The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-12

that could not get over the flats. This
failure on the part of transportation
companies to put into the mining dis
tricts sufficient supply of food has not
only given a serious check to the min
ing interests but caused great suffer
ing and has destroyed all confidence
among the people in their ability to
supply the demand by this route.
Il am we'll satisfied that much more
can be accomplished if the employees
of the transportation companies devote
less time to personal traffic. From
what have learned from mine owners
and prospectorS, | am fully satisfied
that the greater part of the gold belt
lies in our territory along the range
known as the upper ramparts. That
along the Tannanah. Minook creek.
Birch creek and the head of Forty Mile
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 transporta-
tion and cheaper food this will develop
into one of the greatest gold-produc-
ing regions in the world.
"A railroad from the head of Cooks
inlet. Prince William Sound. to the
mouth of the Tannanah, from which
point supplies could be delivered by
light steamers along all the navigable
tributaries of the Yukon. will secure
to our people the commerce of this
whole country. 1t would give route
to the open sea that could be operated
all winter, and act as check to the
Canadians At the request of the eiti-
zens here, | most respectfully recon-
mend that the government make pre-
liminary survey of the route.
A report dated Fort Yukon, Oct. 26,
deals with Captain Rays trip from Cir
clo City to Fort Yukon, he having left
the former place on the 18th inst. and
reached the latter after a perilous
trip
At Fort Yukon about $50 people were
found gathered and there had been
some threats of taking supplies by
force. The report adds: Lieutenant
Richardson, by prompt and decided ac-
ton, had checked all turbulence and by
cooperation with the agents of both
companies had arranged that all desti-
tutes should be fed. Those willing To
work were to be allowed to cut wood
for the companies at S. per cord and
when they had earned sufficient money
they should pay for their supplies.
The sick and INDECENT should be fed
without charge and the bills for such
issues to come to me to be submitted
for the action of congress. This action
is now being taken. /. O. X. orders for
all supplies which the government is to
be responsible for and will submit the
total amounts when the work is fin
ished. Both agents have verbally asked
me to take charge of the caches. which
/ have refused to do for cogent reasons.
/ shall not force an issue but shall de-
fend the caches from violence and pill
lage, as they contain the only provi-
sions this side of Dawson upon which
many hundred people are dependent for
existence for the next seven months.
Should it come to fixing the amount
each shall receive, | may then be COM
PEELED to take charge, as / find there
1.,.x -
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
riying here all agree in stating that
the managers of both companies urged
people to come here. stating as an in
ducement that there was over 1000
tons of provisions at this place, when
in fact there is less than 300 tons. and
that badly assorted for issue A ration
of three pounds per day, there can be
fed at this place 900 people until the
1st 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.
Whatever course | may be compelled
to pursue. | trust that the president
and congress will sustain me in what
| deem to be the only right course. sit
deayors to save American citizens from
starvation and DEATH"
Apparently Captain Ray left for the
Yukon for a time, as under date of that
place of Nov l. he says since his re-
turn matters have assumed a very Sc
rious aspect The Alaska Commercial
company has a cache of 200 tons four
miles above Fort Yukon, and the n.
A. T. & T. Co. a cache AT Fort Yukon.
The Alaskan companies agent report
ed a meeting was being held TO further
a movement to seize the companyss 5
cache. He adds
Il went up with Mr.. Richardson and
soon after arriving there was waited up
on by a committee from miners meet
ing, who stated in their demands that
there were IS of them and that they
demanded they be furnished on credit
with an outfit of provisions and cloth
ing for nine months. This Mr.. Davis.
the agent, declined to do. explained to
them that | would give orders on the
stores for food to feed the destitute, but
as the companies offered work a. good
wages, the able-bodied should accept 1t,
and those having money would be al
lowed to purchase a reasona BILE outfit Of
provisions for the balance IF the year.
| came away without getting any def
mite answer out of them. leaving Lieu
tenant Richardson at the cS.che for the
night. / received note from him say
lIIS lie pt1lNSEu lHfN llltIutiu III dlldfh
the cache a 10 a. m. the neat day / at
once issued notice taking possession
of the cache and had il posted that
night on the door of the sto rehouse and
in all the camps. and early next morn
ing started from here with % volun-
teers. ! could not arm them efficiently.
being able to raise only five rifles and a
few pistols, SO | determined il wise not
to take anything but pistols concealed.
Soon after starting word came to me
that they had passed resolution TO ar
rest me should l attempt 10 go to the
cache. When I arrived within one and
a half miles of the cache, | was met by
one man tNobletD. who stated 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 col
ors and said they had determined to
prevent my going forward by force,
and at a signal from him - men armed