The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-19
LOOKS DARK FOE THE kLoND1KE
a Dominion OhcIal Returns from UnaiRstn
VIII Gloomy ForebodInEs.

OTTAWA, Sept. Thames NJ. Macoun OF the
Dominion Geological Survey has returned to
Ottawa from Behring Sea. where he had been
sent by the Canadian Government to report on
the seals. He had nothing to say as to the re-
suits of his trip, but spoke freely OF what he
observed in regard To the mining boom in
Alaska.
Mr. Macoun'5 work took him several times
to Unalaska, OF Dutch Harbor. the last coaling
station on the way to st. Michael, on the iu-
kon. Every vessel going up to ST. Michael
calls at Unaiaska, and, in consequence, u visit
or has IN excellent opportunity OF meeting the
men who are seeking gold n Alaska. He
talked to n number OF miners who were return.
ing about the conditions they encountered and
also as 10 the value OF the gold they had taken
out. While all agreed the country was rich in
gold, they preferred to return during the severe
winter. The miners stated that The wealth OF
the klondike region had been greatly cxaggcr-
ated. He had spoken 10 "A number OF the nturn.
ing miner, asking them how much they had
made. None had secured more than $4,000,
while most had been satisfied with much less.
Mr.. Macoun said he met many fairly success
fui miners, but the unsuccessful were the great
majority, Hundreds OF men Of all ages ami CON
FROM the cities, and the brunzcd and hardened
miners, who had been in all kinds Of pcrils-
gone in with the idea that they could get
claims on the klOndike, but learned that every
claim there had been sttked, and that 10 dig
for gold Independently they must search for
other streams.
or the miners who are gong up to the Klon-
dixie he found only , or Il per cent. had had any
experience in searching for gold. The miners
at Dawson City, Circle City. and on the Klon.
dixie will be dependent, he says, almost solely
upon the PROVISIONS taken in by way OF the
Yukon, The majority OF those going by way
of ChilkoOt and White passes are taking but
few provisions with them. When Mr.. Macouu
returned only 5000 tons of freight had been
taken up the Yukon by the Two transportation
companies.
The last steamer expected from the Yukon
had not reached st. Michael when Mr. Macoun
was at Cnalaska, and it has not yet reached
certain that no more freight will he taken in
this year. OF the 1900 tons of freight carried
into the Yukon his year, hardly more than one
quarter Is fool, the greater part being hard
ware, clothing, &c. Those who went In from
the passes carried hardly enough 10 put them
through the winter. As each man needs 500
pounds OF provisions FOR the seven months win.
ter there, It can well be understood how many
will get enough to eat. There are thousands
OF men in the country-at Dawson City, Circle
City, and the hundreds OF mining camps in
various parts and on the kloudike. Not many
OF these took In sufficient provisions. and UNI.
less relieved will suffer terribly and perhaps
starve to death.
Mr.. ,Macoun says he has rcjoiced to know
that the passes have been found so difficult
that many thousands have been deferred from
getting into the klOndike, and thus Kept from
swelling the number Of those who are certain
to suffer and starvc this winter. He regards
the outlook for the miners In the Yukon AS a
dark one. and does not think the companies
there will be able TO get in any more provisions.
Dog trains, however. may be able 10 carry in
enough 10 enable the miners to live.