The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-21
ICE NOT SMOOTH ENOUGH
JOSEPH LADUE SAYS SLEDS CANNOT
BE USED ON THE YUKON.
One of Secretary Ayers Schemes for
Transporting Food to Daw-
son Not Feasible.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2O.-Joseph Ladue,
the founder of Dawson City, and Elmer f.
Botsford who is identified with him in in
terests there, arrived here tonight for con-
sultation with Secretary Alger as to the
best means to be adopted for relieving the
distress that is feared will result in the
Klondike gold fields the coming winter. Mr.
Ladue comes to the city at the special re-
quest of Secretary Alger. After their ar
rival here they were called upon by Adju-
tant General Breck of the army, and ar
rangements were made for an interview
with the secretary in the morning Mr.
Ladue estimates there are 5000 men in the
mining region, and unless at least 1900 of
them get away before the Yukon river is
frozen they will starve during the coming
winter. With the transportation facilities
on the Yukon taxed to the utmost provi-
sions for but 5000 persons can yet be landed
at Dawson City and Circle City. The other
1900 people will have to leave. The Yukon
river, Mr.. Ladue says, is still open to navi-
cation, and he thinks the most feasible plan
to warn the miners of their impending dan
ger would be to dispatch two couriers over
the Chilcat pass. The latter could reach
Dawson before navigation the Yukon
closes. Mr.. Ladue declares that the use of
d LOCOMOTIVE SHOW Sl6Q Oh the IEOZcil uhOn
as suggested by Secretary Alger is imprac-
ticable, as the ice is billy in formation; nor
could supplies be taken via the Chilcat
pass. The only other way that Mr.. Ladue
thinks supplies might be got to Dawson
and Circle City in limited quantities is to
take them via the Chilcat pass-an entire
overland route. BY establishing frequent
posts provisions might be transported, and
oil will ba ma Tn
rotary Alger at to-morrow's conference.
Secretary Alger spent some time this
morning with Mr.. Weare and Mr.. Cudahy,
of the Alaska Transportation Company at
his office in the War Department. They
announced their intention to make every
effort to get as much of the supplies at st.
Michaers up the Yukon possible, end it
is expected that three more steamers can
be run up before the river closes entirely
to navigation So far no steps have been
taken to insure the carriage of supplies af-
ter that event, via the mountain passes,
such as Chilcat, but it is likely that this
matter will now enlist the attention of the
company's officers Mr.. Weare reported
that steamer Humboldt will be ready to sail
from Seattle for st. Michaels next Thurs
day, so Secretary Alger called consulta-
ton of the bureau officers of the War De-
partment to hasten the preparations for the
equipment of the troops who are to go for
ward to Alaska on that vessel. Mr.. Weare
said the transportation company had for
the accommodation of this force suitable
quarters which would serve as a temporary
post and the large supply of food stores at
ST. MichaelS would provision them. 1t was
arranged with him that the companys
agent at st. MichaePS should accept the
vouchers of Lieutenant Colonel Randall,
the officer who will command the troops,
so that the soldiers may be paid regularly.
The men are already on their way to Seat
tie.
Secretary Alger has been anticipated in
his scheme for supplying transportation
over the Yukon by steam snow sleds. To-
day he received a telegram from Z. b. Hart
lev secretary of the Klondike Transporter
ton, Express and Commercial Company of
ST. Louis, stating that his company has
already contracted for several of the loco
motives and trains will be running over
the Yukon river in December.
The instructions given to Lieutenant
Colonel Randen, who will command the
small post to be established al st. MichaeIS
are very simple and direct. Secretary AL
ger tells him to make his way 10 that place
with dispatch and establish post tempo
rarily for it is not the intention of the de-
partment TO make this a permanent post
He will preserve life and property to the
best of his ability, endeavorng 10 do so
without exercising force, if that is possible
1t is expected that the little command will
arrive at ST. Michaels about Oct. Z.