davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1897-08-15

experiences to ours, and some of them
were more discouraged by far for we
had never given up hope of striking
something. In spite of the disappoint-
ments there was plenty of fun there.
BONANZA CREEK
while we were there at Forty Mile
the discovery of large deposits of
gold on Bonanza creek was made and the
news spread rapidly as all such news
seems to in that country. We at once
started for that creek and staked several
claims. These we did not work much
for the reason that our supplies were
again getting rather low and we had to
go back to the Yukon for more grub.
Perhaps little explanation of the
geogra ply of the country would serve
to explain the situation. Bonanza creek
is a tributary of the Klondyke river
At the mouth of the Klondyke is Dawson
City. Bonanza creek emptes into the
klondyke a short distance above Daw-
son City. In order to reach Dawson from
where our first claim lay we had to come
down Bonanza creek to the Klondyke
and thence to its mouth.
RICH PAY DIRT FOUND
When We were en- route to Dawson
for supplies we camped one night at the
mouth of small stream now known as
Eldorado creek, which empties into Bo-
nanza creek not far from it's mouth
Little did we think when we pitched our
camp there how near we were to for
tune. While the others were getting sup
plies Keller and 1 went up the creek
prospecting. What we found surprised
us, for we saw the most promising signs.
of gold that we had yet seen. The sur
face prospects were such that we were
amazed and delighted. We did not have
to work long before we found enough
to show us that right there we could
work and secure a return which we had
not expected. We at once went back to
camp and told the others, who at first
would not believe what we said. We.
must have partially convinced them,
however, for they agreed to go with us
and see for themselves, and that settled
it. We all knew that we had something
better than Bonanza creek offered and
we determined to hold it. After carefully
The herald., 1897-08-15

gratified. The trip down the Lewis to
the Yukon at the site of old Fort Selkirk,
and thence past Stewart river, Dawson,
the Klondyke river, Fort Reliance, Six
ty-Mile post to Forty-Mile post, our OBJ
jective point, was made without incident
of a startling nature.
Il know now that on that journey we
passed over untold millions of gold hid
den away in the bed of the rivers and
creeks. Part of it we returned up the
river to secure, but that is another part
of the story"
The herald., 1897-08-15

I had been accustomed for years to the
almost perpetual sunshine of Southern
California. I was not in the least dis
couraged and I enjoyed the new expe-
rience.
"At Juneau we bought the balance Of
our supplies. You might ask how did
we know what was needed. We did not
know except in general way, but we
depended upon the men who make
business of furnishing supplies. 1t was
The herald., 1897-08-15

ments, in response to a request for a
recital of his adventures, but I feel
that, having been there, owe it to thou
sands of persons who intend going as
soon as they can to give them as great
benefit from my experience as possible.
Right here let me say with all possible
emphasis that do not advise any man
TO go to Alaska. Neither do I advise
him not to go. While it is true that /
have been successful, it is equally Nue
The herald., 1897-08-15

larger force than was there when
left. What could handful of mounted
police, however well disciplined, do
against twenty times their number Of
determined, well-armed miners? No
one IS more ready or willing to assist in
the preservation Of order there than the
miners themselves but when 1t comes to
reducing the size of their holdings there
may be clash. Think what it means
to them. On Ell Dorado creek 1t IL esti-
The herald., 1897-08-15

that all of the persons VINO are now go
ing there will not be successful. 1would
not for the world be responsible for any
PERSONS going there and making fall
ure. Under no consideration would !
have my friends make the trip fail per-
haps, and then return to say to me, Y ou
advised me to CO. If any person can be
benefited by what 1 am about to tell
you in relating my experience, they are
The herald., 1897-08-15

from place to place prospecting? I
would not care to be the one to advise
any man to try it. The Klondyke coun-
try is even now filling up with mex
perienced men who know nothing of
boating or camping. but who
have been raised without hard work.
MANNER OF LIVING
Everything considered, we managed
to make ourselves fairly comfortable in
the winter time. We built huts of rough
The herald., 1897-08-15

