The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-08

Il
This Is the information brought 80 Sc
attic yesterday by Buffalo Jones, OF
Oklahoma, who has Just completed a trip
TO the Barren Lands within the Arctic
Zone. He has been seventeen months on
the road and has passed through some
most remarkable experiences.
Buffalo Jones Is perhaps one Of the
best known hunters In the United States.
and Won his sobriquet in the early seven
ties shooting buffalo for 80 cents apiece.
He was such a success that the claim
holders of the frontier would make I'd a
party OF ten or dozen, and after the crops
were harvested in the faii, engage him 20
shoot buffalo. Al one time he killed sew
enty-two in less than All hour without
rising from his feet. He studied their hah-
its and became 50 familiar with them that
ne could, by shooting their leaders. get
them auddled together and Kill them at
his will.
In isS5. after having kept up this prac-
tice fer fifteen years. he realized that the
buffalo would soon become extinct, and
took 10 capturing them How well he sue
ceedea can be judged from the fact that
in most Of the parks ot the United States
and Europe. from the Golden Gate, at
of Russia. can be seen buffalo which he
has captured. He proved that the buffalo
could be domesticated by experiments upon
some Of the widest and most vicious OF his
herds.
In April. 1897 Jones left Oklahoma in
company with j. r. Rea. of Alberta. for
trip TO the Barren Lands Their purpose
WAS 10 bring out herd uf musk OK. They
left Edmonton with the advance guard OF
the k,ondikers who were taking their
chances OF reaching the klondike by the
"ail-Canadlan route. or the poor man
route and travelled down the Mackenzie
river.
Winter found Jones at Great Slave lake.
Crossing over the ice and snow, they finally
sent out In search of Franklin. the ex-
piorer, wintered- Their Ice hut they bulI
around chimney that had been built by
the rescuing party. II was in perfect
preservation. having stood the Arctic
blasts for over thirty years.
The coolest weather they experienced was
that winter when the mercury went as
low as 6s degrees below zero. They found
musk OK very scarce but there were droves
OF cariboo and bands of Arctic wolves. The
wolves were as large as full-grown mas
tiffs. and dangerous 10 meet. Six OF Jones'
dogs were killed by them: two OF the dogs
were eaten and four died OF hydropnobia
from the bites OF the wolves.
Jones and his partner We're successful IN
getting SIX splendid specimens OF the musk
OK. but the night before they were 10 set
out for the return trip the throats Of the
animals We're cut by the Eskmos. The
latter. II seems. have a s,rong superstition
country alive. everything living VIII fol-
low il. The Eskinos are exceedingly hos
tile 20 persons attempting TO take living
animals out of the country.
TIE get the musk OK the hunters had
many difficulties. When they were de-
prved Of them In the manner described
hearted.
Jones and Rea left Great Slave lake
abou. two months ago and Travelled down
the Mackenzie river until they came 10
Peel river, and then up that stream 10 its
Junction with Rat river, where Destruc-
ton City has sprung up. 1t is here that
ali boats used on the Mackenzie and Peel
river must be destroyed and smaller ones
built. Fran this fact the city gets its
name. Around the town there is plenty
of brush for fuel.
From Destruction City Rat river is but
a small. swift creek. n some places hard
~ four feet wide, but i've or six In depth.
The water is icy cold. AS a consequence
the trip is tedious and slow one. Jones
and Res were eighteen days in making
the Journey Of sixty miles with hight OUT
fit.
The next forty miles Is continual climb
over one cascade and then another until
the lakes at the portage are reached. The
portage Is about three-quarters Of a mile
and over a mountain nearly $3.50 feet high.
The hunters were two DAYS in getting over.
On the other side the West Rat river is
ne. with. one can float down II 10 tie
rorcupine and thence 20 the Yukon. which
f. reached at Fort Yukon. Jones and Rea
the time they left Great Slave lake until
thfv reached the fort distance Of about
1863 miles.
At Destruction City Mr.. Jones ne. sew
erai large parties. one from Chicago, hu.
n does not remember the nal me Of IT, He
also met Mr.. and Mrs. 4. c. Craig. who
eas formerly prominent contractor ar
Chicago. Jones believes there will bs
scurvy NJ the camp. The miners know
their only hope is TO cross the portage
ineo the land OF gold. The current is 50
swift, I'm the Mackenzie that Il would bs
utterly impossible 20 try TO make any dis
lance against II.
At Fort Yukon Jones ard his partner
separated. Rea striking OUT Cor Dawson
and Mr. Jones tor St. Michael. He ar
rived here yesterday or the T}ila nook. and
Pea g expected any day from Dyes. Yes
,erdsv Mr.. jones left for Troy. Kan. IN
his nay 70 Chi 7agc.
AS 10 TIE pracricab!llty % the Edmonton