Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-11

SEATTLE, Wash, September 1.-THE
steamer City of Topeka arrived from
Alaska at o'clock this morning. and
brings the following letter to the Associated
Press:
JUNEAU, Alaska, September 6, 1897
Among the recent ARRIVALS at this port
are the steamers Rosalie. Mayf1ower, De-
troit Willamette and Topeka, and the fall
ing off in the volume of travel is very
noticeable. The majority of newcomers will
remain at Juneau until spring. An effort
Will be made next year to turn the tide
OF travel by way of Sitka going from there
to Yakoutal and Disenchantment bay and
up the White river, the distance being
only about 42o miles from Sitka to Dawson.
as against 200 miles from Juneau over the
present trail.
Railroad Now Assured
The building of a railroad from Juneau TO
Lake Teslin is now assured. Thorough ex-
animation by the interested parties has
decided them to commence work at the
earliest possible moment next wear. The
road will go by way of the Laku, over the
lake. whence the traveller will go by water
TO his destination. No doubt this will be
the nrSt railroad established, but IL will
probably be quickly followed by others
Two prospective roads i'm particular having
the same terminus as the Juneau road In
gong INTO the Yukon country the White
morse rapids and many other dangerous
places VIII be avoided. As there will be
suitable boats plying on Lake Teslin and
the iootaiinqua river, the trip will be one
OF pleasure rather than otherwise
Rapid progress is being made on the ca BILE
tramway now constructing at Chilkoot
fass, ana when finished everything can 60
over more cheaply and quickly than here
.oIore. Every one is now mapping out ar
w Int or
soon be out of the question to enter the
hiondike before February or March.
Old ProspectOr's Story.
Among the passengers on the Cleveland,
which arrived at Seattle yesterday, was
Charies Ross, whose home is in the North
west Territory. He accompanied the first
detachment OF mounted police into the
Yukon country, and has been there ever
since Mr. Ross. during his residence on
the ukon, visited and prospected in all the
promising mining sections. He said that all
OF the claims on the tributaries of the
klondike which show any sort of promise
nave been located During the summer he
put In his time prospecting. Mr.. Ross be-
heVes that the American side of the line
of1erS the best inducements to miners
About sixty of the passengers on the
Cleveland and Excelsior on the up trip
pooled their fortunes. bought the river
steamer st. Mfchaels and a barge for
the sixty men took loo pounds of pro-
visions and tools.
r I. Richardson's steamer which Capt
Worth is to take up, was about ready to
start up the river when the Cleveland left
She had a full cargo, and could have had
any number of passengers, for there were
many there who could not secure trans
portation. Every one who came out re-
ported that at Dawson City no supplies
can be bought at any price.
Cleveland Brought Little Gold.
Charles Engle of New York declares that
the returning Yukoners on the Clevelani
brought down less than 100000, all told
Not half that figure represented the hold
ings Of the men. however. for most OF
them, he said, were coming out rather
than remain to starve. Mr.. Engle believes
that at least $5o0,00O is coming down on the
Excelsior. Not more than 800 tons of
supplies will be gotten up the Yukon this
season, according to Mr.. EngePs judy
ment. or this amount only fraction is
food.