Evening journal., 1897-09-08
A WORD OF WARNING.
Advice From an Old Official Anent
the Goldhelds.
THE TRAIL DANGEROUS AFTER OCT. 1.
Experienced Miners Agree That Not over
90 Per Cent of Those Now En
Route to Dawson VIII Get
Through Before Winter.

Washington, Sept. s.-The treasury
department has made public the follow
Ing letter received from a government
official now In Alaska on the way to the
goldhelds stating at the same time that
the writer, whose name is withheld.
had been u years in the service and
was thoroughly reliable:
THE Slsagguay trail is the most
largely used overland route, though by
no means the bess, to the Klondike.
Mr.. Ivey, collector of customs for Alas
ka. informs me that there are now be-
tween tide water and the lake some
thing like 1000 persons and 1000 horses.
THE commander of one of the YES
sells now at Skagguay states that l6
vessels are chartered to land cargoes at
that place between now and Sept. 10
and that the number of passengers will
average 200 to each vessel. making 5000
more people who will attempt TO go in
this fall
Il have talked with some of the most
experienced traders and miners in this
vicinity. and they are unanimous in the
prediction that not over 20 per cent Of
this vast number will get through to
Dawson before winter sets in. The 9TH
er so per cent will be caught on the
trail, and those who survive and get
back to tide water win have TO winter
at Skagguay or return south.
IF the rush continues two weeks
longer. hundreds will inevitably perish
on the trail, which is extremely dan
gerous after oct. l.
"The postmaster and Indian trader at
this place. Mr.. Heron, states that more
than 1000 men have gone up the Chill
kat pass during the past 80 days and
that 700 of them are still this side of
the lake. "a miles from here.
The Rush Growing.
"Vessels are arriving every day or
two, and at the present rate of influx
about 1000 more will enter the trail by
Sept. 10. Mr. Heron is Of the opinion
that not more than 20 out Of 100 will
get through. and he says this trail is
far more dangerous than the Skagguay
after the SHOWS set In. He says If the
rush continues another week the re-
suit and loss Of life will be appalling.
Il attach the greatest weight to what
he says, for the reason that II is TO his
pecuniary interest to have as many as
possible come this way. yet he advises
an immediate stoppage Of the STAN
pede.
IL Is ullltull " snHEtcA a way ~
stop this inrush of people, but Mr.. Ivey
intimates that II the inspection rules
of the treasury department were prop
erly enforced it would materially de
crease the number of passengers on th'
incoming vessels. Nearly every vesse
that arrives here brings twice as man!
passengers as the law allows it TO car
ry. and many of them are condemned
craft which have been fitted up for thi
trade.
"Mr. Ivey Will no doubt at once pre-
sent the facts outlined above to tn
proper authorities. and 1 merely CIV
them to you for your Information. TIL
situation is appalling. and It is impossi
BILE for me adequately to describe tn
mad rush for the goldfields. 1 had n
conception of its immensity till 1 saw.
II have talked with several men VIII
have recently arrived here from tn
Klondlke, two Of whom left there les
than 30 days ago.
"They unanimously agree that Will
there is a rich goldheld there the fact
do not justify the present stampede
and they say there is bound TO be muc
suffering and actual starvation.
provisions are already scarce an
the prices of many articles absolutel
prohibitory in the case of a man Of OF
dinary means.