The record-union., 1897-08-22
The KL0NDIKE
GOLD FIELDS.
Steamer George E. Starr Arrives at
Seattle From Dyea.
Among Her Passengers Were Miners From
the New Ell Dorado.

Did Not Bring Back as Much
Wealth as Was Reported They
Had Taken Ont of the Ground
Ex-Governor SheakIey of Al
aska Talks OF the Gold Fields.
SEATTLE CWash), Aug. 21.-The
steamer George E. Starr arrived at her
dock this morning shortly after 1U
O'Clock from Dyea and Skaguay, ana
was met by a great crowd Of people, II
having been reported that several men
from Klondike who made their way
10 saltwater overland, were on board
This report proved true, but the IN
ferest centered in the appearance OF
one passenger, Ed Thorp, who was eX-
pected to come down on the Portland,
and who is reported to have somewhere
in the neighborhood of S13O,0O0 in
Klondike gold in his possession Thorp
and his companions talk, but it is i'm
possible to get anything definite from
them. Willis Thorp, the father of Ed
Thorp, received a letter a few days ago
on the Alki from his son, saying that
he had $4,000 in gold at least, that
is what Willis Thorp is alleged TO have
told his friends, but now Thorp and
his three companions on the Starr unite
only on one point in telling their story,
and that is that they have $4,000 be-
tween them.
A reporter found Thorp the moment
after he landed and began to ply him
with questions. AT this moment the
elder Thorp, who appears to have an
Tipathy for newspapers in general since
the publication of his sons alleged
wealth, interfered.
Four men on the steamer are direct
from Dawson. They are George L.
Stewart Ed Thorp, Joe Winterfield and
Jack Ross and their Indian guide
Schwatka.
Stewart went to Yukon in July, 1896,
and located a claim on FL Dorado
Greek, branch of Bonanza Greek, and
about sixteen miles from Dawson.
When the party left Dawson City July
4th, nothing had been heard of the dis
cOveries on Stewart River. A party
came up the Yukon to Pelly River,
which they reached on the 18th of July.
From there they came over Dalton trail
and reached Skaguay August 18th.
Dalton trail nDoese%kates . packing dis
1ance of between four and five hum
6ired miles, and is used mostly for driv
ing stock over the Yukon. 1t is the
intention of all the party to return to
their mines at once on the next trip
of the steamer George E. Starr if they
can get ready. They all came out af-
ter supplies. Mr. Stewart said sup
plies run short in the spring. and that
flour went up to $40 per sack. At pres
ent it is So per cwt.
Old miners on the Yukon say that
the transportation company promises
every year to have plenty of provisions
for the next winter, but that the sup
ply invariably runs short.
THE LAST EXPEDITION.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 21-The
last expedition from California for the
Alaska gold fields will leave here on
August 25th. The steamer Navarro
has been chartered by the California
Alaska Navigation and Commercial
company and will tow the river steam
er Thomas Dwyer to the mouth of the
Yukon River. The Navarro will have
accommodations for seventy-five pas
sengers, and the managers of the ex-
pedition calculate on reaching Dawson
City in about thirty days. Two ply
sicians will accompany the expedition
TO look after the health of the pros
pectors. If by any mischance the Ma
varro reaches the Yukon too late for the
river boat to get through, arrange
7nents have been made for caring foI
the passengers until spring.
GOVERNOR SHEAKLEY TALKS.
SAN FRANCISCO. Aug. 21-James
Sheakley, Ex-Governor of Alaska, and
wife, arrived this morning from the
north and are registered at the Occiden-
tai
Mr. Sheakley has resided in Alaska
for ten years, serving in various official
capacities, first as United States Com
missioner, then as Superintendent OF
Government Schools and for the past
four years as Governor, an appoint
ment which he received from ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland. He is now returning
home with no idea of again visiting
Alaska, believing that ten-year resi-
denee in the cold north should be suf-
ficierft experience for any man.
The gentleman confirmed much of the
reports of the gold discoveries of late
but he is not particularly enthusiastic
over the prospects which have beer
represented in such glowing terms tC
AHC 8lnOuSAfEdS Oh ltFIuuE hunters nGT
camped at Dyea and Skaguay awaiting
an opportunity TO cross Chilkat Pass
While there is no doubt that Alasks
abounds in mineral wealth. said he q
don't think it exists in the quantities
that have been reported. When yol
take into consideration the terrible
hardships that must be endured il be-
comes a serious question as TO whether
the risks viii warrant the undertaking
ch a journey.
hear much Of the vast fortunes
We been taken out of the KIon-
rict by miners in one. two and
-Tths, but they forget TO men.
onths they have srent in dig
irock, a task that is attend
greatest of difficulties.
vter portion of the gold 81
from the British side, de
by melting glaciers. bu
1000 men now bound fol
I doubt if ) per cent vii
ith fortunes. The talk oi
sut $4,000, 900 during ths
also seems unlikely. About
will probably be nearer tht
lgure"
Sheakley said further that there
sod reason to believe that food vii
Se very scarce at the scene of mining