The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1897-08-09
LATEST FROM KLONDYKE.
Special Trip BY the Evening Star
Correspondent.

The special correspondent of
the "Star," just back from a fly
ing trip to the gold fields (via air.
ship details his adventures be-
low. We wish it distinctly under
stood that it is not our intention
to deter anyone from venturing
to Alaska, and on the other hand
our readers are cordially invited
to make any use they can of the
information gathered by our re-
porter. The "Star," not wishing
to be excelled by the other great
dailies, has provided the outfit
and borne the entire expense of
this trip. We believe the state
ments made by our correspondent
will equal in truthfulness those
made by other reporters at the
gold fields.
Juneau, July 23rd-Upon my
arrival here l found the greatest
excitement prevailing. Tying
my air-ship to an orange tree, l
strolled over to where the excite
ment seemed thickest, taking
rapid notes of everything l saw
and heard. The general impress
sion seemed to be that the govern
ment was endeavoring, by spread
ing reports of gold discoveries, to
settle up the country within the
sealing limits, SO as to encourage
the manufacture of sealing-wax.
OF this however I am by no means
sure; one thing however is certain
and that is that the miners are
dissatisfied. They claim first of
all that there isn't any gold at
all; secondly, that it was quite
impossible to reach it and, thirdly
that when you did reach it the
pieces were SO large as to pre-
clude handling without expensive
machinery. All this was dis
couraging but I pushed forward,
after taking more notes and an
overcoat which was lying handy.
Chillcat Pass, 4:30 a. m.-Here
fresh difficulties confronted me;
accidents to the miners striving
to cross over were numerous; on
account of his age, one man went
blind, several on seeing this threw
up their hands, but | had already
passed.
N. B. Lost my notes, but re-
tanned the overcoat and my ad-
dress.
Between Juneau and Dawson
City nothing occurred of any con-
sequence. Had some trouble in
fording the different rivers, but
got over this by making bridges
out of the Stick Indians. Slept
one night in a deserted claim,
the w. j. Bryan; towards morn
ing I was awakened by feeling a
protuberance under the small OF
my back. Upon turning up the
gas, | discovered it to be nugget
weighing several hundred pounds;
of course Immediately tumbled
to the racket, the claim had been
"salted." I have frequently seen
this done in California in the days
of 40. Leaving the nugget tc
fool some other greenhorn,
dressed and sailed forth q al
ways find it best to sally in that
country, as it overawes the ma
tives.)
Arrived at Dawson abou1
breakfast-time on the 31st. The
climate is very fine, there is alst
lots of room, but the cooking
leaves much to be desired. The
miners, having nothing to do
have formed themselves into {
sort of pocupurante club, which
is source of great pleasure tt
all and of revenue to a few. A.
the tips of my fingers were fro
zen, l declined to join them.
learned casually that the winter
here are cold. The salt at Daw
son is OF an excellent quality, 81
is the ice.
While in Dawson l was strucl
by an idea; | pursued it bu