The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-27
Skagwa bay within


City Of Topeka, July %; Islander
| (from Victoria), July %; Rosalicea, July
| 81; AlIi, August 2; Willamette, August
8; Queen, August Z; Mexico, August o;
| Topeka, August u; Rosaheca, August
49, -,.-
Champaign, Ill, July 27-S. NJ.
Phelps of this city, who is one of a
party contemplating going to the gold
fields of Alaska, has received letter
from his cousin, Alfred P. SwinfOrd of
Marquette, Mich, regarding the coun-
try. MIR. Swinford, who was governor
of Alaska during the last Cleveland adj
ministration, says he has no doubt
about the great abundance of gold, but
adds:
your life in your hands, encounter such
hardshlps as are hard to pic
ture even in the imagination,
in getting. there after you have
reached Alaska unless you are
prepared for the extreme winters cold
and summers heat,and to endure black
flies and mosquitoes that render life al
most unendura BILE, don't go.
lat all events don't venture on it this
season. The Klondike is 1000 miles be-
yond Juneau and, starting now, even if
in the rush you succeeded in getting
transportation to Juneau, you cannot
possibly get beyond to your destination
in time to do any prospecting before
next spring, and it is exceedingly
doubtful if you will be able to find en-
ployment during the winter, for the
reason there will be so many ahead of
you.
IF your friends are determined to go,
they should go prepared to buy claim
already Staked, or else with a view of
prospecting new ground elsewhere than
on the Klondike, where all the availa-
BILE ground has already been Staked and
claimed. The Klondike is only a start
er, and the discoveries there Will be re-
peated on many other streams or am
very much mistaken in my views of
that country and the indications which
prevail.
many, disappointment, suffering and
death will be the fate of yet a larger
number. What do you know about
placer mining, or where to look for UNI
friends know? You should weigh all
these considerations carefully before
making up your minds to go.
I'm my opinion your friends would be
much wiser to put the money it will
cost them to reach the interior wilds of
Alaska into the development of one, of
the many rich gold bearing quartz
lodges to be found Immediately on the
coast and concerning which reliable in
formation is more easily to be obtain
ed"
Montreal July PA. T. Genest, a
well known local engineer leaves on the
eighth of August for KIondike with
eight or ten assistants in behalf of
Canadian syndicate. MERCER, a French
Canadian scout and explorer. well
known in connection with other explor-
ations in Alaska, is going.
New DIX, july ZI.-lC was Sa1u IN
Wall street today that the directors of
the mining exchange of New York
which has been much in the back
ground recently are thinking of listing
some Klondike claims. A meeting of
the members has been called for this
afternoon to act upon some proposed
amendments to the constitution.
One of the amendments provides that
three calls shall be made day instead
of two as at present.
Washington, July 27.-The President
and Secretary Alger have decided to
detail an army officer and company of
soldiers from the regular army for SER
vice in Alaska. The matter is yet in
very indefinite shape, but details will
be arranged as soon as possible in or
vicinity of the gold country before nav
igation closes on the Yukon river. They
will be sent to their destination via the
Yukon River route, and the offer of one
of the shipping companies on the Pa
cific coast to transport the men and
their baggage and stores probably will
be accepted. The exact location of the
camp or post has not yet been determ-
ined on, but it is said to be at Circle
City. An army officer now in the field
and who has had experience in such
matters has been invited to take charge
of the company, and an answer is ex-
pected from him very soon.
The detail of men who will go will
west, but just what one is not finally
settled on. The officials are anxious to
locate the soldiers in the gold country
as soon as possible and if it can be ar
ranged they will be sent on the steam
er sailing early in August.