The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-09-16
MORE THAN THEPORTLAND
Is All the Information Given Ont
About the Excelsior's Treasure

san Francisco, Sept. 16.-Of those. who
came down from Alaska on the Excel
sIor, an out two are known to haxe
money; but few were communicative
enough to admit how much they had
T. Hayes of Portland was conceded to
nave the largest individual amount, but
upon being interviewed he would only
admit having $35, 600
All unite IN confirming the stories al
ready told of the impending danger of
famine at Dawson Oily during the com
ing WINTER They say there are at least
1000 people at Dawson CITY and that
more are swarming in every day. but
that the provisions are already running
snort and the prospect Of getting more
in are remote.
The Excelsior passen gers are ,,noni
nous in the opinion that the Klondike
region is richer than was at first sun
posed, but are also of the opinion that
unless the immigration to that country
IS stopped temporarily, there will be
terrible suffering
Louis Sloss, Jr., of the Alaska Com
merclal company, was one of the pas
SengerS on the Excelsior. He went to
Dawson City for the company and re-
ports that all good claims are taken up
There is no chance for the new conner
unless a rich strike is made on some
other section.
Mr.. SlOsS says that his company's
store at Dawson was closed for but one
day to receive freight from steamer
He thinks the provisions will be scarce
actual starvation. There are about 300
impatient miners at st. Michael, most
of whom will have to stay until spring
unless they have already secured pas
sage on the river boats. There are plen-
ty of provisions at St. Michael and ev-
cry effort is being made to get supplies
up the river to Dawson.
1t is difficult to say how much money
was brought down by the Excelsior. The
miners are secretive and will give no
accurate information. Some of them it
is known could not bring much and will
be glad to go to work down there. The
Alaska Commercial company received
a large consignment of treasure, but
will not say exactly how much. When
asked as to the amount, Mr.. Sloss
said:
1--WE brought more than came down
on the Portland and we did not need
Maxim guns to protect it,
When the vessel left St. Michael, the
steamship Humboldt's crowd was
camped on the flats. They were very
disappointed lot, for none of them Will
get through. The story that the pas
sengers held an indignation meeting
and were going to lynch eX-Mayor
Woods at Seattle, is denied.
They had made up their minds TO
make the best of the situation and mold
down the flats until next spring, when
water is high in the Yukon.
River pilots reported water very low
in the river some time before the Wear
sailed from Dawson but some weeks
aIter tnat the water raised a nItie anu
the early rains Swelled the torrents
considera bly,. However, the water was
still at what is called the low stage,
which means that the Hamilton, Belle
and other steamers will be delayed on
their trips up the stream because of the
necessity of going ahead slowly, picking
a way over the bars and making new
channels
Passengers brought word that there
were from 5000 to 1000 people in Daw-
son and near there, but the Alaska Com
mercial company's agents estimated
that there are only about 5000 people
at the mines, about 1000 of whom have
arrived at the town since last April
from all parts of Alaska, and about 500
from Juneau. Puget Sound and other
places
Following is the list of passengers:
Louis Sloss. Jr.. J. s. Webb. Benja-