The Republican journal., 1898-06-09
Roughing it in Alaska.
An Interesting Letter from Col. H. f.
Mcdonald.
Correspondence of The Journal. I

1888. We left Vancouver at 10 p. m.
March 4th on steamer Islander. There
were about 1925 passengers ana full
cargo of freight, including horses, cattle
and 145 dogs of every description. The
dogs were all tied on the upper deck and
every available foot of space was occupied
aft of the smoke stack. A very few of
the dogs were kept in boxes during the
passage, which occupied about five days,
and most of them received no care what
ever and their suffering was Intense
Quite a number died from exposure.
They kept up continual bowling and
barking from the time we left until our
arrival. The captain of the Islander is
large owner in the boat and general
superintendent of the line. Quite num-
Der of men who we're dead-brok and
homesick in Skagway, asked to be taken
back to Vancouver, and l understand he
has never refused one yet, especially
those who went up on his boat. He
would tell them to get on board and keep
out of the way of the purser until the
boat was away from the wharf.
We supposed when we bought first class
tickets there would be some distinction
made between first and second class in our
feed: that the tirst-class would have sep
the case. Thirty minutes before meal
time the stairs leading down to the din
ing room would be packed solid full.
The moment the rope was taken down al
lowing them to pass, general rush was
made and every seat was filled in minute.
1t was quite amusing to watch them eat.
With the most of them forks were of no
account: the knives and fingers were used
diligently and the quantity of food slowed
! away was astonishing. Coffee of very
poor quality was served with breakfast,
tea for lunch and dinner. Not being tea
drinker asked for cup of hot water and
( was told | could not have it. Had | called
| fol Il bottle of beer or glass of liquor |
4 could have got it by paving good round
/ sum. Fortunately one of the walters at
my table had charge of the state rooms
| and was obliged to clean and make up the
beds. l had noticed that he kept himself
pretty well soaked with liquor HaTing a
| flask in my grip well filled for medical
purposes | concluded to see what he
was made of. 1t worked like charm my
wants were attended to at once. Itwork-
| ed far better than money fee. know
some of my good temperance friends in
, Belfast would call me to account were |
there: fortunately am fal away. Were
they situated the same, | am afraid they
| would do likewise.
We were very fortunate in having tine
weather on the trip, with the exception of
few snow squalls. The passage was in
land all the way, except two places that
occupied in crossing from two to three
hours, and where we got the rake of the
Pacific ocean The scenery was grand,
the adjacent land and mountains being
very high. There have been number Of
| North. Just before we sailed one steamer
was lost with all on board. The steamer
Carona ran onto a ledge not more than
fifty wards from shore and stove a hole in
her bottom and filled. Fortunately she
remained on the rock and her passengers
We're landed and pitched their tents.
Food was also landed and they began
Housekeeping. We stopped near the wreck
to land some provisions and tools. The
steamer has since been taken from the
rocks and is being repaired. Most of the
work they are put to. There will soon be
| better boats on the route.
We reached Wrangel about ten O clock
in the forenoon and remained there until
the next day. Many of our passengers left
us here Those going via the Stickeen
route loaded their boats and had them
lowed up the river as far as the ice would
permit This is the route the Canadian
government are making SO much talk
about. They have made a contract with
Mckenzie, Mann 4 Co. to construct rail
road from Glenora to the head of Teslin
Lake to connect with boats down the lakes
and river to Dawson. The reports we get
from there are to the effect that they are
unable to move or do much owing to the
deep snow and ice. At Wrangel | found
some fifty TO seventy five buildings going
up, mostly small shanties, with one quite
large hotel just completed. Many of the
small buildings are being built on the
edge of the shore on spilings, with plank
walk from the building to the shore.
There is no street but miserable side
walk has been built around the edge of
the shore. The first thing that meets your
eye as you go up the wharf is the gambling
houses. While the boat was there they
were filled to overlooking by men from
the steamer 1t seemed strange that so
many of them We're ready to try their
hand at the game of ''chance," which is
always against one in such place. After
the steamer left | heard that many had
dropped from so to SID There was one
, very large SaWmlll doing a good business,