The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-27
ROUTES TO THE KLONDIKE.
TEE 0HILEooT PASS SAID TO BE
BLOCKED WITH FREIGHT.

nlany miners Likely 10 Ne Stranded Near the
Censt Tor the winter OwinE 70 Lack or
Transpertation-san Franchise Capitalists
RaRer 70 nnvest In Nines on the Yukon.
BAN FRANCISCO. July 26.-The Klondike gold
fever still rages here, and little else is discussed
except the chances of getting up to the new
camp on the Yukon with enough grub to last
through the winner. Tho steamship Excelsior
will b the next to leave. She Will sail on
wednesday direct to ST. Michael, and from
thore passengers and freight will be transferred
to liFht draught river boats. 1t Is thought by
many prospectors that they will not be able togo
further than Circle City before the river freezes
over. II this should DO the case the advontur-
era will md themselves 200 miles from their
destination.
From tho number of applications for passage
received at the various steamship companies 1t
10 not thought likely that half who are anxious
70 20 70 the Klondike this fall will DO able to
ind accommodations The Pacific Coast Steam
ship Company has already chartered two extra
vessels and II now looking for Q third.
Reports from Port Townsend say that the
overland route TO tho Yukon by way Of Juneau
end Chilkoot Pass is blocked with freight. The
force Of Indian packers can make no Roadway
with Il, and every steamer will add several hun
drcd tons to tho accumulation. Several pack
mules and horses are being carried up on every
steamer. but those will furnish little holp. It 10
probable that three-fourths of the mon who
reach Dyea with supplies and who have no pack
animals will be stranded there for tho winter or
compelled laboriously to carry the supplies on
their backs over the twenty miles to the Chill
koot Pass. Any man who can get 500 burros or
horses to Juneau within tho next fortnight can
clean up o fortune almost az large az any mado
on tho Klondike.
Among the passengers on the steam ship
Umatnla yesterday were five infantry soldiers
under tho command of o sergeant. It 10 their
intention to 20 across the country to Fort Sell
kirk and then down to tho boundary limo.
In about q week the steamer Noyo will leave
here direct for Dyoa. She carries Charles Prinz,
for two years a member Of the life saving crow
at Port Point, who has chosen to give up what
would have been q permanent position for the
chance Of achieving q quick fortune In tho
north. Prins has Joined with nino others in
buying nine pack mules and q couple Of largo
boats, ready built and only needing to DO put to-
gether. The boats, which arc now being built,
will each DO % feet long by 9 feet in width, and
whom put together for use will DO double
onders." not unlike whalebacks in appearance.
and very strong. Their large size will enable
them to carry . great quantity of supplies. and
Prins. relying on experience which he has had
In surf sailing. does not doubt his ability to carry
them both safely through any rapids on the
Yukon.
Local capitalists are eager now to invest
money In the Klondike mines or any others
that promise good returns on tho Yukon, but
last winter and even last spring they were
very skeptical about q now Eldorado. Edward
Holland. q hotel keeper Of this city. tells tho
following story of tho fortune that was passed
bylocal mon;
"when Tom o'Brien, mail carrier, brought
out tho news Of the wonderful finds In tho
Klondiko in March last" said Holland, "he
oanao to me ut the hotel and asked me II San
Francisco capitalists did not want to take ad-
vantage Of tho opportunity. He was prepared
10 put $50. 900 into any sort Of q company that
would DO formed to develop the district.
II took him around and introduced him to
many men Of means. but they all shook their
heads. O'Brien's story seemed too good to DO
true OBrien remained here Q week and had
many Interviews All had tho same answer for
him. They did not believe In. tho country.
"OBrien had the money with him. but took It
on to Ottawa. He received considerable atten-
ton there and secured q number Of valuable
concessions from the Government. One Of these
was Q grant to q town site Just across the river
from Dawson. This promises to become ono of
the most valuable properties in that section. for
III o natural site for o town. Further than
this. OBrien secured q concession to take 1000
gallons Of whiskey into the country. so he was
we'll taken care Of by the Government. Since
the new excitement has broken out I have been
doluEed with Inquiries about the country"
A Port Townsend despatch gives the following
Information about q scheme to fleece returning
miners:i
Anthony Nash of this place. a veteran gam
hler. Ia making a trip to ST. Michael and return
On the steamer Portland. having paid the steam.
ship company s5, 900 for the privilege of plying
his vocation on the steamer for one round trip.
A. che Portland will bring nearly 90. 900. 900 on
her return Nash expects to get a good percent
age Of It. Tho action of the transportation com.
pany In thus licensing gambling aboard its
steamers 10 generally condemned. People think
that . minor. having worked hard for his gold,
at least should DO permitted to go back to civil
lEstton with 1t and not DO skinned ON his way
olt."