The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-08-01
THE ROADS TO THE KLoNpxKE.

THE ROADS TO THE KLoNpYKE.
Not since the days of Pixies Peak or
bust" has any news stirred the people OF
this country to such an extent as that
which has reached US from Alaska and
the Klondyke. Coming as it does in a
time OF business depression. its effect is
almost magical; men who have never
been fifty miles from a city, men who
have never done any harder work than
sitting in an Office footing up columns
Of figures, men OF all sorts, and even
women want to pack up and be OF to
the Tim Tddler's ground where gold mug
gets-thy don't bother about the silver
are to be had for the picking up.
Here on the Pacific coast the fever is
even more virulent. Old boats that for
years have been slowly rotting in the
mud. have been hauled up. patched here
and there, loaded with men and provis-
ions and headed for the new Eldorado
In addition to the sloops and small boats
fitted out by groups of miners, there are
large vessels, capable OF carrying from
loo to 1oO0 gold-seekers leaving Seattle
and San Francisco every day. Thou
sands line the docks to witness their de-
parture. The feverish desire soon ex-
tends to the spectators. Some withstand
it, but those who can collect enough
money to buy an outfit follow in the
wake Of their companions.
There are two main routes to the
Klondyke; one is by way Of juneau,
overland: the other is via the Yukon
river. on the map the land route Looks
the quickest. as it is undoubtedly the
shortest the distance being not over -
miles but those who have never been in
that country can have no conception Of
the difficulties TO be encountered. Take"
says a writer in the Philadelphia Times.
the widest part Of the Alleghenies and
imagine every tree. every river and ev-
cry rock three times its actual size; Let
a cyclone rampage over it; then let It lie
for hundred years while a dense forest
and denser underbrush grows through
it; under every leaf place a mosquito,
on every stone sand fly; then for a
make-weight throw in a few billion 9TH
er flies OF different varieties. ranging
from the bulldog who tears whole chunks
out Of you at each bite down 10 the
microscopic pest that never leaves your
eyes as long as he can draw a breath,
and you will have a faint idea Of what
Alaskan forests are like" Part of the
way there is a trail; in fact several
trails but landslides and forest fires con-
stantly block them and entail long de-
lays in cutting a way through. The trail
ascends rapidly and after it reaches the
5,OOO-foot level the nights become bitter
y cold, sleep is impossible without plenty
Of blankets, yet in the day time the heat
and the labor Of carrying them makes
the prospector wish a thousand times
that he had never undertaken the job.
So impressed is the Canadian govern
ment with the difficulties which will be-
set Impractical miners that the following
notice has been issued by the minister
Of the interior:
Il think it only proper to say that any
person who contemplates going into the
Yukon territory should make very care
full inquiries as to the length of time
it will take to go and as TO the means
he viii have Of sustaining himself after
he gets there. The shortest time within
which communication as been had with
Fort Cudahy is six weeks, and that took
place under the most favorable circurn-
stances. The amount of provisions that
can be taken into that country at the
present moment is extremely limited, and
If any considerable number Of people
20 in without making special prepara-
lions for their maintenance this fall,
there is very likely to be starvation
during the coming winter. One thing
ought to be clearly understood-the gov
ernment cannot assume any responsible
fly whatever for getting in provisions
into that country to supply any people
who may go there in consequence Of
the gold excitement and who may find
themselves short Of food The difficulty
is largely one Of transportation, and no