The record-union., 1897-09-05
SKAGUAY Aug. 10 1897

Ny Dear Minnie: Here we are and
waiting patiently for our horses. We
expect them tonight Sprague and his
outfit are here; don't think they will
get through this winter. Bullard,
Ahe:n and Jackson are here, and likely
to remain all winter. They have given
up, and God only knows when they will
move. / shall try to take Ahern with
us, if possible, he begs so pitifully Ben
and Jackson have lost all courage
There are about 5000 men and 1900
horses here, the most forlorn lot you
ever saw One-half have given up, and
the other either curse or cry, and, taxi
ing it altogether, | never saw such
sight in my life.
At Dyea the situation is about as
bad, and there are about as many
there as here. God only knows what
is to become of all those that are COM
ing, for none except those that have
horses will get through
No living man ever saw such a sight!
don't believe one in a hundred will
get through this winter. The trail has
been closed two days, and about 1000
miners are working on the road. This
morning many started out, and to-
night they returned.
One can buy outfits here for any,
thing they offer For instance, flour is
selling for 80 cents a sack. while at
Lake 2ennett it SELLS for $40 per hun
dred. So you can see what it costs to
cross the mountains. They are paying
40 cents per pound to pack over Skag-
uay tlail, and l am told 30 cents per
pound is paid at Chiicoot
Many have started out on this trail
since we have been here. We will start
as soon as Woods and the horses ar
rive. The report comes in that the trail
can be crossed, but that every train
loses many horses. Horses sell quickly
at from $t00 to $3.50 per head There
is a constant stream of people coming
here from Dyea and as many going
from here to there. I firmly believe
that 81 per pound will be paid for
packing before the week is over.
Jack Lawrence has cut his leg badly
and will have to return home. Hick-
man is packing at Dyea, and Walthers
and Jcmes are stalled over near the
lakes. I never saw such a pitiful look
ing object as Sprague. He is all alone,
and is trying to sell his outfit so that
he can cross light
Ben Bullard will undoubtedly return
home, although he is talking. of trying
to go to Juneau. Ahern and Jackson
want TO go ahead, but they can't move.
This is a sight well worth coming to
see. L firmly believe I can cross when
the horses arrive. but it will take time
to do it. I sold my boat for 81 to make
flooring for tents. Boats are scat
~ > r
shall try to keep all my provisions, as
two men have just come in, one from
Dawson City, and they say that provi-
siOns cannot be bought there except
-four. and that sells for S6 per sack.
Surely many people will starve there
this winter, but we will not, for I'll
keep al of our provisions.
] am feeling fine, and slept soundly
last night (our first night in tent), with
the rain pouring down. 1t is raining
lightly to-day.
Granville Libby will take this to you,
as he is here on a tug. We expect sew
eral large steamers, heavily loaded, any
moment, and then there will be still
more confusion
I am praying for our horses to ar
rive. fer there is bound to be blockade
on The trail when they all get on it.
The authorities should stop others from
coming. for they will not get through,
and it is awful to see the pitiful condi-
tion of things here. One here without
horses is as helpless as a child. All
say that I am the best equipped man
here, with horses and light freight. I
never saw so many men weaken VIII
write tomorrow, when the horses ar
rive. | am we'll and / am going
through.
SKAGUAY, Aug 20.-It is raining
lightly to-day. The horses arrived last
night in good condition. Many are Of
fering 81 per pound if they can be
packed over at once. I will strike out
at daylight and go by stages. I ex-
pect il will take at least week, and
perhaps ten days to reach the lakes.
Now that I had to part with my
boat. the trouble will be when we reach
the lakes-no boat, but we will have to
buy or build one. Our boat could not
be packed over the trail | write very
hurriedly. as I wish Libby to take this.
Do not allow any friends to come
here. Many have turned back, and
many more would do so only they are
too proud. l will write you from the
10 era1,