Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-09-14
LETTER FROM ALASKA.

JUNEAU, AlaSRa, aug. 1--WE at
rived safely this morning and the sun
i, shining on the top Of the mountain
peaks 1t is about quarter after 5
o'clock here. This is the largest city in
Alaska. Douglas Island is adjoining
aud is quite lively town; the great
rreadweil mine is there. The steamer
Topeka is just leaving for Seattle, aud
aas few passengers going back. We
understand there are 5000 people at
Dyes and Skaguay and that they are
working on the Pass, putting it in con.
lition. A number have become dis
couraged and are returning, many have
40 money but the merry ones GO ahead
and pass on. I understand they are
bringing out four million dollars in gold
lust so 1 suppose the excitement will
continue all winter. This will be a
nice place to stay if we have to winter
mere. Every thing is quiet this beauti
ful Sabbath morning. 1t was quite
cold last night and the mountains are
covered with snow; the scenery yester-
lay was the grandest l ever beheld.
We leave here in few hours and reach
Skagauy tomorrow morning or to.
night some time. We bought four boxes
raspberries at Wrangel for 124 box
and had them for supper-eDjoyed them
very much-got them from Col. Crit.
enden, out of his garden. He is an
old Confederate soldier and has been
living at Fort Wrangel for 10 years.
Strange how we meet, we old Copfeds.
he is frcm South Carolina; has
Cd acres of LAND; raises berries
and vegetables and seems to
be happy. Walked through the City
If Juneau; water pipes are through the
town and electric lights, plenty of
stores, and goods are cheap. Potatoes
2 cents pound. l bought dozen
pairs of socks (cotton) for rs cents,
pair of seal moccasins for $1.25 and
Fought panes of window glass l0x14
for our cabin house which We expect to
I'VE in. This is pretty liltle harbor,
population about 1000 u derstand
hers are 600 people at Skagsuy. We
Gnd number OF Indians at ali these
coast towns. Cottages here have yards
and flowers in bloom; town is sur.
rounded by high mountains. We
bought so pounds of potatoes for i'm.
mediate use on our march. | bought
pair of pinchers; may have to pull
tooth. Must 60 to breakfast now and
flush this at Skagauy. hear there
are four tons of gold dust on its way
out from the mines, and that the golu
digeings are richer than all the Nevada
aud California mines put together. We
hear all sorts of rumors and will wait IN
patience and take things as they come.
Have great deal of rain in this sec
ton, and vegetation is rank.
BETWEEN JUNEAU AND DYEA.-l
notice to-day number of pieces OF ice
faatiug by the ship. 1t is raining sn
quite cold. The mountains are covered
With snow, which in many places ap-
pear as if it was drifted very deep.
The boys are beginning to realize that
we have tough time to look forward to
and many seem apprehensive of trouble
and danger. The Treadwell mine on
Douglas Island is large affair. They
are running $40 stamp mill, said to he
the lar. est quartz mill in the world
rhe ALASKA mexican mine adjoins the
Treadwell.
SKAGAUY, Aug. 23.-We are here and
have been ashore and taken look at
the new town. 1t is raining fast. We
are landing the horses first. The town
is full of people aud from 5000 to 4, ,0oo
are camped from here for four miles
along the road to Whites Pass. The
road is very rough and the pass is dan,
gerous. Some have gone through and
others bave tnrned back. Horses are
worth about four times as much as we
paid for them in Portland. If we get
through soon we will sell them at
profit, also hay and oats. Flour and
bacon are cheap. went ashore last
night 10 small boat and landed 10 the
water, then the boatsman carried me
on his back to the land. Skagauy
promises to be large town. One man
who has been here ten years claims the
whole town site. We shall have hard
time from this on, and will be very
lucky if we get down the river before
cold weather. 1t may be some time De-
fore can write again. Yours, &C.,