The record-union., 1897-12-18
skaguay. Nov. %. 1897.

skaguay, Nov. %. 1897.
| Friend Houston: Your letter has
| been found. AS to the purchase of
provisions-Victoria 1 suppose will be a
| good place to outfit, although not so
cheap as Seattle, but probably cheaper
| than the twenty-five per cent. duty
| charged Find out if you can get
goods shipped via the Dyea route in
bond to Lake Tagish. This is of prime
Importance. The dog proposition is all
| hight. l would advise you to buy the
sieds here, as you will get the right
kind. They viii cost about So or So so
per sled. You want the Juneau sled,
| as it is the best. Bring some brass
runners. They will slide easier over
| the snow and are not too heavy. Have
| them long enough so as to lap over.
Some of the Canadian police say they
are the best. and the cost is trifiing,
compared with the distance to be trav-
| eled.
You want to get in early to avoid the
rush, at least to the rivers, as they
| break up first. Then you can build
| the boat. You can buy a whp-saw
here, light. for six dollars, to build the
boat. You will need fifteen pounds of
pitch and some oakum.
The log raft proposition I think rath
| er chimerical. Remember the distance
and the ice.
The thermometer is down to zero, and
the wind fifty miles an hour Whew, l
| met parties from Stewart River, hav-
| ing gone in September 1st last. They
report good finds there to be had for
| the location, but grub is scarce, as it
is all along the Yukon
| l Will give you an idea of what you
Will want in clothing, etc: Moosehide
| moccasins, snow pack shoes, macki
naws, ~ o.; wool-lined overalls, heavy
cap, hooded, to come down on the
| shoulders. horsehide mitts with wool
! inside, blankets, Sx10 tent Klondike
stove, not the cheap kind as they burn
out. Get one with asbestos, for it is
lighter than the heavy stove, and is
more durable than the sheetiron stove;
a sleeping bag for two would be
nice thing. You can make it out Of
| feathers, and an oiled sack.
! You may be able to make plenty of
money before you go in. That is the
way quite number of people did last
summer. There are so many unprac-
| tical people going over that they will
| be glad to get ones services. Your
capital is about right. 1t is much
cheaper to go in in the winter.
| No snow has fallen as yet, but the
streams are frozen solid. We do not
mind the cold much.
A new find has just been reported
from Sulphur Creek that is very rich.
We have been getting news from the
| gold region all winter so far. l have
walked the Dyea trail in day, and do
not think that it is more than twenty
| five or thirty miles.
| I think probably that shall be at
| Dyea when you come up, so you can
| look for me there. You may want
| few things that I have forgotten. Be
sure and get gum boots, Parker's pre-
| ferred, with leather bottoms and long
| legs. Also German socks, and pair
of Eric rubber shoes, or something low.
Make yourself a pair Of increepers-a
| piece of sheet steel. thin and pliable
enough to give to the foot. 1t may
want strengthening down the center.
| Take along a few loggers' calks. Don't
| have the end to be driven too long. See
| that your goods are put up properly.
/ Go to Montgomery Ward at Seattle and
| see what they have. 1t is a branch of
the large department store in Chicago.
| l don't think that you will have any
| trouble getting through. / feel per-
| fectly contented here. My business is
| increasing and I have done very well.
Best regards to Mr.. Ross and others.
| Yours truly. II. L. STOKES.
| Get crackings for dog feed. 1t costs
three and half cents in the city, and
| fiftV sacks cOrnmea1