The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-14
LATE ALASKA INFORMATION.
Circulars to BE Issued by the Great
Northern.


The Great Northern people have made the
latest Alaska information the subject of a
circular which will be sent out in a day or
two to their agents throughout the East. 1t
comes from their general Western agent at
Seattle, and contains interesting gossip about
the different routes, existing conditions, etc.
as related by men who have been on the
ground. Mr.. Stevens, the Western repre-
sentative Of the Great Northern, says:
We are constantly receiving letters asking
the condition or the various trails in Alaska,
and we have obtained the following informa-
ton from gentlemen who are connected with
the various enterprises named, or who have
recently been over the trails and are thor
oughly familiar with the situation. A gen
tleman just returned from Alaska states that
all trails are practically closed now, though
several parties with more courage than dis
erection are still trying or will attempt to
cross them. The trails will undoubtedly be
crossed every month this winter by persons
in hurry to get rich. Several of these have
come TO grief already. 1t is certain that un-
less the winter is an unusually open one,
very few will be able to get in over either
pass during the next two months, even with
light outfit, and then only by taking grave
risks"
Stickeen River Trail-No work has been
done on this trail since summer, and
various parties who went to Wrangel in Sep
TENDER are waiting for the river to freeze
and the snow to settle before attempting to
go in. John II. Hudgin says that Nov.
there was large camp of men at Telegraph
creek, who went UP the river before navlga-
tion closed, and they expected to have to
wait until February before they could get
any farther. William Moore, who has been
in this part of Alaska for thirty years, says
that it will be useless to attempt to go In
over this trail before February and further
says: THE present proposed trail is entirely
impracticable for a winter trail, as it is too
far from the inland waters, and 1t never can
be made popular, profitable or reliable route
that account"
skaguay Trail-speaking of this trail,
David Sampson, treasurer Of the Skaguay d.
Yukon Transportation &c Improvement Com
pany. says: 1--WE have about hundred men
working on a wagon road from Skaguay to
Summit lake, distance of twenty-slx miles
1t will be fourteen feet wide, covered with
gravel and when completed we expect to
keep 1t open the year round. We have about
five miles of it graded, and hope to complete
the whole by March l. There will be four
steel bridges, and several smaller wooden
ones. The company will charge two cents: a
pound for all freight hauled over this road
The town of ,Skaguay now has. popula-
ton of {, 200. They have a substantial dock,
over 1 900 wooden houses, including six ho-
tells fifteen restaurants, thirteen general mer-
chandise stores, etc. The company repre-
scented by Mr.. Sampson is erecting hotel
to accommodate $50 guests. 1t will probably
be opened about Feb. l. No steps have been
taken thus far to improve the remaining SIX
teen miles from Summit lake to Lake Bennett.
Mr.. Sampson advises all people to keep away
from there now and not attempt to get
across before Jan Is or Feb. 1 at the earliest.
The Dyea Trail-A gentleman just returned
from Dyea says: "Dyea is now town of
from !, 200 to 1,5O0 people, with stores hotels,
residences and all of those things necessary
to make up town Of that size. Every
trade and pursuit is represented there, and
the inhabitants are literally gathered from
the four corners of the earth. wharf is
under construction, and will be pushed to
completion at the very earliest date. Daylight
lasts about seven hours, but the sun is seen
Iacc four hours account or the QlSn
mountains surrounding the town."
Two tramways are in process of construc-
ton from Dyea to Lake Lindermann-2l miles.
There will also be another short one over the
summit One of the long tramways will prob
ably be finished about Feb; l, and the other
about April 10. The two through lines can
handle about $50 tons a day. and the snort
one over the summit about 20 tons. Neither
of the companies is ready to name the rate
that will be charged for handling freight. All
advices from there are to the effect that 1t
would be foolish for any one to attempt to
start for the interior now over this trail.
The Dalton Trail.-This trail, like all
Others is closed now The ,. last party winch itta
came near perishing, although conducted by
Mr. Dalton himself 1t probably Will not be
used to any great extent in the future any
more than it has in the past, except for TAX
ing cattle into the interior during the sum
mer months.
Copper River and Cooks Inlet-Mr. Clair
borne general agent Of the Pacific Steam
Whaling company, says that they could not
land passengers any nearer than Portage bay.
tributary of Prince Williams sound, and
any one going up there now would un 6slh
ing further. Their advice would be to wait
three months at least before starting:
The Yukon river is closed and will be un-
til June l. No boats are running even to ST.
In conclusion If advice is asked, caution
all people from starting before Feb; 1, and
save them the expense of living out here un,
and al
If suffering and disappointment while moth
ing will be gained. There will be an ample
supply of outfits for all and commodious &C
commodations on the vessels from this port