The record-union., 1897-09-26

existence, but the log houses which had
been built higher up the slope, were
left standing. The toll bridge was
washed out, as well as several foot
logs along the TRAIL but Healy and
Wilson have set a force of men at work
repairing the bridge and trail so that
it viii be passable for horses again in
a few days. Men have felled trees
across several places, and it is again
possible to get along on foot.
There are hundreds Of discouraged
men tonight at Sheep Camp. They
seem dazed, and know not what to do.
Professional packers who have been at
work for some time are sick from eX-
pOsure and overwork.
The course of the avalanche was not
over 200 feet wide in any place, and
none Of those who had used ordinary
precautions in selecting camping places
were injured, but many intending to
stop only for a night or two would
camp right in the bed of the stream.
These lost their all, and it is a wonder
the loss of life was not greater.
AT Finnegan's Point the river rose
nearly foot in two hours, but has
gone down again to almost its former
level, and those camped here are be-
ginning to move their stuff ahead
again. j. w. HAGERI1.
THE SEATTLE ARRIVES.
PORT TOWNSEND, Sept. 2o.-The
steamship City of Seattle arrived this
evening at o'clock from Skaguay ana
Dyea. From Skaguay she brought 21O
persons. 1872 men and IS women who
were unable to cross White Pass, ana
who preferred to return to CIVILIZATION
as many of them termed it, to risklng
death by exposure at Skaguay.
Very little additional news relative TO
the avalanche at Sheep Camp IS
brought by the steamer Seattle, al
though she left nearly twenty-four
hours later than the tug Pioneer, Whlch
brought the first news.
AS vet only one body, that of Choyn-
ski. has been reported as found. Ihe
story as related to the Associated Press
bv a man. named Watson, packer,
of the Chikoot trail, who was an eye
witness to the slide of land and rocks
and ice, says:
eft occurred at about ) o'clock on the
morning of the 18th. Many in camp
were not yet up, but three who were
astir will never forget the dreadful
scene witnessed. Rain had been falling
in torrents for several days, in fact,
I may truthfully say for several weeks
and the slide was evidently due to d
sort of reservoir which formed on the
bench of land back of Sheep Camp,
the great pressure of water forcing the
rocks and ice loose from natures moor
ings."
Continuing, Watson said: After the
slide the rains continued, and those
who escaped the slide hesitated about
going to search for or assist them IN
finding the injured. 1t was not until
Sunday morning that search was really
Instituted. One body has been recover
ed. It was that of a man named
Chovnski. cousin of the prize fighter,
bound for the KIondike. Nearly all OF
his clothes were torn from him, and
his body was terribly bruised and mu-
tilated. He was still living when
found. but died within an hour after
ward without recovering consciousness.
Choynski had been carried fully quar-
ter &c a. mile by the flood, {. ! ere
was no trace of his packages, which he
had tried to save. I am not certain
that nav person other than Choynsh
two others. If there are others it is
doubtful if their bodies will ever be
| found"
IT. c. McCaully, formerly member or
the State Legislature from Tacoma,
was among the returning passengers.
He was north six weeks, and says dur
! ing that time there were only two days
in each that either rain or snow did not
! fall. Many persons who started out
! from Skaguay are too poor to return
without sacrificing their all, and have
camped for the winter on the trail, in
many cases occupying the same tents
with their horses.
From now on. the rush from Alaska
back to the Sound will be greater than
was the rush to Alaska after the return
of the treasure-laden ship Portland on
July 18th.
! NAVAL VESSEL FOR THE YUKON.
NEW YORK, Sept. pa special to
the Herald" from Washington says:
Acting Secretary Roosevelt favors the
assignment of a naval vessel to the
Yukon River for patrol duty. The sug-
gestfon has been made by William G.
NJ. .Sterry of the navy, that a stern
wheeler be ordered detailed by the
Government and sent to the Yukon to
patrol that stream, beginning next
spring. Lieutenant Sterry's PROPOSE
| ton also contemplates the establish
ment of three stations on the Yukon,
one at each end and the third in the
! center, at each of which will be sta
toned about twenty marines, a surgeon
and an officer. He points out that law
lessness has prevailed to an alarming
/ extent in Alaska, and that a naval
force is absolutely necessary to sup
/ press disorder.
| Mr.. Roosevelt opposes the suggestion
that the revenue cutter service can
maintain order in Alaska as well as
/ the navy. 'The conditions which will
almost inevitably arise on the Yukon
River when that avenue of communica-
/ tion opens up in the spring WILL" he
says, "be such as to call for the pres
ence of a military force, officers train
ed to military duty under military dis
| cipline The officers and men of the
/ revenue marine service are excellent
seaman and most efficient in the per-
/ formance of their duty, but this duty
( calls fer something outside of the scope
/ of their training and experience. It
calls at once for the sailor, the soldier
and in q measure the civil officer
Should a channel be discovered suffi-
1 cient to admit a revenue cutter, one of
our light draught gunboats could en-
/ ter With equal safety. and once there
would be the more effective craft"
! No one doubts at the Navy Depart
ment that Mr.. Roosevelt's views will