The Portland daily press., 1897-10-02
TWELVE PAGES.

could Sit at the one table which the So
called restaurant boosted, and there was
considerable trouble getting seat
AT this camp the timber line is
reached, as no trees grow above here. The
rain was still falling, and everything
seemed cold and thoroughly disagreeable
1t seemed as though the mere thought of
obtaining gold had become absorbed in
the greater problem of getting to where
the gold was. But little was heard of
gold, everything was How sh all we get
down the river?'
1--WE stayed at Sleeps Camp two nights
before we again struck out. On Tuesday,
Aug. 81, we went over the summit and
as far as Crater Lake, body of water
mile and a half long and perhaps three
quarters of a mile broad
"The climb to the summit was hard
one. In places we were compelled to
crawl on our hands and knees, and with
the heavy packs on our backs 1t was no
easy task. A little slip and one might
go plunging down hundreds~rof feet to
certain death. In places to gain 10 feet
we had to go at least 100 feet. ! In places
we found a stretch of perhaps 100 feet
where we could walk along on the crusted
snow. When we reached the summit it
was showing, and there was piercing
GOODNESS in the air which thoroughly
chilled us in spite of our thick clothing.
At the summit it was said that we were
$500 feet above the sea. From there the
trail descended to the lake. At the lake
side we found about 80 men. Wood was
scarce, and it was difficult to find enough
to build fire by which to warm our
selves. By short stages we reached Long
Lake without enoountering many diff
culties, and were then about five miles
from Lake Linderman.
We met here party of men returning
from the lakes. They said it was useless
for anyone to try to get beyond Lake
Bennett this winter. They said, too, that
boat left Lake Bennett week before
they started back, and that on the day
they departed the boat was still in sight.
cat Lake Bennett boats of all kinds
were selling for from 5000 to $500. A man
might possibly secure passage down the
river in one for 500. 1t was doubtful,
though, If one could secure passage even
at that figure. From Lake Bennett it is
about 600 miles down the river to Dawson
City. At Lake Bennett there was an
encampment, it was said, of about 1900
people, all waiting to get passage down.
s'Food was plenty, for many were sell
ing out their outfits for what they could
get and returning the way they had come
Tie only thing that brought large
prices was articles of clothing. They
were much desired, and good prices were
paid. These men who had come out
from Lake Bennett, said that there was
q strong northwest wind blowing which
would effectually stop all progress do wn
the river, and which would, in all proba-
bility, hang on until the river was closed
up with ice.
"After hearing what there was ahead
of us, We decided that we had better go
no farther. We returned to Sleeps Camp
where left Dunbar. He is going to try
his hand at packing goods over the trail
from Dyea.
81 proceeded from Sleeps Camp to
Skagua, arriving there about Sept. l. 1t
NIGH. truthfully be said that Skagua is
built out of boats. Many persons start
ed to carry boats In sections over the trail
They found the task too much for them,
and left the seoti ons along the trail. On
every side these fragments Of boats can
be seen. In Skagua they are used in the
construction of the shanties. 1t was in
Skagua that I saw George Fulford of this
city. The largest building there covers
about 1900 square feet of ground, and is
occupied as gambling joint. All kinds
of games are played, with the possible ex-
cepti on of faro.
Shooting craps seems to be the most
popular form of amusement at this joint.
On all sides were men who had decided
to start for home.
son Sept. 5, left Skagua on a schooner
whic stopped at Juneau. From the
latter place took passage on the City of
Topeka, mail boat, for Seattle. On
DO q I'd were number of miners, who had
been up on Cooks Inlet since last spring.
but who had gained nothing but expert
enc 9.
GA week ago last Sunday left Seattle
and arrived home last Saturday night.
rich also in OK perience. l had no oppor-
tunity to prospect, and so can say moth
ing from experience as to the richness of
the country, 1t is my bellef that this
side of the lakes there will be little hun
ger thi s winter. There are plenty of pro-
visions. How those who are in Dawson
City will fare, it is hard to say I hardly
believe, though that the winter there
will be as hard as has been predicted.
Mr.. Ha iris gained 10 pounds in weight
while he was gone and feels as we'll, he
says, as he ever did in his life.
He declares that it is his intention, If
matters can be arranged satisfactorily, to
start out again early next spring and
reach the country of gold.
& Dun bar has agreed to meet him and the
two men expect to continue the acquain-
tanceship W hich they formed on this
trip.