The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-07

Special Dispatch to the Pcst-Inteilisenoen
WASHINGTON, Jan. s.-Of the mas. oe
correspondence filed away in the war de-
partment relative 10 the Alaska gold fields
and the relief OF those who rushed there
so lily provided with the necessities OF
life that they are in danger of death by
starvation, there appear some small mat
ters OF particular interest TO the people OF
Seattle which have not been already
spread before the public through the me-
dunn OF the Associated Press.
Everything OF a general character, such
as the Post-Intelligencer's offer OF tho
service OF its expedition 20 the secretary
Of war as an avant courier OF the great
relief expedition that Is TO follow, has
been widely exploited ana the name and
fame OF Seattle is not confined even to tha
American continent. During the confer
ences between Minister Sifton, OF the
Canadian government. and Secretary Al
ger and Assistant Secretary Meikiejohn,
the name OF no other city fell SO frequent.
ly from their lips as that OF Seattle. In
fact, as an official of the war department
remarked the other day: "KIondike with
out Seattle is like the play OF Hamlet
without the melancholy Dane"
Mail Carrier Brauer'a Story
Just before congress adjourned for the
holidays. Secretary Alger transmitted to
the president OF the senate for its infor-
nation copy OF q letter which he had
just received from John w. Brauer, of
500 Pontius avenue. Seattle, who is the
mail carrier between juneau and Circle
City. He had returned to Seattle Noyem-
Der q from a round trip over his route
and seems from his letter to De pretty
thoroughly familiar with the situation.
He writes:
when L lef. Circle City. September IA.
their supply OF provisions was practically
exhausted, but the last steamers that
succeeded In getting UP the river were
held up and sufficient provisions taken
from them to do the people at Circle. On
September 9. at Dawson. Capt. Hanson.
who had charge OF the Alaska CONNER
ciai Companys store. called the miners
could not furnish them with provisions.
and that he would advise all those who
did not have their winter outfit 10 go
wnere & the provisions wers-the nearest
Dawsou-or 10 get out OF the country,
and that they had no time TO lose. Our
party poled up the river from Circle City
three hours: weather cold: about eight
inches Of snow al Circle, and Ice forming
on poles and on river bank.
From Dawson, which we left Eeptem-
Der .. We poled up TO McCormack's Port
tposO. about 2e5 miles arriving thers
Sunday. October "a On this part of the
trip we experienced some cold weather
twelve degrees. five to eight inches OF
snow. river running full OF siush ice. We
were compelled to lay over at Sixty-miis
post five days. Ice running SO thick that
II was impossible 10 make headway. Al
McCormacks post we abandoned our
boats and started overland on what 10
known as the Dalton trail. about 800 miles
twenty five days travelling through two
10 three feet OF snow over a mountain
trail We started with twelve horses. and
they were all dead before we got half
way. l give this brief outline Of our
trip 10 show the difficulties OF the trip
out during the winter.
The assertion IS Often made tha, the
gravity OF the situation AZ Dawson 10
oyerdEawn. This / do not believe 10 %
possible, as at least one-haif OF the min
era were very short OF provisions. ana
great number were afraid that they
would not succeed Ia reaching Dawson
before the river froze up. they sold
large part OF their outfits and went in
flying light; We met between twenty
and thirty boats daily. and nearly always
inquired as to their outfit. While once
IN 4 great whife they had sufficient 10
carry them until the boats would cous
up nExt spring. the majority had only
four months supply where they shouiA
have had seven or eight months.
so long as the companies had provt-
sions 20 sell. the price remained un-
changed. but when they closed th.ir
doors private parties commenced 10 spec
uiate. and the day We left Dawson, Sep
tember y. some -four was sold for SIS a
sack % pounds: bacon 81 pound
Ihere was quite an exodus 10 Fort
trip SO long as tbs river remained open.
hut once frozen ZIP IL not only a tedious
5ut hazardous one. Quite a number
started Up the river. but, so far as can
learn. rot 10 exceed about thirty sue
ceeded in getting out.
las 20 freighting provisions up from
Fort Yukon 20 Dawson. ~ the time you
carry food for about thirty 70 forty dayo
for man. food for coge bedding stove.
tent, exc. then food for return trip you
VIII readily see that 10 supply several
thousand men for three or four months
would be almost out OF the question. The
most OF the helping lay with the miners
themselves. as they mad ample time 10
30 down to Fort Yukon before the river
seem 20 me the best plan IS 70 take pro-
visions 70 ne lake. build Slows, and waic
until the river opens. which Will be soma
tine IN May, then run down this way.
one can reach Dawson asogit tweutv 10
forty days earlier than the steamers
from down river. as the upper river opens
first"
Where II Capt. Ray.
The officials ~ the war department are
becoming more ard more concerned every
day az to the ~ wlerea bosTss OF Capt p H.
Rzy. Eighth infantry. and Lieut.. W T..
Richardson. wao1n the secretary sent -
the Alaska gold fsiesis August 4 last ard
trora whom no word has been heard since
= letter which @aS written az Fort Yukon
September is. The mission Of Capt Ray
and I.ieut- Richardson was rot 20 much
20 a1d out i aay suffering was likely dur
lnE the winter. ss 70 learn whether there
xax a1y Ia gYlsssaess N the mining districts
and whether fhs presence CT troops would
- necessary trFYn 70 I1at-sas- crdsr