The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-12-30
KLONDIKE RELIEF.
War Department Taking steps to
Spend the 100000.

Washington, Dec. 22.-Capt. Brainerd
of the subsistence department of the
army arrived in Washington this morn
ing, and although Secretary Alger is con-
fined to his home by severe cold he sent
Immediately for the officer and had a con-
ference with him respecting the execu-
ton of his plan for the relief of the
miners in the Yukon country. Responses
are coming in to the secretarys inquiry
as to the amount of condensed food prep
arations that can be had at short notice.
Generally they indicate that an ample
supply can be had at reasonable rates if
contracts are made at once.
Gen. Merriam, commanding the de-
,partment of the Columbia, who has been
enlarged by Secretary Alger with the Sc
lection of the military guard to be sent
out with the relief expeditions, has tele-
graphed the secretary that he has select
ed Maj. l.. ii. Rucker, Fourth cavalry to
proceed to Alaska and make a rccOnnOs-
sance OF the passes leading from the head
of the Lynn canal. He reports that the
officer, who has already started from
Fort Walla Walla, Wash, by his expert
ence as quartermaster and a cavalry
man, rs well fitted for the duty, and also
as physically able to endure the hard
ships ahead of him.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts has
brought to the attention of the war de.
partmcnt officials the claims of the Bos.
ton Transportation company. In this re-
port President Hunbert asserts the COM
pany is in n position to feed large num-
bers, inasmuch as it has just received
news OF the delivery by its agents at Fort
-Selklrk, on the Yukon river, of 100000
pounds of food. This point is above
Dawson, and the supplies, it is said. can
be gotten down easily with the first
breaking of the ice next spring, even if
IL be found necessary to attempt their
delivery overland
Nothing has been heard from NJ. Kel-
mann, the reindeer herder now in Lap
land, III answer to the direction of See
Tetary Alger respecting the selection of
wv reindeer for transportation to Alaska.
DR.. Jackson has been appointed n special
agent and ordered to proceed with ali dill
lgence to lapland to buy animals and
arrange for their shipment to the United
States. '''
Capt Brainerd left Washington this
evening for Chicago by direction of the
department to confer with the manufac-
tnrers there of condensed food prepare
mons with a view to getting Il supply for
me expedition. He will go thence to
meet zen. Merriam at Vancouver bar
racks; The captain has been placed in
Inil charge of all supplies and their pur-
chase and packing. He will 20 witt, the
Irst expedition TO Alaska, and thence
through to Dawson, where he is under
2rders TO meet and confer with Cant,
gay Say, VINO has not been heard from since
september, when he was at Circle (jity
pursuing the inquiry into the condition of
things in the mining country, WITH which
ne mad been charged by Secretary Alrer
1ieht. ID. Is. Devore, military Secretary
10 the secretary of war, has been ordered
10 accompany DR.. Jackson to Lapland
as. as disbnrsinng officer of the party. and
dney VIII sail on the Lucania next Satur-
'9 Gfyr;l i9r Liverpool, proceeding thence TO
- I;r y , Norway, and to Alien, where
gathered. Lieut.. Devore is autbor;1ed
70 charter a vessel for the transnorta t tiou
OF nerd Of 600 to the United States IL
found necessary to do SO. -'"'e' Il