The times., 1897-09-08
STARVATION THEIR FATE
Thousands in the Alaska Passes
Threatened With Death.
WARNING FROM AN OFFICIAL
Secretary Gage Receives Letter
Describing the Mad Rush for the
ish at skaguay and Chiicoot-De-
partment Urged to stop the Rush.

Secretary Gage has received a letter from
an official whose responsibility Is unques-
toned, concerning the condition of the
Klondike region and the great suffering
that is sure to come. The letter read as
follows:
''Dyea, Aug. %, 1897,
II dee it my duty to write you on
subject that does not come strictly within
my line OF duty, and ii trenches somewhat
upon the functions of the Treasury De-
parument / have had long talk with
MIR. Ivey, collector OF customs for Alaska,
VINO is at present at Skaguay three miles
below here. The Skaguay trail is the
| most largely used overland route Though
by no means the best) to the Klondike.
Mr.. Ivey informs me that there are now
between tide water and the lake some
hing like 1000 people and about 1900
horses.
- he commander of one of the vessels
now at skaglay states that sixteen yes-
sells are chartered to land cargoes at that
pace between now and the 18th of Sep
.enller, ana THAT the number Of passengers
! VIII average 200 to each vessel, making
3.20O more people WHO win attempt To go
in this fail. l have talked with some Of
thu most experienced traders and miners In
ti.is vicinity, and they are unanimous in the
prediction that not over 20 per cent ui
tins vast number viii get through To Daw
son before winter sets in. The other so
per cent Will be Caught on tne tran, ahu
those who survive and get back TO tide
wafer viii have To winter at Skaguay or
return south. II the rush continues two
weeks longer hundreds viii inevitably
perish on he trail, which is extremely
dangerous after the lst of October
The postmaster and Indian trader at
this place (Mr. Heron) states that more
than 900 men have gone up the Chilcoot
Pass curing the past thirty days, and that
100 oI them are still this side Of the
lake (tw wenty- four miles from herel. Yes
sells are arriving every day or two, and
at tie present rate OF influx another thou
sand VIII enter the trail by September 10.
Mr. Heron : % the opinion that not more
than twenty out OF a hundred Will get
through, rad he says this traD is far
more dangerous than the Skaguay after
the snow s set in.
He says II the ri4sh continues another
week the resultant loss of life will be
appalling. / attach the greatest weight
to what he says, for tile reason that II Is
10 his pecuuia ry interest to have as many
as possible come this way yet he advises
an immediate stoppage of the stampede
II is difficult to suggest way to stop
this iLfusn OF people, but Mr.. Iyey inti-
mates that If the inspection rules oil the
Treasury Department were properly en-
for2ee 1t would materially decrease the
number OF passengers on the incoming yes
sells
Nearly every vessel that arrives here
brings twice IS many passengers az the Law
allows IL 10 carry, and many OF them ara
condemned craft which have been fitted
up for tids trade.
"Mr Ivey viii no doubt at once present
the facts outlined above TO the proper au-
thoriiies, and | merely give them 10 you
for ycur information. The situation is
appalling, and it is impossible for me
adequately to describe the mad rush for
the gold fields. / had no conception of
its tmniensity until l saw
Il have talked with several men who
have recently arrived here from the KIon-
dixie, two OF whom left there less than
thirty days ago. They unanimously agree
that, while there is a rich gold field there.
the facts DO not justify the present stanf-
pede, and they say there is bound to be
much suffering and actual starvation.
Provisions arc already scarce, and the
prices OF many articles absolutely pro
hibitory il the case of a man of ordinary
means.
My usual good luck has attended me
here. Mr.. Heron, the postmaster, S an old
Montana friend. and he has made i t pos
sible for me to 20 forward by Indian car
riers at the prevailing rate-37 cents per
pocnd taking precedence over hundreds,
many Of who III have been here two or three
weeks, awaiting their turn. He assures
ne lie can make the W ay easy for me t the
lake, in securing II bo AT, etc. So l feel
comfortably sure Of going right through
The mail facilities are very bad here,
as tile PoStoffice Department has not made
any allow ance for the rapid growth of
postal business. The postal authorities here
are pow erless to cope with the mass OF
mall matter, and / have doubts as to
whether this letter will reach its destina-
ton. / am forced TO close this letter to
catch a 10 at W hichi S about To leave and
/ am leaving unsaid some things which |
shall have to include in nay next letter.
Secretary Gage said he did not care to
make public the officials name bnt that
lie knew him to be thoroughly reliable
man, ard the Secretary believes the repre-
sentatiops in the letter are true. He said
he intended to do all that he possibly
could 70 lessen the suffering that is inevi-
table. de will probably find some law to
warrant him IN preventing the overcrowd
ing Of steamers and will also endeavor tn
ascertain If way can be provided which
will facilitate the transportation OF food to
those who Will need 1t. J