The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-08

Rev. John Pringle, former pastor OF
bhe Goodrich Avenue Presbyterian
ehurch, is at present conducting
Presbyterian mission at Glenora, N.
w. T. Mr. Pringle bid farwell to his
St. Paul congregation two months ago,
Ind under the board of Canadian mis-
EUns went direct to Vancouver, B. c.,
where he took a steamer for Fort
Mrangle. From the fort he travelled
ecross the trail to Glenora, distance
bf several hundred miles.
MIR. Pringle's family still reside in
81 Paul. They received the following
letter from him this week:
arrived at Fort WrangIe March 10.
After waiting a few days for the ice to
harden on the trail l left the fort. The trip
across the trail was hard one. and 1t had
10 be accomplished on foot. We finally
reached the fort on the 10th of April, thor
Oughly tired out.
l expect to preach my first sermon here
tomorrow which is Sunday, and also con-
duct the funeral services of two men who
" re murd d by companion while coming
over the trail. Tie murderer killed one of
mis- victims with an ak, and another with
pistol while they We're sleeping. The police
left yesterday for Seattle. where they think
the criminal has flown.
My church Will be held in a saloon an
mex. but We expect something better soon,
as q site has already been picked out by
J l. Bethume, formerly elder in St. An
this is a pretty bad place. Well, 1t is, but
from the reception which l have been &C
corded at other places. l know that much
good work will result here as there is no
church of any kind here, and there are
many good people in the town. l find I will
not be able to carry out my original plan of
leaving for Lake Teslin after short stay
here, organizing the work, on account of
the defeat of the Yukon railway bill. shall
remain here until something definite deyel-
ops regarding the construction of the rail-
road to Lake Teslin. 1t is evident that
great number will go into Klondike this
summer, railway or no railway. 1t is esti-
mated that 20, coo people went in before nav
1gation opened at all, and you can imagine
the rush in April, May and June.
Everything is very high in price here
single can OF peaches costs rs cents, and
-four is $3.50 sack. An ak is worth So.
These are sample prices. Everything else
Is proportionately high. 1t costs so cents
to send or receive a letter. as there is no
postofice here, the nearest one being at
Fort Wrangle. An Indian carrier carries
the mail over for 90 cents. When my friends
write hereafter l shall request that they en-
close 80 cents to defray postage.
The landscape here is beautiful and the
weather has been fine. The snow-capped
mountains with foreground of trees make
full indeed. The sun has been shining
brightly today, and the atmosphere is quite
mild. 1t has not been cold since / arrived.
Many incidents occurred to our party
L
one young man in our party by the name
of Joe Black was pushing a sled over the
ice, when he slipped off the edge into the
water and under the ice and was drowned,
in full sight of his brother and the rest
of the party, who were powerless to do
anything. The occurrence cast quite a
gloom over the party for the remainder of
the trip.
I got ducking myself. but, fortunately.
my dogs pulled the sledge out and l hung
onto the sled. This was at Telegraph creek,
ten miles from here.
1t is curious to see the little Indians.
They hang around my tent and peek in
the door, and are grateful for any food
presents which l give them. In one place
saw one Of these little Indian boys pack
ing load of thirty-fve pounds across the
trail. For this service they receive three
cents per pound. Good native dogs are
capable of taking siXty-fve pounds across.
and fu!l-grown men from eighty pounds up
was very fortunate in taking a special
outfit of clothes and provisions, as they
came we'll in hand during my long trip
across the ice
There is certainly opportunity for grand
work here, churches are few l expect
TO stay here until l get a church well CT
Sanized, with the aid Of the present mis-
s.onary, and then will go up to Lake Tes-
lin as soon as work on the railroad is COM
menced