The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-08-26
BLOCKED.
May Not Enter The AeSper-
ldeS Without Food
The Miners Law Blocks the Gate
way In the Interests of Human
ity-Thousands Rushing to
the Klondike.

SKAeUAY, Alaska, Aug. II, by
steamship AL XII to Seattle, Aug, Is.
The miners held a meeting this
noon alta bridge they are building
across the river two miles up the
trail and decided to allow no one to
go over the White Pass who had not
at least 800 pounds Of provisions A
number have started in with scarce-
ly enough food to last them to
Dawson City, and the action was
taken to avoid the necessity OF feed
ing hungry people in the Yukon
country this winter
A miners meeting stands without
parallel among the unique. 1t
was recently decided at such a meet
ing at Circle City that man cannot
whip his own dog. What miners
meeting says goes. A teamster
named Cleveland was run out of
town two days ago for refusing to
haul a corpse free Of charge. 1t was
the body OF young Dwight B. Fow-
Ter OF Seattle, who fell into the
river and was drowned in the clear
water in sight of his companions
owing to the weight Of the pack
strapped to his back.
The faces of the gold-huuters take
on different expression when they
come from the ships to the shore.
The change is from the very, lively
to the extreme grave. The naked
truth stripped to the bone is that at
least 1000 miners must winter here
or return home. Every incoming
steamer makes the situation worse,
and there is no relief in sight. 1t has
como to be difficult thing to iud
place whereon to pitch tent with
out asking the consent Of some
other fellow who has staked out
town lot. The whole fat of 100
acres is staked out by the gold
hunters, among whom the belief is
becoming stronger each passing day
that here is destined to grow up a
great city.
Skaguay is at this date city of
eleven frame or log houses, a saw
mill, five stores, four saloons, crap
game, faro layout, blacksmith
shop, five restaurants which are
feeding people all the time, tailor
shop on which is hung the sign
"Bloomers Fitted for Shotguns," a
real estate Office, two practicing
physicians, some 800 tents and po-
pulation of about 1000 men and
seventeen women. Four . of the
women are accompanying their hus-
bands into the Klondike. The
others are unchaperoned. A dance
hall will be erected next week.
Sksguay is already typical min
ing camp. It's population is proud
of it. They go further and say il
will be shot town" next winter
Streets have been laid out. Broad.
way runs from high tide four miles
back to the mountain base and il
walled with tents, piles of supplies
and felled trees.
"Halt way to Klondike and stuck
is the camp expression. Richard or
Bosworth- Field, did not want {
horse worse than the miner stuck al
Skaguay does. Horses can go al
the way to the lakes. Horses arr
worth their weight in gold. Th'
boniest plug that would be spurneC
by a horse meat factory at cent |
pound is worth $500 here.
Twelve hundred men are waiting
here for horses to pack their outfit
over Many have been waiting tive
weeks without having a pound o
their freight moved and with moth
ing in sight to move it. Many ar
discouraged. Others are beginning
to lose hope and heart of getting
into the Klondike this winter
. About twelve men have sold thei