The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-09-18
NOW ON OUNkLASKA'S SHORE
SACRAMENTANs FLOODING TO-
WARD THE KLoNDIKE.
interesting Letters From George
Ih1sby Of Andrus Island and
A. K. Varney

george Thisby, who went from here
10 81. Michaels last July, has written
an interesting letter from there to his
mother, Mrs. Rebecca Thisby of An
drus Island, near Walnut Grove.
Mr.. Thisby was accompanied by
party of friends, one of whom was
Walter Foley, son of Captain John
Foley, formerly of this city. They We're
Well supplied with food money, cloth
ing, etc, and will no doubt succeed in
the new FL Dorado, being hardy young
men of good habits. Mr.. Thisby writes;
St. Michaels, Aug. p. 1891.
Dear Mother: We arrived at Una
laska at daybreak on the It'll of Au-
gust, after being on the great Pacific
Ocean for ten days without seeing land.
1t was the prettiest sight I ever wit
messed
The town (Unalaska) is situated on
an island in the bay. The island or
islands are very steep and high, and
slope down to the waters edge to
nice, smooth beach. The tops of the
hill, some of which are several thou
sand feet high, are covered with snow,
but the balance is green grass right
down to the water.
The harbor is completely hemmed in.
The only entrance is through a mar
row strait. 1t is a cOaling station only,
where the Government cutters, etc,
coal up. There are three or four Uni
ted States vessels here at present. We
expect to stay here over night and pro-
coed on to St. Michaels, which is about
three days run. and there we change
to the river boats. The first couple
Of days out from San Francisco We
had very rough weather, and more
than half of the passengers were sea
sick, and I was one of them, but we
soon got over it.
I have nothing much to tell you as
yet, but everything looks encouraging.
August 13th-We have at last reached
St. Michaels 1t took just fourteen
days including one day that we laid
over at Unalaska We had a very
pleasant trip.
There are about twenty five houses
and stores belonging to the Alaska
Commercial Company, and an Indian
village of tents. We will have to lay
over here for ten days or two weeks,
as the river boats have not got down
the river from the last trip.
The steamer Portland arrived at st.
Michaels a week ahead Of us with
about 200 passengers They are also
waiting for the boats to return from
Dawson.
The reports from up the Klondike.
from fifteen men that just came down,
say that they are still making big
strikes.
A big strike of 100000, this side OF
Dawson City. was made in a couple
of days Everything is excitement.
August 25th-We have been lying
here two weeks, but expect to get
away tomorrow if nothing happens.
We are not going to Dawson City.
but intend going to Menook Greek,
about 500 miles from here. AS every
body is rushing to Dawson City, we
decided not to go there. We think our
chances are much better at Menook
Creek. as there are only a few at that
place.
our only trouble will be that we
won't be able to send any mail out OF
there in the winter. A steamer leaves
tomorrow with 200 tons of provisions
for Menook Creek. SO we will have
plenty of food. Don't believe what you
hear about provisions and starvation
for it is only newspaper talk.
We were speaking to fifty miners
that came down on the boat yester-
day. and they told US to go to Menoob
Greek
Don't be worried about me, and dop't
believe the newspapers. as they only
put things in to fill up.
l am We'll and hope to be able to get
to our destination very soon, as 1 an
anxious to begin to make my fortune
Your loving son,
GEORGE THISBY.