The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-14
ONLY ONE SURVIVED.
Eighteen of the Jessie's Crew and
Passengers Lost in Alaska.

Passengers Lost in Alaska.
SEATTLE, Wash, Sept. BE B. Wshar,
who arrived here yesterday from st.
Michael Alaska. brings confirmation of the
previously published report of the loss of
the steamer Jessie at the mouth of the
kuskowill river in July, with eighteen lives.
The news was brought TO st. Michaels by a
trader named Ling, who said that only one
Indian survived. The bodies of Captain
Murphy and Rev. Welsh had been washed
ashore. The passengers of the Jessie were
known as the Columbia Exploration Com
pany. Rev. Welsh had been taken aboard
to pilot the party up the Kuskowill The
Jessie had in tow the barge MineraVa'
which was washed ashore. Following is
list of the Jessie's passengers: e. >. Lines
II. c. Hapden o. F. Oraud and A. M
Stetson, of Seattle; ]. II. Murphy, Bowling
Green, KY; r. P. Frierson. w. T. Payton,
c. o. Mitchell and c. II. Hart, of Gallatin,
Tenn: Engineer Kimstep, Wisconsin; -
Smallhouse Louisville, KY; Eli Knudson.
Genesee, Ida; David Allen, of Kentucky;
Rev. Welsh, wife and child. Moravian mis-
sionary; two Indian pilots, and Japanese
cook Mr.. Wishar also brings report that
the schooner Jouise J. Kennedy had been
wrecked in the Boring sea-
w c. Strong. who has arrived al FORT
Townsend from St.sMichael's on the steamer
Garrone, says the Garrone sighted consider-
able wreckage west of Unamik pass. The
Wreckage appeared to be that of schooner.
but no marks of identification were round.
Mr.. Strong says KotzeDue SOUND has proven
to be another source OF disappointment. Mis-
fortune has been the lot of a large number
of prospectors who were lured to that Sec
ton by stories of its golden wealth. Parties
lust from there report most distressing con-
ditions of affairs. Not one dollars worth of
gold has been found and one thousand men
fhA
portunity TO get away. Nearly as many
more are in the mountains working their
way to the beach to secure transportation
out. Forty thousand dollars worth of sup
plies are piled on the beach and being Of
fered for sale, but purchasers cannot be
found. There are several small schooners
in the sound which will soon sail, bringing
all they can accommodate. 1t is thought
that gold exists at the headwaters of the
streams emptying into kotzebue, but these
streams are not navigable for canoes and
the mountains are almost impossible. one
or two expeditions have been organized to
reach the headwaters of the streams. but
they will go up the Koukuk river and cross
the divide on the snow this winter.
Among the arrivals from St. Michael's is
F. J. Benson. NJ. 7. Nier F. f. Markley and
j. ]. Hahn. of Canton. o. This party took
a forty-foot steam launchgto st. Michaels
to be used in transporting their supplies up
the Yukon river and also in prospecting
various streams On,/Aug. IS. just before
they were to start/up the river a severe
craft which together with two years outfit
went to the bottom, compelling the party to
return. The same storm wrecked several
other smaY craft and a huge wave carried
a large stern-wheel steamer belonging to a
Pennsy lTania company high and dry on the
beach,
The steamer Farrallon arrived at Port
Townsend from Alaskan ports with about
sixty passengers to-day. Among the pas
sengers were several direct from the Pine
creek mining district Reports from that
section are favorable for the future. Con-
siderabl excitement was created just be-
fore the parties left by the discovery of re-
markably rich quartz on a ridge near tho
headwaters of Pine creek. and since the first
rush considerable free quartz has been found
along the creek. The ledge is said to be
very rich and is thought 70 be the fountain
head of the gold found in Pine. Spruce and
Birch creeks. Sixteen men belonging to the
STANDARD Oil Company expedition were
among those returning. The expedition pros
pected in the Shoreley creek district. and
number of claims were located. The COM
pany expended about $l5.GN on the exp-di-
ton. which is now returning to spend the
winter