Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-03-31

would want to see the place again If II
was not for my mail.
On the trail here the people are
about the average as 1t takes some
money to come in here and that bars
lots Of rough elements out. There
| has been stealing and fighting going
on aud the other night man was
killed about a half a mile from our
camp. He was shot abOu-, 9 o'clock in
the evening, and they do not know
who did it or for what motive il was
done, as he was not robbed. His
name was Bean and he was from Cal
ifOrnia. If a man should be caught
stealing, or killing a man, he would be
hung on the spot.
Yesterday a gentleman from Port
land by the name of Pattalow, took
the picture of our sleds out in front
of our camp and he said if they were
alright he would send you one.
He is a friend of mine. He also
took photo of the Oregon when she
was on the bar. Lu is just getting
dinner and l am very hungry so will
have to postpone this letter until l
fill this vacancy under my vest. Well
did 1 eat, was it good ? L should
think so. This was the bill of fare:
jems, boiled ham and beans, onions,
cheese, fruit cake and sardines,
prunes, butter, tea and coffee. 1
think that is good enough for Klon-
dixie don't you?
SUMMIT LAKE MARCH Is.
will leave here Tuesday for the
Big Salmon Riyer and the folks will
bring my mail on. 1 won't get it for
two or three months but write just
the same. IT will be news to me
when L get it. l expect this is the
last letter you will get from me for
some time, if nothing happens and we
get off. 1t is 200 miles from here and
we're going on the ice, Mr.. Lemon,
Billie Sayre and l. They are briug-
ing out good reports from there and
we,are going to head this big crowd
off and get there first if possible.
was just talking with man from
Salmon River who has just come out
with bag of the yellow dust and he
said they got as high as 81 pan from
some of their claims. He showed me
jar with about $4,000 in it.
1 have seen pretty sights since ar
irving in Alaska but that surpasses
everything and l am very anxious to
get over where that kind Of dust
grows and if nothing happens we will
be over in that district in about three
weeks. Mother l am finishing this
letter sitting by the stove drying my
clothes. l just returned from Summit
few hours ago, it is moving an ice
burg, 1t was showing and blowing
so could hardly see my no rse's head
and it was freezing and the snow
would stick on the fuzzy mankinnaw
clothing until in some places 1T was
half an inoh thiolr. haVo iciclcs one
inch long hanging from my whiskers.
1 have not shaved since l left home.
Tell Dave that Leach is at the foot Of
the Summit running saloon and
restaurant. He said to tell the boys
to write to him as he would like to
hear from them. He seems to be
making money here. There is money
here if man wants to work and can
st and it. AS for me l would rather
starYe to death where man can get
something for his labor than to live
ln country where he cant. could
sell my outfit now and make money.
My flour alone is worth 5000 here.
The trip the way we came is very
easy one compared with what 1 ex-
pected. We haYe had good weather
and have been very lucky in many
respects. Will write you before start
ing for Salmon river, if possible.
From Your Boy
Don w. TRUITT.