The San Francisco call., 1897-07-27
MOSS STORY UNTRUE.
Returned Yukoners Indignant at
the Exagg gerated Statement
Concerning Deaths.

concerning Deaths.
All of the returned Yukoners who have
noticed it are quite indignant at the story
sent out from Great Falls, Mont, as told
by one Frank Moss, as to the great num-
ber OF deaths in the klondyke.
+. G. Bowker says that SO far from
being over 1000 deaths on the Klondyke
during the last three years there was
nobody there to die until something less
than year ago, and since then there
have been three deatisfin that Whole dis
trict, as far as known, and few occur that
are not known sooner or later. If any
one is very sick or dies in the mining dis
trict the fact is soon known all over the
camp and at Dawson. The prospectors
who strike out from the settlements as a
rule hunt IN couples or threes, and any
mlshap to one of them would in time be
known at the settlement and to the au-
thorites. OF the three deaths mentioned
one occurred just before the steamer left
Dawson. 1t was of man who had Just
sold his claim Tor $4,000. He died in his
bunk with his head resting on the sack OF
gold which represented the final effort
and crowning success OF his life.
In the graveyard at Forty-m post
which has served for all that section for
thirty and forty graves. Men journeying
alone are sometimes lost in the river and
never heard of SfterwaTd. These are not
so many in mum Der, however, so far as
can be Judged from reports of persons
missing.
Others corrob borate Mr.. Bowker in this,
as we'll as in regard 10 the disposition
made OF the gold and other effects of those
dying, if they have any.
Some die within reach of satflo-
meits without medical attendance s we'll
as spiritual advice generally of their own
choice, as there are missions of various
Protestant demon nations, as well as
Russian and Roman Catholic, at quite
frequent intervals throughout the couL-
try, each new settlement getting one in
the course OF short time.
Each of these missions has its own
graveyard, and when death occurs in any
of the camps away from the mission the
body is taken by friends to tho nearest
one OF the dead mans own choice where
practicable; If not, to the one most con-
venient. Funerals are not as ostentatious
as back in the civilized world, but all that
Is necessary is reverently done by the
rough but kindly hearts about him, even
II the man happens TO have no especial
friends near at the time Of his death.
The tale about the contiscation of the
dead mans effects by his friends and
neighbors is branded as malicious and
gratuitous lie. These are invariably and
sacredly turned over 10 the nearest Gov
ernme Mt official and disposed of accord
ing 10 law, as in the more settled parts of
the country.
From Moss own account it is readily
seen that even ii he were ever near the
klondyke country at all he has so dis
figured his story with falsehood that the
tact must be doubted.
Three years back Moss could have seen
nothing of what he claims on the Klon-
dyke. His description does not fit the
natural features OF the country at all. 1t
only became a mining camp some eight
months ago. Previous to that, though
prospectors passed up the river for forty
or fifty miles from the mouth, 70 one
ever made anything of a lodgment until
Geor e McCormac made his find on b.
nanza Creek, and the people began to rush