The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1897-09-24

NhH FAMOUS YUKON htNtfs
In outing for September Edward
Spur, Of the United States Geological
Survey. speaks as follow OF the great
Alaskan river.
only two routes are available. One
must either 20 to st. Michael. in the
Bohriug sea. aud thence up the River
Yukon, from its outlet to the begin
ming OF lis hoadwatera some 1900
miles. or land at some point OF the
Pacific. cross the head Of land and tap
tho headwaters OF the Yukon at their
source.
I'm either event the Journey must be
completed before September. when the
Yukon freezes. and AlaBka's arctic win
ter Of the utmost rlgcr sets In and
gripn Ia Wise.
AT the little town OF Juneau We Left
the steamer and made preparations TO
turn our backs for good upon ciyiliza-
ton. Our proposed route lay across the
coast mountains. TO the hoadwaiers Of
the Yukon and thence down that river
ha a highway. making such excursions
from II az became necessary.
Alaska n most dinlcult country
for travelling. even In the only available
short season OF la arctic summer. there
being no roads; and oven Indian trails.
on account OF the small number OF ma
tlyea, are very rare. The surface IL
rough. being trayersed by many ranges
OF mountains. Even In the more level
portions travel IL hindered In the sum
mer by the wet moss which grows
knee-deep. and by tho Insect PESTS. In
the winter Il IL made lmpoaslh' by the
intense cold. In view Of all these din
cultios. the peculiar relation OF the Yu-
kon river 10 the coast Ia such that one
might fancy Nature had arranged II cs-
peclaily for n highway. through this
inaccessible Interior In partial compen-
Gatlon TO man for the obstacles she
has put in his way
Tho hcadwators OF the network OF
streams that ultimately drain into the
Yukon river fortunately lle within
about thirty miles OF the sea. Just on
the northern or inland side OF n range
OF mountains which runs along the
southern coast OF Alaska. From this
point the river flows north. away from
the sea. far toward the Arctic Ocean;
then, suddenly changing la mind. turns
west; and finally. after travcrslng tho
whole width OF Alaska, arrives at the
nehrlng Sea. its entire course being
considerably over two thousand miles.
For n considerable dlstqnco It Ia
broad and deep alream. so that one may |
20 quite through the center OF Alaska.
from sea to sea. by crossing only thirty |
miles or so Of land.
There are various routes across the |
coast mountains to the various heads
Of this river. on these we chose that |
over the chilkoot Pass, which ia the |
shortest although the mountains
which must be thereby crossed are
higher than any OF the other routes.
uard.hips % III. Trip 60 the KiandtLe.
eve were huddled together 40 closely
that we porforco became speedily ac-
quaiuiod, for although the space on
the floor was larf enough for all OF us
10 vi down. there was hardly room To
stretch out when We grew weary OF
chatting, however. and OF listening TO
the sound Of the water as the boat
threlhed IL way onward, we were
forced by drowslnoss TO sleep where we
could, and soon sleopcra were scattered
around In the most grotesquc aud un-
comfortable attitudes. had coveted
a space On or under the little table used
for eating purposes. but found that
choice position fully occupied before |
made up my mind TO retire: but | I'm
ally wedeod myself Into a narrow space
between the boiler and the pilot house,
whore, throughout the night. passers
continually stepped on my head. How
ever. slept several hours.
The system OF eating 10 worthy OF
note. The table accommodated about
six at n time. whereas. as | have men
toned. we were atty or sixty In all.
At each meal one or two. or sometimes
three. sets Of passengers would be- fed.
then the captain. the sailors. the Chi
nese cook, and the dlsh-washor. after
which tho rest OF Ms got our ratlons,
IN good time. As we grew very hun
Ery during this process, we would
stand around patiently waiting our
chance TO slip in; but sometimes be-