The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-09-01
Better Stay at Home.

. A. ~AAy <NS
Stanley, who went to st. Michael's for
the Associated Press, returned to this
eli. on the steamer Portland. He says
/ have been for seven weeks at the
mouth Of the Youkon, at st. Michael's;
where I saw all the miners coming cut
and interviewed them. AS q result I feel
it my duty to advise everybody to stay
out until next spring. Wild, andi in many
casesse1aggerated reports have been cir
culated since the first discoveries were
made. The strike, however, was and is
one Of the greatest, If not the greatest. In
the worlds history. Probably 100000
vas cleaned up this spring, and next
spring I look for from'S SIS, 900, 900 to 81, 000,-
600. Tho fields have hardly been opened
up as yet, but those going in now must
bear in mind that everything in that re-
gion was stsked out long before any re-
ports reached the outer world and later
Corners must prospect for themselves,
buy claims from the present owners or
work for the owners. No new strike had
been reported up to the time of my leav-
ing, and another may not be made for
five years, although Alaska Is an enor-
nous country and will yet, I believe, pro-
duce more gold than we dreamed Of.
But it is also in many ways 8 bleak,
barren, desolste country, a country in
capable of supporting any great amount
Of animal life, and a country Of such q
rigorous climate, both winter and spring,
that none but the most hardy can pos
sibly live in it. Even they must have an
abundance Of food and warm clothing.
There is a popular impression that sup
plies can be bought in the vicinity Of the
mines. They may at present be pur-
chased at six times the Seattle prices, but
they arc taken at even those figures
faster than they can be gotten, and before
winter is half over If the present popula-
ton remains, there will be actual starva-
ton. The average man requires about
one ton of carefully selected food and
clothing for q years supply. In the sum.
mer of 1896 about $500 tons of supplies
went up the river, and the new popula-
ton of $500 to 1000 suffered from want.
Of this $500 tons, probably 1880 tons
were rum, tools, furniture and supplies
other than provisions. This season,
allowing for the most favorable circum
stances, not more than 1900 tons Of sup
plies can be carried up the river, and
fully one-hslf Of this Is rum and tools, as
well as supplies other than food. There
are more than three times as many peo-
pie there than last winter. Figure 1t out
for YOURSELF
Grub was Completely cleaned out this
spring, and last winter there was such q
each, flour S120 per hundred, bacon 81 per
pound. What will happen this winter?
Why should not people starve to death
this winter?
AS to shelter, 90 per cent. Of Dawson
war 1;,,;p~ IN fopfo In Tn1u 1ahor Ia
scarce and houses cannot be built.
AS to labor, it Is true that last winter,
the winter succeeding the great "strike,"
when men were scarce, wages were Sl5
a day, but if no new strike is made, what
Is to keep wages up this winter? There
are about $40 claims on Bonanza, Edo
RADIO and bunker creeks that will proba-
bly, be worked this winter, an average Of
eight men to each, is, think, liberal: II
.ut 200 men are employed and there
must b ne result? Wages must 60
down. n told that much grub has
gone oyl- the divide, yet from what I
Know I would wager my last dollar that
not to exceed 500 tons Of supplies over
and above what Is already there, has been
carried.
I am also told that there is plenty at st.
Michaels. So there may be; but after
Sept. Is it might as well be in New York
city, for to try to transport it by dog train
or sled over 1000 miles of ice or river Is
absolutely impossible. There is not, nor
will there ever be a dog train that can
take in enough to feed itself over 1920
miles. Relief is therefore impossible.
Over the divide in winter would be quite
as difficult: to draw provisions for the
trip from Dyea to Dawson any time before
the spring breaks up is impossible. Re-
lief for those caught in the Klondike after
winter sets in ia equally impossible, so In
the name of humanity I ask that q stop
be put to this wholesale transportation OF
people without supplies. Let no mar be
allowed to enter that region unless he
carries with him enough food and cloth
ing to last him q year.
There are women and little children In
there to-day who should be sent as far
as St.. Michael before navigation closes.
I hear much OF the boats that are being
built to 60 up the river, but aside from
one steamer ready on Aug. IL, no new
boat can be added to the carrying craft
this fall. The Klondike Ia a bad land of
ice and snow as well as a land of gold.