Evening star., 1898-02-11

above Fort Yukon, and there is now lying
at that point 500 tons of provisions and
liquor. cached by the steamers that could
not get over the flats. This failure on the
part of the transportation companies to put
into the mining districts a sufficient sup
ply of food has not only given a serious
check to the mining interests and caused
great suffering, but has destroyed all con-
fdence among the people here in their abil
ity to supply the demand by this route.
The people here are now afraid that the
failure of the river route for freight will
cause the construction Of q railroad through
British North America to the Yukon river
above the boundary, and that the mining
districts of Alaska will be dependent for
supplies a route through a foreign coun-
try with all this means In the way of dis
elimination in favor of the British merA
chants. From what 1 have witnessed dur
ing the past two months I am fully salts
fed that the failure to supply the upper
country during the past season via the
Yukon river Is not due TO. any natural OBJ
stacles that cannot be overcome by boats
suitably constructed for the river and man.
ned by efficient men. The boats now in the
service of both companies are without ex-
ception unsuited for the work on the upper
river. Il am also well satisfied
mat much more could be accomplished II
the employees of the transportation compa-
mes devoted less time to personal traffic.
Gold BELT in Our Territory.
owners and prospectors 1 am fully satisfied
that the greater part of the gold belt lies
in our territory along the range known as
the Upper Ramparts. That along the Ia
hannah, Manook creek, Birch creek and the
head of Forty Mile there are diggings that
will pay from $40 to $50 per day per man
row lying idle. as they will not pay ex-
penses at the present prices of food. l am
satisfied that with adequate means of
c Tn tot inv, o,,1 a1,1 %lJ1
develop into one of the greatest gold-pro
ducing regions in the world.
"A railroad from the head of Cooks
inlet or Prince Williams sound to the
mouth of the Tanannah, from which point
supplies could be delivered by light -draught
steamers along all the navigabie tributaries
of the Yukon will secure to our people the
commerce of this whole country. 1t would
give route to the open sea that could be
operated all winter and act as check to
the Canadian route At the request of the
citizens here l most respectfully recon-
mend that the government make prelim-
mary survey of the route named"
report dated Fort Yukon, October 26
deals with Capt. Rays trip from Circle
City to Fort Yukon, he having left the
former place on the 18th instant. 1t shows
that he had been compelled several times
to act as mediator between the miners and
the master and crew of the Weare, the
crowd threatening to seize the steamer and
proceed to Fort Yukon, supplies being very
y,
Weare being afraid to proceed because of
the ice. AS a result of Capt. Rays infiu-
ence the company furnished three boats
with a capacity for sixty men and provis-
ions for four days. The report says that,
knowing the bitter feeling against the
company, and fearing that the caches at
Fort Yukon might be plundercd by lawless
characters from Dawson, who had passed
down the river, he (Ray) two hours later
embarked in a boat which had just arrived,
containing eight miners on their way to
Fort Yukon. The report then deals in de-
tail with the dangers experienced on the
trip owing to the ice freezing and forcing
the party ashore Some other boats We're
less fortunate and were caught in the pack
and crushed.
Turbulence Checked.
The report shows that after a hazardous
trip Fort Yukon was reached and that so
far as known no lives We're lost by any of
the party. At Fort Yukon about $50 people
We're found gathered and there had been
some threats of taking supplies by force.
The report adds:
Lieut.. Richardson, we found. by prompt
and decided action had checked all turbu-
lence and by cooperating with the agents
of both companies had arranged that all
destitutes should be fed. Those willing to
work were to be allowed to cut wood for
the companies at 50 per cord, and when
they had earned sufficient money they
and INDECENT should be fed without charge
and the bills for such issues to come to
me to be submitted for the action of Con-
gress. This arrangement is now being
carried out. | o. X, all orders for issues
which the government is to become re-
sponsible for and will submit the total
amounts when the work is finished. Both
agents have verbally asked me to take
charge of the caches which have refused
to do for cogent reasons ! shall not force
an issue, but shall defend the caches from
all violence and pillage, as they contain
the only provisions this side of Dawson,
upon which many hundred people are de-
pendent for existence for the next seven
months. Should it come to fixing the
amount each shall receive, l may then be
compelled to take charge, as | find there
are many lawless and turbulent characters
here.
False Representations.
Il have gone over the stock and mani
tests of both companies and find that both
have exaggerated the amount on hand
here. The people arriving here all agree
in stating that the managers of both COM
panies urged the people to come here
stating as an inducement that there was
over 1000 tons of provisions at this place,
when in fact there is less than 300 tons,
and that badly assorted for issue. With
ration of three pounds per day there can
be fed at this place 800 people until the
first of June, without tea or coffee l may
pe placed in position where / may be
compelled to take possession of the caches
to save them from pllage and to insure
an equitable distribution. Whatever course
may be compelled to pursue, l trust that
the President and Congress will sustain
me in what l deem to be the only right
course, situated as I am, in using my best
endeavors to save American citizens from
starvation and death"
Capt. Rays Defense OF the Cache,
Under date Of Fort Yukon, November 1,
he says that since his return matters have
assumed a very serious aspect. The Alas
ka Commercial Company had cache of
2oo tons four miles above Fort Yukon and
the N A. T. and T. Company a cache at
Fort Yukon. The Alaska company's agent
reported to him meeting as being held to
further a movement to seize the company's
cache. He adds:
went up at once with Mr. Richardson
ana soon after arriving there was waited
upon by a committee from miners meet
Ing. who stated their demands; that there
were seventy-five of them, and they de-
manded they be furnished on credit with
an outfit of provisions and clothing for
nine months This Mr. Davis, the agent.