The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-09-09
THE SKAGUAY TRAIL.
A Truthful Newspaper Correspond
ent Tells What He Knows of
Matters and Things,

Seattle, Wash, Sept. 5.-The following
letter has been received from Skaguay,
| dated August 2S:
Sylvester Scovel of the New York
World landed yesterday at Skaguay by a
specially chartered tug from Juneau, with
two tons of blasting powder and the neces-
| sary tools to equip seven complete crews
for rock work on the Skaguay trail, and
as fast as horses and men could get at
it it was started to the front
''In the evening there was a meeting at
the foot of the first hill, attended by over
500 miners, who organized for the work in
committee, consisting of James Christie of
Portland, president; Philip Adams, secre-
tary: G.. A. Kramer of Seattle, Mr.. Han
cock and Mr.. Day as superintendent. who
selected experienced men for the work on
the rock drills and veteran lOggers for
the work OF cordurOying the muddy
places. There were thirty Canadian
mounted police on the trail. Work is in
progress for fifteen miles along the trail,
and all trail men and packing has been
suspended until it is completed. There
have been some kickers, as usual, but tn y
are so much in the minority that they have
had to submit / believe this trail will
be completed in ten days so that travel
can be resumed. There would never have
been so much trouble for small parties, but
the swarm of people, 90 per cent of whom
were tenderfeet and knew nothing about
packing and mountaineering, has been the
cause of congestion at this point. The
first reports about this trail were inspired
by interested parties who are trying to
start town here and who are interested
in the whisky business. Not nearly so
many discouraged prOspectors are selling
their outfits for a song as has been report
ed, but good many who started have
given up that idea, have turned site buy
ers and are erecting all kinds of buildings
and establishing themselves for the Win
ter as best they can. One week ago lum-
Der could be got for $27 per thousand. Now
il is $50 and none for sale. Rubber boots,
heavy shoes and oil clothing are in de-
mand and bring big prices. Hardware OF
all kinds sells well.
1.-THE Alaska Pacific Express company
has made arrangements to open an office
here and has appointed III. E. Battin, for
merly of Portland. agent.
"The steamship Queen of Seattle,
steamships Alki and Danube of Vic
toria have landed over 500 passengers,
500 tons of freight and 300 horses and
mules since August, and still there is more
to follow.
.'rhe Klondike excitement has turned
the whole attention of the world this way
and will result in opening this territory as
nothing else would have done.
son board the steamer Queen on this
trip are two parties, one organized in CHI:
cago, consisting of four gentlemen, COM
prsng a doctor, lawyer, commission mer-
chant and assayer, all under the guidance
of l.. l.. Bates, who has spent the past
eight years in Alaska as trapper, hunter
and guide. They will stay along the coast
this winter and in the spring will thor
oughly prospect the Copper river country.
"The other party is headed by e. III.
Fisher of Los Angeles, Cal, and will push
into the Copper river country this winter.
(Signed) 81. Nj. HAGERTI.'