Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-09-10
WARNSGOLDSEEKERS
GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL WRITES or
The P6RlLs or PRosPECroRs.

Party OF sauit Ste. Marie Citizens RE-
torn From Miohipicotten, aud Every
Man says He Has Made strike and Ia
Fabuiousiy Rich.
Washington. Sept s.-The treasury
department has made public the follow
Ing letter dated Dyea Aug. %, receiV I'd
from government official now In Alas
ta on the way to the goldhelds. stating
at the same kme that the writer, whose
name is withheld had been IL years in
the service and was thoroughly relia-
BILE
The skagguay tran is the most
largely used overland route. though by
no means the best. to the Klondike.
Mr.. Ivey. collector Of customs for Alas
ta. informs me that there are now be-
tween tide water and the lake some
thing like 1000 persons and 1000 horses
The commander Of one of the ves-
sells now at skaeguay states that 16
vessels are chartered to land cargoes at
that place between now and Sept is
ana that the number OF passengers will
average 200 to each vessel. making 5000
more people who will attempt TO 90 in
this fall
IhFE tuintU WIN some OF the tnoht
experienced traders and miners in this
vicinity, and they are unanimous IN the
prediction that not over 20 per cent OF
this vast number viii get through to
Dawson before winter sets in The 9TH
er so per cent will be caught on the
trail and those who survive and get
back 10 tide water will have 20 winter
at Skagguay or return south
III the rush qpnllnuaq tuuf, tvaaLc
longer, hundreds will inevitably perish
on the trail. which Is extremely dan
gerous after Oct. /.
The postmaster and Indian trader at
this place, Mr.. Heron, states that more
than 1000 men have gone up the Chill
kat pass during the past 30 days and
that 700 of them are still this side of
the ieRe, 81 miles from here.
Vessels are arriving every day or
two. and at the present rate of influx
about 1000 more will enter the trail by
Sept 10. Mr.. Heron is of the opinion
that not more than 20 out of 100 will
get through, and he says this trail is
fer more dangerous than the Skagguay
after the SHOWS set in. He SAYS II the
rush continues another week the re-
suit and loss OF life will be appalling.
1 attach the greatest weight to what
be says, for the reason that II is 10 his
pecuniary interest TO have al many as
possible come this way, yet he advises
an Immediate stoppaee of the STAN
pede.
TT is difficult to suggest a way to
stop this thrush OF people but Mr. 1vey
intinates that If the inspection rules
OF the treasury department were prop
erly enforced II would materially de-
crease the number Of passengers on the
incoming vessels. Nearly every vessel
that arrives here brings twice as many
passengers as the law allows It to car
ry, and many of them are condemned
craft which have been fitted up for this
trade
They unanimously agree that while
there is rich godfeld there the facts
do not Justify the present stampede.
and they say there is bound to be much
suffering and actual starvation.
Provisions are already scarce and
the prices OF many articles absolutely
prohibltory In the case Of a man OF or
dlnary means
The mail facilities are very bad here,
MS the postoffice department has not
made any allowance for the rapid
growth Of postal business. The postal
authorities here are powerless to cope
with the mass of mail matter, and 1
have doubts as to whether this letter
win reach. its destination. / am forced
o close th's letter to catch boat. which
is about to leave and lam leaving un-
said some things which I shall have 10
include In my next letter"