The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-04
A wOMAN,s EXPERIENCE.
Adventure on u Runaway ScOW-
PrniSe for GOId-Seekers.


Adventure on Runaway ScOw-
Praise for GOId-Seekers.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 3.-Mrs Mary Holmes,
writing to the Republic from Dyea, Alaska,
under date of Aug %, says: This thing be-
gan by my wading in gum boots over a
mile through icy water up to my waist,
clinging to rope lest l lose my footing in
the swift stream; and this experience was
followed a little later by imminent peril of
drowning in a helpless scow on the sweep
ing waters of the treacherous Chilcoot;
but sink or swim, here l am in camp two
and one-half miles above Dyea.
Much has been said about the dangers Of
Chilcoot pass, but l have a word to say
about the perils of Chilcoot river from its
mouth to the head of navigation some
seven miles. 1t is swift, treacherous and
dangerous all the way, and l will tell you
my experience in attempting a crossing in
our boat--a scow with the --LATEST bottom
that ever sat on the water. She was awk-
ward as a calf and would answer to moth
ing but good strong rope pulled by eight
or ten stout men, We all waded. The men
pulled and l clung to the rope for dear life.
1t was a Misunderstanding tug to get that un-
wieldly scow to make any progress, but the
Soon the stream got too deep for wadng
and we resolved to float the scow across to
the other side That resolve nearly cost
the lives of three of the party, including
myself Accompanied Irl by two men neId ~.
three men, By degrees We were allowed
to float in the direction OF the right-hand
bank the current every moment increasing
in strength and velocity. So great was the
force that the men in charge of the tow
line were unable to hold it, with the result
hot nil hot fiNi
pated it. Like a straw the big scow was
caught in the current, and, in spite of the
heroic rowing of the two men, we headed
direct for an old bridge which had collected
underbruSh and trees in such alarming pro-
portions to make navigation practically
WELL [ must not deny, like the Scotch
man. 1 was frightened just wee bit. or
course. l did not let my companions know
be seen that they, TOO, We're ahytnlng out
comfortable over the situation. With each
foot traversed the speed of the boat in
creased, until we seemed to be flying The
men on each shore rushed frantically about,
waving their hands and shouting sugges-
: tons and orders only distinguishable as so
many sounds. | don't know how long it
was, but it seemed an interminable length
of time before we struck the pile. We hit
broadSide on, as l have read in the story
books of shipwreck. Half over We went,
and then the rebound of the log sent us
back again with such force that we shipped
fully g. barrel of water.
Then the Prov was carried under by the
current, but almost at the same instant
huge wave struck the stern, wheeling US
half way around and lodging safely
against the remnants of the old bridge.
We were safe enough, but the sensations
physical wrecks. 1t was easy getting out,
for a dozen boats came to our rescue.
After that we hauled the old scow back
to the ferry, and then, proceeding up the
shore line about quarter of a mile, sue
ceeded in making our way safely to the
other side. 1t was dangerous and thrilling
experience but we lost nothing but a few
years growth. l was told afterward that
at the point where our scOw lodged two men
lost their lives, while number of scows
and boats loaded with provisions had been
wrecked
The river is lined with death traps, and
we had some remarkable experiences. The
most embarrassing part of my adventures
is that people will insist that | am a heroine
because l neither tainted nor cried out
when apparently about to lose my life, and
although the miners are moving every hour
of the day, 1t seems there is always one
left to tell the newcomer, so that all who
pass my tent stop to get look at the
sbrave, cool woman" as they call me.
Girls, if you want to meet real Chester
fields. come to Alaska and stay at an
ply lovely. No less than three offered to
cook dinner for me, and when ] told them
make the coffee When that, likewise was
declined, another produced some apples
with a flourish. and my acceptance of one
was an evident cause of general satisfac-
ton. A dozen offered me shelter in their
tents. and 1 was glad to sit down by a hot
stove. One big miner removed my oil coat,
another pulled up box to the stove, while
a third piled on wood. 1t got about that
had no tent, and at once more men than I
could count came to offer me the use or
theirs for as long as / required one. / men,
toned the fact that l had covering, and one
spoke up with real regret, saying: Il am
so sorry. for while have no tent to offer,
/ was in hopes l could give you my blan-
ket."
In the meantime one had gone to bring
,oJO fIaS haf QT1n
would not accept cent for the service. In
camp | am situated near an Indian village,
and get the full benefit of the dogs. They
seem to fight all the time. But that is
small thing beside the 600 odors of drying
fish. Any one of these odors would swallow
and overwhelm Chinatown.
The Indian women look exactly like ne
gro MINISTRIES. because they use burnt cork
on their faces to protect their complexion.
lust think of it, Who would ever imagine
that vanity would prompt a woman 10
make such a fright of herself? | don't
know where the men of the tribe see the
beauty she takes SO much pains to pre-
afraid they are too civilized to be calico
bucks" couple passed my tent on Sun
day. The woman had on patent leather
shoes and the man was got up regard
less She could not speak English. so |
was forced to address my remarks 70 him.
My first question was:
us she your squaw?" The look he gave
me fairly made me quail and when he saw
matte manner:
shes my wife"
felt I owed him an apology but did not
know exactly how to put it,
Prospectors are becoming very much dis
couraged and many are turning back
Those who are not are reducing their stores
so they can get through. Prices are so high
for boating and packing they simply can't