The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1897-08-25
MENEFEERETURNs FROM ALASKA
Ae viii Go to the KIondIke Next Spring
by Way of the Yukon.

''Don't attempt the trip to the Klon-
dixie until spring, and when you go, take
the Yukon route via st. Michaels."
This is the advice given by ex-Coun-
Gilman j. P. Menefee, and he is in po-
sition to offer some sensible suggestions
that should be needed by those contem-
plating such journey.
Mr.. Menefee was a passenger on the
steamer Elders first trip, and after
thoroughly looking over the situation at
Dyea and Skaguay, concluded to. return
to Portland and remain until spring,
and he arrived home Sunday evening.
"Skaguay is where most of the gold
seekers are landing" said Mr.. Menefee.
ait is much more convenient place than
Dyea. Horses and pack animals can be
used over Whites pass, while only In
dians can be utilized over the Chilkoot
pass from Dyea. There were at least
25O0 miners at Skaguay week ago last
Sunday, when left, and 1 have no hes
itancy in saying that not over 25 per
cent of that number will get over the
pass this year. The pass is in terrible
condition and those who attempt to cross
at this time are taking their lives in
their hands. The trail is but one mass
of mud, slush and large rocks, and the
Dyea trail is much worse. 1 have no
idea that any effective work will be done
on either trail for months to come. At
Skaguay meetings of the miners were
frequently held and resolutions were
adopted, calling upon the men to go to
work and put the trail in a passable
condition, but this is all that will ever
come of the effort. The men would not
undertake the job and the pass is worse
now than it ever was. So far not over
twenty-five men have succeeded in get
ting over Whites pass, although more
have been successful in tackling the
Chilkoot pass. So far as could learn,
not Portland man has yet got over
either pass. Alex. Donaldson, formerly
a fireman of this city, and his party will
probably be the first to cross White
pass. They have two horses to the man
and are making fair progress.
"There are not many people at Dyea,
nearly all having pushed their way
about seven miles up toward Chilkoot.
OF this distance, there is about three
miles of portage, which is hard and
dangerous work. 1t is done by Indians.
One wsdes in the water and steadies the
boat, while two others on either side
drag the boat along by ropes. Indians
are autocrats at Dyea. They realize the
fact that they have the miners at their
mercy, and they will not touch pack
age of freight unless an advance of from
% cents to 30 cents pound is made.
Even at these exorbitant figures the In
dians sometimes refuse to work, and
threats and entreaties are in vain.
'From Skaguay, about four miles can
be made by wagon. Then comes the
mountains, over which horses can be
used. The summit of White pass is
about $500 feet high, and that of Chill
koot about 1000 feet higher. 1t is ridic-
ulous to suppose that either pass will
ever be placed in proper condition for
travel unless the government does the
work. The miners will not do it. The
large bowlders will have to be removed
by blasting, and the miners will not in-
vest money for such purposes. They
will do just what is necessary for their
immediate requirements and that is all.
''skaguay and Dyea viii undou btedly
be lively places this winter, and living