Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-10-30
CAPTAIN RAYS REPORT.
Condition Of Affairs in the Yukon
Gold Region.

From st. Mlchaels to Fort Yukon Many
Valuable Facts and Recomnenda-
tions for the Guidance of the Gov
ernment In Managing Alaska.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20. The war de-
partment has just received most IN.
teresting report from Capt. Ray of the
condition of affairs in The gold region |
as he has found them from st. Michacls |
to Fort Yukon, supplemented by the /
accounts of the most reliable persons |
he could communicate with as to the |
state of affairs in the Klondike in the |
neighborhood. The officer who was
sent especially for the purpose of
making recommendation for the
betterment of affairs there, has some
radical suggestions to make. Among
them he urges the division of Alaska
into two districts, the southern dis
trict to remain under the present juris-
diction, while the northern district, in
cluding the gold region, is to be placed
under form of military government
until congress can make other provi-
sions.
The place selected by the captain
for military post is near Rapid City,
about 25O miles below Dawson.
Capt. Ray makes some interesting
statements in his report to illustrate
the condition of affairs among the gold
seekers, and because his reports are
strictly official they are entitled to
weight. He favors the enlistment of
20 Indian scouts who, he says, would
be valuable as guides, boatmen and
hunters and would secure the friend
ship of the natives.
Circle City, the other point consid,
cred as post, is practically aban-
doned now, he says, and its reoccupa-
ton is extremely doubtful. He says
there is no reason why horses cannot
be successfully employed for transpor.
tation, but also suggests that 100 rein
deer be sent for winter use. OF the
settlements within the territory but
few can be called permanent, and new
interests will necessitate several
changes. Settlements have already
passed away when new mines were
discovered. Rampant City had pop
ulation Of about 800 on the .th of Sep
tcmber. The city of Wear was repre-.
sented by four spruce logs, crossed for
Il foundation for cabin.
Speaking OF mining operations, he
says the dense growth Of forest and
moss makes prospecting and develop
ment slow. Miners agree to having
discovered valuable lodes of low-grade
ore and the workings Of placers or
lodges that do not pay more than one
ounce per man per day. Up to this
time the boats fail to pass the bar at
Fort Yukon.
He estimates that from the boundary
to the sea there were about 1890 peo-
pie, not including those stranded at
st, Michaels
The captain discusses several new
routes and says he is reliably informed
that from Cooks Inlet, via the head of
Copper river, will be the shortest and
most practicable route for railroad
to the open sea.
Up to the present time the laws in the
country have not been enforced, nor
| does there exist any means for enforce
ing them; all disputes are settled by
miners meetings. AS part of his
scheme for military government of the
northern territory, he suggests that a
court be established at the capital, the
appointment OF commissioner of
mines to settle disputes as to title, and
the passing by congress OF Il code
of laws for the territory just as for
| the District of Columbia. He recon-
mends that the government construct
u strong river steamar of $50 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 had been delivered there
by either company since August is, ex-
cept one barge load of liquor and
boots.
In a supplemental report Capt. Ray
notes the arrival of the transportation
company's steamer Wear with cargo
of 200 tons of provisions, The CORE
spondent says this is the last boat for
Dawson. When navigation closes, he
says, there will be 900 tons of provi-
sions at Fort Yukon, and he will do
what he can TO assist in forwarding
| nd 10 ba han
raids. There were 1870 people at Yu-
kon and much dissatisfaction among
them over the failure of the transpor-
tation company to forward them to
their destination.
Writing on the 10Th Capt. Ray says:
"There have been many threats and
some show of arms to-day, but | be-
leve it will be settled without vio-
lence, as Eli Wear has just arrived and
made favorable concessions. There
are several people here without food
or money. understand the steamers
will carry the most of them down to
st. Michaels, but this element will
become serious factor after naviga-
tion closes and they continue to come
down the river
Col. Randall who was sent out to
locate post at st. Miohaels. has re-
ported by telegraph to Secretary AL
ger, via Seattle, his arrival at St
Michaels ON the Stil inst. lie says:
THE detachment arrived here yes
terday morning. Supplies were
landed in good condition. There are
about $50 people on the island. Good
order prevails y