The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-10
WHERE GOLD SEEKERS PAY
EXORBITANT CHARGES

Stories of Big Discoveries of the
Yellow Metal Still Coming Into
Contain IOO,OOO,OOO Tons of
Collaborating Sands - Customs
Commissioners ON the Border
Very observation-disclosures OF
Men In Alaskan Coast Towns Idle
Difficulties of Entering Alas
kan Gold Fields Lessening Every
Day.
Correspondence The St. Paul Globe.
SKAGUAY, Alaska, April 1.-Skag-
uay-what a name-but appropriate,
for the Indian word Skaguay means a
north wind, and Skaguay 1t has been
most of the time since my arrival,
though a southern gale was blowing
as our good ship ran into the harbor
of Skaguay, and failing to make
landing put into Dyea, six miles away,
where, after much difficulty, we made
fast to the dock under the almost per-
pendicular sides of mountains 5000 feet
in height Remaining here day and
night gave me opportunity for looking
over Dyea and obtaining information
regarding the trails and passes. 1 would
have gone to the summit of the pass,
this being an easy task for one In
light marching order with good wealth
er, but before we had climbed half to
the summit we encountered such a
storm of wind and snow that we were
glad to retrace our steps From Dyea,
as far as we jOurneyed or could see,
the trail was crowded with gold seek
ers, the line Of march and the camps
along the way reminding me of the
movements of armies during the war
All, or nearly all, seemed cheerful and
disposed to consider their troubles
over as soon as they should reach the
summit of the pass and arrange pay
ment of custom duties to the Canadian
officials. OF that part of their journey
from Seattle to Dyea they had only
words of complaint and curses; the
crowded condition of the steamers, lack
of and poor quality of food furnished,
Indifference or insults from officers and
crew mixed and confused condition of
their goods on arrival at Skaguay or
Dyea, the dockage charge of $3.50 per
ton, drayage charge of S. per ton from
dock to the towns and other eXorbitant
charges at every turn and from every
quarter; then at the summit the GUS
toms charges of 80 per cent. Many
who have been over this route to Daw-
son assure me that the great difficult
ties, expense and labor began at Seattle
urha "a of
pass was reached.
VIII Soon Be Reduced.
The present charges for packing from
Dyea to the summit of the pass are
from to 10 cents per pound, but, as
most of the exporters are doing their
own packing, it is probable that the
regular packers prices will soon be re-
duced. The wire way from foot Of the
mountain to the summit is not COM
pleted or in use, or do l think it will
be successfully operated for some
months yet. Just now the Dyea trail
seems to be the best, but with the
spring breakup it is thought the Ska
quay route, because of the Bracket
wagon road, will take most of the
UFaffic. OF these things the proSnectOr
should, if possible, inform himself be-
! consider this that I have arranged
with reliable parties, both at Skaguay
and Dyea to keep me informed regard
ing the trails, so that l may, on my
return to Seattle, furnish full and re-
liable information to our Minnesota
friends who contemplate going to the
gold fields of Alaska.
From Skaguay over the pass there
are two routes or trails; one, the
f.nO IL RI
the summit of the White pass, distance
sixteen miles. The charges by this
route are: Wagon road toll cents per
pound, and this is the only charge for
those who do their own packing. To
those who employ wagons or packers,
there is an additional charge of about
z cents per pound, or a total charge of
8 cents ner pound from Skaguay to
the summit. From the summit to Lake
Bennett is down grade, timber all the
way, excepting about four miles over
the summit. The other trail follows
the ice of the river for six miles, where
1T intersectS the Bracket wagon road
twelve miles from the summit. This
trail Is all right as long as the ice re-
mains firm, and is much used, but will
soon be impossible, for the ice cannot
remain firm much longer. 1t is claimed
that two horses and wagon can take
1000 pounds of freight over the Brac-
kett road, and 1t is my opinion that
within thirty days this road will take
about all the traffic, unless it's traffic is
interrupted by land slides, which 1 am
told is not probable.
A COngested Condition
Today there is a congested condition
on both the Skaguay and Dyea trails,
and I see no immediate relief for this
condition. However thousands are 60
ing over, few are turning back, many
are pushing beyond lakes Bennett and
Linderman, and it is estimated that
there are near $4,000 prospectors on
the way between Dyea and Skaguay
and Dawson. Most of those with
whom 1 talked We're excited over recent
reports of rich discoveries on tributa-
ries of the Salmon river, and proposed
pushing on, in spite of wind and
weather. These reports originated, so
I was informed, with Maj. Walsh, Ca
madam commissioner. 1t seems that
the major advises a friend to go at
once to the Salmon river, where the
new discoveries had been made, to
keep ahead of the stampede that was
sure to follow. The friend started, but
was so overjoyed with the prospects