Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-09-23
MILLIONS OF GOLD
BIG CARGO COMES FROM THE
KLONDYKE.
BUT MINERS ARE SEcRETlVE
Reluctant to Tell the Extent Of Their
Riches, yet 'Tis Thought They
Amount to About $1,000, 000-All
Good Claims in the Bonanza Region
Taken.

San Francisco, Sept. 16.-The long
overdue steamer Excelsior which left
st. Michaels, Alaska, for this port six
weeks ago, but was compelled to put
back to Onalaska for repairs, after
having broken two blades OF her pro-
pellor, arrived here yesterday morning
with 6S passengers and about $2,50O,OO
in gold. OF those who came down from
Alaska, all but two are known to have
money; but few were communicative
enough to admit how much they had.
E. Hayes of Portland was conceded to
have the largest individual amount, but
he would only admit having $4,000.
All unite in confirming the stories al
ready told of the impending danger of
famine at Dawson City during the
coming winter; they say there are at
least 1000 people now at Dawson City
and that more are sWarming there
every day. The EXcelsior's passengers
are unanimous in the opinion that the
klondyke region is ricEer than was
first supposed, but they are also of the
opinion that unless emigration to that
country is stopped temporarily there
will be terrible suffering. There arg
about 300 impatient miners at st.
Michaels, most of whom will have to
stay until spring unless they have al
ready secured passage on the river
boats. There are plenty of provisions
at ST. Michaels and every effort is be-
ing made to get supplies up the river
to Dawson.
Louis Sloss, Jr., of the Alaska
Commercial company was one of the
passengers. He went to Dawson City
for the company ana reports chat ali
good claims are taken up. There is no
chance for the newcomers unless a rich
strike Is made in some other section.
Mr.. SloSs says that his company's store
at Dawson City was closed but one day
to receive freight from river steamer.
He thinks provisions will be scarce,
but hesitates to say there will be actual
starvation.
1t is difficult to say how much money
was brought down by the Excelsior.
The miners are secretive and will give
no accurate information. Some of
them, it is known, could not bring
much, and will be glad to go to work
down here. The Alaska Commercial
company received a large consignment
of treasure, but will not say exactly
how much.
The Yukon Closing.
Washington, Sept. 16.-In response
to a telegram to Senator Perkins ask
ing whether he could take cargo of
food supplies to st. Michaels for the
relief of the miners in the klondike
who are threatened with starvation,
Secretary Alger has received re-
Spouse from the senator saying that
t.,ere are already many thousands OF
tons of freight unprotected at St.
Michaels which cannot be moved up
the Yukon river to the Klondike on
account of the formation of ice in the
river. Therefore it would be needless
to send further supplies at present.
Gen. Alger communicated this infor-
nation to the citizens committee of
Tacoma, whence the application for re-
lief was made. He added that there
are already two army officers on their
way to Circle City. for which place
they started Aug. 5, to report on the
state of affairs and they will undoubt-
eddy inform the war department
whether or not supplies are required
and how they can be gotten into the
country. AS soon as it is known pos
itively that an emergency exists Gen.
Alger will take into consideration the
possibility of getting supplies in
across the mountain passes.
Brought Much Gold.
Port Townsend, Wash, Sept. l6.--
The schooner Volante arrived ycster.
day from st. Michaels with eight pas
sengers. each bringing with them an
average of $50 ounces Of gold.