The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-11-05
THE TWINS GREW FAT
A MINER BRINGS HIS BABIES FROM
THE YUKON.
Told 1t Would BE Impossible for Him
to Make the Trip Until the Chill
dren Could Walk.

Born within the borders OF a land owned
by the United States, and yet farther
away from the center of their own coun
try civilization than any other child or
children, is the distinction which Will fol-
low Joseph and Bernard Day through life
says a Seattle correspondent of the San
Francisco Call. They are 2-year-old twins
and arrived in this city on the steamer
Willapa direct from Alaska, and the place
of their birth is not the only thing re-
markable thus far in their lives, for, with
the aid of their father, they made, in or
der to reach Juneau and make connec-
lions with the Willapa, trip of many
days, coming from the Yukon mining dis
trict and crossing the grand but danger
GUS summit by the Chllcat pass. Others
many years their seniors have attempted
to make that same trip and were never
heard of again; but the babes are alive
and well and, while they can not talk,
they hope to some day be able to discuss
the trip as 1t comes to them from the lips
OF their father. u. Day.
The story of their birth. of their re-
markable trip and other facts connected
with them is one that does not find its
way into print very often. U. Day is a
miner He is big. fine-looklng man and
for years before he decided to 90 to Alas
ka he worked in the silver mines OF the
east. He was experienced in his business,
and when he made trip to Alaska four
years ago and took look at the country
he made up his mind that he would come
back TO the United States and get his
wife, a bride of few months and return
to the land of gold. He came back, and
at Ina vi
with some well-to-do relatives in a sub
urb OF Minneapolis. Mimi, consented to
return with him to Alaska. She was not
very strong, but had plenty OF nerve. and
In the spring, with the aid of her hus-
band, she reached the Yukon mining dis
trict in safety.
Her coming was a great event among
the miners. But one or two women had
ever been among them, and those had
held aloof from the common miners. Mrs.
Day took an Interest in them and endeav-
ored to bring happiness to their lives.
Just TWO years ago she gave birth TO
twin boys. They were big and healthy
and had eyes that were black as coal and
cheeks as red as apples. The exact date
Of their birth was October 49, 1894, and the
place SixtyMile Creek. Never did the
coming of any one, not even OF the hardy
men who carry the mall, create such
fervor in the Yukon district. Miners who
came down recently say that for three
months after the birth of the twins Mr..
and Mrs. Day received presents from min
ers far away who heard OF the new arri-
vals.. They were the first children ever
born in the Yukon district and they were
petted and caressed and humored as
though they were the children of some
great king.
On June 3, this year, Mrs. Day, who had
not been well since the birth of the chill
dren, died, and there was general mourn
Ing In the camp.
Everybody wondered what would be-
come OF the twins. Day told his friends
that In the fall he would take them to
the United States and place them with
their mothers relatives at Minneapolis
The miners laughed at him. and said that
1t would be impossible for him to make
the trip until the babies were old enough
to walk.
Two months ago Day decided to leave
the Yukon with his little ones. The min
ers generally were of the opinion that 1t
would mean death for the children and
probably for the father II he undertook
the trip. Day was determined. He said
that to keep the children at Sixty-Mile
would mean a life OF ignorance and suf-
fering. So early in July Day started for
Juneau with the prides of the Yukon. Be
fore his departure old and hardened min
ers shed tears and prayed for the safety
OF the children. Day said that IL thoy
died he would die with them.
They were dressed In clothes of heavy
wooden cloth. and. strange as 1t may
seem, made the trip the greater part OF
the way strapped on the shoulders of
their father. He carried them similarly
to the way Indian women pack their pa
pooses about. They were a great burden,
when the length of the trip is taken into
consideration and the further fact that
Day had pack of provisions and blank
cts to carry with him. Day states that at
times the weather was cold and when
his babies would not even cry he would
think that probably they were benumbed
by the cold. Then he would take a peep
az them. and they would either be laugh
Ing or sleeping. Once he says they amused
themselves all day long playing with his
long hair.
When night came on and he was ready
to rest, Day would remove the children
from his back and they would sleep in
his arms.
A~e' ohSc ulu lney ever so mucu as
cry" says Day.
The trip across the summit of the Chill
car pass was the most severe of ALL but
the little ones stood 1t all right though
Day says they must have suffered some.
because he did himself Several times, IN
crossing the summit. Day, weak with the
long trip and the heavy burden, slipped,
and but for the precious ones on his back
he says he believes he would have given
up, sunk down and persisted. Their COO
Ing. he says, aroused him and he would
struggle on.
Juneau was finally reached and safely;
there the babes were weighed and 1t was
found that they had grown fat during
their remarkable journey. They remained
there little while. and when the VII
lapa arrived took passage on It for the
sound.
In day or two Day will leave with his
sons for Minneapolis, where they will be
placed with relatives and educated. Old
miners say the trip win so down as the
most remarkable ever made from the Yu-
kon district TO Juneau.
Dfsbanded and VIII Reorgnnize
Chicago. Nov. 1.-The Chicago Trades and Ia
Dor Assembly. which has since lSSs been one 81
the strongest factors in trades unions In the
city was formally disbanded this afternoon in
pursuance OF a resolution passed a month AFRO
me action was due to friction among the