The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20

were compelled to 'lie UP" on account of
the ice. There were about ITO passengers
and provisions for about a week, and ell
were accordingly put on rations." After
ten days the river opened somewhat, and
the Bella succeeded in reaching a point
about fifty miles from Circle City, where
she grounded on a bar. For three days she
was stuck there, but on Oct IA reached
Circle City, but badly battered by the ice.
She was unable to go any farther, and
finally put into winter quarters, thus
making four steamers in winter quarters at
this point Her passengers secured shelter
at the various cabins and were fed by the
people of the town. But in a few days they
proceeded on their way down to Fort Yukon
in small boats, and Providence alone knows
whether or not they ever reached their des-
tination.
On Sunday Oct. a. the citizens of Dawson
had meeting to devise some plans of cam
paign against lack of food, which resulted
as follows: They procured several scows,
filed them with men and gave them one
days rations, to last them until they
reached Forty Mile. They were given let
ter to the company agent at this point to
furnish them grub out of the emergency
cache" sufficient to last them until they
reached Circle City. At this point the COM
pany would provide them with food for two
more days, thus enabling them to reach
Tort Yukon. 1t was not case of lack of
money with many of these men, but they
simply could not buy food at any price.
When sent from Dawson they were in
| structed to buy their outfits. if possible. at
Fort Yukon, and if they could not buy
them, ito take them anyway"
This is the sort of advice people are being
a IN tn
move along. There has been one serious
consequence already, but owing to the
prompt action of Captain Ray, of the United
States army, it was promptly brought to
peaceful end. On the day in question
there had been a large influx of people from
up the river and as they had been fooled
so often in the matter of getting food they
were not feeling any too amable When
they found the full stores at Fort Yukon
they decided to take more chances and
proceeded to help themselves. Captain Ray
and few others attempted to interfere,
but We're taken prisoners and held until the
company made certain concessions. Capt.
Ray then ssumed charge in the interest
of peace and fair play. He issues ten days
rations to each man at one time, but those
who can secure dogs and freight it up the
river can get more.
Dogs are almost impossible to get and
SO, 400 was paid for team of six dogs here
a few days ago. Many have tried to travel
without the help of dogs, but were forced
soon to give it up. A party of five started
from here a week ago. Each had a sled
carrying about $50 pounds and every mem
Der of the party was strong and healthy
and we'll QUILTED, but after going about
seven miles they abandoned all hope of get
ting to Dawson or any other place without
dogs.
NEWSPAPERS TO BLAME.
The correspondents for newspapers Of the
States are being blamed here for the influx
into this region of people unprepared to
face the conditions that prevail Much that
is true, it appears, has been published or at
least written about the country, but much
more has been written that has no substan-
tiation at ALL Sensational articles under
rating the dangers of the journey and the
scarcity of food are responsible for much
suffering and doubtless many deaths. Some
correspondents have deliberately faxed this
sort of stuff, while others, perhaps, have
been misled by false information. Joaquin
Miller the venerable poet, doubtless must
be named in the latter category. He is now
here in Circle City, and unquestionably the
early articles he wrote for his papers caused
many man to come into the country
Eight" He has insisted that there was
plenty of grub for everybody, when by a
little investigation he could have easily
learned the truth, which he knows now. He
is telling the people here, however, that he
intends to walk out of the country this
winter just to show what nonsense 1t is to
make such a fuss about getting around
here" OF course, his proposition is absurd,
but he sticks to it, and as a result they
are now calling him ''Walkout' instead
of Joaquin (Walkin) Miller.
There are now in Circle City thirty-tive
women. and they are classified as follows:
Six are respected wives or relatives of min
ers or inhabitants, ten are otherwise and
the rest are squaws. Most of the latter
dress like their white sisters, while a few
of the squaws are the best-dressed women
in the town. About twice a week there are
dances here, in one or the other of the two
saloons The squaWs dominate these enter
tainments and turn out to a woman to en-
JOY the sport, and many of them are really
graceful dancers. They are the favorite
partners. The music consists of two
squeaky violins. There is not piano in
the place. They will reel off about ten
dances an hour, and after each dance ev-
erybody is supposed to liquor up at so
cents drink. The Indians, of course, are
theoretically excepted 1t is supposed they
are not allowed to have any liquor. But
this seems to be provision easily evaded,
and they get all they want ION the quiet"
AS the dance progresses the hilarity in
creases, and the merry round is kept up
until or 5 o'clock in the morning. i any
of the jewellers happen to get too much in
toxicated for easy locomotion, they are
simply taken out and laid away in some
cCvenient corner, or out of the way place.
but no amount of intoxication obstructs
the good nature of the assemblage, and
there are no signs of violence at any of the
proceedings. I haven't witnessed fight or
| even a quarrel of the common type since
| coming to Circle City. AT these dances the
women are generally well dressed and
dance with certain amount of harmony,
| but the men present a variegated appear
ance. Some prance about in big hip rubber
boots and every variety of foot covering
with the exception of leather Not pair
| of leather boots or shoes is in evidence.
REAL LIQUOR IS SCARCE.
| Liquor has been very scarce in Circle
| City, and the two saloons have had all
| they could do to dig up enough to keep
| them going. Under the circumstances no