Arizona silver belt., 1898-01-27
CLOSE GOLD HUNTERS.
They Expected to Sail Jan. 2i from Seattle for Skaguay, En
 Route to klondike.

Several letters have been received from the Globe Klondilers, at Seattle, from which point they expected to sail on the 2lst iast The members oi the party are J. H. Thompson, Jos Bartson, Will Mcdaniel, Drs. T. s. and John Collins, Thos. Hamilton and Ed Tucker. The appended letter from Joe Bartson to Frank l.. Gates will be read with interest:
 SEATTLE, Wash., Jan. IS, 1898.
 DEAR FRIEND FRANK:--As 1 have a little leisure time this evening l thought would write 6 few letters, as I may not get chance again. This town is just simply running over with people going to the Klondike-every- body is going. All berths on steamers going north are full to Feb. 9, and there will not be near enough boats to carry all the people that are coming here every day. The steamer on which we came was loaded to the guards with gold hunters, and every steamer and train that arrives is full to the top. It is just simply awful. The steamer Corona came ill last night with thirteen Klondikers, and it was reported in this morning's paper that they brought down s1,5oo,0OO in gold and drafts.
 We did not see the other boys (Dr. Collins and H. Thompson) until yester- day morning, and we met Ed Tucker also. We have got our outfit together. and tickets to Skaguay. We have furs, arctics, Mackinac coats and pants, gum boots, shoe packs, mocca- sins, mits and gloves, sleoges and pack straps, and 8 years provisions, The whole outfit cost less than s250 for each of us, and we have first-class layout all around. Dog teams are sell ing for large sums here, as high as 5000 being asked for five-dog outfit. They are all right if fellow wants to go straight through, but no good for other purposes, as it costs too much to feed them on the trail, and besides their feet soon get sore on the sharp ice and then they play out We got all our baggage checked this morning and are all ready to start tomorrow, provided the steamer is, but there seems to be some doubt on ttat score, as they are so crowded with freight that it will rustic them to get it all aboard by that time. We go on the Corona, of the F. c. s s. Go. We did not stop in Frisco but very short time, as the boys had all left, and as we wanted to travel with them we had no time to spare.
 This is the most disagreeable climate that ever saw in my life. Rain and mud, and mud and rain. It gets dark here at o'clock and daylight appears at about 7:30 a. m. Everybody wears gum shoes, bumbersalls and rubber coats day and night. Living is cheap, from 10 cents up.
 The trip up from Frisco was some thing terrible. The first day out was all right, but that night it blew little blow, and nine out of every ten on board were sick as could be-all but Billy. The steamers cargo shifted to port little, and she would roll to one side just like she intended to go clean over, but che came up all right. Every wave she struck would up end her, and then you would see everybody make dash for the door. and gaze down at the waters just like they were looking for a whale, of which we saw several. O, great Scott! but l was sick. Thought I would die, then was afraid l would not die, and that is the way it was all the way to Cape Flattery, where we met smooth waters once more. l did not eat as much as rabbit on the way up, and WIS up all the time, as could not lay in my berth while it was rough. The second night out was the worst, and at mid night I was out with hundreds of others, our neck's laying on the rail, looking down at the green flashes of light in the water. the wind just howl ing, and the boat just trying to make a somersanlt, and all hands just heav- ing until nothing more would heave. o, Lord when think of it. Tomp y Hamilton was one of us, too--but since we came ashore we are all right We stopped at Victoria, B. O.. on the trip, but got there at dark, and went up town for about two hours. We did not see much of it but mud and mist, and water, red coats and jolly tars, all bloody Britons.
 I do not know if will get another chance to write or not, but will if can. Doc. Henry and Billy send kind regards to all, especially to friends in No. 12. Good bye, old man. With kind regards to all ny friends, re- main, very truly, your friend,
 JAMES BARTsoN.
 An old Soldiers Recommendation.