Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-07
Difficulties Which Prospectors for
Gold Must Prepare For.
STORY OF TIE GOVERNMENT EXPERTS
Energy, Cash and Physical Endur-
ance Among the Requisites.
THE EXTEN SIVE AREA

There is one thing which has been def
nitely settled in regard to the Klondike.
and that is the way the name is to be
spelled hereafter. 1t was decided by the
geological survey, Friday afternoon, that
an 'i was to be used instead of 'y." Ge-
ologist Spur. who has been there several
times. spells it this way in his report, and
the survey sets the pace in this respect.
While this may appear a trivial matter,
1t is not, so far as the public is concerned.
Everything that pertains to Alaska, the
Yukon and Klondike regions at the present
time is regarded with the greatest inter-
est. Never before has any one topic been
SO attractive to the people of the United
States. The Cuban question has been
shelved, the probabilities of war with
Spain or Japan are discussed very little.
ION to the Kondike'' is now the watch
word.
The trouble is that in their desire to
reach the gold field, and be numbered
among the fortunate who have taken the
golden nugget and dust from the bowels of
the earth, the would-be prospectors think
little Of the many difficulties and obstacles
to be encountered in that region. The de-
sire for gold does away with all reason and
logic in regard to- other matters, many per-
sons even starting on the trip without
funds or provisions 1t is not hard to
prophesy what will be their fate, for. not
withstanding the sentimental stories pub
nshed at various times of mining camps,
there Is really no sentiment connected with
them.
When Supplies Ran Out.
A story is related. and it is vouched for
as being true in every particular, of the
experiences of the members of govern
ment expedition who were up somewhere
in the Yukon region. Their supplies ran
ont cd
had expected to receive letter containing
a check or cash at a certain point, but
were disappointed. and were practically
destitute. Famine stared them in the face,
but the miners, with the greed of gold de-
stroying all their better. nature, either
laughed at them or ignored them alto
gether. None would raise, a helping hand,
and they would have Jared badly ii they
had not received the expected letter later.
No one need expect to receive the good
Samaritan treatment I'M the Klondike
will be an object lesson Of, the, survival Of
the fittest in every respect.
The miners. however, it Is Hoped, lates.
will not be entirely without the benefit Of
soothing hands. and wordsF of comfort and
cheer, when they fall sick, as dnany doubt
less will in the long days,of exposure dur
ing the frosts of winter and freshets Of the
spring. n IN
The Women Pfbneers.
Two prominent Catholic sisters arrived
| recently in San Francisco from Massachu-
| sets on their way to Alaska, where they
will establish convent of the order Of St.
Ann. an extensive Canadian organization
founded by Bishop Bourget In 1913.
The sisters who thus left. their Massa-
chusetts home and offered their services In
the far north are known as Sister Mary
Magdalen of the Sacred Heart and Sister
Mary OF the Cross In an Interview in San
Francisco. at the home Of the Sisters of the
Family of Holy Names, one Of the sisters
In Alaska:
I'VE are going largely as pioneers. for the
Alaskan work Is new to us. The founder
OF this work was Sister Mary Stephen. who
has been In the far north for many years.
We are establishing the fifth home and