer. ard y. McNelS. a
miner, left juneau on Decsnper 10 last TO
carry the mail TO the winter-impr-soned
miners on the Yukon river. Hodge and Nc
Nelss were iost-thsre is little doubt tina:
both are Geaa-and Jackxon's two Indian
comrades we're 50 badly frozen and used up
when they reached Forty Nile that they
could not make the return trip.
Jackson's trip was one Of 2 90 miles over
the rugged mountains of Alaska in the
depth OF winter. The Alaska News prints
the following story Of his journey.
Upon the arrival of the Rustler this
morning II was learned for the first time
positively that the American mail which
started for Forty Mile last December had
been safely delivered at its destination. and
the carrier had returned again to civil.za-
ton Jimmy Jackson 10 quite a hero to-
day. and as he walked up Seward street,
clad In his parka and moosehide boots. he
attracted as much attention as a circus.
His trip OF nearly 2.tvo miles was a most
periious one, one that the hardest and
most experienced mountalreer would have
long hestated before attempting. Not that
the journey would have been so dangerous
would not, and the same ground has been
covered by hundreds of others. made. how
ever. Ia the spring or fall when travelling
Ii the interior was good and the perils m
cident to Arctic storms and billiards had
passed But to leave Juneau for Forty
Mile In December. when winter Is at It's
worst and when residents Of the Yukon
scarcely venture outside their cabins. was
considered by the old-timers here, who
were fully acquainted with the rigors OF
an Alaskan winter. 10 be little short OF sui
cidal. Five persons comprised the party
which left for the interior in charge Of the
mail. three Indians. Jimmie Jackson. his
nephew Albert. and Chilkat Bob. The
other two were white men, L. 8. Hodge
and n. McNei.s. the former being printer
formerly in the employ Of the News, and
the latter a miner. who for a time worked
on the Silver Queen at Sheep creek. The
friends OF the two white men did their Ut
most 20 persuade them not to attempt the
journey at that time Of the year; they were
unused to hardships. had never roughed 1t,
and were in. no way Injured TO the cold
and storms they had every reason to an
ticipate. The pleadings were Of no avail.
and now. beyond all reasonable doubt. 1t
IL believed they have paid the penalty OF
their rashness with their lives.
Since the last OF January jackson has
been heard from three times. Indirectly,
through parties who have passed him on
their way out. In each instance but little
news could be learned OF the fate OF Hodge
and McNeiis beyond that the party had
become separated at Lake Atlin and the
Indians had proceeded on down the river.
II was generally supposed the white men
could not keep up with the Indians. and,
becoming exhausted. they had dropped be-
hind and were left to get on the best way
they could themselves. The facts Of the
case. as told by jackson. together with
the principal incidents of the trip, are as
follows:
The start.
The party left juneau on the 10th of De-
cember. having an outfit all told weighing
between 500 and 800 pounds. A large canoe
conveyed them to the Takou inlet. thence
up the inlet almost to the mouth of the
river. The first camp was made at Sheep
creek. just below town, and the second at
Bishop point. Upon reaching the inlet the
weather was very rough and the seas rolled
so high as to almost swamp their canoe
The wind was fair and stin enough to send
them flying until their mast broke, after
which paddles and oars were resorted to.
As the upper end OF the harbor was ap-
preached. vast quantities of huge Ice foes
were encountered. and in some places
gorges that were almost impossible were
formed. necessitating careful navigation.
Three miles below the cannery at the
mouth of the Takou river the party became
hemmed In and were compelled to camp
there two weeks. At the expiration Of that
time the wind shifted and the ice blockade
moved sufficiently to allow them to reach
the fisheries, arriving there New Years
DAY. The following day II turned bitter
cold again and the wind was coming down
the river with the force of a hurricane
Nothing daunted Jackson so early In the
trip ana he and the other two Indians set
on up the river with their dogs sle,Is ana
OUTFIT. They had proceeded less than a
mile when the dogs began showing signs
OF succumblng to the terrible cold. Tho
sled was quickly unloaded and the faithful
orutes We're unhitched and rolled I'D n
TO blankets Ahead of the party about
half mile was an island heavily tinnere5
and TO this point the dogs were hauled ON
the sled. One died before the timber was
reached. but the others were soon thawa5
out after roaring fire had been built A.
soon as camp was made, Albert the hair
breed. was left in charge and Jackson ard
the Chilkat Indian returned with the sea
20 ger the discarded load The wind was
blowing with such force that the two rna,
were compelled to cut a heavy s,Ick s,r-
teen feet long and probably four inches IN
diameter. carrying II in their arms. one on
either emo. " order 10 give additional
weight and be able 10 stand on their feet.
The Whites Give out.
Hodge and McNelis, who were sun,u,.as
to have followed the Indians, had larres
nemnd. not daring to face the terrible
storm then raging. After the departure OF
'he IND ans, however. they evidently he
came frightened at being left alone ana
QUICKLY made preparations to take the tran
already broken by Jackson. Hodge has
several hundred pounds OF pewsnane-S
Which he was taking inside 10 sell ara
these together with his entire carnn oute,
excepting frying pan. kettle. and cofYas
pot ana an his surplus clothing he thraw
away Just above the mouth o. the rIvar 7,
the storm II was impossible TO see te, 70.
shead. and on account OF Il they rnisz.s
the Indians camp. passing to the righ, ~
II jackson and his partner returned -
tneir camp with the man, and the fnrp,a-
SET out 10 md his lost corn9anjons IT,
Snow and wind had all hut ehIitsra,a,s 80
Tracks and X was with great s-tso,,i.,-
their tran was traced az all. Thev ~.
nn2iiy Foiand in an exhausted CONDITION -
slough which puts or from. the rix-e- -, =
into which they had alTaiesSfv vs-as-ss
He1se had one hand badly frozen ara vas
almost helpless. Jackson thawed hir, ~,
made their camp for them and tals re-,
tneN must keep with him as he vva,,fs -.
hont them Up again Upon returnsnv -
rs own camp. but a comparatively sho-.
distance away, ne found both his chs.t
sro octn MS wrists frozen This u-ax
OF the most bitter DAYS experiences.
GAYS were spent IN camp on the island ~
'cse the storm Rhated. On the third /. -
came considerably warmer an. q tire 80