The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1897-07-24
The Present a Bad Time to
Start for the Clondyke.
EIGHT WEARY MONTHS oFIDLENEss
New York Mining Authorities Advise
Intending GOldseekers to be in
No Hurry.

New YORK, July 23.-The World says :
The Clondyke fever has not abated a
particle. The Offices of the railroad COM
panies and ticket agencies are visited by
adventurous spirits eager to seek their
fortune in the Alaskan gold fields. From
information obtained 0y World report
ers, those seriously considering making
the trip will do well to postpone their
departure for some time. Under the
most favorable circumstances the work
ing days in the Yukon gold fields cannot
exceed 100 in the year. For the other
265 days the earth is covered with snow,
the ground is frozen, and the rivers
closed with ice. Anybody starting from
New York at this season would reach the
Yukon river just about the beginning of
the long Alaskan winter, and it would
be far more comfortable for him to re-
main in the states and go to the new Ell
dorado at a more seasonable time.
Frederick Hobart, editor of the En-
gineering and Mining Journal, said:
''It would be extremely foolish for any
one to start from New York for the Clon-
dyke at this season, because they eau
not get there IN time to do anything this
year. 1t is difficult, too, to get trans
portation. The Alaskan lines are not
prepared to carry many passengers. 1t
is easy enough to engage steamers and
get to the coast, but the difficulty is to
get from the coast inland. Much of the
last portion of the journey must be made
on foot. If you go by the Juneau route
it is necessary to walk over the noun
tains and then build boat. The Yukon
river is only navigable during three
months of the year. 1t would be we'll
for those who do not know the country
to learn more about 1t before starting for
the gold fields.''
l.. Allen, associate editor of the En-
gineering Magazine, said
Naturally have given a good deal of
attention to reports from the new gold
fields. 1 have no doubt there is lots of
gold there. 1 know of very few men
who are preparing to leave this city for
the gold fields. 1t would be folly for
them to do so at this time, anyway. as it
Is too late to accomplish anything this
year,
Up to date "a applications for trans
porLation have been made at the ticket
agencies here. A large majority of the
applicants do not propose starting for
several months. A man who has lust
returned from Alaska, where he has
been for two years, said to a World re-
porter:
'No one but foolish man will start
now from New York for Clondyke. Any
that do start will reach the digginge to
find them covered with snow and be un-
able to do anything till May or June
The talk about high wages reads well, |
but 1t should be remembered there is
little work to be done in the cold climate
OF Alaska at any price.
''Those who go to the gold fields will
need quite little money and it will be
quite useless to go there without it.
There will be more of them earning less
than So day than those who do. There
is an abundance of fish and game in
Alaska, but the game laws are very
stringent and are rigidlv enforced. 1t is
an awfully tough journey, accomplished
only after hardship and expense. Alas.