The Springfield herald., 1898-02-18

light dra IT steamers along all the nav
igab able tributaries OF the Yukon, will Sc
cure our people the commerce OF TINS
whole country. 1t would give q route
to the open sea that could be operated
all winter and act as check to the "a
madam route"
A report dated Fort Yukon, October
26th, deals with Captain Rays trip
from Circle City to Fort Yukon, he
having left the former place on the
18th Instant, and reached the latter
after perilOus trip.
At Fort Yukon about 100 people were
found gathered and there had been
some threats of taking supplies by
force. The report adds:
"Lieutenant Richardson, by prompt
and decided action, had checked all
turbulence. and by cooperating with
the agents Of both companies had ar
ranged that all destitutes should be
fed. Those willing to work were to be
allowed to cut wood for the compan-
les at IS per cord, and when they had
| earned sufficient money they should
pay for their supplies.
1.-THE sick and INDECENT should be fed
without charge, and the bills for such
issues to come to me to be submitted
for the action of Congress. This action
is now being taken"
Apparently Captain Ray left Fort
Yukon for time. as under date OF tnat
place of November 1st he says that
since his return matters have assumed
a very serious aspect.
The Alaska Commercial Company
had cache of 200 tons four miles
above Fort Yukon, and the N. A. Il.
and T. Co. cache Mt Fort Yukon. The
Alaska Company's agent reported to
Ii Ia I,n1 In
ther n movement to seize the COM
pnny's cache.
He adds: II went up with Mr.. Rich
ardson, and soon after arriving there,
was waited upon by committee from
miners meeting, who stated In their
demands that there We're seventy-five
of them, and they demanded that they
be furnished on credit with an outfit
of provisions and clothing for nine
months. This Mr.. Davis, the agent, de-
clined to do. explained to them that
would give orders on the stores for
food to feed the destitute, but as the
companies offered work at good wages,
the able bodied should accept 1t, and
those having money would be allowed
to purchase n reasonable outfit OF pro-
visions for the balance of the year.
II came away without getting any
w
Lieutenant Richardson at the cache for
the night. l received a note from him
saying he believed they intended to at
tack the cache at 10 n. m. next day. at
once issued notices taking possession
Of the cache and had them posted that
night on the door of the storehouse and
in all the companies, and early next
morning started from here with twen-
ty-five men volunteers. l could not
arm them efficiently, being able to
raise only five rifles and few pistols.
so deemed 1t wise not to take any
thing but pistols concealed.
"Soon after starting word came to
me that they had passed resolution
to arrest me, should 1 attempt to go
to the cache When l arrived within
one and one-half miles of the cache I
was met by one man (Noblett. who
stated the miners wished to have me
come to their camp to talk over the
situation, which l declined to do. He
then came out in his true colors, and
said they had determined to prevent
my going forward by force, and, at a
signal from him, twenty-five men,
armed with rifles. came out OF the TIM
ber and covered the party. Noblett said
they had possession of the cache.
"As Lieutenant Richardson was
there and. as I had not heard any fir
ing, I knew his statement was false
-.,d said 90. siine uuiv starting
on and told them they might open the
fight II they wished to. He then said
that as conditions were changed by
my seizure of the stores and they were
10th to disturb government property,
that II I would wait n few moments he
would consult with the committee and
asked II I was still willing to feed the
destitute. I stated my terms to feed
the destitute, and as long as the COM
panies would take wood they were to
go to work at the rate of SIS per cord,
and II they could not get work, they
would be fed II possible until the river
opened: that bona fide miners could
obtain outfits provided they went into
the field
I'm few moments he CNoblett) re-
turned and said they accepted the
terms, and went to the cache where
found between thirty and forty men.
who said they had nothing, and
caused all to be fed. 1 have hoisted
the flag over buildings and placed a
guard.
"This is not n case of worthy desti-
tute miners. 1t is n case of premedita-
ted robbery, and had they been able to
get possession of either Lieutenant
Richardson or myself. the cache would
have been lost. A number of very des-
perate and lawless characters have
been forced out Of Dawson, Northwest
Territory. -F
"There are quite number in the
camp near the cache. and learned to-
day that they have been quietly secur-
ing arms since their arrival and mean
-mischief. I am securing all the arms
and ammunition can and Shnll move
with caution and get matters in such
shape as to hold the balance of power
l am compelled to take the RESPONSE
bility to protect life and property. and
to save as many lives as possible in
the emergency" k,
KANSAS FARMERS nRGANIzIM6.