been wrecked here. Lake Marsh, twenty
miles in length, is the next large body of
water. For twenty-six miles the river
is what might be called smooth, with an
eight-mile current, which gradually in
creases. Here and there are rapids, the
roar of whicb keeps one thinking at al!
times of the canyon to which we knew
we were coming.
TERRIBLE GRAND CANYON
Again find myself at a loss Tor words
to adequately describe what 1 saw at
the Grand canyon. AS l said, we were
constantly reminded of our approach
to the canyon by the rush of the rapids,
but when the canyon was nearly
reached we found at eafe distance
above it that some friend of all who pass
that way had erected on the right bank
of the river the sign: Danger. Stop"
It was WE'LL indeed, that we did stop, or
I would not now be telling you about it.
The canyon is about three quarters of
a mile in length ,and the sides rise per-
pendicularly from so to 200 feet. Above,
the river is $50 yards wide, and all of
the water it contains is crowded,into this
rocky passage, which is not more than
twenty yards wide, or say two-thirds
the width of Spring street. The roar
of the water as it plunges through this
place is like a continual roll of thunder,
and the speed of the current is come
thing frightful. Such is the force with
which the water is dashed through that
| it is crowded up to crest or comb IN
the center, which is fully four feet higher
than where it strikes the walls. To
shoot this canyon a boat must be kept
on this crest, which can be done with
comparative ease, provided the steers
man does not lose his head, but it takes
a cool head, and more nerve than many
persons possess to make the trip. To
those who enter it trusting to luck to
take them through, it is a veritable
death trap. If once boat gets off that
crest there is no hope for it, for 1t will be
dashed against the sides with such force
as to splinter it. Some idea of the rapid :
ity of the current may be had when l tell
YOU that our boat went the entire dis
tance, three quarters of mile, in two
and one-half minutes. There is' a port
age of a mile and half around this
place if it is desired to avoid the danger
that way.
SAW FOUR MEN DROWN
Just ahead of US, when we got there
was party of four young men in boa
of their own construction. How Ions
they had been there I do not know, no
did 1 learn their names. Their Graf
; started through the canyon all right
: and they gave a yell or a cheer. Thei
steersman must have lost control of tn
, boat, for they had gone but short die
The herald., 1897-08-15
THIRTEEN LIVES LOST

Grand canyon and White Horse rap
ids, which are two miles below the can
yon, had caused thirteen deaths that
lseason. The rapids are more dangerous
of passage than the canyon, if there
could be any greater danger, because
they are filed with huge rocks and
powders. Up to the time 1 left the
camp reports had come in of the drown
ing of thirteen men at different times at
one place or the other do not vouch
for the truth of this report, but having
seen both places, I am not inclined to
discredit it.
Lake Labarge is thirtvtwo miles be-
low White Horse rapids, and is thirty
four miles in length. 1t is drained by the
Lewis river, which is the principal tribu-
tary of the Yukon. From there to Forty
Mile post is 472 miles of comparatively
smooth sailing and rowing. There is
only one point which looks very danger
Gus and that is at Five Fingers. There,
at the head of short series Of rapids.
are five huge masses Of rock rising out
of the water. The water runs swiftly
between these and the passage on the
right being the deepest, is usually
taken. There is really no danger at the
place, which is 2S4 miles above Forty
Mile post.
II will not attempt to describe the
scenery, which is very picturesque. the
river being studded with hundreds of
islands. 1t has been my purpose in de-
scribing the trip to point out some few
of the dangers, and, to use popular ex-
preston, there are others I do not
take a pessimistic view of the matter,
but if by telling this can keep some
headstrong persons from rushing into
that country by that route without prop
er equipment or experience, I will be
The herald., 1897-08-15
TERRIBLE cH1LKooT PASS

after waiting two weeks for favor
able opportunity to cross, we finally be-
gan the effort. To drag our supplies up
the pass on sleds with dogelas the motive
power was out of the question, so we
rugged up a block and tackle and in lots
of about 100 pounds at time we lifted
our freight from shelf to shelf, only to
repeat the operation until we reached
the summit The mere description of
the manner of working conveys little
idea of what it really was. What chance
would, party of store clerks, bookkeep-
ers or other men who seldom use their
muscles for hard work have here? 1t
is true they might secure Indian packers
to carry their goods at a cost of $14 per
100 pounds. That was the charge then,
but with the rush that is now on the
The herald., 1897-08-15

tance when we saw their boat leave the
crest and dash against the stone sides.
1t was all over in less time than it takes
to tell it, for the boat instantly turned
over and disappeared with all aboard.
There is an undercurrent which boils
and rolls from side to side, and we sup
posed they were caught in that, for we
never saw a sign of their outfit after
The herald., 1897-08-15
FIRST VIEW OF ALASKA

