Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-15
DAWSON IN NEED OF FOOD
Reports of Those Who Have Come From the
Klondike.
Supply of PrOvisiOns Cannot Last He.
Expedition Demanded.

Senator Mcbride of Oregon has received
the following from E. P. Ash, who arrived
at Portland on November 80 direct from
Dawson: Il know that the supply of pro-
visions in Dawson cannot last longer than
the middle of March. No supplies can
reach the interior by ordinary conveyance
until next June, and I believe it will re-
quire the resources of the United States
government to equip an expedition strong
enough to overcome the obstacles of a
midwinter journey. This expedition should
be authorized at once. as 1t will take from
forty to fifty days to reach Dawson from
Skaguay and Dyea. I am certain that
there will be intense suffering unless relief
is at once provided for"
Mail Carrier Brnner's Letter.
The Secretary of War has received a let
ter from John W. Braner in regard to the
condition of the miners in Alaska. He ar
rived in Seattle November % from a
round trip carrying the mails from Juneau
to Circle City. When he left Circle City
September IA their supply of provisions
was practically exhausted, but the last
steamers that succeeded in getting up the
Yukon were held up and sufficient provi-
sions taken from them to do the people
at Circle. AT Dawson, September %, Capt.
Hanson, who had charge of the A. C. Co. s
store, called the miners together and told
them that the company could not furnish
them with provisions, and that he would
advise all those who did not have their
winters outfit to go where the provisions
We're. The nearest point was Fort Yukon.
$40 miles below Dawson. Capt. Hanson
told the miners to get out Of the country
and that they had no time to lose
Our party says Mr. Braner. pooled up
the river from Circle City to Dawson, 300
miles, in eleven days and three hours;
weather cold, about eight inches of snow
at Circle. and ice forming on poles and on
river bank. From Dawson. which we left
september Is: We poled up to McCor-
mick's Post, about 265 miles, arriving there
sunday, October "a. On this part of the
trip We experienced some cold weather and
snow, the river running full of slush ice
we We're compelled to lie over at Sixty
mile Post five days. Ice running so thick
that 1t was impossible to make headway. At
McCorm1ckS Post we abandoned our boats
ana started overland on what is known as
, ,ne Daiton trail, about 300 miles to Chill
Kat, where We arrived safely after trav-
elng twenty-five days through two or
three feet of snow over a mountain trail
we started with twelve horses and they
were all dead before We got half way.
Dcstitution Not Overdrnwn.
Inc assertion is often made that the
gravity OF the situation at Dawson is over
Drawn. This 1 do not believe to be posi-
bic, as at least half of the miners were
very snort OF provisions, and many of those
going in from September l on were afraid
they would not succeed in reaching Dawson
before the river froze up, so they sold a
large part of their outfits and went in flying
light. We met between twenty and thirty
boats daily, and nearly always inquired as
to their outfit. While once in a great while
Trey mad sufhcient to carry them until the
poats would come up next spring, the ma
1ority had only four months supplies
Were they should have had seven or eight
months
so long as the companies had provisions
to sell the price remained unchanged hut
when they closed their doors, private par-
ties commenced to speculate and the day
we left Dawson, September IS, some flour
was sold for $40 a sack of fifty pounds, and
bacon at 81 pound. There was quite an
exodus to Fort Yukon, which is a COM
paratively easy trip SO long as the -iver re-
mains open, but once frozen up, it Is not
only tedious but hazardous one. Quite
a number started up the river, but SO far
as l can learn, not more than thirty sue
ceeded in getting out"
AS to fretghting provisions up from Fort
Yukon to Dawson, Mr.. Braner says: by
the time you carry food for thirty or forty
Gays for man, food for dogs, bedding,
stove, tent, etc. then food for return trip,
you will readily see that to supply several
thousand men for three OF four months
would be almost out of the question. The
most of the helping lay with the miners
themselves as they had ample time TO go
down from Fort Yukon before the river
froze up. AS to outside help, it would seem
to me the best way to take provisions to
the lakes, tuild scows and wait until the
river opens, which will be some time In
May. then run down this way One can
reach Dawson about twenty to forty days
earlier than the steamers from down the
river, as the upper river opens first"