The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-28
THE KLOND|KERS.
MIR. HESTWOOD's PRACTICAL INFOR-
NATION FOR GOLD SEEKERS.
In Answer to Many Letters Of In
quiry, He Furnishes q Concise and
Accurate Statement of Facts
6la Ratfrey Street

seattle, NdSn., NOV. q, 1897.
To the Editor: VIII you kindly permit
me the use OF your columns to answer a
few questions regarding the Klondike
which are propounded to me by scores of
people seeking information about Alaska
and the Northwest territory.
l. II you are going In by the way Of the
Chilkoot or Skaguay pass. come to Seattle
not later than March Is. and purchase out
tit sufficient to last you from nine to twelve
months at least.
?. Have your entire outfit thoroughly pro-
tected by oiled canvas sacks.
.. Be we'll supplied with dogs and sleds.
Each man with one years outfit should
have from two to five well-trained dogs
This may seem an unnecessary expense
but remember that you can get from $50
to $l0O for good dogs in the mining camps
along the Yukon. They are a wonderful
assistance in moving an outfit over the ice
and snow.
L. Leaving Seattle any time before April
!. you can cross all of the lakes at the
headwaters of the Yukon on the ice which
will enable you to reach the gold fields
from two to three weeks earlier than you
could If you should wait for the ice to go
out of the lakes.
5. Timber for bodybuilding Is scarce but
is most plentiful on the west arm of Lake
Bennett, right arm of Lake Tagish and
opposite Tagish house, at the head of Lake
Marsh.
s. Between Lake Marsh and Lake Le-
barge there is sixty miles of river in which
occur the Grand canyon and White Horse
rapids. If you are not accustomed 10 boat
ing in swift water. do not attempt 10 run
loaded boat through the canyon Get
some one who is accustomed to that sort
of work 10 do II for you. Falling this
portage your goods and run the boat
through empty.
I. Look out for rocks just below the
canyon. Make a landing on the left side
at the head OF White Horse rapids. portage
goods and let boat down with a rope.
s. After shedding over Lake Iebarge.
keep sharp lookout for rocks until you
reach the Hootalinqua river. Many boats
have been wrecked in that portion of the
river. which is very swift and fun OF rocks
.. Before reaching Five Finger rapids
bear To the right and keep boat under per-
feet control, and under no circumstances
get excited If the boat swamps. seize A
bundle of blankets and swim for the eddy
at the right.
10 Great care should be exercised every
minute of the time while floating down the
river, as you never know when the treach-
erous current may bear you into a lot of
drift wood or land you on a sand bar.
II. If you so by way of the mountain
passes. prepare to be a dog. horse or In
dog would not eat: and remember. too, that
after you reach the mines are apt TO
find more starvation, death and disappoint-
ment than gold. and that every dollars
worth Of gold you get you will earn twice
over.
IL. Five hundred dollars IS sufficient for
an outfit and transportation. Wages are
from $40 TO SIS per day OF zen hours The
work is not boys play. / know OF no rea-
son why other very rich creeks should no.
he discovered along the Yukon. There
probably viii no within the next $3.50
years. II has taken that long 10 find the
klondske.
II. Yes. Il is just as rich as they say
| II Is There will be ifa tons Of gold shipped
| from Dawson City the coming season. pro-
viding the miners have sufficient food 10
| keep them going through 3he winter.
IL No. ! never advise any one Ia ga to
/ ths. country unless he has sufficient capt.
| tai with which TO purchase piece Of prop
| erty and develop IL
x / have made three trips into the mines
| from Seattle since the spring az 1874 and
| Forty Mile post (ilfty-two miles below
| pawsonp is SIX weeks This includes time
| consumed in whipsaw ing lumber and con-
| strue,ion af baat. and probably three 10
| i've 6Ays delay on account Of Zee jams In
| the river
| is. The steamer route oy way - the
| mouth Of the river is much easier ard more
| comfortable and unless ycu are In p great
| hurry | would advise you 70 80 that way.
| J. .. HESTWoGD.