Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-10-22
kLONDIKE.
Fred d. Willard and VIII Gray
Tell How to Get There.

Route.
All that Alma has lacked this summer
seemingly was a return missionary from
the gold fields of Alaska to make her
| truly metropolitan. At last the want is
supplied in the the persons of Will Gray
and Fred ID. Willard, two of her sons
who have been in the gold country since
July 9th, 1894 and who are full of stories
of the marvellous openings waiting the
eager prospector. The boys left Kalispel,
Montana, during the summer of 80
for Fort Steel, thence journeyed to
Spokane Falls. Leaving this post they
travelled through the beautiful
Okanogan country for $50 miles to
Vernon, thence 70 miles further on TO
Kamloops, here they struck the Thomp-
son river and proceeded down to Ashkroft
distance of 40 miles. From here the
party struck due north 10 the one hun
dred eighty mile post, "A Hudson Bay Co.
trading post. From this point the road
is through an unknown country 300 miles
due northwest to the Chilkoot Mts.,
thence due north to the McKensie River
distance of 125 miles. The junction
of the Little Fox and Youkon River lies
directly west of here and was the next
objective point of their search. The
gold fields of the Klondike lie eighty
miles due northwest of this place and
are easily reached. 1t is the object Of
the boys to get up party to leave
Spokane Falls April 1st, making the
journey to Klondike along this route,
which is 1900 miles shorter than the
| ocean voyage, takes one-half as many
days and can be made at one third the
expense. Willard is in every way
qualified to make capital guide. He
| has been on the British survey, is well
acquainted with all the region, having
| made the journey and is readily conver-
| SAINT with the Chuiook language of
Alaska and northern Columbia. They
speak in glowing terms of the fertility
and richness of the Chilkouton country,
| east of the Rockies, whose rolling plains
all covered with bunch grass and pea
vines, excellent pasture lands and whose
climate is delightful and healthful.
| Lord Aberdeen has one of the largest
farms in this section, covering 10, 900
acres planted almost entirely TO hops,
though all cereals cultivated as far
north as the 40 parallel thrive well in
that region. OF the country north of
the Cariboo, Mr.. Willard says it is hard
for anyone TO understand who has lived
in Michigan for several years. The sur
face is covered with a sea of snow capped
mountains, many of whose valleys never
| see the light of day and are cold and
cherries. The people are quiet and
peaceable, even the mining towns are
free from the rowdyism and boisterous-
ness of the American camps. Laws are
strictly enforced and crime almost un-
known. The mountains are full of game
and the waters swarm with millions of
the finey tribe so that no one need have
/ fear of starvation. AS TO clothing, one
needs good, strong and durable material
such as is used in the lumber woods of
the north and it is always best to secure
it here at less expense and of better
quality. "How much money does one
need to start with for the Klondike?"
was asked by the RECORD reporter. 1.-TWO
hundred fifty dollars will be sufficient
l think" was the reply though many
are getting on with less. Equipments
can be obtained at Spokane at reasonable
terms and would not advise anyone TO
secure it before reaching that point.
There is an abundance of claims for all
who may go as all the country north
of the Cariboo is underlaid with ri ch
mineral deposits of gold, coal, miclea,
gypsum and copper and many valuable
mines have been opened up. So none
need regret their inability to go before,
there is plenty of time" Mr.. Willard
says that the Indians have been telling
wonderful stories of the gold fields for
years but no one would believe them m
until lately so little can be truly estimated
as regards to the country's future. The
boys will spend the winter with friends
in Alma and Chicago leaving for
Spokane Falls early in March.
Never Say DIE.
Il. .f..., Of l. 4