Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-09-01

they reached Dawson. Alas it had but
just begun! When l first reached town
some three weeks ago, there was work
enough for all Now work is extremely
scarce and at a reduction Of from one
quarter to one-half True, the mines
would give employment to many
though not to 1.-THE of those that are
hero and need it-but water is low out
at the creeks, and in many cases this
has resulted in suspending work alto
gether
No Country For Workingman.
II tell you this amt no country for
q workingman, said ono of the Now
Corners to me this morning. He sat on
the edge of tho board sidewalk on the
main thoroughfare of Dawson, while
his feet hung over to tho street below.
There were 1000 idle men in the street
at the time, some talking, some whit
Ting, some rejecting. "There's nothing
in it for me, and I'm going to get out. ="
Glow long have you boen here?''
ooh, about week. "
"Boen up the creek YETI"
eyes. Two just got back, and you
don't catch me up there again. Every
thing has been stalzed within 100 miles
of here. "
eyes, but if you want work you can
get it at $40 per day" suggest.
"Well, what's $40 day IN coun-
try where they charge you 81 so n day
for grub and sl.50 for bunk? What
have you got left for clothes and tobac-
COZ
Very few of those who came into the
country this year are at work. Possibly
90 havo secured employment to repre-
sent claims at $500 each, without hoard,
for the three months work. AS many
more are cutting wood into four foot
lengths for the transportation conf
panies. The pay is s. per cord, and the
wood is so soft that tho AK is easily
driven to the eye with a sturdy blow.
But wood is scarce, and it must all be
hauled within easy access Of the river s
bank, so that the Yukon steamers may
load it easily. Some-a score or more
have found employment in the stores,
restaurants, saloons or sawmills in
town, but this demand was supplied
long ago. noticed one TALL fine look
ing young man carrying water from the
spring to tho business center of the
town. For this he gets so cents per
bucket, and by hard work he can make
So or $40 per day. He wears IL we'll fit
ted yoke across his broad shoulders, and
it is no easy matter to pack the two
bucket load along the street and rough
trail. He is we'll educated and has the
appearance of gentleman. Another
bright young man has secured employ
ment as waiter in restaurant.
The Brighter Side.
But large proportion of this years
inflow to Dawson City will return to
The States before cold weather sets
in, provided they can get there. Some
nre preparing to get out already, and
more will follow suit as soon as they
can stitle their pride.
But there is brighter side. Captain
John ]. Healey, vice president and
manager of the North American Trans
portation and Trading company, pre-
sents it as forcibly rs any one l have
seen here. Captain Healey is not only
: the best known man in Alaska, but he
|, knows Alaska better than any one here.
J He is likewise easily the leading spirit
, In Dawson City. Modest and unassum'
| ing in manner and having the manner
+ Of gentleman, no ono would take him
Tor an old frontiersman, Indian fighter
|, and miner. He lived in Montana fol
,, several years and was county sheriff on
. that border when the position required
both discretion and courage.
"Alaska's future?" he said to me the
other day when asked him what h
! thought of it. why, this is the great
, est mineral country in the world. Flo
5 its development it needs brains, indus
: try, capital and the kind Of push an
. enterprise that developed the far Yves
? in the States. 1t can't all be done in
day nor year nor in Ave years, q
course. but the Almighty has put til
mineral wealth here, and man will soon
: or or later dig it out. 10 offers goo
!. field for capital, q better one for labc
and the best for capital and labor com
bined."
"But the placer mines will soon b