The San Francisco call., 1897-08-16
Indians Hard to Obtain at All
and Pack Animals a
Necessity.
WOMEN : SHOW GREAT FORTIIuDF.
Henry Gable Will Now Try Trinity
County-The Steamer North Fork
Will Sail To-Day.

sHe went out to Yankee Doodle ana
returned to Chevy Chase"
s'He" means Henry Gable, an Arizona
prospector who formed one of the van
guard in the rush to the Klondike country
when the news of the immense wealth
discovered there became noised about the
land. Gable returned on the steamer
WalIa Walla yesterday, weary OF the
whole performance, 1925 out of pocket and
with tale of woe that ought to make
heart of stone shed torrid tears.
But Gable came loaded down with in
formation, and he asserts confidently that
it will not be long until his story is verl-
fed by many more, who will be glad to
set their feet once more on the land OF
civilization and wait till later on for a
mint OF wealth.
Il left here three weeks ago to-day on
the steamer Umatilia," said Gable, land
when she arrived at Port Townsend l took
the Topeka for Juneau. From Juneau
went TO Barnum's Bay on the Rustler
| had intended TO work in the mines, but
saw in very short time that could not
make it. You can just bet your life that
the toughest job any man ever essayed is
crossing the mountains from Dyea at this
time OF year.
"At Juneau l learned from good au-
thority that no man could get over the
Chilcoo, Pass withou pack III ules. l had
a one thousand pound outfit, which cost
me about $40 and 1 was forced to sell 1t for
less than L paid at Juneau. Six men that
had been working in the mines came down
from Juneau with me and the whole 10:
of them we're disgusted with their eXper-
ience there.
at is simply impossible for one or two
men 10 go through to Dawson at this time
of year. They would not stand the least
chance on earth. My advice is that the
party should consist OF at least tlve men,
ana that they should take pack mules and
go well 'heeled' with money besides.
They would need snowshoes and sled as
well. Otherwise they would have to pack
their grub on their backs, and | will
show you now hard job that is.
1T is thirteen miles from Dyea to the
top of the pass. 1t takes from one to three
days TO make the trip to the sum nit. One
man cannot carry more than 100 pounds
up there at one trip to save his life. He
has to wade in slush up 10 his knees and
meet all sorts OF difficulties; so to carry
thousand pounds up there would take
month. Indians are hard TO get, and
man needs to be a millionaire to get their
services at all. In short time the whole
place will be frozen as hard as q nail, and
then it will mean a sorrowiul time. There
are thousand men camped in the vicln-
ity of Dyea now, | understand, and there
are many at Juneau unable 10 get any
farther.
"Many and many fellow went up on
the Umatilla who will rue the day that
he did not show forethought enough to
wait until spring before making the ven-
ture. Hardly any OF the party have
had the least experience In mining
either. / am an experienced miner and
have roughed it all my life, but you can
bet | know when l have run up against a
stone wall. I am told that many of
the women-I might say thu women in
general-seem to show more fortitude in
standing their iil-conditioned environ
ment than most of the men. They say
that Clarence Berry's wife was the life OF
the party"
Gable expressed his surprise at hearing
that rich find had been made in Trinity
County. He had not heard the least
thing about it and had already bought
his ticket to 80 to Nevada, where, be saws.
he has good mining interests. He was
very eager to learn OF the discovery of
gold IN Trinity County and copy of yes
terday's CALL was purchased and given
him. he was soon buried i'll its contents
When lie had finished he rose and said
he was going at once to the ticket office
and see if he could not have his place of
destination changed to Trinity County.
al am as eager to make honey as any
body" be declared, while in the act of
leaving, "and only stopped because l had
TO on this trip. | guess I'll try my luck in
TrinlIy.'