The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-11
SIGNAL OF DISTRESS
Stories Brought Back from KIondiks by
Returning Pruspeeturs.
FOOD SUPPLY GIVES OUT At DAWSON
Winter Has Set tn-River beginning
30 Arriyc-SnTering VIII Bc FER
rtbIe-Not Much Gold ON Returns
Ing Boats.
San Francisco. Sept. 10, 1897.

The Examiner prints an extra edition
containing the following news from
Dawson City:
Otter Point, b. c., Sept. 10.-The
Steamer Cleveland has arrived from ST.
Michaels, bringing with her from the
disaster
The miners she had on board and the
officers in charge of the ship tell the
story of the suffering at Dawson.
Inc winter has set in at the mining
city OIL the frozen north, and two great
stores Of the place have. closed their
dooSSa for they have nothing to sell.
Those who have been seeking gold now
must seek food or starve.
While there may he q tendency to
eNaggerate the actual condition OF af-
fairs, there can be no question that fam
Inc threatens the men and women who
have made their way TO the IIlondika
Hundreds OF unruly spirits are nocl1ng
to Dawson.
Threats of violence are being made on
every side
The first signs of winter are apparent
on the Yukon, which Is beginning to
freeze, and in few weeks will be clos
ed. Enormous prices are being paid for
food at Dawson, and 1t is impossible
that more than four vessels with provis-
ions can reach Dawson before the river
Is q mass OF ice.
On the Cleveland there are IS passen-
gers. men, women and children, who
have come from Dawson City.
There are few miners in this party
that are able to tell of prosperity Most
or them wish to cXaSgerate their pos
sessions, and If one were to believe the
stories they tell. he would say the trea-
sure ship in which they come carries
five million dollars.
Captain Ham, master OF the Cleve-
land, says that he has 100000 in his
safe. The purser believes that he can
account for s150,000 on board.
The Celevland has some of the passen-
gers of the p. b. Weare on board The
Weare left Dawson City in time to con-
meet with the Portland, had she not met
with n miShap and struck on the fats
above Circle City. They report that on
July %, the stores OF the Alaska Com
mercial company and of the North
American Trading and Transportation
company announced that they had no
more food to sell. Three weeks before
that the same companies We're unable to
furnish outfits. When the announcement
was made that no more goods were
available, CONSERVATION resulted on the
part of the people of Dawson. with gold
seekers pillnS In at the rate of 90 to 30
q day.
Drunkenness, gambling and disorder
arc rampant and conservative observers
predict the most serious consequences.
There is gold everywhere, but the peo-
pie OF Dawson want food more than they
want gold now. At st. Michacls, there
are not enough structures 10 accommo-
date the crowd, and scores of people are
living In tents.
If fortune favors, four vessels will be
able to reach Dawson from ST. NIichaels
before the Yukon river freezes. They
will carry provisions. but 1t Is by no
means certain that they will reach the
Klondike.
They offer the only hope, however, for
renewal of supplies.
August 2Sth the Elcelaior left st. Mich
aels Reports We're current that her
treasure amounted to one million dol
lars, but there are none on the Cleve-
land who can verify this assertion.
The Elcersior was caught on the dan
gerous flats OF the Yukon and broke two
blades OF her propeller.
It Is probable, however, that she left
Onalas ska last Monday 10 resume her
Journey to the South.
The Cleveland brings news that when
the Humboldt stopped at Onalaska on
her journey to st. M!chaels, the passcn-
gers were in open rebellion.