The San Francisco call., 1897-10-26
CAPTAIN RAYS REPORT.
No Possible Hop Of Getting Sup
plies to Dawson by the
River Route

WASHINGTON. Oct. 25.-The War De-
partment has received a report from
Cap ain Ray, VINO was sent some time ago
10 investigate conditions in the Yukon
country. Captain Rays report is dated
Fort Yukon. September Is, where his
boat failed TO cross the bar. He SAYS:
Having failed in every attempt, her
cargo has been discharged here and she
leaves for ST. Michael in few hours. 1t
has been showing steadily for the past
four days. and ii the cold weather con-
unues the river will soon clo,e This
Leaves The situation at Dawson City and
above unchanged, and there exists no
possible hope of getting supplies INTO the
honulke country by the river route this
fall.
II find Eli Gage here, he having lust
come down from Dawson by small boat
He reports thar the people at Dawson lad
not been advised of the condition of af-
falrs here when he left, August 1S Word
had been sent from here by Indians four
days before my arrival, which renders it
unnecessary for me TO GO forward a. once
as intended. Mr.. Gage also reports that
the supplies in the stores at Dawson when
he lett were very low, aud nothing had
been delivered there py either company
since that date except one bargeIoad of
liquor and boots.
The Alaska Commercial Compan has
stores at Andreasfky, Nulato, Nukukavet
(Iananah), Rampant City (Minookl and
Circle City. Circle City is practically aban-
doned: Miners arriving here since
landed report only thirty people there and
they are waiting for boat 10 get away.
Rampant City had a population of about
800 on tie 7th inst, which includes those
In a mlnlng camp twelve miles away.
counted seventy tents, one store and ten
houses. The people were getting out logs
and Whlpsawlng tim ber and new cabins
were gong up rapidly.
''Ihe city OF Weare | found represented
by four spruce logs crossed as a foundation
Tor abn population O. 1t is located
three-quarters of mile below the Alaska
Commercial COmpany's store at Nuku.
kayet.
Forty Mile and Birch Creeks were aban-
doned wnen the discovery was made in
the Klondike. Since then miners have
been slowly drifting back. / have reli-
abie information that unless people from
the hiondlke come in they will soon be
GeS4 rted.
The great lack of sufficient food supply
has checked nearly all development for
this winter. DID not have time TO visit
the mines at Minook. and cannot spe K
as 20 their value. / saw over $500 in mug
gets and dust alleged to have been taken
out OF lO-ioot hole or one claim, which
claim was sold for 5000 TO some parties
on lhls boat. Many miners coming down
from the Kiondike are stopping there,
ana many coming into the Territory by
this route will stop rather than winter
here, where there is no chance. of work
1here is no regular comnunicat ton be-
tween the mining camps during the VIM
ter, and no mail facilities between Circle
City and ST. Michael duung that period.
In my previous report / have noted the
transporia ION facilities now in existence
on the Yukon ana preparations being
made 10 meet next winters business. The
steamerson the river seem ill-suired for
the upriver work. / am reliably in
formed by Mr. Provost, the EpiscoI al
munster at the mouth of the Tananah. and
others tnat tEere is a practicable route
from the Tananah across the ulvIde to the
head OF Cooks Inlet via the head OF Cop
per River; thar Indians pass TO and iro
trading during tue winter. If this in
formation proves correct, l beli:ve pack
animals or wheeled transport ation cou d
b. placed on tbs route in the summer
and better anu shorter route opened to
.he mines in our ierriiogy."