Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-31
TO SAIL TOMORROW
Government Alaskan Relief Expedi-
tion All Ready to Start.
PARTY WILL LAND At DYEA
General Merrlman Predicts Greater
Need for Aid Next Winter.
NEWS FROM GOLD FIELDS

PORTLAND, Ore. January 81. - Inc
steamer ElNcod loaded with government
equipment ard forage for the Alaska relief
expedition. is lying a tie wharf at Van
couver barTa cks. ready to transfer her
freight to the steamer George W. Elder
when she arrives from Alaska. The Elder
Is scheduled to sail again on February l.
She will carry the escort of sixty enlisted
men and 80 tons of supplies; and the
steamer Signal, which sails from Seattle
February ., will carry 40 pack animals
and twenty-four men and a portion Of the
supplies.
Gen. Merriam. commanding the depart
Inent of the Columbia, has decided upon
landing the entire expedition at Dyea and
pushing forward over the Chilkoot pass as
fast as possible. He has notified the Chi
cago Snow and Ice Transportation Com
paay, which has the contract to transport
the supplies from Dyea to the interior, that
its train must be ready to receive freight
by February 10 Gen. Merriam is working
out plan TO ascertain the number Of
people and the amount of supplies that will
enter Alaska this summer. Speaking of
this matter, he said:
Probable Need Next Year.
From present indications, a greater ex-
pedition will be needed next winter than
this Hundreds are already enr5arking for
the gold fields without more than sufficient
supplies to last during the summers pros
pecting. 1t appears that thousands more
are on the way in a similar condition. W nile
many may come out at the end of the sea-
son, others will stay with the hope of pur-
chasing supplies. Therefore 1t is my opin-
ion that the Alaskan detachment Of the
army could not be better employed than
in fob ing he nd toll Of
the men and provisions passing to the in
terror. The government will have definite
Information as to whether there will be
want or suffering in Alaska next winter
Because of the conditions which may
arise to alter the present arrangements,
General Merriam will go in person. at least
as far as Chilkoot pass, to direct opera
tons.
Returned From kIondike
SEATTLE, Wash, January 31-Four
hlondikers have arrived here on the steam
e. Alki. They are Homer Maris of Chicago
George Barrick. Cripple Creek, Col; s. A.
James, Kansas City. and ]. E. Dousey,
Stamford. Conn They left Dawson on De-
cember Is They reported that between $50
and 90 men Will arrive here from Dawson
within the next six weeks. When the party
left they sold their provisions at an aver
age of 80 cents per pound.
The steamer Rosalie arrived last night
p. H Wells. who left Dawson December 90
Wells claims to be the bearer of important
dispatches from Captain Ray at Fort Yukon
10 the war Department. He has given no
mint of their contents.
Wells also says that Major Walsh has is-
sued an order prohibiting persons from
entering the Yukon country with less than
IoV pounds of provisions, exclusive of tea
January Is.
INT,
hhAGCAY, Alaska, January %. via Sc
attle, Wash, January 31.-A riot occurred
yesterday on the arrival of the steamer
AIki between the local longshoremen and
the crew of the steamer, which brought n
fumoer OF Indian loDgshoremen from Ju-
neau TO discharge the vessels cargo. AS
soon as the stearer made fast to the dock.
and the Indian laborers began to work.
trouble began. A mob of at least 100 men
made an onslaught On the Indians, striking
and beating then. in a ferocious manner.
Inc hrst mate of the steamship inter-
Ieled. out in a mC ment he was knocked
down by the enraged mob. Then Cant
Henkle of tie steamer ordered the hot wa
ter hose turned on the crowd but the order
was not executed Had 1t been serious loss
or lie would have inevitably resulted. Sew
elai of the Indian longshcremen were bad
suited.
A parley was subsequently resumed.
which resulted in the white longshoremen
securing the work of discharRin9 the AIki
cargo, the Indians being kept on board the
steamer.
BuncO Mems Haven,
Skaguay is rapidly filing up with the
nest notorious bunco and confidence men
in the United States, who see here a rich
neid for operations. Yesterday man nam
ed C. j. Dumbolton of Minneapolis, a re-
turning klondiker, was relieved of a sack
OF soid dust valued al $50 in poker game.
News by the AIkt.
FORT TOWNSEND, Wash, January 81
The only story of new strike OF gold in
Alaska brought down on the Alki was to
the effect that prospectors on the Big Sal
mon were enthusiastic over what they are
taking out, but no definite statement could
be had Hunker creek continues good.
every claim that has been prospected PROV
ing very rich.