The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-24
ALASKA GOLD FEVER.
TranScOntinental Roads Receiving
Much Inquiry About Rates, Etc.

The transcontinental lines in st. Paul can
hardly be said 10 be fighting for business to
the newly discovered gold fields in the Klon-
dyke region, and although they will scarcely
refuse to sell you transportation if you wish
to go they will not hold out any sensational
inducement to the trave.er who may think
of finding out for himself if the stories of
fabulous finds are really sure enough true
and possible.
At the Northern Pacific passenger depart
ment yesterday the statement was made 1--WE
are collecting all the information we can re-
garding this new country. What Information
we are able to get is for the benefit of our
patrons. We are publishing some literature as
to how this Klondyke section may be reached
how. long it takes to go and how much the
trip costs, but we are not going any further
than that. We are not advising people to go
or stay. We do not feel like influencing them
one way or another, our information is
limited, and therefore necessarily not &C
curate We must have it before can make
statements to the public
The Great Northern people say: There has
been a sudden revival of interest in the
Alaska fields since the recent arrival of the
steamer Portland at Seattle. Surprising
stories are tod of the richness of the placer
deposits Of this district, and the evidence of
truthfulness is shown by the bags of precious
stuff, ranging from $4,000 to $50 900 in pos
session of passengers on the Portland, who
insist that gold is there in unlimited guam
titles.
The water route to the Yukon mines covers
a distance Of 5000 miles. This is an ocean
voyage to ST. Michaers, and then river to
Circle City. The K1ondyke district is about
2C0 miles east of Circle City. The steamer
Portland Will leave Seattle for ST. Michae,'s
Aug. &c. but will not guarantee to get pas
sengers up the river. If there is prospect of
enough business other steamers may start
carrier.
THE other route is via the regular steamers
of the Pacific Coast Steamship company and
are scheduled to leave Seattle as follows:
Steamer Topeka, to Juneau and Sitka, July
49,
Steamer Alki, to Juneau, Sitka and Dyea.
Aug. 2.
Steamer Willamette, to Juneau, Sitka and
Dyea, Aug. 3.
Steamer Queen, Juneau, Sitka and Dyea,
Aug. 7.
Steamer Topeka, to Juneau and Sitka, Aug.
Steamer Alki, to Juneau, sitka and Dyea,
Aug. IT. 90
Steamer Mexico, to Juneau, sitka and
Dyea. Aug. %.
THE O., R. N. system will establish an
Alaska service beginning July 49, when the
steamship George w. Elder will sail from
Portland for all Alaska points as far north
at Dyea.
"Dyea is located at the head of Lynn ca
nal, which gives nearest access to ChiIkoot
pass in the coast range The trip over the
mountains Is by pack train to the lakes. which
empty into the streams leading to the Yukon
and takes couple Of weeks. The trim down
the river is by boat, batteau, which must
be built by the prospector. Those who 90
this way must be prepared to endure hard
unsettled ~ supplies must be carried along.
No one should go without means enough 10
pay expenses during the winter of eight to
nine months. The summer Is hot and short
about three months, when the miner is ex
pected to do his work.