II do not remember the exact date up
on which We landed at Juneau, but l
shall never forget my first impressions
of Alaska. They were anything but
favorable. I hardly know what I had
expected to see, but what I did see was
what seemed to me to be typical from
tier town which did not seem to be a
part of this continent. Strange faces,
strange costumes, strange dialect, and
worst of all to me, strange climate, for
The herald., 1897-08-15

welcome to it, but let it be understood
that what l say is not to be taken az
advice to make the trip. There is gold
there-tons of gold-but too much has
been said and written about 1t, and much
too little about the hardships and peri;S
to be encountered. First l will tell you
about the trip itself and then as to the
manner of living there, and then If you
desire I will give few pointers which
may be of value.
START FOR THE GOLD FIELDS
Ever since I was boy had wanted
to penetrate the wilds Of the continent
where few white men had been. The
frontier ALWAYS had fascination for ple
ing my fourteen years of rairoading I
had saved quite a considerable sum Of
money, and when the first reports of the
rich finds in the Alaska rivers were pub
lished, three or four years ago, l want
ed to go there, but for some reason did
not do so. OF course 1 had talked over
the matter with my friends, and several
of them were as anxious to go as was.
When l did make up my mind it was
in hurry. I came off my run on the
road on train No. 10 at II a. m. on, the
18th of March, 1896, and learned tha.
several Of my friends were going to start
that day. 1 determined to join them
and SO, saying goodby to- my family
I Joined the party, and at S:15 p. m. or
the same day left for San Francisco
My companions were Frank Keller
brakeman, William Houser, conductor,
both of the Southern Pacific, Charles
Lamb, John Doty, both of the Los An
geles street car service, and Mr. Mar.
cross. We made no preparation what
ever here in Los Angeles. At Fresno
Clarence Berry Joined us. We did not
stay long in Frisco, but went at once
to Seattle by rail. There we purchased
part of our outfit After waiting four
days for a steamer, we sailed March &c
on the steamer City of Topeka for Ju-
Ineau.
The herald., 1897-08-15

just as cheap to make the purchases
there as to have bought what we needed
on the sound and paid freight on 1t to
Juneau. Taking small steamer, the
Sea Lion, we embarked for Dyea. The
native way of spelling it is Taiya. This
town is 100 miles north of Juneau at the
head of Chilkoot inlet. There was snow
everywhere and the country looked any
thing but inviting. The journey inland
begins at Dyea, which is the end Of civil
izaton. and the last point of communi-
cation with the outside world. Guides.
dog sleds, etc. are easily obtainable and
we left Dyea with our supplies on sleds
soon after reaching there. 1t is possible
to take canoes up the Dyea river for six
or seven miles, but as that would neces-
state another handling of the freight
we made the trip to the Chilkoot canyon
with dog sleds. The terrible Chilkoot
pass is only fourteen miles from Dyea
and across it to the head of Lake Linde-
man in the Yukon watershed is only
twenty three and a half miles. l wish
I could properly describe the place so as
to give you some idea of its terrors, but
no man who has never crossed it can
form any idea of what it is from what
might be written of it. The trail leads
from the canyon up the rugged sides of
the mountain along a timbered shelf
overlooking the canyon and the river un-
til Sheep Camp is reached. This is prac-
tically the timber line, and although the
ascent before that is most difficult, here
begins the real work of crossing the
mountains. A violent storm was rag
ing when we arrived there and we had to
wait two weeks before we could proceed.
The drifted snow was treacherous and
we frequently heard the roar of an ava
launche at some more distant point in the
mountains. In places the wind swept
the rocks clear of all snow, depositing ii
in drifts at other places until it was al
most bottomless.
The herald., 1897-08-15

claims some, but it was not until we got
ready to live comfortably that we be-
gan the work in earnest. We. knew we
had to stay there all winter so we fixed
our quarters the best we could.
Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-06-19
Absolutely Pure.

