The record-union., 1898-03-21
ROCKY ROAD TO SHEEP CAMP !.
DR.. LOOK WRITES FROM Chill
COOT PASS.
A Hard Country to Travel in, But
He and His Companion Seem
to Like Tt.

Under date of February 24th. DR.. II.
II. Look, who recently left Sacramento
for the Yukon gold fields. writes from
Sheep Camp a very interesting letter
TO ]. b. Stocker With all the hard-
shfps there are to overcome on the
famous Chilcoot Pass, the Saerameh-
tans are getting on all right ana are
charmed with the country. Ihe aoc-
tor writes:
J. b. Stocker, Sacramento-Dear
Friend: We arrived here on Washlhs-
tons Birthday. All our journey mas
been one Of splendid good fortune.
Since our arrival we have been e&pe-
riencing q most terrific storm, put II
abated sufficient to permit US 10 make
this point. Our trip from Dyea mere
was one Of considerable interest. 1t
is eight miles from salt water To FIN
nigan's Point. where we paid toll over
a rustic bridge spanning a steep IN
cline of about six feet. This IS the
head of canoe navigation. From here
on we encountered huge powders
some of which would weigh tons, worn
to almost a perfect sphere and scat
tered promiscuOusly over the canyon.
These bore testimony of the immense
glacier that once held its ancient bed
between these mountains. and only re-
ceded when the climate became a lit
tie less frigid.
on our left lay a tributary to this
main icy stream. beautiful in its ter
rifying aspect. 1t reposed like a green
monster in the cradle of the mount
aims. awaiting it's only antagonist, the
congenial rays Of the sun. to dissolve
it and relieve the valley of its burden.
On our right reposed another OF
less pretensions, but on account OF its
position to the rising sun reflected
many tints of pink and blue and
green.
Four miles beyond was the mouth OF
the canyon. Here is a collection OF
shacks. log huts and tents, all OF re-
cent erection From the lay of the
country and what 1 can gleaD from
Indian. lore their duration there will
not be long unless they fashion them
after the ark and find a good anchor
age. When the SHOWS melt they can
not help being washed into the sea.
We entered the canyon proper, and
here was revealed a new phase of ma
ture Since the date Of glacier for
nation at this altitude there had
been a terrific subterranean commo-
ton. The valley was split asunder
and the opposite sides left just as
when torn apart Time had not
changed its features. and the fissure
could be closed almost perfectly The
canyon is about twenty to fifty feet
wide and a deep stream flows down
its deepest part.
Here we experienced a little anus
ing incident. Mr. Tweedle was walk
ing some distance ahead of the sleigh,
happy as a bird and as vigorous as
Goliath He was spelling for some
thing to turn up. Soon he discovered
a man down on the ice over the stream.
and as everything was as slick as glass
he could not get out Tom hailed him,
and wanted to know the trouble. Sim
pie enough" said the man. II am
here and can't get OUT I'm go
youl" returned Tom. with his good
natured style. Give me your hand. ,"
No sooner said than done. but in
stead of pulling the man out Tom
was pulled in. and there they both
were. They surveyed the situation
and Tom saw the man only weighed
the pants and coat, he threw him out
on the bank But now was Toms
turn. Each time the man tried to pull
him out he was pulled in, and had to
be tossed up on the hard snow like a
barley sack Finally, after about a.
dozen attempts. they both emerged
from their temporary Imprisonment.
The man was moved in his thank
i a J
him, but none had given him a hand
Alone he could never have gotten out.
When he left he remarked: II may
meet you on the other side"-mean-
ing the pass.
I win remark right here that in this
rude country there is awholesome char
ity practiced seldom seen in ahighly or
ganized community. I have yet to
see one act of discourtesy, but there
are the selfish here as we'll. There are
those who can play the priest and Lev
ite to the wayfaring man. yet there are
plenty of good Samaritans. I have
seen graybeards run after a sleigh and
ask for a ride as we boys did with our
little sledges in the East. and never
saw one refused. I have had while
tugging my sleigh-load, men step up
and give a hand without SAYING a
word, and I have seen the sick looked
after with the kindest considerations
A man who tells you that people here
have no humanity is one who deserves
no pity. man who is every inch a
man viii have more friends here than
he needs. but woe be unto him who
steals
Only few weeks ago in this camp
TWO f1en were caught stealing It
looked like hanging bee. One broke
and ran. Two shots were fired. and
he fell shot through the head. 1t was
called suicide, and from what I can
gather here there are reasons to be-
Heve so. yet at Dyea no one believes
it. The other malefactor was stripped
and lashed until nearly dead. placarded
and marched to Dyea. The most shock
ing thing of it all. physician stood by
and saw it done. I have not called
on the only one here for that reason.
No matter what the provocation was.
nor how angry the mob, he should have