Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-04-07
REV. HEADINGTON BREACHES.
The Mexico Klondyke Party Spends
Sunday in Dyea-An Interesting
Letter in Reference to the
Outlook.

AAA1H/ I
the Mexico Klondyke party, will be
found of interest to all Of our readers:
DYEA, ALASKA, March 14.-After
having at last escaped the perils OF
the sea, We are landed high and dry
in a saloon and gambling house OF
Dyea, the only place within the limits
of this great city in which we could
find lodging. With all the horrors
and evils of such a place, l am forced
to say we have been treated kindly
and shown every courtesy possible.
We left Skaguay at 8 O'Clock Satur-
day morning and reached this place at
2o'clock in the afternoon. AtSkaguay
all passengers and freight are put ON
board a scow and sent to Dyea. We
were left on the scow to drift until
the tide carried us within one mile OF
Dyea, when we went ashore in a skiff.
Our freight was hauled ashore in
wagons, beginning to arrive at 10
O'Clock Sunday morning, 80 we have
been hard at work ever since. When
we finished at 6 O'Clock this evening
we had all u goods but n box.
We have pitched our tent, will have
on. goods checked of in the morning
and begin Alaska life In earnest.
The population of Dyea is of doubt
ful numbers. Tonight it is supposed
to be 10,000; tomorrow at least half
the people will be on the trail. There
are people here from all parts Of the
world, pushing and scrambiing for a
place on the trail; and 1 must say !
have not met even one man who is
acquainted with the true condition Of
affairs In this country. While this is
not a mining town, it has all the char
acteristics of such a place.
Sunday morning at 2 O'Clock I WAS
awakened by four pistol shots. l
was told q man who ran a faro bank
was on his way home when he was
held up and murdered for his money.
The murderer failed in his designs,
fed to Skaguay, where he was appre-
hended this morning, and is now in
jail. One man was killed at Sheep
Camp Sunday morning. II I didn't
have 100 Missouri boys with me /
would fee hence to return to this
country no more forever.
The weather has been very warm
here for the last ten days. A strong
wind is blowing from the south, con-
sequently the pass is going to pieces
very fast.
We will begin tomorrow moving
toward Sheep Camp. If we have
good luck we hope to reach the sum-
NIT In one week.
After working hard all day Sunday,
I had the privilege Of going to church
Sunday night. The only church In
Dyea is q North Methodist. The pas
tor was sick and we Missouri boys had
to furnish a preacher. Brother Head
ington, OF Mexico, preached for us.
He read the Ninetieth Psalm and we
sang, "From Greenland's Icy Noun
tains," and some of the good old
songs we used to sing at home. So,
you must not think that we will be cut
OF from preaching in this far-off
country. We have a good preacher
with us who will provide for us every
Sunday morning, I hope.
Unjust confess that this is not the
country and the condition of affairs
I hoped to see. 1t is 80 different from
homo and civilization that I find 1t
difficult to adapt myself to the sur
roundings.
For the first time in my life ! car-
ried q pistol to church Sunday. /
very careful when ! took my seat
not to strike the thing for fear it
would 60 Off and tear my pants to
pieces.
/ nnd the Indians of this country
are fast learning the ways of the pale
faces. They do not scruple to ask
from q quarter to four-bits to lead
your dog half a mile.
Our boys are all well, with the ex-
ception Of Jones, who has been quite
sick, but Is much better now. He will
be able to take the trail In q few days.
Well, as we must be up with the
sun In ths morning, l must 60 to bed.
VIII write you in q few days. The
boys all send love to you and their
friends at home; so, goodbye.
Your Friend, d. M. FIELDS.