The record-union., 1897-07-27


while Circle City is worked in the sum-
mer
"At Circle City wages are SO to $12
day, while here on the Clondyke
wages are SIS a day for all kinds of
labor. I have been at work seven
days for saloon man, working around
poker tables, faro and crap tables. He
pays me S15 day and grub. 1t looks
big, but when you take into considera-
ton the cost and hardship of getting
here II is not so much. They pay prin-
cipally n gold dust at SIG an ounce.
haze made enough on the provisions
I sold to pay all my expenses in get
ting here and also my return home.
Il sold one gallon of whisky that
cost me in Seattle SS for S25. Bacon
that cost me II cents I sold for %
cents per pound. I sold a 150-pound
sack of flour for $50 Tea that cost me
20 cents per pound for 50 per pound.
Sugar 1 sold for 60 cents per pound.
One suit of underwear I sold for SD.
A pick that cost me 81 30 l sold for 50.
All of these goods I could easily spare
and would have no use for
If 1 had only known l would have
brought in 81 900 or so worth of goods.
There are about $500 people here
now and more coming in every day.
About 1900 wintered here last year.
This letter, among hundreds of
others. is going out by special carrier,
who charges 81 per letter"
TROOPS FOR ALASKA.
WASHINGTON, July 6.-The Secre-
tary of War is considering a PROPOSE
tion that has been made to him to os-
tablish military post in Alaska. The
Government has no troops in that vast
territory and in view of the heavy inn
migration there and the possible dam
ger to life and property from lawless
characters, he has been urged to create
an Alaska military post.
The commercial interests of the terri
tory are at the bottom of the move
ment, and have requested that a COM
pany of infantry and a gatling gun
brigade be located at some post to be
christened Post Alger, near the new
boundary line, about $50 miles from
Clondyke, and 2,200 miles above the
mouth of the YOkon River.
This body of troops is asked for to
support the civil authorities in the ad-
ministration of law and order and for
the protection Of vested rights. 1t was
suggested that troops be marched over
the Dyea overland route to the post,
which viii be erected by contract for
the Government use if DESIRED but this
will be impossible, in view of the fact
that the British law, like our own
would not permit the passage of for
eign troops over British territory with
;a1
troops will be carried up the Yukon
in a steamer if the Government con-
sents to create a post.
There is some doubt of the power of
the President to establish a post as
proposed without Congressional author
ization, and that aspect of the question
has been brought to the attention Of
the Attorney General for an opinion
An early decision must be reached if
the troops are to be sent to the new
post this season.
Meanwhile, volunteers for service in
Alaska are coming forward. This
morning Secretary Alger received a tel
egram from Captain Abercrombie of
the Second Infantry at Harrison, Mont.
rendering his services with sixty picked
men of his regiment for duty in Alaska,
and expressing a desire to report per-
sonally to Secretary Alger.
The President and Secretary Alger
have decided to detail an army officer
and a company of soldiers from the
regular army for service in Alaska. The
matter is yet in very indefinite shape,
but details will be arranged as soon as
possible, in order that the soldiers may
-,
before navigation closes on the Yukon
River. They will be sent to their desti-
nation via the Yukon River route, and
the offer of one of the shipping compan-
les to transport them and their baggage
and stores will probably be accepted.
The exact location of the camp or post
has not yet been determined on, but it is
expected to be at Circle City. An army
officer now in the field, and who has had
experience in such matters, has been in
vited to take charge of the company,
and an answer is expected from him
very soon. The detail of men who will
go will be made from one of the posts
in the West, but just when is not yet
finally settled on. The officials are anx-
ious to locate the soldiers in the gold
be arranged they will be sent on the
steamer sailing early in August
HOT WEATHER IN ALASKA.
SEATTLE CWash), July 26.-The re-
port sent out from Port Townsend that
there was already a blockade of freight
at Dyea is not believed here, nor can
it be confirmed Only one steamer. the
Al-Ki, had landed freight and passen-
gers at Dyea at the time the Topeka,
which arrived here this morning, left
Juneau. Therefore, it is not possible
that there can be a very great rush at
Dyea. Reports received here indicate
that prospectors are having no trouble.
However, when the loads of the
Queen and the Mexico, which have al
ready sailed, and of the Islanded and
the Rosalie, which sail on the 2Sth and
31st, respectively, arrive at Sheep
Camp, there will undoubtedly be some
delay. but horses are now being ship
ped to Dyea from Seattle by hundreds.
They will be used for packing over the
divide, and will much expedite the car
rying of outfits. A large pack train
is already operating.
The Topeka brings no news from the
north other than has been published.
A passenger from Juneau said the peo-
pie Of that city were flocking to the
Clondyke by every possible route. The
new trail over the mountains, which is
1.100 feet lower than the old pass, has
been finished, and will be used in taking
cattle over the summit, destined for
Dawson City. The impression prevails
that there is to be a scarcity of pro-
visions in the new camp.
Those who have an idea that cold