The San Francisco call., 1897-10-05

Inc steamer =. ii. hamilton, DOunQ lot
Dawson, could not get up tie river farther
than Fort Yukon on account of the length
of the vessel. The turns in the river above
that point are so short the vessel could
not round them. 1t is now loading for
another trip as far as the Fort. The cap
tain reports plenty Of water in the river
and says he believes the Mare Island can
get TO Dawson.
What strikes me most favorably, in the
midst OF eli the conjectures and rumors.
is the fact that you never hear discourag
ing story. Every body seems to agree that
gold is abundant in the m ineral belt.
On Porcupine River. above Fort Yukon,
claims are being located and 1t is said
that several of tie finds are very rich. 1t
is The intention OF the North Fork pas
sengers, should we fail in reaching Daw-
son, to start out from wherever we tie up
and prospect. Circle City is the objective
point OF mum ber of our people, the more
liberal laws on the Alaskan side appear
ing to outweigh the possibly greater
riches on British territory.
A Presbyterian minister, long a resident
of Alaska, but whose name l did not
learn, is credited with making the state
ment to Manager Shepherd of the North
American Company here that the amount
of gold thus far brought down the Yukon
is but trifie compared TO what is TO fol-
low. 1t is certain the WORK of develop
ment will be very active this winter, and,
unless ali pred lotions fail, next spring will
see mighty rush to Alaska.
Notwithstanding all that has been said
about the fall being the wrong time TO
come, l am assured by people here who
have been up the river that this is exactly
the proper season if one can reach Daw-
son. 1t is only in winter when the
streams are frozen that pros pecting can
be done. When the warm weather melts
the ice, the creeks and rivers become
raging torrents. Work has to be sus-
pend ed in taking out gravel, and then the
washing begins.
Every one we meet here seems to be in
good spirits and radiant with hore. The
Masons held a meeting at ST. NJ ichael
Sunday evening, the resident members
inviting those from the different expedi-
tions now in port to join them. Thirty
six were present, no two from the same
lodge. Seventeen States, besides Eng
land, Canada and Germany, were repre-
sented.
After the adjournment OF the lodge a
mum Der OF the mem bers, accompanied by
a string band from the Hum boldt camp
came over and delighted the passengers
of the North Folk with a serenede. Some
of the performers are artists of rare merit,
and it is pleasure to know that We are
to have such agreeable company in the
gold fields.
Prices for everything eata BILE or wear.
able have an upward tendency from the
time the ship leaves San Franci>co. l
paid 25 cents a pound for cube sugar at
the Alaska Commercial Company's store;
lamp chimney costs 25 cents, and a gen.
tleman who asked for a quarters worth
of chocolate drops was given three pieces.
Twelve dollars is the modest price asked
for gallon OF any kind of whisky. The
natives all have furs and moccasins to
sell and the prices depend on the pur-
chaser's ability to bargain. Some of our
passengers have secured things O. consid-
erabIe value by trading. One gentleman
got fur cap for a small pocket mirror.
and pair of "muck-a-lucks,' which he
subsequently sold for S. so, for yard of
red ribbon. Thread, needles, calico, white
muslin. sugar and tea are some of the
things would suggest to bring along in a
mining outfit for trading purposes; also a
few ribbons of bright color and a few
small silk shawls.
AS to proper clothing, l am told that
plenty of heavy wooden clothing, with
something light-preferably cotton-to
wear next the SKINS what should be
brought along; also rubber boots and
EOre and cEip nd oh
be bought cheaper here, providing one
gets them from the Indians. The trading
companies charge more than they do in
San Francisco.
The Mare Island is now being loaded.
The six women of the expedition will oc-
cupy the only stateroom on board, while
the 100 men are provided with accommo.
dations in the hold. The saloon of the
boat is to be used IS sitting and dining
room. A large stove has been put in
place, and it is expected that we will be
housed very comfortably, even if COM
PEELED 10 pass the winter on board.
The passengers of the Excelsior who
left here on the c. III. Hamilton, which
was prevented by bend in the river from
proceeding above Fort Yukon, returned
on that boat to Minook Creek, but subse-
quently the larger number of them, in
Guiding the newspaper correspondents,
took passage on the steamer Bella, and il
is to-day reported they have reached
Dawson.
The steamer D. B. Weare has also sue
ceeded in getting there. All the other
boats, the National City, the South Coast
and May West, are still struggling in the
river. Within the last twelve hours sew
eral people have sold their outfits and will
return on the North Fork Three who
came up on this boat are among the mum.
Der; the others are Humboldt passengers.
Five of the Humbold expedition never
even landed, but went back in the same
vessel
The Mare Island draws much more
water than was expected, and this makes
the problem of getting up the river with
such low water still more doubtful. l think
that the majority of the expedition have
abandoned the hope of seeing the KIon-
dixie before spring. Rough weather has
prevented the launching of the Humboldt
barge, and it is still on the ways. For