The record-union., 1897-07-28

considered of drying various staple veg
etables with the same object A num-
Der of persons intend to join the rush
to the gold fields ON the last steamers
this fall and many speak of going in
the spring.
TROOPS FOR THE CIRCLE CITY
POST
SAN FRANCISCO, July Pin re-
sponse to a telegraphic inquiry as to
whether or not he could spare a full
company of infantry for the establish
ment of a post at Circle City. Alaska,
for the protection of American interests
General Shafter commanding the De-
partment of California, has notified
Secretary Alger that a company could
easily be organized at twelve hours
notice for service in Alaska and asked
for full instructions.
General Shafter expected to receive
final instructions to-day and is pre-
pared for an order to dispatch his COM
pany north Immediately, in order that
it may reach the Yukon before naviga-
tion closes.
He expressed the opinion that the
company would leave here on a special
train for Portland, Or, and that it Will
probably be joined there by company
from the Department of the Columbia.
The officers to accompany the company
will be a Major, Surgeon, Captain and
two Lieutenants, all Of whom have
been selected from the volunteers.
Until final instructions arrive and the
matter has been definitely settled OFF,
cially, General Shafter declines to state
what company of the First Regiment
has been chosen, nor by whom it will
be commanded.
CAPTAIN RAY WILL BE IN COM
MAND.
WASHINGTON, July 27.-The prin-
cipal topic of discussion at to-day's
Cabinet meeting was the legal aspect
of the proposed establishment of mill
tary post in Alaska, near the gold
fields.
In some quarters there is doubt as to
the power of the executive to establish
a post without specific authorization by
Congress, but the weight of opinion ap-
peared to favor the exercise of such
right by the executive as an emergency
measure.
Secretary Alger had already made
the necessary preparations for carrying
new post The commander of the
troops viii be Captain P. N. Ray,
man we'll known for his soldierly abil
fly and having a fine reputation as
leader of expeditions, having establish
ed the United States relief station at
Point Barrow, the farthest north in
Alaska
He wintered at this exposed and
III TOD
with the wants of the projected expe-
dition. Captain Ray at present is at
Fort Russell, in Wyoming.
1t is expected that he win be Joined
in the expedition by Captain Abercom-
bic, who volunteered yesterday for such
service. The latter said he had sixty
picked men for the service, and the
department may avail of these to make
up the quota of fifty men which will
constitute the garrison of the new
post.
The post itself will be established
near Circle City. The North American
Transportation and Trading Company
has offered to transport the troops to
Alaska and to land them at their des-
tination for $50 per man and $50 per
ton for freight
The Star will sail from Seattle on Au-
gust 5th the latest date that will in
sure the safe arrival of the party at
Circle City before the winter season be-
gins. The steamer will proceed to st.
MichaelS, and there will tranSship to
a river steamer.
Orders have been sent to San Fran
cisco to provide everything necessary
in the way of ample supplies of food
and heavy winter clothing, and an or
der has been telegraphed to Philadel-
phia to send along number of tents
of a new description constructed to
keep out the cold Arctic winds.
ONLY A FEW STRIKE IT RICH.
HEALDSBURG, July 2S.-A letter
received from William Ireland, who is
now in Alaska, by a friend in this city,
would not indicate that gold was as
plentiful as many think Mr. Ireland
left Healdsburg two years ago last
spring with two other young men of
this place. c. Merchant and James Ew-
ing Both the latter gentlemen re-
turned thoroughly disgusted with the
land of the midnight sun.
Mr. Ireland remained, and of his stay
in Alaska he says: Il hope Sonoma
County will not be depopulated by
rush to Alaska, for | feel sure from the
excitement here now and the many who
are returning to California to cash in,
there will be a renewed revival of in
terest in this country. Undoubtedly it
is true that some very rich discoveries
have been made on the Clondyke in the
last year or so. / have been in the
midst of the excitement and know that
a. large amount of gold has been taken
out. AS in California, few lucky ones
have made the killing. Of the
the 200 miners working near where
am located thirty-one are mine owners
and the others laborers. l receive $40
a. day. and can work about 165 days
during the year The cost of living,
7 should say. would average 81 per
dav per wear. and at this price | enjoy
none of the luxuries. I am on an equal
itv with the rest of the workers, only
three of whom receive higher wages.
"The mine owners are making for
times Just how much money has been
taken out can only be roughly guessed
aft. but it is certain that the placers
here are exceedingly rich. Those who
come from California, if they possess
money enough. may succeed in making
a strike. but I would not advise any
one to come up here without suffi-
cient supply of money to carry him
over a year There is plenty of country
to prospect in and the summers are
delightful. so that for about five and
a half months in the year miner can
work out of doors as well here as in
California Be sure and send a big
supply of papers. If l We're starting