The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-09-09
THE GREAT RUSH FOR GOLD
A LETTER OF WARNING TO THE
MAD RUsHERS AFTER
WEALTH.
HUNDREDS WILL INEVITABLY PERISH
Steps Should be Taken to Stop the
Mad Stampede-COndem Ves-
sells Carrying Hundreds of
People.

Washington, Sept THE treas ury de-
partment today made public the follow
ing letter, received from government
stating at the same time that the writer,
whose name is withheld, has been
twelve years in the service and was
thoroughly reliable:
"Dyea, Aug. 22.-I deem it my duty
to write you on a subject that does not
come strictly within my line of duty,
as it trenches somewhat upon the func-
tions of the treasury department. 1 had
long talk with Mr.. Ivey, collector of
customs for Alaska, who is at present
at Skaguay, three miles below here. The
Skaguay trail is the most largely used
overland route Though by no means the
BEST to the Klondike. Mr.. Ivey in
forms me that there are now between
tidewater and the lake something like
1000 people and about 20OO horses. The
commander of one of the vessels now at
Skaguay states that sixteen vessels are
chartered to land cargoes at that place
between now and the 18th of Septem-
Der, and that the number of passengers
will average 200 to each vessel. making
300 more people who will attempt to
go in this fall.
Il have talked with some of the most
experienced traders and miners in this
vicinity, and they are unanimous in the
prediction that not over 20 per cent of
this vast number will get through to
Dawson before winter sets in. The
other 80 per cent will be caught on the
trail and those who survive and get
back to tidewater will have to winter
at Skaguay or return south. If the rush
continues two weeks longer hundreds
will inevitably perish on the trail. which
Is extremely dangerous after the LIST of
October.
'The postmaster and Indian trader at
this place (NIr. Heron) states that more
than 1000 men have gone up the Chill
coot pass during the past thirty days,
and that IOO of them are still this side
of the lake (twenty-four miles from
here) Vessels are arriving every day
or two. and at the present rate of in
t1uX another thousand will enter the
trail by September 1. Mr.. Heron is of
the opinion that not more than twenty
out of hundred will get through. and
he says this trail is far more dangerous
than the Skaguay after the SHOWS set in.
He says if the rush continues another
week the resultant loss of life will be
appalling. | attach the greatest weight
to what he says, for the reason that it
is to his pecuniary interest to have as
many as possible come this way, yet
he advises an immediate stOppage of
the stampede. 1t is difficult to suggest
q way to stop this thrush of people. but
MIR. lvey intimates that if the inspec-
ton rules of the treasury department
were properly enforced it would materi-
ally decrease the number of passengers
on the incoming vessels. Nearly every
vessel that arrives here brings twice as
many passengers as the law allows it to
carry, and many of them are condemned
craft which have been fitted up for this
trade. Mr.. lvey will. no doubt, at once
present the facts outlined above to the
proper authorities, and l merely give
them to you for your information. The
situation is appalling, and it is impossi-
bic for me adequately to describe this
made rush for the gold fields. had no
conception of it's immensely till | saw.
II have talked with several men who
recently arrived here from the Klon-
dixie. two of whom left there less than
thirty days ago. They unanimously
agree that while there is rich gold
field there. the facts do not justify the
present stampede and they say there is
bound to be much suffering and actual
starvation. Provisions are already
scarce and the prices of many articles
are absolutely prohibitive in the case
of man of ordinary means.
MY usual good luck has attended me
here: Mr. Heron. the postmaster, is an
old Montana friend and he has made
it possible for me to go forward by In
dian carriers at the prevailing rate CT
cents per pound taking precedence over
hundreds. many of whom have been
here two or three weeks awaiting their
turn. he assures me he can make the
way easy for me at the lake in securing
boat, so | feel comfortably sure of
going right through.
1.-The mail facilities are very bad here
as the postoffice department has not
made any allowance for the rand
growth of the postal business. The
postal authorities here are powerless TO
cope with the mass of mail matter. and
have doubts as to whether this letter
will reach it's destination. | am forced
to close to catch a boat which is about
to leave. and | am leaving unsaid what
ter" "'N' ie'