The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-12-02
ODD KLONDlkE LAKE.
Lake Selawik. Near Dawson. Is Al.
ways Warm and Full of Fish.

ways Warm and Full of Fish.
Dawson City. wonderful as it is in
| many things. has still another wonder
about which very little has been heard. !
| 1t is an immense lake, located back in
the mountains not very far away from
| the greatest town on earth, the waters
of which are always warm. Fish in
countless thousands can be caught in
the coolest weather without trouble,
for the waters of the lake are never 81
cold but one could battle in them. The
third claim this wonderful body of
water has for distinction is that. while
| it is hundreds of miles from the oceaC.
ard there is no apparent connection be-
tween the two. the lake is affected by
the tide Lake Selawik is the name
given to the discovery by Father Tos.
a Jesuit missionary who for years has
been working among the Alaska In
dians in the interior.
1t was letter from him that brought
the news to Seattle-news which will
ease many fear when the quantities
of fish are considered, which practically
does away with the starvation idea.
This point is made in Father Tosi's let
ter, that should famine threaten Daw
son the miners could easily make their
way to this lake and bring back all the
fish necessary. They come down intothe
warm waters during the winter from
the lev streams which flow into the
lake. They remain near the surface,
and can be scooped in with nets or
killed with boathooks.
Father Tosi noticed that at times
during the midst of the long arctic
winter the Indians had fresh salmon.
He could not explain it, for all the
known streams and lakes were frozen
solid. Finally the Indians took him
back into the hills to lake which was
60 miles long and IS in width. He called
it Selawik They have kept the secret
well. and only few white men know of
, the lake.
There seems to be some sympathy
between Lake Selawik and the ocean
which is very difficult to explain. There
seems to be no connections; neverthe-
less the lake is several feet higher when
the ocean is at it's height, and at low
tide it is spondingly lower. The
hours of high tide are the same as on
= the ocean at the same distance north
y Yet this lake is hundreds of miles from
= salt water. and there is no evidence OF
any connection with the sea. Besides
= the water is fresh at all times. He ac
counts for the warmth of the water by
. powerful hot springs flowing into the
lake far below the surface. but the mat
, ter of tides is a puZzler. The water i:
very deep, and in many places no bot
: tom can be found. The fish appear t.
. stay near the surface.
= The Indians have legends of terrible
= monsters which used to appear on th'
surface of the lake. One story has CONT
= down from generations, and tells o
- the mysterious disappearance of two
= Indian men and three women whil'
" fishing from a raft in the southern en-,
of the lake. They went out for day
IL fishing in the morning from an 1ndial
' camp along the shore of the lake. The,
failed to return that evening, and tn
81 next day the Indians went down to lool
y for them They found the raft withou
u difficulty. but not trace of either tn
t. men or women. The legend account
:" for their disappearance in this way
II For years an awful white thing wit
'' numbers of long white arms had bee
Y, swimming in that part of the lake. Th
~ Indians never fshed there for fear c
, the monster but, as it had not bee
~ seen for long time. the unfortunat
q a. ! cnfa fo ~
- that part of the lake. Of course, til
- monster was displeased at this invasio
I' of its domains. and as punishmer
pulled them off the raft and carrie
u them down thousands of feet into til
bottomless part of the lake. At an
-. rate the five people were never see
IN again. nor did their bodies ever CON
80 to the surface The legend is believe
N in implicitly by the Indians, who wou
-, almost as soon be killed as venture c
~ the tabooed part of the lake. Nothin
a. has been seen of the mysterious mo
~ ster in later years.
In reference to keeping up the foo
supply at Dawson Father Tosi says TIL
man with boathook could kill mo
ed salmon IN an nOuT IMAM he couid eat
lis fortnight, and suggests saline
catching in midwinter as an occup
ed ton for those who cannot get 9th
ow work. With two good dogs and 81
tie. the lake iswithin easy reach of Dawso
dis. There would be no trouble about kee
he ing the fish caught on account of t
me high temperature. The Indians a
led counting on selling the Lake Selaw
fish this winter should food bring hi
the prices at Dawson. They are still II
ing to guard their secret, but there a
ed; men at Dawson who know of the la
ard its wonderful peculiarities
lite Seattle (Wash.) Times.
ers
Honest.
Ill %. x-a.. ...a,.Il aall :. n han.