The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-09-16
THE RICH KLONDIKE.
THE MAD RUSH OF GOLD SEEKERS
CONTINUES.

In Spite OF Repeated Warnings the Trails
Are Crowded-FcarsT That the Food sup
ply VIII Eail-Untold Wealth in the
Frozen Northiand.
The excitement and the rush for the
gold fields continues with unabated
force. There is not the least doubt of
the enormous extent and the value Of
the gold fields of Alaska. Every re-
turning steamer brings information
which not only confirms all the pre-
vious fattering reports, but goes far
beyond all that has been heretofore
told.
One Of the vessels which reached Sc
attic last week brought but a compare
lively small cargo of gold as reported.
There were thirteen miners, and the
amount which they were understood to
have was S250,000. But the real truth
is, that no one can tell just how much
gold is brought back by the individu-
ais, for many of them are not commu-
NEGATIVE when II comes to talking of the
exact amount of the precious metal
which they are transporting. This last
steamer did not bring so much gold as
1t was supposed it would, because 1t
left st. Michaels before the arrival of
the Yukon river steamer, which is
known to have on board sixty miners
from the Klondike fields, each of whom
has a rich bag of gold Some OF the
miners are becoming alarmed for the
safety OF the Portland on its next trip,
when 1t will bring back perhaps two or
three millions of the precious metal. 1t
has been arranged to have a revenue
cutter accompany her as a precautions
ary measure.
But rich as is the field, the magnitude
Of the undertaking of going to the gold
fields, and the dangers that environ the
gold seekers, are fearful to contemplate
unless all the returning miners greatly
exaggerate the conditions that exist.
OF the thirteen who just returned to
Seattle, nearly every one declared that
he was prompted to do so because Of
the fear that the supply OF food would
give out.
When the Excelsior arrived at st.
Michael with hundred and thirty odd
gold seekers and the miners heard that
the Cleveland would bring $50 more,
tucy tdihtu StIOuSl " luSu. uey sdlu
that too many persons were going in
and that supplies could not possibly
hold out during the winter After leav-
ing Dutch HarDor the partial extent Of
the rush dawned upon them. My
God!" said one man. what are they
thinking Of? Are they crazy?" There
will be terrible, horrible times on the
Yukon next winter. Starvation will
stare them in the face long before
spring.
From my own personal investiga-
tion at St. Michael" writes a cores
pondent, Il am convinced that the
miners do not speak too strongly
The steamship company is doing it's
utmost to get supplies up the river, and
were 1t possible to do SO would have
food for all. But it labors under dis
advantages which cannot be apreci-
ated until seen. A serious mistake was
made by one company in carrying up
too much liquor ON the last trip or two
of the boats. The miners want food,
not liquor. Last year, with 1900 per-
sons on the river and facilities for
transportation very little under those
T this season, there was a serious
shortage. This year these same 1900
settlers must have supplies, and they,
with those who went in last spring,
making total Of probably FIVE thou