The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-23

J. C. c.. Lewis. a civil engineer, who
makes his home at Salem, Or, has written
10 the Post Inteiligencer. giving informa-
ton of gnsat value 20 those who VIII join
IN the Copper river expeditions TO Alaska
IN the spring Lewis Is in position to
speak inteiiigensiy Of the country. for he
explored il many years ago when Alaska
WAS almost unknown 10 the average resi-
dent OF the United States. Twenty-Five
years ago he was one OF two white men
who, with an Indian guide. visited the
country. They were not burdened with
any great amount Of provisions or heavy
outfits. In fact. they travelled with very
light packs. Flour and salt were their only
provisions. but they encountered game
enough 10 feed a regiment. Moose, caribou
and bear were plentiful wherever they
went. Then. too the streams were found
10 be stocked with fine fish. Lewis will
lead party into the Copper river country
In the spring. He has written TO the de-
partment Of the interior at Washington
City. suggesting in the name of humanity
that the United States government build
government military road from the mouth
of the Copper river to the Kiondike. the
distance being about so miles.
II informed the department" writes Mr..
Lewis 10 the Post-Intelligencer, that the
Indians had told me that there was a low
pass in that course. also that the lower
Copper river had a great quantity OF water
and that a large boat could easily go down
II to the coast. ] never was on the lower
river. My information concerning II was
derived from our Indian guide while We
were about 80 miles above its mouth. near
the point where We struck across the Shu-
shitna river. We descended the northern
branch of the Copper river about l50
miles.
Il believed the Indian when he said the
Copper river was navigable as 1t was an
immense stream at that point. and think
j WAS fairly excusable in writing the gov
eminent that ! believed 1t would prove
navlgable, | yet believe railroad would
be feasible in that section and that it can
be had upon safe grades.
Not Much snow.
Il notice in your paper several routes to
be opened by rail and river navigation In
conjunction. From my knowledge of those
regions l think that would not be an eco
nomical measure, as the rivers. as a rule,
are not clear of ice only from five TO seven
months each year. and the winter season
up there Is the very best for railroad bust
ness. Cars can run every day. There is not
snow enough in the Yukon country to
blockade trains. 1 dare say there Is far
more snow in the very small strip along the
coast than in the whole broad expanse of
the Yukon basin. Up In the Copper river
and Cook inlet regions. where 1t SHOWS. ii
pays attention to it, and does il up in great
shape, and keeps 1t up. But the weather
Is never very. cold. possibly touching zero
a very few times in the winter; while In
thu Yukon region 1t gets so cold II cannot
snow, and most of the snow they get is
from the frost falls.
ANY corporation wishing to open up
line Of commerce into that region would
better leave the rivers entirely alone. Then
they will do well. The first all-rail route
into that region is all right.
Copper River Outfit.
II further notice in your paper of that
date several estimates of provisions nec-
essary for the amateur tenderfoot and
miner Some seemed to be altogether too
elaborate and all would appear quite con-
fusing 10 the novice, who wished TO out
fit with actual necessaries and no more.
will write out the list which l expect to
take as my essentials next spring upon my
trip to the Copper river. This is not a
Klondike outfit. but only for the Copper
river. and We expect to return in Novem-
Der.