The record-union., 1897-09-06

SEATTLE, Sept. 5.-The following let
ter has been received from Skaguay,
Alaska. dated August 18th:
Sylvester Scovel of the New York
World" landed yesterday morning at
Skaguay by a specially chartered tug
from Juneau with tons of blasting pow
der and the necessary tools to equip
seven complete crews for rock work on
the Skaguay trail, and as fast as horses
and men could set at it it was started
to the sront.
In the evening there was a meeting at
the foot of the first hill, attended by
over 800 sturdy miners, VINO organized
for the work in front of them, and elect
ed an executive committee, consisting
Of James Christie OF Portland, Presi-
dent: Phil Abrams. Secretary: c. A.
Cramer of Seattle, Mr.. HeacOck and Mr..
Day as Suoerintendents. who in turn
selected experienced rock men for the
work on hills and veteran loggers for
the work of corduroying the muddy
places.
There are thirtv Canadian mounted
police also on the trail. and they have
pitched in with as good will as any
miner. and say that the building Of this
trail now will enable them to get in the
seventy tons of provisions in time to
build and provision the mail stations in
their territory. so that they can operate
dog teams all the winter and they agree
to deliver the mail everv two weeks
from the Klondike 10 the American line.
Work is in progress for fifteen miles
along the trail. and all travel and pack
ing has been suspended until II IS COM
pleted.
There have been some kickers. as
usual. but they are SO much in the mi
nority that they have had to submit
While I believe this trail will be COM
plete in ten days, so that travel can
be resumed do not start for this point
eS,Decting to get over for at least thirty
DAYS. as it viii take that long after the
trail is completed to get all the miners
over who are now there There would
never have been so much trouble for
small parties but the swarm Of people,
ninetv-five per cent. of whom were ten
derfeet, and knew nothing about pack
ing and mountaineering, has been the
cause of the congestion at this point.
The first reports about this trail were
inspired by interested parties who are
irving to start town here. and who
are also interested in the whisky bust
ness. Not nearly so many discouraged
-prospectors are selling their outfits for
a song as has been reported, but many
who started for the Klondike have
given up that idea. have turned town
site BUYERS and are erecting all kinds
Of buildings and establishing them
selves for the winter as best they can.
one week ago lumber could be got for
S27 ner thousand Now it is 500, and
none for sale even at that figure. Rub
Der boots. heavy shoes and oil clothing
are in demand and bring big prices.
Hardware of all kinds sell well.
The Alaska Pacific Express COmpa-
ny has made arrangements to open an
office here, and has appointed II. 4. Bat
tin. formerly of Portland, agent.
The steamship Queen of Seattle, and
the Al Ki and Danube of Victoria have
landed over 500 passengers, 800 tons OF
freight and 300 horses and mules since
August 25th, and still there is more to
follow. The Klondike excitement has
turned the attention of the whole world
this way. and will result in opening up
this territory as nothing else would
have done.
on board the steamship Queen on this
trip are two parties one organized IN
Chicago, consisting of four gentlemen
comprising a doctor, lawyer. commiss-
ion merchant and assayer, all under the
guidance Of Z. L. Bates, who has spent
the last eight years in Alaska, as trap
per. hunter and guide. They will stay
along the coast in the Alexandrian arch
fpelago this winter and in the spring
will thoroughly prospect the Copper
River country. The other party is
headed by E. H. Fisher of Los Angeles,
cal. and will push into the Copper River
country this winter.
7 NJ HAGERTY