The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-12-03
Editors Of the PIONEER EXPRESS:

Editors Of the PIONEER EXPRESS:
ann sure that the multitude of people
who intend to go to the Klondyke in the
spring, aud who at the same time have
the privilege of reading your columns,
will be glad to hear just how matters
stand at Skagway and Dyea just at this
time. arrived at Skagway on the 18th
of November and spent two days there.
l did not far out on the trail at Skagway,
but l carefully listened to those who had
Just come in over that trail, and from
what, l actually saw and what heard, l
feel I am competent to give your readers
an accurate idea Of just how matters
stand at this present time.
First then Skagway has now three
docl1 at which ships may land their pas
sengers and their effects. This is an inn
portant fact, for it does away with all that
loss, which has in the past met the Yu-
koner at the very onset of his journey.
There is now no more landing on the
mud at low tide lie overlooked by the
incoming water. read in paper on.y
last night, that there were docks at Dyea;
this not true. there is no dock at Dyea.
the .nearest piles that are driven being
probably half mile from where the boat
must lie to unload. l beg to assure your
readers however, that it is a fact that they
can land on a dock at Skagway, and
moreover, shall endeav3 Or to state only
facts as they are at this present writing.
Landing at the wharf from the Al-Ki.
we walked up town. and mind you, Skag-
way is town. There are hundreds of
houses of all kinds, large and small, of
log and lumber and of every conceivable
design amp device. These houses reach
from high water mark to mile or more
back in the bush. The town is laid out
in streets. Broadway" being one of the
principal. There may be two thousand
inhabitants, and would you believe it?
they have no government postofice. A
gentleman has obligiugly consented to
receive and distribute mail; but he
charges five cents for two cent stamp.
also five cents for sending or delivering
letter. His revenue comes from this
charge: and it may be that he is not too
well paid, but the people feel it hard.
ship that it should cot them ten cents
for sending or posting letter, and five
cents to receive one. Surely Uncle Sam
neglects US, his children, in this manner.
The hotels Of Skagway are able to &C.
commodate a large number oftransients,
but if the rush in the spring is any thing
like what is expected people may have
to camp out, and l would advise travel.
ers to come prepared to live in their own
domiciies. Some caoins had placards
up saying the cabin was for sale, and !,
might be good idea for intending Yu,
koners to secure one of those before.
hand. There are storekeepers of ali
kinds, even jewellers. still l found the
stores were out Of many things their Gus
toners asked for. and the merchant.
have great trouble in getting up thei,
supplies by the boats, and they are Otter
disappointed. The restaurants give
meals for fifty cents each and the meal.
are fairly good, though Of course some
what roughly served.
Now as to the trail. met man who
had just come in from Lake Bennett HI
had also been over the Dyea trail, ane
was therefore 10 . position to institute
comparison. He declared that going ov
er the Dyea Trail. was but child's play t
going over the Skagway. lam convinc
ed from what I heard and saw, that i
present, the Dyea trail Is the better one
though even 1t = hard enough. speal
ofcourse Of the present condition q
things. 1.-THE tramway On the Skagwa,
is completed, then the balance will be Il
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