The San Francisco call., 1897-07-20

her support here. The rich man, the
brave husband who goes forth and the
wife who will hope in the City all expect
that there will be few marvellous claims
to divide year or two hence.
There is an enormous amount of brain
power, divine reason and brave resolu.
ton being expended in the momentous
problem. "to go, or not to CO." Hundreds
are giving it serious consideration.
There are those who can get the necessary
money together easily or by little sacri-
flee. Some are looking for the rig ht sort
of a partner aud some are looking for lit
tie parties to join. They focked to the
Office of the Alaska Commercial Company
all day, and there was never less than a
dozen there, asking questions and dis
cussing the whole thing among them
selves. The company's last steamer will
leave on the 28ih inst, and can carry 2G0
to st. Michaels and 10 its river boats on
The Yukon, but though hundreds OF in
quirers have been to the office, not half the
berths had been engaged yesterday. 1t s
a new thing and every body is looking
into the thing before deciding to go and
what way to go. The Mexico will refuse
passengers before leaving.
Other inquirers focked to the agency of
the Alaska Commercial Company's rival,
the North western Transportation and
Trading Comp pany, which runs its steam
ers from Seattle to St. Micnaels, at the
mouth of the Yukon, connecting with its
own river boats. This company expects
to be able to send one more steamer up
from the sound in time to get up the river.
These two companies have q complete
monopoly of Yukon River transportation
and there is no other way OF taking the
Yukon River route. This IS the easiest
and most comfortable route to the gola
fields. 1t is about 5000 miles from San
Francisco to the mouth OF the Yukon and
about 1000 miles up the river to Dawson.
The fare. with meals, etc., is $150, and the
trip clear through takes about six weeks.
The great majority go by the overland
route from Juneau and Chiikoot Pass, in
volving more effort and hardship, but less
time and often less expense. There is
hard trip of less than twenty five miles
over the pass TO Lake Linderman. where
boats are built to float down the wild and
picturesque lakes and streams right to the
diggings, trip of about 800 miles from
the coast. To take this route people get
to Juneau on any of the frequent steam
ers, make up their little parties and out
fits and start.
Juneau is mainly reached by the steam
ers of the Pacific Coast Steamship Com
pany from here or the Sound. The Walla
Walla sails this morning from here with
but few Yukoners. It's accommodations
are fully taken by Christian Endeavorers,
who will take the Queen at Seattle for the
Alaska excursion. The Walla Walla Will
also connect with the Mexico, which will
take most of the miners then bound for
Juneau. The Yukon rush has caused the
Pacific Coast company to arrange an extra
steamer trip, which Will be the George w.
Elder, to leave Portland for Juneau soon,
stopping at Seattle. There will be other
steamers running from the sound to
Juneau. and many who will go from this
City will go TO Seattle and take steamer
passage there.
There can be no estimate worth any
thing OF the number that will go from