The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-27
SCENES AT SkAGUAY.
RECENT EXPERIENCES OF w. j..
ROGERS IN THE NORTH.
How the Trouble Between buchanan
and Mrs. hossuth Arose-scenes
That We're nt Once Pathetic and

Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer
TACOMA. Sept. 25.-One of the most lu-
cid aud picturesque pictures of the condl-
tons OF affairs OF the life and congestion
a. Skaguay city yet given WAS told to the
P0st-lntelligencer correspondent today by
W. j. Rogers. for long time accountant
at the Western Washington Hospital for
the Insane, at Fort Steilacoom. Mr.
Rogers was passenger from Juneau on
the City Of Topeka, which arrived on the
Sound today.
In speaking ~ his experience today Mr..
Rogers said ION our arrival at Skaguay
We Immediately set about TO ind a loca-
tlcn. which was not difficult task, as
there were but few people at that time
The first thing We ala was to pitch our
tent and prepare our living quarters This
done. l squatted on several choice lots.
which L later sold at a good profit. One
or the first lots | picked out / aftcrwErd
gave to Mrs Kossuth. who was recently
killed by Buchanan. l came to give her
ne lot In this way. When / first selected
the site she wanted a place on which to
put up house. There was a space about
w enty-five feet fr0at between my lot and
one held by another man. which / sug-
ststed that she take. She did not want
THIS, but desired my lot, which I refused
10 let her have Later on secured sone
better lots higher up and having no use
Tor the other one. which was on the low
land, told her to take II. Buchanan
was attentive to her al, this time, and |
am certain IL was he who built the house
mat was used as a restaurant They
seemed very chummy all the while. ana
ne appeared to be completely infatuated
with the woman. il was reported up
there that he was jealous of her and of
me attentions paid TO her by other men.
mis- Jealousy, it IS said, reukled in him 90
gah
70 Vacate the house, which she refused 10
do. the refusal leading to complications
nat caused the murder and suicide.
me congestion about which 50 much
mas been published. began to assume large
proportions on the arrival of the WI
lamette with her hundreds OF passengers.
mere were hundreds OF men on tina, boat
VINO knew no more OF the hardshlps and
inconvenience they were TO experience
than a babe. On arriving a punohar ~
1nen made reconnoitering trips over a
portion or the pass, returning fun of ex-
uoeFance a. the easy time they vyouIa
nave IN getting over They were ripht
IN TINS at that time. but they reckoned
without their host. They did not knovy
y the trouble IN store for them In getting
eheF stores and belongings OF the boat.
y COX nearly week 10 get things sorted
ana then there was the greatest iunblad
up mass one ever looked a. Mary ~ ~
goods were damaged BY water 10 surh an
extent that II would take a PhfladeIobla
awyer 20 straighten things When the
INDIVIDUAL outfits were finally distributed
new troubles happened. caused chiefly nv
ne lheAperlence Of the people themselves.
wen attempted 70 pack horses who had
never before in their lives seen mack.
the horses were nevs 10 the buaf,ess ard
more than once I have witnessed sights
mat convulsed me with laughter and at
ne same time caused a feeling OF sad
ness Tor the poor chaps whose troubles
would almost sTive them 20 desperation
y kfeehhorn fwe were al pretty much
sreennorns) wonld pack hIs horse down
With -four, beans and other things too
numerous 70 mention and lie them on snv
Old way when all II a sudden there would
he a Kick. buck and the next instant a
maddened horse would he runrfrv over
tents and through the little city. scstter-
ne beans and q Sur four ways for SUNDAY
Sometimes & would take A whole dav -
capture the horse. II was such ehlngs
az these that caused many a fellow % sen
az OUTFIT tor anything he could get and
return 70 civilization
This though was the ludicrous side.
many things occurring on the trail when
the mud in the meadows was knee deep
mat would drive the stoutest-hearted man
20 desperation
rms though. 4g an Old story now but
y u true one nevertheless TIE hard
ships getting over this trait were 80 great
that not more than % per cent. Of fhose
who attempted 20 cross IL succeeded
Many returned and went I'm by ire Dvos
pass, which is acknow edged ~ every one
Who knows anything at al of tha relative
merits % - the better c. n Zahrfskfa
OF this city was one % those .ho gave
up the SkaEuay trail and went IN bv the
Jyea- EDDIE simpson also went hy way
0r Dyea- Charley Robinson got over
Skagaay tran successfully but r. Get him
= ~hois lot o. money as packing charges
1. jumped az an aiming rate. I done know
% any one that tried the Dyea tran who
60 not Get through. The Indians stick
70 mat trail and laugh al the attempts 10
get over ne other. Ny partner and I Will
80 10 mat way next February
y bile many reports Of the big rrfear
pa-a Tor things al skavgay we're over
drawn, there was a psle % money made ~
people who were shrewd enough % set
goods IN az ths right time. neve- saw
PlEes huctuate 80 rapidly IN my life
SOFA nay mere for 2 cents a pound. which
a fsw weeks later could b had Cor Ff5 a
toa- II Vas case % getting goods IN
"ben there vas Big demand Articles
saca az shoes. horseshoe nails. reoe look
ing glasses, etc. brought enormous prices.
! disposed q nay horses az a blg profit. N
laet. g>t fancy prices for everything I
sold
When left skaguay. ten aavz apo
l1sEe wsfs probably 1850 peopIs tne.e.