try, is grass. AS stated before there ia
not single blade of grass on the grounds,
whereas the place ought to be entirely
covered with grass excepting the roads.
This would involve better water system
than is at present in use, which consists
of single three inch main connecting
with the water compsny's big main at
the foot of johnson street. This supplies
water only for domestic use, for which
the government pays the water company
$50 year. A lawn to cover the entire area
could be made at very slight expense,
and it ought to be done. Superintend-
ent Joseph takes as much pride In the
place as though he owned the grounds
which he is trying 30 hard to beautify.
OF course he is an old soldier, else he
would not love the place.
He served az soldier from 1856 to the
close of the war of the rebellion, and then
went to llve at Raleigh, N. G. His ceme-
terry service dates from 1891, when he was
appointed assistant superintendent of
the Arlington National cemetery at Wash
iagton. From this point he was trans
ferrea to the government cemetery at
Firms Point, N. j. Here he made an ex-
cellent record, and in 1895 he was sent to
Santa Fe, where he has since remained.
Mr. Joseph is highly esteemed by the
people of Santa Fe, for his faithful SER
vice in improving place in which every
resident of the city takes oommendable
degree of pride.
Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-06-19
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
Japan Protests Against the Dingley
Tariff Bill-Several Diplomatic
Plnms Given Out by the
President.
CUBAN POLICY NOT FULLY DETERMINED
Civil Service Hearings Resumed
Floor Mattings Placed on the
Free List,

Washington, June 19.-The senate civi
service committee resumed its hearing
today. letter was read from Mr.. Will
lam B. Prescott, president of the Inter
national Typographical union, in which
he stated that the Typographical unior
was not friendly to the application of the
civil service rules to the government
printing Office, as had been represented
A joint letter was read from three audi
tors of the treasury department, Young
blood, Tlmme and Andrews, urging an
amendment to the law permitting audi
tors to select their own private secreta
ries.
FIRST BLOOD FOB THE FREE TRADERS.
The senate agreed, by yea and nay
vote today, to strike out the paragraph in
regard to floor mating, the vote being 25
yeas, % nays.
The effect is to put floor mating on
the free list and is the first important
victory gained by the opposition to the
tariff bill.
JAPAN LIKES NOT THE PENDING TARIFF
BILL.
The protest made by the Japanese
government against the pending tariff bill
is formally embodied in a note from
Minister Toru Hoshi under date of June
3. The protest is couched in the most
courteous language, but the 6rmness of
the tone indicates that the remonstrance
may be followed by acts at retaliation if
it is disregardsd. Articles of Japanese
production that will be most seriously
affected, says the protest, are light weight
silks, silk hsndkerohiefs, msttings, hemp
and jute rugs, carpets and tea.
NOTHING FINAL AS YET AS TO MoKINLEY's
CUBAN POLICY.
Il can be stated on the best of authority
that all publications purporting to out
line the Cuban policy of President Nc
KinleY up to the present time, have been
made disregsrding the fact that the case
of the United States government has not
been made up. and even in the discussions
on the subject of our relations to Cuba
in cabinet circles, the point has not yet
been reached where it could be said that
the executive had finally determined up
ON any certain plan of action. An author
itative denial is given of statement
cabled to London that General Woodford,
the newly appointed minister to Spain,
has been instructed to intimate to the
Spanish authorities that it Spain refused
to grant freedom to Cuba, she must be
prepared to yield to foace.
ToDAY's NOMINATIONS.
The president today sent the following
nominations to the senate: Ohas. l.. Cole
Of Pennsylvania, consul-general at Dres-
den, Saxony; Geo. F. Lincoln Of Con-
nectiout, consul at Antwerp, Belgium;
Walter Scumman Of New York, consul at
Mayence, Germany; Charles E. Turner of
Connecticut, oonsul-general at Ottawa,
Canada; Hector DeOastro of New York.
consul-general at Rome, Italy; Hilary 3.
Burnett Of Pennsylvania, consul at st,
Etienne, France.
Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-06-19

