The record-union., 1897-10-13

WASHINGTON Cd. c., Oct. 12.-In-
formation received at the Treasury De-
partment from Captain Tuttle Of the
revenue cutter Bear, now cruising in
Alaskan waters does not paint rosy
description of scenes and prospects in
the Klondike region Writing from St.
Michael on September 10Th, Captain
Tuttle says:
There are in port seven sea-going
vessels and six river steamers, with one
steamer and one barge in process of
construction on the beach About 800
people are encamped awaiting the COM
pletion Of these vessels. At least seven
crafts are expected to arrive, many of
them with passengers. There is no pos
sible chance of these people reaching
the upper Yukon this season, and they
must winter here or at some point in
side the mouth of the Yukon. While
there will be an abundance of provis-
ions. the trading companies having
their main deposits here, trouble is like
~ to arise from those who have no pro-
visions and no means to purchase them.
This, however, is a small matter when
taken into consideration with matters
above Fort Yukon on the Yukon River.
"On September 18th the river steamer
Milton returned from its up-river trip,
having been unable tc reach Circle City.
Captain Hill reported the river so low
as to prevent his reaching his destina-
ton. His cargo was landed on the river
bank. The steamers J. J. Healy, P. B.
Weare. Alice Belal and Marguerite are
now up the river, but the prospects are
that they win not be able to reach Cir
Gle City or Dawson.
Laws in regard to the inspection of
vessels are entirely disregarded, as no
inspector Of hulls or boilers has visited
this place At least sixteen such YES
sells are now running in this part Of
Alaska. If I should seize them starva-
ton would ensue to those who are de-
pending upon these vessels to bring
them provisions. At the same time
hundreds of people are travelling on
these vessels, which are without the
safeguards to life that the law pro-
vides they shall have.
"A Deputy Collector of Customs is
stationed at st. Michael who is re-
quired to attend to all customs busi-
ness. Frequently there are several yes
sells in port discharging bonded goods
at the same time. It is impossible for
one nan to attend to all this business.
After leaving St. Michael there is no
customs officer in charge Of these
goods. Vessels frequently get aground,
and it is necessary to discharge their
cargoes before they can be floated.
Great opportunities are offered to de-
fraud the customs. There should be
a customs officer on every vessel car
rying bonded goods and provisions, and
owners should be made to have the
vessels inspected, as the law requires.
PEOPLE TAXED OUTLANDISHLY.
LARYSVILLE Mo). Oct 12.-An
interesting letter has been received by
Henry Alexander OF this place from his
son, f. G. Alexander, who has been in
Dawson City since 1895. The letter is
as follows:
4 have been spending most of this
summer at Dawson City, but will leave
shortly for the mines on Bonanza
Greek, where I viii remain until next
spring. A new creek was struck this
summer. known as Dominion Creek. 1t
is tributary to Indian Creek 1 sue
ceeded in locating a claim on it in a
very favorable location. There were
two discoveries, and my claim is be-
tween them. I succeeded in holding
my Davis Greek property this summer.
The ground averaged, after I bought
it, one ounce, or 81 IA day to the man
for shoveling in.
The excitement of the country is
right here, and as for this Klondike
strike. would say it is the biggest that
was ever known. They are getting as
high as 81. 500 to the pan on FL Dorado
Creek, and 1900 ounces, or $4,000. was
taken out Of one claim alone in about a
weeks shoveling, at a total cost of per-
haps $1,000 At that rate there will
be at least 100000 in the claim.
There are thousands Of creeks that
white men have never touched with a
spade. Paying creeks are found from
one end of the great Yukon to the other.
Gold is found in the tributaries almost
TO St Michael.