The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-26
CAPTAIN RAYS REPORT
Situation in AIaskaViewed From Military
Mans Standpoint.


Washington. Oct. 5.-The war depart
,oart has inst received most interesting
renort from Captain Ray as 10 the conoi-
ton of affairs in the gold region, as ne
has found them, from ST. MichaeIs TO !.
Yukon. supplemented by the accounts VI
the most reliable persons he coulo coniiiu
picate with as to the state OF analfs III
Alaska and the Klandike. Inc Officer "no
was sent especially for the purpose OF max
inc recommendations for the betterment
NJ affairs there, has some radical sugges-
TONS to make Among them he urges lhe
division of Alaska into two districts the
southern district 10 remain under the pres.
ont jurisdiction, while the northern dlstrict
including the gold region, Is 10 De pIdceo
under form of military government un-
I'll congress can make other PROVISIONS.
The Mace selected by the Captain for
military post near Kappa CiS' ~oo"' -''
miles below Dawson.
Colonel Randall, who was sent out 10 10
cate a post at St. Michaels, has reporter
nv telegraph to Secretary Alger, via seat
tie his arrival at st. Michaels, on TIE
18th inst. He says:
1.-The detachment arrived mere yesterday
morning. Supplies were tanded IN gnu
condition. There are about $50 people on
Ihe island. Good order prevails"
CAPTAIN Ray makes some interestln
statements in his report to illustrate the
condition of affairs among the gold seek
ers. and because mis- reports are strictly
Official, they are entitled TO weight he
favors the enlistment OF twenty lndiah
scouts, who, he says, would De Valudpie
as guides, bostmen and hunters and Wouia
secure the friendship of the natives.
Circle City. the other point considered as
a post, is practically abandoned now, ne
saws and its re-occupation is extremely
doubtful. He says there is no reason why
horses can not be successfully employed
for transportation, but also suggests that
100 reindeer be sent for winter use Or the
settlement within the territory but Few can
be called permanent and new interests VIII
recessitate many changes. Several settle
ments have already passed away when
new mines were discovered. Rampant CITY
had a population of about $50 on the Ith
of September The city OF Weare was
represented by four spruce logs, crossed
for a foundation for cabin.
Speaking of mining operations, he says
the dense growth of forest and moss
makes prospecting and development SLOW
Miners agree TO having discovered valu-
a Bile Iodes of low-grade ore, but the pres
ent high price of provisions bars the work
ing of placers or lodges that do not pay
more than an ounce per man per day. Up
tothetine the boats failed 10 pass the bar
at Fort Yukon, he estimated that from
the boundary to the sea there were about
1.200 pounds, including those stranded al
ST. Michaels.
The captain discusses severau routes and
saws he is reliably informed that from
Cook Inlet via the head of Copper river
will be the shortest and most practicable
route for railroad communication with the
open sea.
Up to the present time the laws Of the
country have netbeenenforced, nor does
there exist any means for enforcing them;
all disputes are settled by miners meet
ing. AS part of his scheme for military
government of the southern territory, he
suggests that a court be established at the
capital, the appointment of a commission
of mines to settle disputes as to title, and
the passage by congress of a code of laws
for the territory, just as for the District
of Columbia. He recommends that the
government construct a strong river steam
er of 80 tons to use for the relief Of people
in distress.
Eli Gage, who had just arrived from
! Dawson, reported that the supplies and
stores at that place were very low and
nothing mad been delivered there by their
company since August IS, except one barge
boat of liquor and boots. In a supple
mental report, Ceptain Ray notes the ar
rival of the transportation company's
steamer Weare, with corgo of 200 tons
the last boat for this season. The other
company expects more boats. When nav
igation closes, he says. there will be 6ot
tons of provisions at Fort Yukon and he
will do all he can to assist in Forwarding
supplies and to protect the caches from
raids There were $50 people at oFrt Yu-
kon, and much dissatisfaction among them
over the failure Of the transportation com
pany TO forward them TO their destination
Writing on the 10th. Captain Ray says:
There have been many I hreats and
some show of arms today, but 1 believe
t will be settled without violence. as Ell
Weare has just arrived and made favor
| able concessions. There are several peo-
| pie here without food and money. I un-
! derstand the steamers will carry the most
| OF them down 20 St. Michaels. but this
element will become a serious factor after
| navigation closes, and they continue &c
! come down the river