Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-02-22

promised % much. They spent every
cent Of thas money, which represented
the labor and savings Of years, in getting
over the Skagguay and Dyea trails and
bore up under hardships Of which they
would not have thought themselves ca
pable in the hope Of getting possession
at the last OF rich claim in this region,
where they had heard that men became
rich in day.
Today they regret their madness and
curse the day when they gave up all and
received nothing in return. Many have
not even reached the new FL Dorado.
Many played out, and they were
compelled to winter ON the pass, while
Others were frozen in up the river and
| will either have TO haul their outfits
down on sleds on live in idleness and
eat the food which OH an average cost
them more than 81 per pound to get
over the pass.
or those who did reach Dawson.
about 3, 900 in all, some 800 were conf
pelled to go down the river to Fort Yu.
kon, where they will cut wood all win
ter for their board. while from 400 to
500 more have started ON the trip out
over the ice. This latter il q most peril
ous journey. Until this winter il was
thought to be next TO impossible to
make the journey, even when well pro-
vided with food. robes and one or two
good dog trains. Few Of those now on
the way are so provided. Many are 80
poorly prepared for the journey that II
seems certain that many lives must be
lpst this winter.
II will be readily seen what serious
state Of affairs presented itself to the
weary traveller when he reached here
when be preferred 10 face the dangers OF
such q trip rather than those which they
found here II is sdifficult for one in New
York to realize that man may have
plenty Of money aud yet starve to death.
We are so used 10 looking at tho stores
with their heavily laden shelves, tho
contents Of which may he ours II only
we have the money with which to pur.
chase them. that IL IL difficult TO under
stand the extraordinary condition which
presents itself when man may offer
ten times the value Of pound OF food
and yet find no one TO sell 1t TO him.
Money More Plentiful Than Food.
Such has been aud to certain extent
still is the condition here. II was only
after many who had outfits sufficient
for two or three months realized the
seriousness Of the situation and resolved
70 brave the dangers Of the trip over
the ice to where there was plenty, aud
80 were prepared to sell portion OF
their outfit, retaining enough only for
the journey. that food could be bought
ut 81. 25 per pound. Flour was selling
at tlO0 per sack-50 pounds-when /
arrived, and little later Is went to
ei25.
Some Of the richest mine owners here
had only one sack Of -four to last them
until the first boat is expected-some
time in June. These bought eagerly at
these prices. But what Of those who
were already hungry and who had spent
their last dollar on the way 10? These
were thrown on the charity Of those
better provided, and il will be readily
understood that charity in that case was
colder even than IL has the reputation
of being. True, no one 80 far has starv-
ed. but many have gone hungry, and
some are still being fed by those whose
kindness and sympathy exceed their bet
ter Judgment, for IL is rare indeed to
find one who has more than enough to
last him until the boats arrive
At present writing the situation
seems to have been relieved, for IL Is
stated that -four has been sold as low rs
$50 per sack in one or two cases. But
know that there are many still here
who have sufficient only 10 last them
for from four to FIVE months. and who
must procure more in some way or take
the long journey out, as others have
done.
Clothing Scarce Also.
Nor is food the only thing that is
scarce. Blankets, socks, moccasins ard
In fact clothing Of all kinds are unob-
tainable mt any price And these are as
sorely needed as food We were unable
TO believe, until we had experienced IL,
that the weather was 30 severe here n
reported. But already the thermometer
has ssood at SO degrees for four days in
succession, and il this winter Is as cold
| al. hav 4 no a. N 4
so degrees below zero before the end OF
February.
find il almost impossible to keep my
hands warm when outside. and my face
has been frost bitten several times al.
ready. Nearly every man one meets has
several black, ugly looking spots OH hi'
nose, chin and cheeks. These arc caused
BY repeated freeziDgs. One cannot put
ON too many socks to keep the feet com.
Portable, and yet Of this very necessary
article there is scarcity-there are
none to be had at any price.
Wood is plentiful in the vicinity OF
the mines but at Dawson it brings $5C
Der cord. And there are few who care
to cut aud haul ii at that price. This il
not because they are in such circum'
stances that they can afford to be indie
pendent in the matter, but because II
involves such hard labor and 30 much
suffering from the cold. After 1t IL cut
It must be hauled from four to five
miles, and with the exception OF few
horses-I think eight in all-the only
power procurable for this is man power.
Dogs are so scarce that al ordinary
one will bring $500. while a good Es
kimo dog will command $3.50. and Q
buyer is easily found for him. So great
is the demand for these dogs for freight
ing purposes aud for the trip out thai
few Of their owners care to use then
for hauling wood even at the seemingly
high prices ruling.
To the man who will say after read
ing this, 81 could make good money
there at cutting and hauling wood o.
that price, will say you do not know
nor can You understand without having
experienced it, the many reasons why
you could not make mouey at this work
They are many, however, and the mon
ey SO earned is. like that earned Al
working in the mines here, small re
ward for the labor and suffering neces
sary to procure it.
Dimculties Of Working Claims.
Many Of those who arrived here thi.
season have been given lays" on good