Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1898-02-09

extremely cold and dangerous only in that one instance to those ex- posed and not careful. Packing is 90 cent a pound and lumber for boats or rafts very high also. The river current to Dawson is swift, running five miles an hour, while the lakes at times become choppy and claim many of inexperience, Dogs he says are an expensive lux ury, ranging in value from Sl00 to Sl50 a piece. American canines soon snccumb, the native animal being possessed of that instinct as to be "onto his job"
 TO THE ADVENTUROUS.
 Mir. Smith was questioned partic- uIarv in regard to the inducements offered in the Klondike to men of limited means going, and he said: "It IS simply suicidal ald absolute folly for any person of limited cap ital to venture there. The same will apply to those unless vigorous and perfect physically. There is no char ity for either class. and the death rate aHd suffering will corroborate this. Dawson and surroundings are malarious and in any season the strongest constitution IS shattered and soon submits to the rigor of its climate. Arctic supplies and mer- chandise to last at least two years, with Canadian duty of 8 per cent ad valorem IS exacted in addition. A man gong in with an Arizona ap- petite should multiply 1t three times over in the Kloudike and then govern h,s food su upply accordingly. Leaving Dawson in the latter part of November Sir. Smith net many who were en route back and in ad- ditIon there were likewise many ~ho desired to leave Dawson but were persuaded not to venture on the trip. All of Mir. Smiths party were more or less frozen, one person los ing both feet. A great danger lies in being lost. The country is roll ing one from Dawson to Chilcoot. All restaurants in Dawson are shut up and food is dished ont in parcels Of limited supply, notwithstanding reports to the contrary. MT. Smith believed there would be suffering m consequence and disease would fol low accordingly. Under Canadian mining laws q locator was allowed but one claim of 500 feet, and when be released il his right expired In addition be must be on the ground personally and perform work. The cost of procuring wood to thaw out the placer ground will run as high as S25 per cord. which, with tools and other incidental expenses in SC curing and working ground, makes the undertaking an extremely haz ardous one to the man of limited means.
 BRIEFLY TOLD.
 The thermometer vent down to 72 below in November, aud as Mir. Smith says, you would freeze with out knowing it.
 Homes in Dawson are very damp in summer and malaria is epidemic
 Sacks of gold arc to be seen lay ing around carelessly and in one vault such is piled up like cord wood.
 Ail travellers shave clean before undertaking the journey. By this their boards do not catch any icicles that might form and later cause | them to droop and fall over on their face overweighted.
 Prices range high in food and | none to be had. Bacon, 40c; flour. | sl5 cwt; dried fruit, BOG: canned 1 goods, 75c; baking powder, Sl D; | everything else in proportion. with l Caribou steaks thrown in at S1 50 a 1 pound.
 There are twelve gambling halls | md each dealer of q game gets S2O per day. A player gives his sack Of | lust to the dealer and receives a stack of blues, whites or yellows at | ! stipulated value per chip. If the | player losses his sacked IS opened . md his losings weighed out; if he NiHS. Nhp odiAic Aut1 NOA hS ut OkucT way.
 Reports ae greatly exaggerated md more will lose than win.
 Rents are high. 4 house 25x4O brings $l50 per month.
 Real estate is also boomy and a air sized price ou a lot 50x2OO feet s Sl000O.
 The Catholics and Congregation ,lis,s have charge of the religiously inclined. The former slso maintain ! school.
 At Dawson NIT. Smith says he met hiriy or forty ladies, and they were ust as nice and dressed as elegantly md stylishly as in any city. "Wby," aid he, the puffy sleeves went out long ago, and the regulation tight Irm prevails.