The news & observer., 1897-09-08
@ JTL0OK Is APPALLING
NOT MORE THAN 20 PER CENT
WILL GET ACROSS
ABOUT 5000 MEN WILL BE LEFT.
Unseaworthy Steamers Continue 10 Come
Doubly Laden-The Gold Field Tempting
But Much Danger That Under Present
Conditions Many win Perish.

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Washington, D. c., Sept. THE
Treasury Department today made public
the following letter received from Il gov
ernmcnt official now at Dyea on the way
to the gold fields stating at the same
time that he writer, whose name is with
eld has been twelve years in the service
and was thoroughly reliable.
"Dyea August 22.-I deem it my duty
TO write you on n subject that does not
come strictly within my line of duty, as
lit trenches somewhat upon the functions
of the Treasury Department | have had
Il long talk with Mr.. 1vey. collector Of
customs for ALASKA. who lis at present
lat Skaguay, three miles below here. The
Skaguay trail is the most largely used
Ioverland route Thought by no means the
besU to the Klondyke. Mr.. Ivey informs
me that there are now between tide water
land the lake something like 1000 people
and about 1000 ..orses. The commander
Of one Of the vessels now at Sakguay
states that sixteen vessels IRE chartered
to load cargoes at that place between
now and the 10Th Of September, and that
the number of passengers will average
200 to each yesser. making $500 more
people who will attempt to go in this fall.
| have talked with some of the most eX-
pcrienced traders and miners in this vi
cinity and they are unanimous in the
prediction that not over ~ per cent. OF
this vast number will get through to
Dawson before winter sets in The other
so per cent will be caught on the trail,
and those who survive and get back 10
tide water will have to winter at SkaSuay
or return south. If the rush continues TWO
weeks longer hundreds will inevitably
perish on the trail, which Is extremely
dangerous after the list of October.
The postmaster and Indian trader at
this place (Ir. Heron) states that more
than 1000 men have gone up the Chil-
koot pass during the past thirty days ana
that seven hundred of them are sun
this side of the lake GA miles from here'.
Vessels are arriving every day or TWO
aud NJ the present rate OF influx another
thousand will enter the trail by SepieIl-
ber 10th. Mr. Heron is of the OPINION
tb,+ not more than twenty out OF one
hundred will get through and he says
this trail is far more dangerous thah uhe
Sroouav after the SHOWS set in. He says
if tho rush continues another week the
resultant loss of life will be appalling.
attach the greatest weight to what ne
saws. for the reason that 1t Is 10 MS pc
cuniary interest to have as many as pos
sible come this way; yet he advises an
immediate stoppage of the stampede. IL
is difficult to suggest way to stop tlils
thrush of people, but Mr.. lyey intlmates
that if the inspection rules OF the
Treasury Department were properly en-
forced it would materially decrease the
number of passengers on the incoming
vessels. Nearly every vessel that arrives
here brings twice as many passengers as
the law allows it to carry and many OF
them are condemned craft which have
been fitted up for this trade. Mr.. lyey
will no doubt at once present the facts
outlined above to the proper authorities,
and merely give them to you for your
information. The situation is appalling,
and it is impossible for me adequately 10
describe the mad rush for the gold fields.
I had no conception Of its immensity till
l saw it.
I have talked with several men who
have recently arrived here from the
Klondyke, two Of whom left there less
than thirty days ago. They unanimously
agree that while there is a rich gold
field there the facts do not justify the
present stampede and they say there is
bound to be much suffering and actual
starvation. Provisions are already scarce
and the prices of many articles absolute
ly prohibtory in the case of man or
ordinary means.
My usual good luck has attended me
here. Mr.. Heron, the postmaster, is an
old Montana friend, and he has made it
possible for me to go forward by Indian
carriers at the prevailing rate (37 cents
per pound). taking precedence over hun
dreds, many of whom have been here
two or three weeks. awaiting their
turn. He assures me he can make the
way easy for me at the lake in securing
a boat. etc. So feel comfortably sure
of going right through.
The mail facilities are very bad here.
as the Postoffice Department has not
made any allowance for the rapid growth
Of postal business. The postal authori-
ties here are powerless TO cope with the
mass of mail matter and have doubts as
TO whether this letter will reach its desti-
nation. I am forced to close this letter
to catch boat which is about TO leave.
and I am leaving nnsaid some things
which I shall have to include in my next
letter."
San Antonio. Texas, Sentember T.
Customs insnectors at Laredo. have