The record-union., 1898-02-12

time 10 personal traf1lc.
From what I have learned from
mine owners and prospectors, / am full
ly satisfied the greater part of the gold
belt lies in our territory along the
range known as the Upper Ramparts.
Along the Tannanah. Minoon Creek,
Birch Creek and the head of Forty-Miie
there are diggings that will pay from
$40 to $50 per day per man now lying
idle, as they will not pay expenses at
the present period. / am satisfied that
with adequate means of transportation
and cheaper food this will develop into
one of the greatest gold producing re-
gions in the world
"a railroad from the head of Cook S
Inlet, Prince William Sound, to the
mouth of the Tannanah, from which
point supplies could be deliveded by
light draught steamers along the navi-
gable tributaries of the Yukon will Sc
cure our people the commerce of this
whole country.
II O. X. the orders for all supplies
which the Government is to be respon-
sible 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
l shall not force an issue. but shall
defend the caches from violence and
piliage. as they contain the only pro-
visions this side of Dawson. upon which
many hundreds of people are depend
ent for existence for the next seven
months.
Should it come to fixing the amount
each shall receive, I may then be COM
PEELED to take charge, as l find there
are many lawless and turbulent char
acters here. | have gone over the stock
and manifests of both companies, and
find that both have exaggerated the
amount on hand here. The people ar
irving here all agree in stating that the
managers of both companies urged peo-
pie to come here, stating as an induce
ment that there was over 1000 tons of
provisions at this place, when in fact
there is less than 800 tons, and that
badly assorted for issue. With q ra
tion of three pounds per day, there can
be fed at this place 900 people until
the first of June, without tea or coffee
| may be placed in position when
may be compelled to take possession of
the caches to save them from pillage
and to insure an equitable distribution.
Il Went up 10 Fort Yukon with Lieu
tenant Richardson, and soon after
reaching there was waited upon by
committee from the miners meeting,
who stated in their demands that there
We're seventy five of them, and they de-
manded that they be furnished on
credit, an outfit of provisions and
clothing for nine months This Mr..
Davis. the agent, declined to do.
explained to them that l would give
orders on the stores for food to feed
the destitute, but as the companies OF
fered work at good wages, the able
bodied should accept it, and those hay
ing money would be allowed to pur-
chase a reasonable outfit Of provisions
for the balance of the year.
Il came away without getting any
definite answer out of them, leaving
Lieutenant Richardson at the cache for
the night. received a note from him
saying he believed they irtended to at
tack the cache at 10 a. m. the next
day l at once issued notices taking
possession of the cache, and had them
posted that night on the door Of the
store house and in all the camps, an1
early next morning started from here
not arm them efficiently. being able to
raise only five rifles and a few pistols.
SO | determined it wise not to take
anything but pistols concealed.
soon after starting, word came 70
me that they had passed resolution
70 arrest me should ] attempt to go
to the cache. When 1 arrived within
one and one-half miles of the cache
I r,l.T 4oN rHo
stated that the miners wished to have
me come to their camp to talk over the
situation, which l declined to do. He
then came out in his true colors, and
said they had determined TO prevent
my going forward by force, and at a
signal from him twenty-five men armed
with rifles came out Of the timber and
covered the party.
Il stated my terms to feed the desti-
tute, and as long as the companies
would take wood they were to go to
work at the rate of 50 per cord, and
If they could not get work, they would
be fed, if possible. until the river
opened; that bona fide miners could OBJ
tain outfits, provided they went into
the field In a few moments he (Nob
ette), returned and said they accepted
the terms and l went on to the cache,
where l found between thirty and for
~ men who said they had nothing, and
caused ali to be fed i have hoisted
the flag over the buildings and placed
guard.
This is not a case of worthy desti
tute miners. 1t is premeditated rob-
berry, and had they been able to get
possession of either Lieutenant Rich
ardson or myself. the cache would have
been lost A number of very desper-
ate and lawless characters have been
forced out of Dawson. Northwest Ter
ritory
Il believe my experience confirms my
opinion formed on my journey here,
that some radical steps are necessary
to give protection 10 life and property
next summer, with the opening Of nav
igation. / am still of the opinion that
ii should be a military Government.
with power to hunt to the death the
lawless element"
Under date Of November I'd, Captain
Ray recommends that the Government
take steps 10 effectually check tmmigra-
tion 10 this region of all people who
do not come prepared with sufficient
provisions TO last them for two years.
The next day he submits "A recon-
mendation for a patrol steamer to
check the operations Of the iawless.
Accompanying the report is a letter
70 the Adjutant-General from Pres-
dent Weare and Manager Healy Of the
y. y. T. & II. Company, strongly ap
peaing for the protection Of the strong
arm of the military. and letter to
Captain Healy from Captain Ray, ad-
vising the company that it must take
sta,Ae 70 rhafir the nxna.S ann.r, IL, >