The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-18

in more than 5000 tons Of food before ice
closed the Yukon River. Tho company has 500
tons on the way to st. Michael's, but the river
usually freezes over about the middle Of Sep
TENDER They have only three boats. as one Of
the best boats was wrecked last spring. This sup
ply will not suffice for more than the number OF
people already at the mining camp; so, II 10000
or 80, 600 should rush in, carrying only a small
supply of food. the stores will be compelled to
to find work will starvc.
Joe La Due. who owns the town site of Daw-
ron City. emphasized Mr.. Sloss's warning. He
said no one had any idea of tho amount Of food
required by hearty men doing hard manual
work In extreme cold weather. He said the suf-
fering was keen last winter because the men
could not secure a variety of food which their
systems craved. Tho transportation companies
sent large amounts Of whiskey, which found no
great sale. Then they rushed in stoves. picks.
shovels. and other hardware. but the last thing
they seemed to think Of delivering was food.
which was needed more than anything else. Es.
pecially, the men need such things as evaporated
potatoes. which relieve the solid diet Of bacon
and beans; butt will be hopeless to try to land
any Of these luxurics. or even dried fruits,
which are Indispensable.
The routes that go into the Klondike are two.
@NS - s"S AshosN Nho 40 ~ iSaDlSA
from Seattle to st. Michael's. and then by river
boat up the Yukon /, 700 miles to Dawson City.
By this route 1t takes thirty-ive to forty days,
and the fare Is $3.50. The steamers permit only
$50 pounds of baggage for each passenger. Two
steamers that will leave before the river 10 closed
by Ice cannot carry moro than $50 passengers
each. The other route is by land by way OF Ju-
neau. The passenger goes from Seattle to
Juneau. There ut this season all packs must be
- a.-t- - l. L-t
falls sledges can be used and tho trip can be
made much more easily. The distance Is $50
miles. Mr.. La Due thus describes this trip:
Leaving Juneau you go to Dyea by way of
Lime Canal. and from there to Lake Linder-
mann. thirty miles on foot, or portage, as wo
call 1t. The lake gives you n ride Of five or six
miles, and then follows another long journey
overland to the h~eadwaters OF Lake Bennett,
which Is twenty-cight miles long. On foot you 20
again for several miles, and then the caribou
crossing Of the river furnishes transportation
for four miles to Tagish Lake. whore another
twenty-one-mile boat ride may be had.
This is followed by q weary stretch of noun.
famous country, and then Marsh or Mud Lake
is reached. You get another boat ride Of twenty
four miles. and then go Town the creek for
twenty-seven miles to Miles Canon and to
White Horse Rapids.
Inns ID ono OF the most dangerous places on
tho entire route. and should DO avoided by all
strangers. The stream 10 full of sunken rocks
and runs with the speed of a mill race. Passing
White Horse Rapids tho journey Is down tho
river for thirty miles 10 Lake Labarge, where
thirty-one miles Of navigable water 10 found.
Another short portage and Ious River Ia
reached, where you have n 2OO-milo Journey.
which brings you to Fort Selkirk.
A this point Pelly and Lous rivers como to.
gether, forming the Yukon. From that point
on is practically smooth sailing, though the
stranger must be exceedingly careful"
Ladue. who is n veteran prospector, and has
seen all the tough mining camps on this coast.
CAV to-day this interesting description of the
new city Of Dawson. which promises to have
5000 inhabitants before spring:
1T may be said with absolute truth that
Dawson City is ono OF the most moral towns OF
Its kind in the world. There is little or no quar-.
relling and no brawls of any kind. though there
is considerable drinking and gambling. Every
man carries a pistol il he wishes to, yet It IL
a rare occurrence when one is displayed. The
principal sport with mining men Is found around
the gambling table. There thoy gather after
nightfall, and play until the late hours in
the morning. They have some big games, too.
1t sometimes costs as much as $50 to draw a card.
A game with $1,000 as stakes 10 an ordinary
event. But with all OF that there has not boen
decided trouble. II a man Is fussy and quarrel.
some he is quietly told to got out OF the game,
and that is the end of 1t.
Many people have an idea that Dawson City
Is completely isolated and can communicate
with the outside world only once In every twelve
months. That is n big mistake. however. Circle
City. only u few miles away. has a mail once
each month. md there we have our mail nd,
dressed. 1t is true. the cost is pretty high, 81
n letter and 81 for II paper; yet by that expcndi,
ture of money we are able TO keep in direct com,
munication with our friends on the outside.
I'm tho way of public institutions our camp is
ut present without any, but by next season we
will have a church. a music hall, a schoolhouse,
and n hospital. This last institution will DO un,
der the direct control OF the Sisters Of Mercy,