The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-27
FORT YUKON SHORT OF FOOD.
MOST OF THE MEN Ar DAWSON CITY
REFUSED TO LEAVE.

story of the Situation Brought To
SkREuay by n Returning Miner
Who Is Satisfied That Starvation Is
Staring the Gold Hunters in the
Face-COaI oil Selling for SI5 a
Gallon and Candles for $3.50 Per
100.
Skaguay, Alaska, Dec. II, via Seattle,
Wash, Dec. 25-John Lindsay Of Olympia,
Wash, who has just arrived from Daw-
son City, says there will surely be starva-
ton this winter. He examined into the
food situation in a thorough manner, ne
says, and after satisfying himself thai
there will be starvation. he sold his out
fit, and in company with Frank Ballalne
of Olympia. Tom Storey OF Victoria, b.
c., and Bob Glynn of Seattle, started out
on foot. each man drawing sled, carry
ing about 14O pounds of provisions. Mr.
Lindsay says the Dawson people believes
there is no greater amount of food at
Fort Yukon as has been alleged. The
river rose sufficiently and remained open
long enough to enable food supplies to
have been brought from Fort Yukon had
there been any there.
The people of Dawson, believing there
was not ample food supply at Fort Yu-
kon, refused to go there. preferring to re-
main in Dawson. Not more than 300 or
400 people took advantage of the trans
portation company's offer to take the peo-
pie to Fort Yukon free of charge.
When the miners at Dawson found that
no provisions would reach the town by the
river route, they announced that they
would take steps FOR apportioning the pro-
visions in the town. Those that had plenty,
they said, must share with those who had
none. Capt. Constantine OF the northwest
mounted police interfered, and told the
miners that no such thing would be per-
mitted. The meeting was not held.
Mr.. Lindsay says the output OF the mines
will be greatly curtailed this winter be-
cause of the scarcity of food and light.
Coal oil sold for $l5 a gallon and candles
are as high as $50 box Of 100. Even If
men were able to work their claims they
cannot get light to do so.
These statements are borne out by all
returning Klondikers, quite number Of
whom have reached here the past week.
Few of them. however, take as gloomy a
view of the situation, as does Mr.. Lindsay.
b. L. Bradley of Rosebud, Ore, says
that the food is scare, but he docs not think
there VIII be actual starvation.
AS an instance of scarcity of food in
Dawson, Mr.. Lindsay relates the case of
DR.. Van Zandt, formerly of Spokane,
Wash Van Zandt is an elderly man, and
being without provisions or money, he Of
fered a gold watch for a sack of flour. He
could moi get il and remarked to MIR. Lind
say God only knows how ! am to keep
body and soul together
Mr.. Lindsay says 200 or more miners are
prospecting at the mouth of the Stewart
river, but nothing is known as yet as to
what success they have achieved.
The weather about the Stewart and Big
Salmon rivers has been bitterly cold, 20
degrees below zero being recorded
The Yukon river, between Dawson and
Fort Pelly, froze completely over on Nov.
18. The river is piled fun of ice in great
ridges as high as an ordinary house, and
a roadway will have to be cut through
1T before dog or horse teams can operate
upon it. The outlook, therefore, for taxi
ing supplies down to Dawson in the inn
mediate future is not good.
Inspector of Mines McGregor left here
week ago with a number Of dog teams
and horses 10 make the attempt to reach
Dawson with about 20 tons Of provisions,
but nothing has since been heard of him.
Ottawa, Ont, Dec. Billion. Clifford Slf-
ton. minister of the interior, and J. Nc
Kenna, of the interio. department, left
to-day for Washington.
The secretary goes to discuss with Secre-
tary of War Alger the best means of send
ing relief TO the miners i'm the Yukon d.
trct. Mr.. SiftOn expects 20 remain in
Washington about a week