The San Francisco call., 1897-09-10
JUST RETURNED
FROM KL0uD[KE
F. E. Leonard of Portland
Arrives and Predicts
Famine.
Says He Left While He Could
as Food Will Be Un-
purchasable.
Prudent Ones Leaving to Avoid Win
ter Scarcity ty-Those at st. Michael
Better Off.

F. E. Leonard of Portland. Or, the
latest arrival from the Klondike, landed
in this City yesterday morning, having
transferred to the steamship Pomona at
Eureka, where he arrived three days ago
in the steamer National City from St.
Michael.
He says he left Dawson City because he
was afraid that he would not be able to
buy food there this winter. He predicts
great suffering among the 5000 miners
from an insufficient supply of provisions
to last the camp until the Yukon shall
open in the spring and permit the trans
portation of food to the isolated mining
district.
The more prudent miners, he says, an
ticipating what may develop to famine,
are selling their kits and getting out
while they can, with the prospect of
spending the winter under better con-
citions and being ready 10 return in the
spring.
Mr. Leonard brought some of the yellow
stuff out with him-how much he did not
say. He was at the smelling works in the
morning experimenting a little cleanup
intended to keep him through me winter
at his home in Portland, whittier he
started last night
When seen at the Commercial Hotel he
said:
Il went to the Klondike this year, so
my mining experiences there were linn
tied. / started on my return from Daw-
son City on July 26.
II saw enough to convince me that the
country is very rich; 1t is also very dan
gerous unless man goes there properly
equipped and with good stock of pro.
visions.
~ do not hesitate to admit that came
away because l found l would not be able
to obtain supplies to carry me through
until the river opens next year. 1t Was
not that | did not have money to buy.
There was simply no prospect that there
would be anything for sale, SO l decided
to leave while could.
'There is lots of gold on Ell Dorado and
Bonanza creeks. But a man must have
food.
II have heard good deal OF talk about
wages from $40 to SIS day, but such
cases are unusual. A man can work only
when the weather permits, and $8 day
Is good average wage there.
"Just befo oe left Dawson City 1 went
to the stores of both the trading COM
panies and tried TO buy canned goods of
any kind for any price. | could not get
them. The stores are practically closed,
and nothing but small quantities can be
bought. 1t will be an absolute physical
impossibili.y TO get sufficient supply Of
food up TO Dawson City this winter.
There is plenty OF provisions at ST.
Michael. but by next month the Yukon
will be filled with ice, and will be frozen
over before any river boats conld possibly
reach Dawson City.
when one day out from ST. Michael
We met the steamer Hum boIdt with biy
crowd of passengers. l do not believe
that any of then. will reach Dawson City
this year. If they are wise they will wait
at ST. Michael until spring"
Mr.. Leonard would not place an esti-
mate on the value of the treasure now on
its way here in the steamship Excelsior.
He says that all such estimates are only
wild guesses.
He was on the Weare when she ran
aground and was delayed two weeks on
the YUKON twelve miles from Circle City.
He Dlames the captain for not needing
the warning of an Indian pilot.