The Mena weekly star., 1897-09-15
THE ALASKAN GOLD FIELDS.
WAGES FROM TEN TO FIFTY DOL
 LARS PER DAY.
Condensed Summary of What Is Be- ing Printed About Them-Other
 Discoveries.

caused by the wonderful finds of gold in Alaska in what is known as the Klondlke gold fields has been unparaI- leled since the discovery of the pre- cious metal in California Column of ter column of editorials have been pub- lished warning the people against the terrible sutferings that must be endur- ed, of the months of total darkness and fearful cold of the Arctic region of the 2, 1000 miles which must be trav ersed to reach the Klondike from the seaports through the mountain passes and over frequently impossible trails.
 1t IS belng earnestly brought to the attention of the hundreds who are en- deavoring to go in search of gold that there can but be actual famine, starva tion and death by the terrible cold. That no one should think of starting with less than S1,000 in money and the most carefully selected outfit and much preparation, and that none but the strongest can survive the rigors of the climate. In spite of the warnings, many rush off, needless of advice and thoughtless as to consequences.
 That large per cent of these will never return is absolutely certain. All reports say it is absolutely impossible to reach the gold fields from this coun- try before the coming spring.
 It would be impossible for the Star to publish such extended reports as are to be seen in the large city dailies, but we attempt by careful editing, to give our reader as good an idea of the subject as can be obtained.
 Governor Brady on the KIondike Country.
 Washington. John G. Brady, gov ernor of Alaska, has sent to Secretary Bliss a personal letter in which he says:
 Steamships are passing daily for Dyea and Skaguay loaded to the ut most with passengers and supplies. The news just out of the Klondike by reliable men is calculated to raise the excitement to a higher pitch. The shipment of dust by the mouth of the Yukon will be all of 21S tons. Rich finds have been made well up on the sides of the mountain and the old say silver runs in veins seems to be em- phasized in that district.
 A conservative estimate is that there are 5000 men at Skaguay and along the trail on the White pass with their supplies and only small per cent. of the number can get across. Some parties are dividing up and will try to send men over with supplies, while the others will go into camp until spring"
 High Prices for Labor.
 K. c. Star. Harmon Harris, Kan- sas City young man who left Kansas City for the Klondike in July. writes under date of August 21:
 II am in Skaguay at last and I am more than pleased with the place. There are 5000 people here. The town is in valley between two mountains river flows through the valley which is filled with trout (the river not the valley.) 1 believe this is going to be the largest town in Alaska. There is good trail here and they are build ing wharf. People are making from $2O to S10o day hauling freight. One man with a wagon told me that he made $150 yesterday. Another man with wheelbarrow made $20. Grub is as low as in the states, but whisky is twenty five cents drink.
 There are three steamers in port and seven more coming. If they keep on coming 1 can't see how the people are going to find standing room. I expect to start packing over the trail to-mor- row and hope to get to Dawson in about three weeks"
 First Three Days Test.
 Klondixe letter to the Chicago Tri- bune. -''The first day out the argonaut drinks at each of the many rivulets that cross the trail like silvery threads, to cool the fever within. The second day finds him stiff, sore and nearly ex- hausted, leaning panting against a rock The third day he will either turn back or show the grit that is in him.
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