The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-24

PonTLAxD's PROBABLE FREIGHT.


The remarkable stories Of gold dlscov-
cries IA the Klondike district has led 10 the
use OF descriptive figures which are not
warranted rs any known facts. II is very
improbable that the Portland viii bring
down any such SUN as has been rumoree.
The boats which left Dawson City to go
down the Yukon II tine to catch the Port
land at ST. Mlchaels left in the mid
die OF the best season for washing.
All through the winter prospectors
are busy digging IN the river beds
aud on tbs banks, and leave the
washing Of the dirt until the summer time,
when the ice IS melted. Unless a man has
made an unusually BIZ stake or Is in a POI
sition 10 leave trusted partners or has sold
his claim outright, he would be scarcely
likely to come away In July. hut would re-
main as long as the river was likely to he
open for traffic. II must be remembered.
too. that the klondlke is not the only dis
tFict. From the Kuyuhrk TO the Stewart
river. on the north side, and In the many
creeks on the south eide, are hundreds OF
men. many Of them go or 30 miles from
the river boats. and 10 reach them in time
for this trip Of the Portland would have
necessitatsd their leaving their dlggings at
the very best time Of the year for obtain
Ing results. While. therefore, the Portland
will probably bring down a considerable
quantity of gold. 4 viii be quite a sur
prise Il she has on board anything APP
preaching Eve or six millions.
a Dispatch Is published from Capt John
soE * the scGconer ". +. Jewett. which
says that Il Is estimated that the amount
Of gold on the way down the river was
not less than $4,000. But he was only
Judging from what has already been
brought down. and upon what could be no
more than sBessos made at the island.
What Capt. Johnson says about the
quantity OF provisions en- the way up the
river Is based upon his own knowledge. and
any settlement thar he makes IS entitled
20 tali credit. SO many steamers. and even
sailing vessels. have left Seattle. san Fran
cisco. Portland. Victoria add Vancouver.
that IL has escaped notice what a vast
quantity q merchandise the whole aggre-
gates. or the 10 20 men who are supposed
70 have gone in this winter very few took
any less than ieo pounds. and many took
much more. That would last them for GER
ta.nly elk months. ever allowing FOR the
spelling and the loss Incidental 10 the
hazards Of such long Journey made by
men gnaccGstoEied 10 transportation Of
goods in bulk. None ~ these viii have %
Graw upon sac immense quantity shipped
hy private enterprise for sale 10 those A.
ready In. ard who mas, depend unoa the
outside for new supplies The regular
transportation companies have rot lost
sight of the splendid market the new fields
a6ord. and they have already erected
stsreloUses at every point along tho ga
ken. which weuld make a good dlssr!b-
uting ceater IN addition % the quantity
their experience would suggest rs likely
10 0nd purchasers. quite large aaet has
eona up laden WITH gveg thing likely II bs
in demand Ia q Mining camp or BY lonely
prospectors. The few scsoonsrs met by
Capt. johnson conveyed 6lge tons og nier-
chandlse aDd provisions Probably part os
:hls Is included in the 5000 tons be SAYS
was o. Us wy up fhs river when be ZEN
u is satisfactory &c know that while the
ptcsPcctcrs u1uss work Gard wlu cnecur-
ter mauy difficulties snd may meet with
some dssa gpointment there IS tao fear u
their suffering auy privsgons.