Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-14
uZOTTE IN ALASKA.
The Lewiston Ball Players Impressions o.
the Gold Country.

Louis o. Chabot of Lewiston, has re-
ceived a letter from his brother-in- law
Joseph Lizptte, the ball player. written
Sept. 10, ut Skaguay. Alaska in which
he describes the existing conditions in
that far-on territory. Mr.. Lizotte says;
Skaguay. Alaska. Sept. Is. 1897.
My Dear Louis: | will write you a few
lines to let you know l have reached that
far-off country. Alaska. and am in the
best of health. This is the strangest
country l have ever been in and there are
many wonderful things connected with
this exodus north.
l have been quite a while getting here
but l am now as far as l can get this
winter.
Six weeks ago there were only two huts
here but now there are over 100. and log
houses are going up in all directions. This
Is the starting place for those going 10
the gold fields overland through the Chill
coot Pass. 1t is called Is miles, over
mountains thousands of feet high.
l came over here with some horses with
a man from Seattle, and I think now |
will stay here until spring and will get
an early start. There are four in the
party of which I am now a member and
they are all nice fellows. We have located
lot here and will begin at once to build
us a cabin for the winter. After we get
through we will get something to keep
us busy until spring. when we will so
over to the gold fields. 1 have started
out for the stuff and will either get it or
die trying.
Prices are very high here. Let me give
you an idea of what they are: Eggs, 50c.
per dozen: butter, 75c. per pound: beef.
Coo. per pound; milk, zoe. per quart; APP
pies. sc. each; bread. 25c. per loaf. and
shooting. Sc; OK shoeing. SIS. / tell you
some of these fellows are making money
hand over fist. The man next to our
camp made slS5 in trucking. yesterday.
vxvtt II MI
charge much for hauling stuff from the
boats, oh no. OF course prices are i'm
measurably higher in the mountains. and
they will be higher here before winter is
over.
There are about 1000 people camping
here for the winter and we will ali go
over in the spring, that u.s. if we don't
freeze up The weather has been perfect
so far. OF course there is snow on the
mountains but not here in the valley yet.
l wish you could see some of the paci,
trains that leave here. Hundreds are go
ing all the time. There will surely be the
most horrible catastrOphes on the trail
through the mountains this winter that
have ever been heard of, for many of
them will starve and freeze to death.
l was over the trail. yesterday, about
six miles and counted 1877 horses down
over the embankment They looked about
as big as dogs from where l was 1t was
an awful sight. Some of the sights you
pie coming back over the trail crying and
all discouraged, selling their goods for
what they can get and either staying here
or going home. 1t is impossible to get
over the trail. but people are crazy to
get there before everything freezes up.
The hest way to get there is on the snow.
but they are so anxious they won't wait
for that. A man started with 20 horses.
Sunday, went half way over and had two
left. / wish / could describe the strange
sights I see here.
They say there are now over 1000 horses
scattered over the trail even as far as the
lake. AS soon as the cold weather starts
in we will hear of people dying as fast as
horses. 1t is cold up here in the winter.
with plenty of snow, the temperature
ranging from 40 to 60 below zero.
1t is going to be a tough experience, but
I am going to stick it out if l can. You
see. there will be many people here in the
spring and I want to get a good start.
After devoting a paragraph to personal
affairs and remembrances, he says:
Give my very kind regards to all inquir-
ing friends. Hoping this will find you in
the best of health, I remain,
Very truly your brother,
J. F. LIZOTTE.
Address, Skaguay. Alaska.