The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-15
HUNDREDS MAY PERISH
IN THE MAD RUSH TO THE KLoNDIKE
OLDFIELDS.

0SLD riCLI0s
Great Suffering, Starvation and Death In
evitable If tho Present Rate OF Influx
Continues any Longer-The Situation De-
scribed as Appalling.
The United States Treasury Depart
ment has made public the following
letter from government official now
at Dyea, on the way to the gold fields,
stating at the same time that the
writer whose name is withheld, had
been twelve years in the service and
was thoroughly reliable. The letter
says:
I deem it my duty to write you on
subject that does not come strictly
withing my line of duty, as it trench.
cs somewhat upon the functions of
the treasury department. have had
a long talk with MIR. Ivey, collector OF
customs for Alaska. who is at present
at Skaguay, three miles below here.
Ths skaeuay trail is the most largely
used overland route (hough by no
means the besD to the Klondike. Mr..
Ivey informs me that there are now
between tidswater and the lake some.
thing like 1000 people and about 2, 900
horses. The commander Of one Of the
vessels now at Skaguay states that
sixteen vessels are chartered to land
cargoes 1T that place between now
and the 18th of September and that
the number Of passengers will average
200 to each vessel, making 5000 more
people who will attempt to 60 in this
fall. have talked with some OF the
most experienced traders and miners
in this vicinity, and they are unani-
nous in the prediction tina. 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 inevita.
bly, perish on the trail, which is ex.
tretnsly dangerous after the frat OF
| 0 ctober.
The postmaster aud Indian trader at
this place (Mr. Heron) states that
more than 5000 men have gone up
the Chilcootpass during the past thirty
days, and that 700 OF them are still
this side OF the lake GA miles from
here.) Vessels are arriving every day
or two, and at the present rate of in
fux another thousand will enter the
trail by September 10. Mr. Heron ia
of the opinion that not more than 20 !.
out OF 100 will get through. and he
says this trail is far more dangerous
than the Skaguay after the SHOWS set
in. He says il the rush continues an
other week the resultant loss Of life
will ba appalling. I attach the great
est importance to what he says, for the
reason that it is to his pecuniary in
terest to have as many as possible
come this way; yet he advises an i'm.
mediate stoppage of the stampede.
It is difficult to suggest q way to
stop this in-rush of people, but Mr..
Ivey intimates that it the inspection
rules of the treasury department were
properly enforced it would materially
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 con-
demned craft which have been fitted
up for this trade. Mr.. Ivey will no
doubt at once present the facts outlin-
ed above to the proper authorities,
and merely give them to you Tor
your information.
The situation is appalling, and it Is
impossible for me adequately to de.
scribe the mad rush for the gold field.
had no conception OF its immensity
until I saw it. I have talked with
several men who have recently arrived
here from the Klondike, two Of whom
lett there less than thirty days ago.
They unanimously agree that while
there is a rich gold field there, the
facts do not justify the present STAN.
psde, and they say there is bound to
be much suffering and actual starva-
ton. Provisions are already scarce
and the prices of many articles abso'
lutely prohibitory in the case OF q man
of ordinary means.
NY usual good luck has attended
| ul0 uoEO. MI. hoIOu, VIC PoosIAAa<
is an old Montana friend, and he has
made it possible for me to 60 forward
by Indian carriers at the prevailing
rate (37 cents per pound), taking pre-.
cedence over hundeds, 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, etc. Sol
feel comfortably sure of going right
through.
The mail facilities are very bad
here, as the p ostof6ce department has
not made any allowance for the rapid
rowth of 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 its destination. I am fore.
ed to close this letter to catch a boat
which is about to leave, I am leaving
unsaid soma things which shall have
to include in my next letter.
The Deadly Crossing.
A Philadelphia and Reading wreck