The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-08
WARNING GOLD SEEKERS.
A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL IN DTEA
TELLS OF THEIR PERIL.

or 1000 who Wad Conc Tn the ChtiEeot Pass
On AuE. No Not Moro Than One in rive
nae . Chance OF Getting ThrouEh-Hun
dreds May Perish on the sknguay Trail.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 7.-Secretary Gage OF
the Treasury Department has received o letter.
dated at Dyea on Aug. 90, from an official In
another branch OF the Government, giving any
thing but q roseate view Of the situation there
This official is on his way to the mining dis
trict, and goes on business for his department.
He has been in the service OF the Government
about twelve years, and tho Secretary has great
confidence in his judgment. Mr.. Gage Is
keenly alive to the serious conditions oil anairs,
especially In regard to the overcrowdinR Vi
vessels, but the information was received 100
late for action this season. The letter follows:
II deem II my duty TO write you on a subJect
that docs not come strictly within my line OF
duty, as 1t trenches somewhat upon the funo-
lions of the Treasury Department. i have had
q long talk with Mr.. Ivey, Collector OF Gus
toms for Alaska, who is at present at Skasuay'
three miles below here. The Skaguay trail Is
the most largely used overland route Though
by no means tho best) to the Klondike. Mr..
Ivey informs me that there are now between
tidewater and the Lake something ike 1000
people and about 1000 horses. The command
or OF ono Of the vessels now at Skaguay states
that sixteen vessels are chartered TO land car
goes at that place between now ana tho 10Th OF
September, and that the number OF passengers
will average 200 to each vessel. making $500
moro people who will attempt to go In this fall.
/ have talked with some OF the most experienced
traders and miners in this vicinity, and they are
unanimous In the prediction that not over
20 per cent. of this vast number will get through
to Dawson before winter sets In. Tho other
80 per cent. will DO caught on tho trail. and
fhOaa who eprviva and cot hack to t0ewater
will have to winter at skaguay or return south.
II the rush continues two weeks longer hun.
dreds will inevitably perish on the tran. when
Is extremely dangerous after the nrst OF oc-
The Postmaster and Indian trader at this
place, lMr. Heronl states that more than LOCO
past thirty days. and that 700 Of them are still
this side OF the lake, twenty four miles from
and at tho present rate Of Influx another. thou!
sand will enter the trail by Sept. 10. Mr.. Heron
Is OF the OPINION that not more than 20 our OF
far moro dangerous than the Skaguay after
the SHOWS set in. He says L the rush con,
will be appalling. l attach tho greatest weight
to what he says, for the reason that II Is to his
pecuniary interest to have as many as possible
come this way, yet he advises an immediate
stoppage Of the stampede. II is difficult to
suggest a way to stop this thrush OF people, but
Mr.. Ivey intimates that II the inspection rules
of the Treasury Department were properly en-.
forced 1t would materially decrease the num-
| OCT II DdSstnkcTo vi INC lnCOIulllR NtSStls. u
ly every vessel that arrives here brings twice
as many passengers as the law allows IL to
carry, and many OF them are condemned craft
which have been fitted up for this trade. Mr..
Ivcy will no doubt at once present the facts
outlined above to the proper authorities, and ]
merely give them to you for your information.
4 The situation Is appalling, and II Is impossible
for me adequately to describe the mad rush for
the gold fields. ] had no conception OF it's i'm.
mensity till l saw.
II have talked with several men who have
recently arrived here from the Klondike. 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 absolutely prohibitory in the
case Of a man Of ordinary means.
MY usual good luck has attended me here.
Mr.. Heron. the Postmaster. Is an old Montana
friend and he has made II possible for me to 20
forward by Indian carriers at the prevailing
rate t37 cents per poundl, taking precedence
over hundreds, many OF whom have been here
two or three weeks. awaiting their turn. He
at the lake in securing a boat, &c. So | feel
comfortably sure of going right through.
THE mail facilities are very bad here. as the
Post Office Department has not made any al.
lowance for the rapid growth of postal business.
The postal authorities here are powerless to
cope with the mass of mail matter. and ! have
doubts as to whether this letter will reach Its
destination. I am forced to close this letter 10
catch a boat which is about to leave, and | am
leaving unsaid some things which ! shall have
to include In my next letter."