Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-08-25
N THE FAR NORTHWEST.
Official Report of the Yukon Gold Mining
District.

RtotAAt-
New York, Aug. 16.-A dispatch to
suo n1raiu from washington says:
Secretary Gage has just received from
the Minister Of the Interior Of Canada
an official report of the Yukon mining
district. 1t is a condensation OF the re-
ports of William Ogilyie. the Dominion
land surveyor, and contains other mat
ter from officers of the Canadian Gov
eminent, who have previously visited
the region or are there now.
At the outset the Minister states that
the report Is published in response to
numerous public demands.
THE object he says, sis not to in.
duce anyone to go to that remote coun-
try at the present time. Until better
Imeans of communication are establish
ed a man undertakes serious risks ! IN
going there unless he has sufficient re-
sources to tide over the long winter.
After September egress from the coun-
try is practically impossible until the
following June, and a person who has
not been successful in locating a paying
claim has to depend for his subsistence
upon finding employment. Wages are
at times a%bnormally high, but the labor
market is very narrow and easily over
| stocked.
ut is estimated that up to the middle
OF May $500 to 1. 900 persons had crossed
to Dyea this year. Several hundred
more will go by steamers up the Yukon.
Whether employment will be available
for more and for the considerable pop.
ulation 10 the district is somewhat
doubtful. 1t will, therefore, be wise
for those who contemplate going to the
Yukon district to give serious consider
alton to the matter before coming to a
decision"
An extract from the report of A. E.
Willis, Assistant Surgeon for 1895, is
given to indicate the climate of the
Klondike, characteristics of the inhab
itants and the mode of living. He also
describes the kind of men that should
go to the Klondike. He says:
"The climate is wet. During the
winter months the cold is intense, with
the usually considerable wind. A
heavy mist, rising from open places in
the river, settles down in the valley in
extreme weather. This dampness makes
the cold felt much more, and is con
ducive to rheumatic pains, colds and
the like. In selecting men to live in
this country, l beg to submit a few re
marks, some of which will be of assist
ance to the medical examiners in max
ing their recommendations.
Men should be sober, strong and
healthy. They should be practical
men, able to adapt themselves quickly
to their surroundings. Special care
should be taken to see that their lungs
are sound, and they are free from rheu.
matism and Rheumatic tendencies. and
their joints, especially knee joints, are
strong and have never been weakened
by injury or disease. 1t is important
to consider their temperaments. Men
should be OF cheerful, hopeful DISPOSE.
tions and willing workers. Those of
%sullen morose natures, although they
may be good workers, are very apt, as
soon as the novelty of the country wears
off, TO become dissatisfied, pessimistic
and melancholy"
Mr.. Ogilvie, Chief of Boundary Sur.
vey, in a report of a trip down the
Yukon, says regarding the weather:
ut is said by those familiar with the 10.
cality that the storms rage in the upper
attitudes of the coast range during the
greater part OF the time from October
to March. and are terrific. A man
caught in one of them runs the risk of
losing his life, unless he can reach
shelter in time"
Mr.. ogilvie, on the same trip, had
much difficulty with the Indians, and
they demanded $50 per 100 pounds for
carrying his goods, On being told that
the party had a permit from the Great
Father, in Washington, to pass thro
the country. and that the Indians
would be punished il they interfered,
they reduced the price to $40. Mr..
Ogilvie estimates that there are about
460, 900 acres of land along the Yukon
and its branches that might be used for
agricultural purposes. Mr.. Ogilvie
gives the miners a bad reputation. He
Gays:
VI may say that it is generally very
difficult to get an exact oreven approx