The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-08

where the Thermometer Is Over
seventy-nvc BeiOw Zero.
n. So urdttor ~ The pnst

where the Thermometer - ONrr
seventy-avc BeiOw Zero.
To the Editor of The Post.
Houston, Texas May 6.--Less than sixty
days ago nearly every city or hamlet Ia
the universe was organizing parties to IN
wade the Alaskan gold fields. 1t was the
absorbing topic everywhere and In great
many places II preceded business ventures.
Today the gold fields are relegated to the
rear and placed on the shelf as back
number and In their stead we find every
thing conferred on war. This ILLUSTRATES
the true sentiments OF the American PEG.
ple--patriotism for their country hrst' anu
"the root OF all evils" money oiu--is
made q secondary consideration.
The writer's sympathy Is invarlaDi!
with the under dog, and at this grave pc
ROD OF our country, | can not refrain iloin
aiiuding 10 tue Alaskan goid heius All
friendly spirit, believing can set ihteiess
some ia mat iar-on country, VINO hisu'
have friends there, anu gieah soihe i"t'i
est from extracts OF letter Which l ne'e
In my possession from my brother Oh l'aM
son City, dated February 20 tie lett LOT
the gold fields last July with companion
from Fair Haven, Wash. Hoping that
these undsputable facts viii rea h some
who may have now or in the future, the
gold fever, / viii take the liberty TO quote
such items that Will prove news and pos
slbiy be beneficial TO many VINO imagine
all you have to do IL to reach Dawson
city. pick up your luggage OF gold and
return home end become q bloated pond
holder.
MY brother George says; Il do not look
for much suffering for want Of food III
halle wing all uIplty
much prepared for the winter They VIII
sell nothing at the stores and various
bartering places, except yeast cakes. Beet
can be bought for 81. % per pound. Am
working claim on Eldorado creek and
have two claims on Calder creek. Have
not lost day since here. My partner
works below and turn the windlass and
haul up the nuggets and dirt. Ia the
spring when tho frost Is gone we look
for the rains end mountain streams to wash
Our gold out. 1t Is II common occurr nee
to pick up So nuggets at your feet, one OF
which | enclose you. | have nugget that
weighs SIS 30 and my partner has one
that tips the beam at S3l 80. The COIN
try ls oyerdone now and next summer tLcre
viii be less work and ten idle men where
there Is ono now. II you have any friends
contemplating coming here, advise them to
remain away, az everything Is exaggerated
thousand will return with as much money
az he came with. | know OF lots who dohe
10 death and the hospitals are full Of
frozen people. Ny pen is incapable Of do
scrihng the conditions Of various people
from all corners Of the globe AS far as
your eyes can see, from vale TO mountain
tops, nothing is visible but heaps OF dirt,
one connecting with the other, all claims
of people seeking gold. From November
% n naTrypher tho thprmnnpipr
20 GS degrees below zero and from Deccu-
bor to February 90 from 81 to rs dsgre S
below. but as only a mans eyes aud
mouth are in shape to b. affected. We
work away all the time. We wear pOse
pads to keep from freezing
after breakfast we dress our feet by
putting on two pairs heavy wooden stock
ings. then an extra heavy pair OF German
socks and half a gunny sack In each moe
casion around our feet The moccasins are
six inches wide aud fourteen inches IONS.
The forenoon liz spent In cutting wood and
building fires 10 thaw the ground. We
sold ono claim FOR SIS 600 in gold dust. but
that is equal to only about $4,000 IN ~
States. will return home in Septrrlber
TO my family. and assure you | will r.
main permanently. one journey here. il
one survives to get back, is sufficient to
satisfy him to toll for an existence in a
civilized community.
Tho Canadian mining laws have stopped
pretty much all prospecting. as men will
not 20 out into the hills Handicapped ly
| such regulations The Canadian govern
ment will only allow a claim OF tGl vet
and the miner pays 10 per cent royalty IN
everything below $500 per month and 20
ner cent over that amount. Besid's t'at
tho government will be the owner Of every
other claim under the regulations
II. l.. Hohl,
zoos Wood street.