The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-21
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

of Travelling Over Them.
Special to the Scranton Tribune.
South Edmonton, Alberta, Canada,
Dec. S.--A gold hunter will conquer
almost insurmountabe difficulties in
his efforts to search the hidden treas
ures of the earth, but he, as other
mortals, seeks the safest, cheapest and
most direct course to the goal of his
ambition. Klundike is now the object
i've point of fortune seekers, and Ed
monton, the most nOrtherly railway
point on the continent, has by nature
and art become the grand union depot,
out-titting and starting point for
northern pilgrims. From this point the
landsman and the waterman may have
their choice. There are two distinctly
different routes to the Yukon, which
may be entered upon from Edmonton,
and which we shall proceed to describe.
They are the Mackenzie route and the
direct pack route via Peose, Lard and
Polly rivers.
SHORTER AND CHEAPER.
Comparing these routes with those by
the coast we find that they are much
shorter, easier and cheaper. The all
water route from Seattle, Victoria (the
base of supplics) to Dawson City via.
St Michaels. is i,450 miles long steam
ship companies must be paid heavy
fares, and only very limited amount
Of baggage can be carried. BY the
Mack enzie from Edmonton (the base
of supplies) to Dawson City, the inland
water route is 2,725 miles, all OF which
can be navigated with small boats car
rying supplies for two years. OF that
distance all but about 400 miles is
smooth. down stream sailing and most
of the balance good tracking. From
Victoria via Dyea or Sliaguay is $50
miles with great mountains to cross
and fierce rapids to shoot. From Ed
monton, by the direct overland route,
TO Dawson City. is not over 400 miles,
through a country comparatively free
from obstacles and where pack animals
can for the most part support them
selves if given proper care.
EDMONTON.
There are two "Edmcntons'' on the
banks of the Saskatchewan in Northern
Alberta. locally known as "the north
town" and the south town" In south
town is located the terminus Of rhe
GALAXY and Edmonton line, the most
nurthcrly railway point on the conti-
mont. Here are found most of the
manufacturing interests Of this great
ana rich agricultural ana mining dis
trict, among which might he mention
ed flour mill, oatmeal mill. SAW mill,
iron foundry, boat works, packing
houses, saddlery, tannery and other in
dustrcs accessory 10 the Quitting
trade. II has q population of 1000 and
is the horse, cattle and grain market
of the surrounding agricultural and
rarching district. This town has long
been the headquarters for SaskatchcW-
an gold diggers ANA hence its mcr-
chants are thoroughly familiar with
the necessities of miners and under
stand how to put up supplies to the
best advantage.
North Edmonton, an Incorporated
town, situated on the north side OF
the Saskatchewan river, has a popula-
ton Of /. 800, and is the Quitting point
for the fur traders of the north, and
is the largest fur market in America
1t is lighted by electric light and has
a telephone system, a branch of the
Imperial bank, Of Canada, and the
Bank Jacques Cartier, Dominion Land
and Registry offices, customs house
and excise offices, numerous financial
and inSurance companies, steam grist
and saw mills, two pork packing ps-
tablishments butter factory. cold stor-
ages, warehouse, two brick yards, five
coal mines inside the corporation (coa
from $3.50 to $3.50 per ton delivercd)
three large hotels, two brewerles. sew
eral restaurants, two wholesale grOc-
cry houses, McDougall & Sevords
wholesale Quitting warehouse, five
general stores and hardware stores
three dry goods and clothing stores
two drug stores, two bakeries, SeVora
grocery and provision stores, five
schools, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyter.
ian, Episcopal and Roman Catholic
churches, a large, three-story hospital
the Edmonton Bulletin, published semi.
weekly, and the Alberta Plaindealer, E
weekly paper. AS a Quitting point
Edmonton is the best and cheapest tC
outfit in for many reasons. The mer.
chants know exactly the goods required
and quantities needed Edmonton car
outfit all who come along, the mer.
chant can forward all supplies pur,
chased from him TO the landing, or pos.
sibly further, if required.
ROUTE OPENED UP.
The Canadian government has un
dertaken to open up this route as
pack and wagon road at once. A pacI
trail for a great part of the way al
ready exists. A party are now at worl
cutting out a wagon road from Edmon
ton to Peace river, which portion o
the road will be completed and readN
for traffic about Feb. / or earlier TIL,
government has a party exploring tn,
route from Peace river on, and it /.
their intention to open up at once tn,
rest of the way to the Klondike as &
pack and wagon road, thus makinl
the Edmonton overland route tn,
shortest, cheapest and best way t,
reach the richest gold fields ever dis
covered.
This is sure to be the popular rout,
next season, for it has many advant