The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-22
THE SkAGUAY TRAIL.
Incidents of the Crossing of Chilcat
Pass to the Lakes.

NEW YORK. Aug. 21.-The Herald prints
the following letter from Lake Linderman
under date of Aug. s. This has been the
day of excitement on the Skaguay trail.
Determined men who considered that their
rights had been trampled on, drew their
rifles and threatened to shed human blood
unless certain agreements heretofore made
were fulfilled. The men are men of
character who tolerate no deception, and
are willing to fight for their rights and
this afternoon their mettle was put to a
test and they exhibited true nerves of
steel and won the day. The trouble orig
mated about the packing of miners sup
plies from Dyea to Lake Bennett. The trail
was finished a few days ago. The promot-
ers or openers of the road it appears, had
promised to take supplies to the lakes for
IS cents a pound if the miners would turn
out in a body and assist in clearing the
trail and corduroying the roadbed. The
proposition was accepted, and fulfilled. The
arrival of several hundred prospectors from
Seattle with nearly two hundred and fifty
tons of supplies, caused the rate to adj
vance to $25 a hundredweight. The packers
ignored their former verbal agreement and
began soliciting business at the new sched-
ule of rates. Much of the supplies had been
taken half way and left by the roadside
before the trail was completed.
The men here worked hard and faithfully
from early morning till late at night, and
in sullen silence, mixed with not a little
tinge of disgust saw the newcomers pass
ing over the trail and on toward the gold
fields and north. An informal miners meet
ing convened. The situation was calmly
and deliberately discussed and the utmost
order prevailed. Not a man flinChed when
the chairman asked If all present would
abide by the action of the majority, and
every prospector present signifed his will
ingness to act as directed by the meeting
committee was appointed and reported
by recommending that the management be
| forced to live up to their agreement by the
use of arms. Not dissenting voice was
raised. The assemblage adjourned, and in
an hour $50 determined men, armed with
handles, stood by the roadside and halted
the pack train as ii was returning to
Skaguay from the lakes for another lead
of supplies a % cents per pound.
Halt. came the command, and fifty
head of pack horses came to standstill
The situation was explained to the head
packer. AT first he was inclined to pass
on and obey the commands of his employ
ers, but the sight Of arms in the hands
of determined men changed his opinion
The horses were turned about and new
packs placed on their backs. and started
for the lakes. In a short time the mems
supplies were landed at Lake Bennett and
the packers were paid at the rate of SIS
a hundred, and the men were careful TO see
that no one other than those who assisted
in the opening of the trail were allowed
to have their goods carried at this rate
In this manner the first exciting event of
the Klondike rush was ended.
LOOKING FOR SMUGGLERS
The Canadian customs officers have estab-
lished a custom house at the arm between
Tagish and Bennett lakes. and are inspect
ing all miners supplies entering the North
west Territory Duty is not exacted on or
binary and necessary supplies. consisting of
plain common food and clothing Weighing
LOCO pounds or less 1t is reckoned that thar
amount will last miner one year. The
officers are inclined to act in an impartial
manner. They are particularly after the
liquor ard tobacco smugglers, and are re-
ported TO have already seized a considera bic
quantity OF whisky. The officers are de
termincd TO put a stop to this class of
smuggling and will use every effort to
promote the immigration of American min
ers for the purpose of development of Ca
madam territory. From twenty to thirty
persons in large boats and scoWs which
have an average carrying capacity of 1910
pounds, are leaving every day for the Stew
art river and Klondike mines. Hundreds
OF men have landed on the coast with from
500 TO loo pounds OF supplies but when
they reached here they had discarded down
TO about fifty pounds. Boats that are or
dinariiy worth $40 or so are selling for $15l
and any kind of skilled carpenter labor is
worth from Sc to IS day. Provisions are