The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-11
GOES BACK TO ALASKA
An Interesting Glimpse Of Life at
Circle City.
OVER THE ICE 1000 MILES
A Trip From the Upper Yukon to
the Coast In Mid-Win-
ter Fare 81
Per Mile.
OVER THE ICE 1000 MILES

]. A. Williams of Helena was in
Anaconda yesterday en- route for Circle
City. Alaska, for which place he left
yesterday afternoon He is setting out
upon his long journey now and expects
to reach his destination in time to
celebrate the Fourth of July at Circle
City, a mining camp ON the Upper Yu-
kon river. From Seattle he goes to
Deyea, on the coast of Alaska, thence
80 miles over a precipitous mountain
range, to Lake Lindeman, and as soon
az the ice disappears, will embark for
a trip down the chain of lakes and
down the river to his home. $50 miles
by boat
Mr.. williams and Ed Mcconnell
came out from the interior this spring
over the ice, bringing the only mail
which left that arctic city during the
winter. Their conveyance was a sled
hauled by six dogs and they had with
them an Indian guide. The trip cost
$1,000-for instance, the dogs were
worth from SIS to 500, the guide was
paid $500, provisions and clothing the
balance of the amount. Thye were SO
days on the road. In summer the ex-
pense of the trip is much less. amount
ing to only $3.50 and 5000 from Seattle.
Mr.. Williams estimates that there
are 1000 prospectors wintering on the
Yukon river, 500 at Circle City, 300 at
Forty Mile. 200 scattered along the
river. He expressed his fears that
many people would flood the country
this summer, get in there and expect
to make a living and not find work,
and would have many privations to
face during the long cold winter.
Provisions" said he, ARE all
brought in by boat from the mouth of
the river during the summer season,
which lasts but three months. There
L.s& 81 he
p. B. Ware, carrying 300 tons, the Arc
tic, $50 tons, and the Alice $50 tons.
They can each make three trips to st.
Michaels during the summer and upon
them the inhabitants depend for their
supplies. Last year the p. b. Ware
stuck in the ice on her last trip 50
miles from Circle City and her cargo
was freighted to the post. Without II
there would have been suffering for
lack of food. 1t will be impossible to
build boats on the river in time to be
of use this season, and the ocean boats
cannot ascend the river. The river
boats draw only four feet of water and
sometimes they come up the rapids on
stills. Therefore If several thousand
people get into the country this sum-
mer the food problem will be difficult
to solve.
yet you are going back" suggest
lively said a bystander.
Yes I'm going to take my chances
which ought to be better than those
who have never been there. Then too,
1 have property there to be looked
after.
1.-The social condition of the Yukon
is like that of Montana in the older
times of the placer camps, for that is
a placer mining country. The only gov
eminent is that of the miners meeting
which enacts the laws and enforces
them. That power is supreme and is
respected. Crime is unknown except
in rare instances. The punishment is
chiefly Punishment.
The currency of the country is gold
dust, which is current at $17 per ounce,
and storekeepers are provided. with
scales on which they weigh their pay
as we'll as weigh their goods.
Alaska Is a country of thousand
undeveloped resources but 1t is not
poor mans camp. Living Is very ex
pensive at best The season is short
and the wages at $40 a day for three
months are not enough to pay actual
expenses for the year. Prospectors
cannot strike ii rich in a week, and
unless a man has 81 900 or more he
on chit NOT 70 Gonna to Alaska"