Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-08-11
Tho KIondyke PIacers.

The Klondyke PIacers.
The chief object of interest in the
mining world at the present time are
the new Klondyke plaeers OF Alaska.
That these are phenomenally rich
there is no dount whatever, since the
stories of their great value are sup
ported by the arrival of large amounts
of gold dust and nuggets in the
United States. But SO far the ac-
counts of the discoveries are some
what vague. They have been made
along the klondyke river, which is a
tributary of the Yukon, in Canadian
territory, though not far from the
American frontier. order is preserved
In the region by a detachment of the
Canadian mounted police, but other
wise the mining is carried on as if on
American soil. Mails are obtained
from Circle City, which Is near by,
whittier the United States postoflice
makes dispatch once a month, and
supplies are sent in from Juneau or
up the Yukon river There being no
Canadian customs offices in the region
these have thus far gone in duty-free,
but there is already an outcry in Brit
ish Columbia against this, and doubt
less ere long collectors of customs will
be stationed there. Most of the min
ers on the ground are Americans, and
probably all the gold thus far ex-
tracted has been brought to the United
States.
The climate of the Yukon country is
wild and severe. The winter is long.
and the time when work can be car
ried on to advantage is correspond
inGly short The snowfall is said to be
comparatively Light but the cold is
great, temperatures of '6S degrees to
70 1purppS hollow zprO INa hrnubait no
Ing registered. During the brief sum-
mer the weather is sultry and the my
RAIDS of mosquitoes are a pest. After
September 18th the Juneau route Is
impossible on account of the fierce
storms which set in at that time and
make the crossing of Chilkoot pass
very hazardous.
The new diggings are very difficult
of access. At present there are two
routes thither, one from st. MichaeFs,
near the mouth of the Yukon river,
and the other from Juneau From St
MichaePs there are lght-draft steam
boats which ascend the Yukon river
70 Dawson City, n distance OF 100
miles, the entire journey from Seattle
occupying thirty or forty days, the
fare costing $50. This is the easier
route. The other is from Juneau,
partly by river and partly by foot. a
distance of G50 miles to the [lon-
dyke. This route is exceedingly
rough. The rivers are rapid and
rocky, and over the portages every
thing must be packed on their backs
by the travellers themselves, or by In
dian carriers. if they can be secured.
No food is produced IN the country.
and the immigrant is obliged to carry
n huge supply with him, because the
climate of the country is such that
egress from it is possible only in the
summer, and even with plenty of
money 1t is not easy 70 buy there all
that is needed. The Alaska CONNER
cial Company which sends steamboats,
from st. Michael's up tile Yukon river
declares its inability to transport to
the region an adequate supply of
goods for next winter If there is such
a rush thither as there promises to be.
Ii this happens there Will surely be
much suffering and loss of life. I'm
der these circumstances ii is a matter
for eongratulation that only a com
paratively small number of persons
can find transportation thither before
the present season closes.
Our advice to gold seekers is to con-
slider well the difficulties to be encoun-
tered before setting out, and we adj
dress this especially to persons in the
tdSltII anu NenlId1 SiditS WHO nave
had no experience in rough countries,
and therefore can have little idea of
the hardshps which must be borne In
Alaska. To those VINO are going from
the Pacific slope we suggest that they
take a reserve supply of food in the
compressed form that the army has ex-
perimented with so successfully and
provide themselves with plenty of
clothing and blankets, But above ALL
no one should start for the Klondyke
who is not amply provided with money.
Ii is hardly necessary for us to call at
tentlon to the historical experience of
these rich gold discoveries that where
there are few who make fortunes
there are many who lose all they have
and often their lives. and there are
bound to be disappointments in Alaska
just as there We're in California, Colo
RADIO and Dakota.-Engineerin and
Mining journal.