A. Tessier has paid VIM. Fraser abou
alley and l6 feet on Railroad avenue. Thit
is part of Fraser's purchase of four year,
ago-50x142 Qess 80 feet on Railroad
avenue and 40 depth, occupied here by
Parenti and Frioli) for which he pait
| $4,000, a dear transaction, admitting
that a two-story building, Ga feet or
Railroad avenue and so on First, stood
on the lot besides one-story brick 30x5C
and cheap frame. One story bricks will
be built opon the lots west of the Metro
politan, at once.
Frank Meredith and A. s. Sweetland
have been mentioned for marshal, vice
Fornoff resigned. The story is prema-
ture, as it is not likely the gentlemen will
go on record as taking pittance for pay.
After July ii looks as if Captain Tyler
and Frank Rossl the "deteo," will be ex-
pected to guard the best interests of the
city; or it may be that the city will take
care of itself-with the aid of the coun-
cilnen.
Postmaster Grunsfeld takes the last
infiiction with great fortItude, notwith-
standing the outlay of $1,000 in the case
Of Metz VS.. Grunsfeld, made on the charge
of dog bite. The $4,000 damage suit of
Ostrander Va. Grunsfeld is on the same
lines, and the end is not. Verify, the post
master has had surfeit of court ac-
quaintanoe already.
Mrs. j. q. Albright said to your CORE
spondent today that her daughter, Claude,
would be home in a few days. The young
lady has made marked improvement in
her musical studios during the past three
years spent in gay Paris.
Eisemanns are shipping fleece to east
ern markets. From reliable source it
is learned that the Eisemanns paid IL
cents for about $4,000 pounds of wool to
be delivered by Dunbar McGilivray.
There will not be any Fourth of July
celebration here, and everybody is ex-
pected to go to San Marcial or Flagstaff
on that day, where they have arranged
elaborately.
Miss Ada Philbrick's kindergarten class
es, comprising children of prominent
families, gave Cinderella, etc., tonight to
a fair house. Miss P. has made pro-
nouuced success in conducting a school.
Prof. Fenaar has gone west to bill the
Mozart Opera 90.
The Ilfelds secured 1000 pounds of
wool today.
DR.. EIigio Osuna will soon leave for
Monterey, Mexico, where he will take unto
himself fair bride.
The wedding of Patrick j. Murphy to
Lula Mayo Browne will take place at the
Catholic church, 8 a. NJ, June 81.
Judge Collier has been instructed to
appoint U. s. commissioners June 30 to
succeed W. F. Kuchenbecker, M. P. Hayes
and s. Burkhart in his judicial district.
G. w. P.
Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-06-19
MARKET REPORTS.

New York, June 10. Money on call
nominally at q N per cent; prime
mercantile paper, SO per cent. Sill
yer, 50; lead, $8.10; copper, 101s,
st. Louis. .-Speiter firm, S4D5; lead
quiet not quoted.
Ohicago.-Wheat, June, 6955s July, 6855s
Corn, June, 24A; July, 251ss; Oats, June,
IS; July, 1875 q a.
Chicago o.-Cattle, receipts, 200; dull,
nominally unchanged. Sheep receipts,
1000; natives, 1925 @ $3.50; westerns,
1926 q $4.10; lambs, 1925 a $5.40.
Kansas Oity.-Oattle, receipts, 100;
market steady unchanged, only retail
trade. Sheep, receipts, 500; market
steady; lambs, $500 @ $500; muttons,
$500 q $4.OO.
Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-06-19
VIOLENT TORNADO.
Grain Elevators Destroyed and Great
Damage D0Qe-NO Loss Of Life
Reported.

Larned, Kas., June l9. "A tornado
swept through the northwest part of this
county this morning. Roselle village, 10
miles west Of here, was almost completely
wiped out of existence, two grain eleva-
tors and every house being swept away.
mile north of Roselle, the farm house
of Ed Ohristisn was unroofed and one
side blown in. Three miles northeast of
this place barns and outhouses we're de-
molished. At Burdette not building in
town escaped uninjured, while many
houses we're completely demolished.
James Christian, farmer, had one foot
badly crushed. Ray Bindley was seri-
ously injured by boards flying from de-.
molished house. Near Jetmore the storm
did considerable damage to buildings and
cfop3.