Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-11-04
Letters From Alaska.
DIR. j. ". REED WRITES TO HIS
FAMILY FROM FORT YUKON
STOPPED BY Low WATER.
Not Safe to Venture Further Than
Circle City on Account of Lack OF
Provisions-Weather Delight
full and Scenery Grand.

Many people in Butte will read with
interest the following extracts from
letters from DR.. ]. w. Reed, who Is
now in Alaska, written to his family
in this city. The letters are dated at
Fort Yukon Alaska:
"Sept. 13.-We arrived at this point
last evening about seven. So far we
have had smooth, uninterrupted sail
ing, but at this point or a few miles
above it is reported that the water is
80 low that we will be unable to get
through, at least on the boat we came
on. We are now within 80 miles Of
Circle City and I will try to make the
point this winter. We will probably
make an attempt to 60 through to-
morrow. Our captain is out this morn
ing sounding in a different channel to
find deeper water. Already n boat
has had to return on account OF low
water and we may have to do the
same. However, our boat is not so
large as this n and we may be able
to get through.
"This point, from the present out
look,i il the head OF navigation for this
season and a large amount of provis-
ions will be stored here this winter. l
am not satisfied that the reports about
the richness of the gold fields have not
been exaggerated, having talked with
several who are now going out, but
expect to return in the spring. A good
many are leaving Dawson City on &C
count of scarcity OF provisions, and all
1 have talked with agree that Dawson
has no provisions to sell, stores hav-
ing closed. So I will not venture fur
Their than Circle City this winter, or
may remain here. have plenty OF
money and grub. Do not be uneasy
about me, as I will not venture with
my supplies where they will be liable
to be taken from me. At this point
there can be no danger. IT I stop here
Dr. Lesser, of Helena, who is on board
will also stop.
81 am agreeably disappointed In
| what 1 have seen of Alaska. No snow
or ice in sight since we left Behring
sea. Weather delightful, scenery grand
and picturesque. The mountains along
the river are covered with green trees
and grass waist high. At one village
we saw growing cabbage, turnips peas
and potatoes. The accommodations or
the boat coming up were better than ]
expected, far better than we had from
| Seattle to st. Michael's. I never fell
better; don't feel like the same man
sleep we'll and eat heartily; gaining
half a pound a day since I came aboard
of this boat. Our passenger list mum.
bers about 200 and we have people
from almost all parts of the world
The third day out from st. Michael'l
we buried one of our poor fellow trav'
elers. He was sick only one day. HI
was from New York. His native lane
was Abyssinia.
Sept. 14.-It is now settled that w
must stop here or return. Boat nov
unloading. DR.. Lesser and myself have
rented a comfortable cabin and will be
to ourselves this winter. My room
mate from Seattle, with many others
returns to 60 over the Dyea route ir
the spring. There are still severa
boats that will come from st. Michael'i
to this point this fall.
"Sept. 15.-Since writing the above
my travelling companion has changed
his mind and will winter here, SO oul
party will be three. A good many art
coming from Circle City and Dawson
on account of the scarcity of supplies
there and they report there will be
number from there soon. We leave
the boat to-day after being Al days OF
the water.