Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-02-04
fl TRIP THROUGH ALHSKh.
Interesting Letter To The Herald From An
Old Grant Counts Boy
(coNrINUED.)

tain. Its longitude is about 135 de-
grees west and latitude. 5s degrees
north Owing to the Japan current.
the winters are not severe, II degrees
below zero being the lowest On ac-
count OF the broken land agriculture
cannot be carried on.
At this place several large quartz
mills are in operation. The most inn
portaut is known as the Treadwell
mine, located on Admiralty island.
owned by the Rothschild family of
England. Its capacity is the largest
of any in the world having $50
stamps and choloronation works in
connection. About three thousand
tons Of gold quartz are crushed every
twenty-four hours.
Ninety miles southwest of Juneau
is Sitka, situated on Barnoff island.
Two Man-ofN ar, the Pinta and the
Grant, lie anchored in the harbor
ready for service at Uncle Sans bid
ding. We will spend eleven DAYS in
Juneau and in the meantime procure
our outfit for the Yukon, consisting
of all the provisions you can carry,
the weight of which decreases as the
distance from Juneau increases, the
indispensable sled. some mining tools
and necessary clothing. On St. Pat
rick day, in company with nine 9TH
er miners, we board the Curio, sloop
of five tons, and take passage for Dyea.
The first two days we go fifty miles
and cast anchor at Linn Sisters Cove
on account of hard wind. We shout
der our Winchesters and 90 ashore for
a hunt. This is one of the times that
we didn't kill bear or slay the cara
Eoe, as an American bald eagle meas
uring seven and one-half feet from
tip to tip was all we logged into camp
on our return. OF course we expected
more than an eagle in the way of game
| for food, but as such we used our
bird. After being as properly pre-
pared for the oven as would one of
your Thanksgiving turkeys, each took
the part he liked best and roasted it
over the fire to suit his own taste
When placed on the table we ate of it
more for curiosity than for want OF
food. Dishes are rapidly cleared away
owing to the fact that each washed his
own; then unrolling our blankets we
retire for the night. In the morning
the wind is in the same quarter as
when we threw anchor and in this |
we were detained three days The
fourth day we ancnor at the mouth of
Tyea river, thirty miles from the head
water of the Yukon; this point is where
the miner begins his work while Jour
neying to the Yukon valley. Each
one will load his belongings on his |
sled and begin his march up the Tyea
river. We have gone twelve miles
when we come to Sheep Camp Can
yon. This can be passed only when
the water is frozen, though there is a
trail around for summer traffic. After
Sheep Camp Canyon we come to Sheep
Camp, four miles from the summit ct
Chilkoot pass. At this place miners
generally rest up for the remainder Of
their journey and we will 10 likewise.
While here we witness the burning
Of a squaw. who had sickened and
died. They placed the corpse on a
log in a sitting posture with her trink-
cts and belongings around her. then a
crib OF dry wood about this. The In
dians then collect themselves short
distance from the fire and dance and
sing until the fire has consumed the
body. The ashes are then put in
box and placed on cashe a scaffoId
built for this purpose, many Of them
can be seen through the country
While waiting and resting at this
camp we will work our luggage to the
foot OF the summit, a quarter Of
mile from the summit Seventy-fye
pounds is as much Of load is we
can draw up such slope. To descend
to the camp requires some twenty
minutes and is very enjoyable to one
who enjoys coasting. Some meet with
accidents. Two men had their leg,
broken, and one was instantly killed {
by the pole Of the sled running through {
his abdomen a he was thrown from Z
his sled
When we have all our things at the t
foot Of the summit we shoulder about c
one hundred pounds and in this way