The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-12-17
ALGER'S PLANS
For Taking Relief to the
Yukon Miners
PROMPT ACTION NECESSARY
IF REPORTS BROUGHT DOWN ARE
TRUE
A Thousand Cold and Hungry Men
Now on the Trail for Fort
Yukon

convince the senate committee Of the
merit Of the proposition he had framed
and the committee reported It later to
the senate and 1t was passed.
The secretary, in anticipation OF i'm
mediate action by congress, has begun
to prepare his plans for carrying out the
intent of the bill To this end this after
noon he sent q telegram to the COM
manding general of the department Of
the Columbia at Vancouver barracks,
Washington. directing him to send two
or three competent officers of the army
to Dyea and vicinity to reconnoiter and
report to the department how supplies
can best be gotten across the passes to
Dawson.
They are to report especially whether
cattle can be driven on foot across the
passes. and II SO. which Is the easiest
pass to cross, and If not possible to get
them all the way through, whether they
can be driven part Of the way and their
carcasses cut up and carried the re-
mainder.
THE RUSH FOR DAWSON
VICTORIA, B. c.. Dec. 16.-W. Kast-
ner and Geo. McLachlan, who left Daw-
son City on November Sd. arrived at
Victoria this morning on the steamer
Corona.
They bring news that 800 men have &C.
cepted the offer Of the Alaska CONNER
cial company and the Canadian govern
ment to supply them with food free at
Fort Yukon and have gone for 1t. About
thirty men were passed on the trails
coming out. All were short Of pro-
visions and suffering severely from the
cold, which ranged from so to 10 degrees
below zero. Major Walsh, administrator
Of the Yukon, was found encamped at
Big Salmon. awaiting relief from Skag-
uay. He had lost two boats and much
Of his provisions. The remaining por-
tions were spoiled and unless relief ar
rives soon he will be without food. Kast-
ner says he cannot reach Dawson this
winter. One Of his party, Freeman, was
drowned on Thanksgiving day. Two Of
the party Of five who left Dawson short
ly before Kastner are in bad predica-
ment. They have been separated from
their companions and are without food.
Kastner says people will starve In Daw-
son this winter, as there Is not enough
food. About 1000 are talking Of coming
out on the first ice. Kastner and Nc.
Lachlan had rough time coming out.
They started with four sleds, but had
to discard these and all unnecessary lug
gage. For four days before reaching
Little Pelly they were on short rations
and all the way had to sleep in the open
before fire. The weather was cold all
the time. The police are now stopping all
men going in, as 1t Is next to impossible
to make the trip.
The Corona has on board United
States marshal and a number Of pris-
oners for San Quentin, including Slim
Birch, acquitted on the charge OF MUIR
dering Deputy Marshal Watts, who at
tempted his arrest, but sentenced to
three years for the crime Of mayhem.
One Indian Is sentenced for life for
murder, another seven years, also for
murder, and four white men, sentenced
for misdemeanors.
BUILDING VESSELS
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 1e.-Three
Yukon river steamers and several
barges, ordered by the Alaska explora-
ton committee, will be constructed in
this city, Men were employed to pre-
pare the vacant lots on Spear street, just
north of the Sailors home, for ship
yard, where the steamers and barges
will be built. The Alaska Commercial
company has decided to build in this
city four new steamers for the Yukon.
The Union Iron works are now building
an ocean steamer of 1900 tons for this
company, and a vessel Of similar size
for the Pacific Coast Steamship COM
pany.
STILL COMING
TACOMA, Dec. 16.-The steamship
Alki sailed tonight for Skaguay with
a full cargo and $50 passengers Among
those on board is Mrs. s. A. Xix of San
Bernardino, a member Of the first white
family that went to California. She is
bound for the Klondike country and will
60 over the mountains as soon as the
trails are passable.
A NEW ROUTE
SEATTLE, Dec. 16.-The steam
schooner Augusta arrived tonight from
Copper river after very stormy voy-
age. George j. Rennick, who came
down on her, claims to have discovered
new route to the Yukon, the location
of which he will not disclose. He says
that with the exception of thirty miles
overland, he can go all the way by
water. Rennick has several claims In
the Copper river country, and he will
take back forty miners with him,
TELEGRAPH EXTENSION
NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-After a meet
ing of the directors Of the Postal Tele-
graph Gable Company, Vice. President
Baker said: 1--WE are going to spend
million dollars in reaching out into new
territory. We intend to extend our lines
in the West to Ogden and Salt Lake, thus
giving us an entrance into the States Of
Utah, Wyoming. Montana and Idaho.
Moreover, the chances are that we shall
sooner or later have lines to the Klon-
dixie. understand that our Canadian
company is getting ready to equip line
to Dawson and that 1t is only question
Of time till It will be In operation
ORDERS FOR GOODS
SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 1s.-whether
this city secures the bulk Of the Alaska
trade or not, II II already evident that
the Klondike excitennsnt will greatly