The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1897-09-08

A ROAD
Gold Seekers Preparing a Way
TO Reach
THE YUKON GOLD FIELDS
Only Those Who Help to Construct
the Road VIII be Allowed
to Travel II.
THE YUKON GOLD FIELDS

SEATTLE, Wash, Sept. 6.-!The fol-
lowing letter has been received from j.
M. Hagerty at Skaguay, Alaska, dated
Aug. 28:
"Sylvester Scovel of the New York
World landed yesterday morning at
Skaguay by specially chartered tug
from Juneau with two tons of blasting
powder and the necessary tools to equip
seven complete crews for rock work on
the Skaguay trail, and as fast as horses
and men could get at it, it was started
to the front. In the evening there was
q meeting at the foot of the first hill,
attended by over 500 miners, who or
gained for the work in front of them,
and elected an executive committee,
consisting Of James Christie of Port
land, president; Philip Adams, secre-
tary; g. A. Cramer of Seattle, Mr..
Heacock and Mr.. Day as superintend-
ents, who selected experienced men for
the work on the rock hills and veteran
loggers for the work of corduroying the
muddy pieces. .
"There were 80 Canadian mounted
police also on the trail. They have
pitched in with good will and say that
the building of this trail now will ena-
BILE them to get in the 20 tons of provi-
sions in time to build and provision the
mail stations in their territory so that
they can operate dog teams all winter,
and they agree to deliver the mail every
two weeks from the Klondike to the
American line. Work is in progress for
10 miles along the trail and all travel
and packing has been suspended until it
Is completed.
"There have been some kickers as
usual, but they are so much in the
minority that they have had to submit.
While believe this trail will be COM
plete in 10 days so that travel can be
resumed, don't start for this point ex'
pecting to get over for at least 30 days,
as il will take that long after the trail
is completed to get all the miners over
who are now there. There would never
have been so much trouble for small
parties, bnt the swarm OF people, 80
per cent of whom were tenderfeet and
knew nothing about packing and
mountaineering has been the cause OF
congestion at this point.
1.-The first reports about this trail
were inspired by i'll treated parties who
are trying to start town here and who
are also in the whisky business. Not
nearly so many discouraged prospectors
are selling their outfits for a song as has
been reported but a good many who
started for the Klondike have given up
that idea have turned townsite buyers
and are erecting all kinds of buildings
and establishing themselves for the
winter as best they can. One week ago
lumber could be got for $97 per thou
sand. Now it is 500, and none for sale
even at that figure. Rubber boots,
heavy shoes and oil clothing are in de-
mand and fetch big prices. Hardware
of all kinds sells well.
"The Alaskan Pacific Express COM
pany has made arrangements to open an
office here and has appointed II. L. Bat
ting, formerly of Portland, agent.
"The steamship Queen of Seattle,
steamship Alh and Danube of Victoria,
have landed over 500 passengers, SOC
tons of freight and 800 horses and mules
since Aug. 20, and still there is more to
follow"