The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-01
SCENES AT SEATTLE.
UnseawOrthy Vessels Loaded to Dam
ger Line-OutfIts Cheap on COnst.


Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal.
SEATTLE, Wash, Feb. 22.-The man
bound for the Alaskan gold fields will have
no fear of the Chilkoot pass or other ter
Iors once he has reached Skaguay, Dyea
or st. Michaers on the average steamers
that are carrying passengers to those
points. Every old tub that can, by hook
or crook pass an inspection is pressed into
service and overloaded with passengers and
freight. l spent this afternoon at the docks
among the shipping, and the rotten and I'M
seaworthy old hulks that to brave the
storms which, at this time of the year,
rage in the northern Pacific, are enough
to make the hair on ones head rise and
ones blood run cold. Chilkoot pass will
lose its terrors to most people after the
thousand-mile trip in a ship that the very
rats have abandoned. Many people are be-
coming wary of these old hulks-derelicts
they may be some day if their timbers hold
tOgether-but there are enough eager and
careless gold seekers to cover the bottom
of the sea.
Seattle is full to OVERLOOKING Accommo-
dations are at a premium Every outgoing
vessel carries it's full list, and more, but
the trains daily pour in ten times as many
them, purchased outfits of clothing, etc,
in Chicago, and now regret it, for you can
chance to pick far more suitable articles
here. A good many come loaded with com
forts and great many useless things which
they VIII cast away long before the journey
is ended. An outfit complete can be bought
here, including insurance, for from $3.50 to
$l13. This includes a year s provisions and
everything necessary for the stay and trip.
Two steamers leave here tonight for
Skaguay and Copper river. The Navarro.
a small steamer, that would be crowded
with twenty-five passengers and a hundred
tons of freight, carries over $50 tons of
freight and $50 passengers. The steamer
Alice Blanchard left San Francisco with
one hundred passengers, one hundred dogs
will go aboard her here Where they will
all be put l can't for the life of me see.
l went aboard her this afternoon, and those
already there were packed like SardineS in
n box. There was no room on either deck.
HammockS were swung, one over the other
between decks, and the stencil was sick
ening.
The rush still continues to Dawson
though q good many people are awaking
to the fact that the Klondike country viii
not hold ALL and are going into the Copper
river region. There is sure to be trouble
there, as the Indians are reported very hos
prospectors going up that river and down
the Taung river from the north
The government relief expedition which
left here Saturday by the steamer Queen
is viewed by returning miners as not nee
essaFy. They say there is no immediate
want in the gold regions. There is need,
however, of troops to preserve order. There
is q good deal of talk over the action of
the Canadian officials in regard to the
issue of miners certificates. and d good
many think that trouble will ensue. Two
steamers are expected here tomorrow
bearing gold diggers. Mail going in and
coming out costs 81 per letter. and the car
riers are loaded at even that price;