The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-21
THE KLONDIKE
HOW THE LOG HOMES OF THE W.
KONERS ARE BUILT
First Great Work Is to- Dig the
Moss From the Site-LOgs for the
Sides and Logs for the Roof of
the HOuse-Few Windows Are
Wanted.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.

From the San Francisco Chronicle.
Before beginning the construction Of
a cabin on the claim one should first
definitely decide upon the size and in
terror arrangements of the proposed
dwelling. The Yukoner on an unpros-
pected claim contents himself with
very modest shelter, having but little
care for convenience or ornament.
When the claim has proved profitable
a more imposing edifice is erected.
One of these unprospected claim
cabins may be easily and eXpeditiously
erected by one man. Two weeks labor
will suffice to make it habitable and
three weeks comfortable. Such a cabin
is intended for the accommodate ton. say,
of two men and is planned to be 10 by
II feet of ground dimension with six
foot walls.
How to Build.
The timber selected for the hut is
taken from the clearing in which it is
to be erected, usually high spot af-
fording good drainage and a reasonably
stable foundation. Having cleared a
space about the site the moss is dug
away from the underlying gravel to af-
ford a foundation. Small logs of not
over one foot in diameter are laid up
by means of skids and block and tackle,
nOtches being cut at the corners to
bring their surfaces close together.
When the walls have been raised to
the height Of six feet the roof logs are
laid, those at the ends being short
ened to correspond with the pitch de-
sired to be given to the gable. The
roof logs, however, are heightened sew
eral feet so as to extend beyond the
gable ends and give the roof a forward
projection over the front door.
The door in most of such cabins is
an opening Of not over five feet in
height and two and half feet in width,
made after the logs are laid up by saw
ing out the aperture.
CaII<ed With Moss.
In laying up the logs, as each one is
settled in it's place. a heavy layer of
moss is laid on top of it in such fashion
than the next succeeding log as it set
ties into place will crush it down and
make a fairly tight joint between the
two, thus excluding the wind and cold.
When the roof logs have been laid
and ridge pole is in place, a rough
roof of split poles is laid, the poles ex-
tending from the ridge to one or two
feet beyond the side walls, forming
caves. Inc poles are secured IN pace
by logs laid across them, transversely,
through which pegs may be driven into
the poles Of the roof and logs Of the
superstructure.
When this has been done the poles
are covered with earth and moss to
the depth of a foot or more thus form
ing substantial tight roof that eX-
cludes both wet and cold. In making
the roof care is taken to leave vent
at the top, in addition to the hole for a
stove pipe.
Temporary Shelter.
A cabin built in this fashion is in
tended only as a temporary shelter
while the claim is being prospected,
and would not do for q permanent abid-
ing place. Should the claim prove
profitable it will serve later on as a
WCodshed and for the storage of tools
A cache of similar construction is erected
usually On the stumps of trees sawn off eight
or ten feet above the ground, to which ac-
cess is had by means of a ladder, as shown
il the accompanying cut.
Rude hunks are made within the cabin
described door fashioned OF split shakes or
CT whipsawed lumber is fitted to the open
ing. A fire is built in the center of it to
warm the interior, smoke making its escape
through the central vent in the roof The
steve is used for cooking only.
Such cabin, while not inviting is not
an unhealthful shelter. Having been built
of green logs. its walls VIII be ice-coated
throughout the riDter whenever the fire is