The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-20
MINERS EEAR srARHAT1oM.
hs d DlseoaraGinG An but tine Most hectic
from Leavfng San Rrnncisco.

Dc d D1seoaraGing An but the Most Rectle1
nom Leavfng San Francisco.
BAN Francisco, July 19.-The Klondike fever
BtfIl RACES here, and all the newspapers devote
from o page to . page and o half TO tho stories
Of returned miners and talks In regard to routes
to the nsw gold fields. Still the fear of starva-
ton 10 90 strong % TO discourage all but tho
most reckless from venturingu upon the trip.
As many a. 900 people have applied to the
Alaska Commercial Company for information
In regard to the passage by way of 81. Michael
and Yukon River, but only fifty tickets have
been sold. Tho North American company have
not sold any tickets yet Experts VINO have
travelled over the Juneau route declare that it
10 . shame to induce Eastern people to come out
here and 60 over that route to tho Klondike
mines at this season.
When the snow is OF the ground no one can
carry moro than seventy.fve pounds, and It Is
utterly impossible to carry food enough to
maintain q man for moro than two or three
months. The Indians arc also few In number
and not to be depended upon In any emergency.
for after they have mado o little money they
win not do any additional work.
For the last three years several local and
English companies have been studying the lay
Of the land between Chilkat and Circle City with
avfew to establishing and quicker q moro practi-
cable way Of transportation to the gold fields
along the Yukon. Goodall, Perkins &c Co. have
made o thorough investigation Of the matter.
Capt. Charles n. Goodall said to-day:
"The rich find in the Klondike district will
probably result in some better means of trans
portation. though the roughness of the country
and the limited open season will not Justify
anybody in building q railroad for any dis
TANGO. Recently we sent several hundred
sheep and cattle to Juneau. and from there
TO the head Of navigation by the steamer
Alki. Mr.. Dalton, who discovered tho trail
across the country from the Chilkat River to
Fort Selkirk. is taking 1.-Two stock TO the mines.
His route lies from the head of navigation
through Chilkat Pass and along the trail.
which is over prairie several hundred miles.
to tho Yukon River, near Fort Selkirk. At this
time of year the prairie Is clear and bunch grass
grows on 1t in abundance.
II believe this will ultimately DO the popular
route. People could go over 1t In wagons. as the
prairie Is level. Stations could be established.
as was done on our plains in 40. 1t would be
easy to go down the Yukon In boats from where
DaltOn's trail strikes It to Dawson City and
other mining camps.
"The plan to build a traction road over Chilkat
Pass from Tyea, the head of navigation after
leaving Juneau. TO Lake Linderman. 10 not q
geod business proposition. 1t has been talked OF.
and the rest OF the plan 10 to have steamers To
ply from Lake Linderman through the other
lakes TO the Yukon. But to do this two portagea
would have to be made on account of the falls
In the river, and these would DO enormously
expensive.
"A British company has had In contemplation
for some time the construction Of a railroad
from the head of navigation on Taku Inlet. near
Juneau. to Teslin. or Akleno Lake. and thence
down some small rivers to the Yukon and the
mines. Even by this route there would be need
OF portages. The natural way to take infreight
unless the hurry be great, is by st. Michael and
up the Yukon. To establish oven q wagon road
over Dalton's Trail on the prairie, . railroad
over the divide from Tyea TO Lake Lnderman
or railroad as planned by the English company
concessions would have TO DO secured from the
British Government"