The record-union., 1898-04-07

ana were compelled TO go to differ
ent location on the claim and cross-cut
the creek by sinking shafts and drift
ing. Up to date the best dirt we have
taken cut is from my shaft and an
occasional pan shows 80 cents. 1t is
oftener 10 and the streak very narrow
To be brief, as I have only a limited
time to write, our chances for getting
anything worth mentioning are poor,
and ours is the story of forty-nine out
OF fifty taking lays. We have worked
hard, too, and put down more shafts
and greater number of feet of DRIFTS
than any of our near neighbors. The
creeks aside from Ell Dorado are spot
ted. We are on 81 No. 10, only
short distance below, are on a streak
that gives as high as So to the pan.
But there is not another claim for
mile on either side that shows any
thing above the ordinary
With the exception Of Ell Dorado and
portion of Bonanza, this is true of
all creeks as far as prospected to date
To sum it all up. this is a great coun-
try for gold, as the output will I'M
doubtedly prove; but unless person
can come here with ample means it is
thing but disappointment The dead
work Ito use local EXPRESSION is ap
palling, and following is a list of prices
that one has to pay for a few neces
saries of life: Hind quarter of beef,
S3SG; flour, per sack, $40; beans and
like articles of food. 81 80 per pound;
candles for mine, SO per box, and so
on. Perhaps in the future provisions
may be cheaper, or possibly a person
can bring an outfit in for less than 81
per pound
But until he lands here the greenhorn
can't realize the difficulties he is to
encounters. We are twenty-five miles
from Dawson. and to have freight de-
ivered by dog team would cost - cents
per pound. If one stops work to play
horse himself he would only put in the
winter hauling grub and eating it up.
This is exaggeration, III confess, but
true in measure. The country has
been staked far back on all the creeks.
so in this immediate vicinity there re-
mains little chance to secure a property
that can be valued at much.
Denham has sent me word that he is
to start Saturday for the outside and
[ shall have to foot it into Dawson to-
morrow to give him a letter 1t AL
comes so suddenly that I can't think of
what / want to say or how to write it.
That you will know that I am we'll is
the principal thing. and Mr.. Denham
can give you all other news. I hardly
know what the future holds in store
Unless things look brighter you may
expect me home next summer or fall
10 &c h
a financial point is true. but I know
you will all think of the matter in the
same light as myself I have stood the
cold as we'll as any. We have had a
warm winter the old-t timer says. The
coolest on this creek has been 30 de-
grees below but only for a few days
at a time For the most part it has
been from II to 80 degrees. We stand
it. we think, we'll. but don't take into
consideration the clothing we wear.
You will remember the clothing we pur-
chased in Sacramento.
] wear the light suit of underwear
next to my body. then the heavy Han
nels, the blue shirt, a sweater as rule,
and a Mackinaw coat and pantaloons.
three pair of socks, two pair of German
socks, felt boots and moccasins, wooden
mits and fur gloves for hands, and a
fur cap.
The boys are twisting in bed. and
must postpone this letter until I get
to Dawson tomorrow.
10th inst.
I arrived here last night somewhat
worse for my trip. Have not yet hunt
ed up Denilam, but will do so after I
have finished my letter. Tramping
over ice-felds in the teeth of a strong
wind hardly puts one in the best con-
dition for 1etter-writing. In a former
letter / have told you of my position
and associates. I'm with Captain Was
sen and Ahern and others Denham
will give you all the points of how
things came about and what we will
probably do.
While / think of it, l want you to
make it a point to see or get word to
- that I will send them each per-
sOnal letter as soon as l can. giving
history of the country, but for them not
to think of coming in here. [ know
that only disappointment could come
from it. If there is to be another great
rush here next summer we might find
it necessary to get away from the
something that is bound to drop, for
there are already more here than is
good for all, big as the country is.
Had l arrived here two months ear
lier I might have found opportunities
open that changed my opinions mate
rally. There might still be chances in
other parts of the country, but how can
a man get grub and get there? Only
a year ago one could go to these trad
ing posts and get supplies, money or
no money. Not SO now, by a great deal.
The great rush came, and it's cash
now-at big prices, tOo-or no provi-
sions. Tell - that Ahern has writ
ten a long letter which will go out
when the Government makes up its
mind to send out a mail.
l Will write again as soon as the VIM
ter season ends and we know just
where we stand That will probably
be in May. Can then decide definitely
what course of action we will take. Be
sure to write to Dawson, n. w. 7. The
greatest pleasure one can have here is
to hear from home FRANK.
NO RUBBER TIRE LAWSUITS.
Denia. of A. Meister & Sons That They
Have Been Sued by the Springfield
Company.
a report somewhat widely circulated
that A. MeSter & Sons have been sued