The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-06
CALL FOR TROOPS.
Citizens of Skaguay and Dyea Ask for
Not Less Than 300 Soldiers.

Citizens oil anu OyS%t ASK IOE
Not Less Than 300 Soldiers.
SKAGUAY, Alaska, Jan. 81, via Seattle,
Wash, Feb. 5.-A petition has been circu-
lated here and at Dyea asking the War De-
partment to send three hundred troops here,
that law and order may be preserved. The
petition also asks that martial law be de-
elared. The petition is being signed by
nearly all the best element. 1t reads as
follows:
ITO the Honorable Secretary of War;
Washington, d. c.:
I'VE. the undersigned citizens and bust
ness men of Alaska, respectfully petition
and set forth that there is an extraordinary
condition of affairs existing at and near
Dyea and Skaguay Alaska, which calls for
prompt attention from the proper authori-
ties. AS d result of recent discoveries of
gold in and near Dawson City, N. W. T.,
Canada, during the past two years, there is
an enormous rush of people to that country
from all parts of the world and it is eSti-
mated that there will be $1,000 people start
for the gold fields of Alaska and the North
west Territory. Canada during fhe present
year. and not less than % per cent. will at
tempt to get in by way of the Chilkoot and
White passes. Even at this early day the
full capacity of every steam and sailing
ship on the Pacific coast is taxed to its ut
most capacity to carry the passengers and
freight that is being offered, and they are
being dumped off at these two points at the
number Of three hundred day, which will
soon be largely increased.
I'm view of the fact that there is no local
civil government in the territory of Alaska
and no one with sufficient authority TO en-
force the laws of the land, and much less
to prevent crime and disorder, and in view
of the large number of the undesirable and
criminal class who are now Hooking to our
community to prey upon the unwary and
innocent pilgrim, and in order to have some
one with sufficient authority ana IN sum
cient numbers to prevent disorder and
blockades on the trails leading to the Lakes
Lindermann and Bennett; and to protect the
nFnTl nrfv of off n
I'VE, the undersigned, petition that i'm
mediate action be taken by the proper au-
thorities; and, believing this to be an ex-
traordinary emergency, we believe that
martial law should be declared in all this
part of Alaska. comprising the communities
of Dyea and Skaguay, and the trails lead
ing therefrom to the International boundary,
and that sufficient troops, not less than
three hundred be Immediately dispatched to
these points to enforce the laws and pre-
serve order"
1t is stated that Governor Brady will or
der one Of the government cruisers now
stationed at Sitka to this place to preserve
order. The cutter will arrive IL a few days.
Good prospects have been found on the
Big Salmon river. Prospect holes have been
sunk to the depth of fofty five feet, but
water interfered with the work before bed
rock was reached.
ed Tor Dawson some weeks ago with sew
eral tons of supplies ana number or
horses, has abandoned the trip. McGregor
got as far as Lake Lebarge, where he re-
ceived orders from Major Walsh, admins
traitor of the Yukon district who is camped
at Big Salmon river, TO abandon the trip
because of the impossibility of reaching
Dawson with horses. McGregor has gone
to ig Salron TO confer with Major Walsh.
The recent order of the Canadian Gus
toms officials at Lake Tagish prohibiting
any pei son to pass there with less than
one thousand pounds of provisions for each
man has had the effect of stopping many
people who had started for Dawson with
less than that amount.
A double murder occurred here at
o'clock this morning. Deputy United States
Marshal J. NJ. Rowen, formerly city mar
shall of Mount Vernon, Washington. and
Andrew McGrath, a native of Concord,
Ont were shot and killed in Jake Rce'S
variety theater by Ed Fay, q bartender.
Fay is being guarded by a committee of
citizens Tomorrow he will be tried by a
committee of twelve persons. judicial
forms will be followed as closely as posi-
BILE. II is the general opinion that if found
guilty Fay will be hanged. The theater
has been closed by the citizens The muir
der had a sad sequel In the death of Row
ems wife and child which was born short
time previous to the death of its father
Rowen was on his way TO obtain medical
assistance for his wife when the shooting
occurred. The shooting grew out of
brawl in which McGrath was a participant
He left the place and appealed to Rowen,
who in the capacity Of an officer, went to
the theater to investigate the matter.