Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-03-26

Whether ne would not do better to sooS
some other route or some other ob;on
tive point than the Klondike rec;on
OF course, transportation facilities fros,
the coast ports To Alaska have hoo,
provided for Dyea and Skaewav bn,
doubtless as soon as this blockade 90
develops that intending gold hrntors
demand to be taken somewhere elso
steamers will leave the Dyea and Skso'
way routes and seek other ports sncb
as Copper river and Cooks inlet. A,
these places there is room for all NJ
narrow canyon trail confines the p,Il
hunter to particular route, but there
is opportunity to spread out over
wide expansc of country, now nractic.
ally unknown, but reported to be rich
III gold. There are said to be Low,
passes through the mountains from
both Copper river and Cooks inlet
leading over to the Tanana and to tb.
head waters of Birch creek, by which
the now promising gold fields ON the
American side of the line may he more
easily reached than by the route across
the ChilEOOt pass and down the lakes
and rivers. The government is now
fitting out an expedition for Conner
river. Undoubtedly these routes will
be opened up the present season bv
prospectOrs even should not the great
stream of travel be turned in that direc.
ton.
There are already indications of
desire ON the part OF gold hunters to
abandon their idea OF going to Dyea
and Skagway, and to stike out for the
Copper river and Cooks inlet. Be
yond doubt this tendency will rapidly
increase rs the crowded condition OF
the passes becomes better known. At
present the only facilities for reaching
Copper river and Cooks inlet is the
United States mail boat operated by
the Pacific Coast Steam Whaling Com
pauy from San Francisco, the two
small steamers now on the route from
Portland tn Copper river, and the small
steamer running from Port TOWNSEND
to Copper river. These steamers are
already inadequate to meet the demand
and doubtless more will soon be put
on the route.
Attention has also been TUNED in the
direction of the route by Fort Wrangei
and Stickeen river, Telegraph creek
and Toslin lake, but as yet, facilities
have not been provided. Several
small river steamers are being con
structed for the Stickeen river to ply
between Fort Wrangel and Telegraph
creek, which is the point of disembark-
alton for the overland journey of the
100 miles to Lake Teslin On this
stretch OF / 30 miles ii is proposed by a
Canadian company to construct rail.
road the present wear under special
grant from the Dominion parliament Of
20. 600 arles of land per mile, and
the time set for Its completion is tive
first of September. 1t is thus seen
that for this season ut least, only such
travel can 90 over the Stickeen route
as can be handled By pack animals
and this, Of course, cannot be very cX-
tensive. Possibly several thousand
people will attempt this route, with
the probability that a large portion Of
them will make a failure OF their
effort. Should this railroad be built
and sufficient light draught steamer
he placed on Lake Teslin and Iioota-
linqua river, in another year the Stuck
cen route would be the tavorite one.
Undoubtedly a great many WHO NJ
tend to go to Alaska are waiting to take
the ocean and river route during the
sumner months. lIele th"r" Is IT,
much uncertainty as on the passes
The facilities have yet to he provided
Possibly as many rs % small steamers
are under construction or have heeh
purchased for use on the Yukon III"
coming summer; but navigation OF that
river is expensive and dangerous.
Channels are narrow and tOrtuolS aud
known only to Il few people. Fuel J.
very difficult to procure, and II Is VIZ
derstoOd that the companies air'aoS
operating on the river have secured Az
that can be had ior several hundred
miles from the mouth Of tins stream
These companies will not take miners
outfits. preircrring to take in goods lo'
their own stores and sell them 10
miners after they get three. Col'se'
Qucntly miners wishing TO take outH'
will have 10 depend on independent
boats which promises to be Il very uI'
certain reliance. Certainly, one goiHs
by that route should not undertake II
unless the transportation company con,
tracts with him to carry hlm cle"'
through to his destination. This, now
ever, is matter about which mo.o
will be known few months later ~
stated above, the natural outcome "
the present condition of affairs WoulI
be the opening up of new routes ano
new objective points for the thousailO'