The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-07-27
HUNDREDS OF PRosPEcToRs
WILL FAIL TO REACH THE MINES
THIS YEAR
The Government Decides to Send
Troops to Keep Order and Pro-
tect Commercial Interests
Associated Press Special Wire.


PORT TOWNSEND, July 2s.-The
steamer City of Topeka arrived from
Alaska this morning with advices to the
effect that the Clondyke fever was on
the increase in Juneau. Authentic re-
ports from Dyea say that as much
freight is alread ady piled up at the head of
the inlet as the Indians can pack over
the divide in the next eighteen months,
and thds amount of freight will be dou-
bled when the steamers Queen and Mex
leo arrive This practically precludes
the possibility of hundreds of gold seek
crs reaching the mines this year.
Frank F. Myers, a Juneau newspaper
man, will follow the route taken by
Lieut.. Schwatka and party in 1889, from
Takou inlet, thirty miles south Of Juneau
over level ground 130 miles to Lake Tes-
lin. This route is said by those who have
been over both to be more easily accessd-
BILE than over the Chileat pass. 1t is prob
able that stage line will soon be oper-
ated over this route.
John G. Brady having taken the oath
of office is now Alaska's governor.
THE REPORT DOUBTED
SEATTLE, Wash, July 26-The re-
port sent out from Port Townsend that
there was already a blockade Of freight
at Dyea Is not believed here, nor can It
be confirmed. Only one steamer, the AL
XII, had landed freight and passengers
at Dyea at the time the Topeka, which
arrived here this morning, left Juneau.
Therefore it is not possible that there
can be very great crush at Dyea. Re-
ports received here indicate that pros
pectors are having no trouble. However.
when the loads of the Queen and the
Mexico, which have already sailed and
of the Islander and the Rosalie, which
sail on the 28th and 31st respectively,
arrive at Sheep Camp, there will un-
doubted1y be some delay, but horses are
now being shipped to Dyea from Seattle
by hundreds. They will be used for
packing over the divide and will much
expedite the carrying of outfits. "A large
pack train is already operating.
The Topeka brings no news from the
north other than what has been pub
lished. A passenger from Juneau said
the people of that city are flocking to
the Clondyke by every possible route.
The new trail over the mountains which
is HOO feet lower than the old pass, has
been finished and will be used in taking
cattle over the summit destined for
Dawson City. The impression prevails
that there is to be scarcity of provi-
sions in the new camp.
Those who have an idea that cold
weather prevails exclusively in Alaska
will be surprised to know that Archie
Burns, a miner, was affected by sun
stroke while crossing the pass from
Dyea. He recovered and proceeded after
two days rest. He endorsed the Chill
koot pass above all others as cattle
route. His own stock, nine cattle and
two horses, were taken from salt water
to Lake Linderman in less than twenty
hours. The route is however insult
able. for sheep, as there is too much deep,
swift water.
The first mail for the Yukon valley
under the new contract left Juneau July
1S in charge of F. w. Hoyt. 1t consisted
of 1858 letters, being an accumulation
from last April.
The report up to last week Of tonnage
of provisions which has gone into the
Yukon country by the overland route
was 5000, and in addition to this there
are about 5000 tons of live stock.
The following steamers will leave Se-
attle for Dyea and Skagaway Bay with
in the next thirty days: City of Topeka.
July 2S; Islander (from Victoria), July
2S Rosalie, July 81; Al XII, August 2:
Willamette, August 8; Queen, August Z:
Mexico, August 8; Topeka, August II:
Rosalie, August 13.
The Alaska Searchlight publishes
letter from William Moore at Fourteen
1o lxa OF n
that the White pass pack trail to the
summit of the pass was opened for travel
July 18th. On reaching the summit the
traveller steps upon an almost level
country the grade to the lakes being
twenty feet to the mile The distance
from salt water to the Too Chi lake is
thirty miles, and from salt water to the
head of Lake Bennett the distance is
thirty-fve miles. Both routes from the
summit are through rolling country for
the most part open, with plenty of grass
for feeding stock, water and sufficient
timber for all purposes From salt water
to the summit stock and pack horses can
be driven through easily.
A MILITARY POST
WASHINGTON, July 26.-The secre-
tary of war is considering proposition
that has been made to him to establish
a military post in Alaska The govern
ment has TO troops in that vast terri
tory, and in view of the heavy immgra-
tion there and the possible danger to
life ard property from lawless charac-
ters he has been urged to create an Alas
kan military post The commercial in
terests of the territory are a the bottom
of the movement, and have requested
that company of infantry and gat-
ling gun brigade be located at some
point to be christened Post Alger, near
the new boundary line. about $50 miles
from Clondyke and 220O miles above the
mouth of the Yukon river. This body Of
troops is asked for to support the civil
authorities in the administration of law
and for the protection of vested rights.
The president and Secretary Alger