The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-24
REBUILDING
Of DAWSON
COMMENCED
Citizens Fire Patrol
Established.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN
TO BE ACCOMPLISHED.
Plenty of Provisions at the Klondike
Metropolis, but Dealers Com
bine to Cinch Con-
sumers.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN
TO BE ACCOMPLISHED.
BY SAM w. WALL.
Special Correspondence OF The Call.

DAWSON, Oct. 20 (via Seattle, Nov.
28.-The work of rebuilding Dawson
began with the extinction of the fire
of October II. A citizens fire patrol
was also established, not suggested
merely by the spirit Of incendiarism
made apparent, but by the threat that
Nrked in the uncertain stoVepipes of
nearly every house in town. The pa
troll was formed by the commander of
the mounted police with pistols and
carbines, and it has been on duty ever
since. A great number Of defective
fues have been reconstructed under its
orders. and rules for the safer running
of pipes and the setting Of ffreplaces
have been printed, posted and ordered
complied with. The long talked-of fire
department is now in course of organ
ization, and the equally long talked-of
incorporation of the town has been
given an impetus that will no doubt
land the contamination speedily, for in
corDdration seems essential to prop
er organization of the fire department.
An ordinance, adopted at a public
meeting of citizens. has been laid be-
fore Commissioner Ogilvie and awaits
his approval 1t provides that to fill the
office of Mayor or of the board of
twelve Aldermen the candidate must
be a British subject. These officers are
chosen by the people, the franchise be-
ing given at the first election to all
citizens of whatever nationality who
have resided in Dawson thirty days
preceding election and who have reach
ed the age of q years. At subsequent
elections the same conditions remain,
but a property qualification of 5000 or
an income of $500 is added. A PROPOSE
ton TO allow women to vote was voted
down. The limits of the city are made
to embrace Klondike City, on the south
bank of the Klondike River, and the
hill back of the flats, and these are to
constitute four wards. With the near
prospect of Incorporation politicians
have already gone to whispering and
button-holing up and down the streets
and to sitting with the idle crowds
about the stoves of all the saloons.
Candidates for the Offices are cropping
up on every hand.
The weather continues open, to the
wonder Of the oldest timer. There has
been some cold weather, the mercury
ranging below zero, but it was for but
a few days. Ice has been running in
the river for ten days, but to-day 1t
has so far cleared that the little steam
er Ora to-day starts once more with a
load of passengers and the mail pouches
for Bennett The Klondike and other
small streams are frozen, to be sure,
and this, together with mild turn 10
the weather, accounts for the clearing
of the big river of floating ice Ihls,
however. must certainly be the chance
to get OUT before the river closes and
only the long trail over the ice and
snow viii offer itself for six months.
The price for this last trip OF the
steamer has been raised from $12O TO
5000, with meals on board at g each
IN addition. Neither is any guarantee
given that the passenger will be car
ried to Bennett. but only so far as the
steamer may be able or permitted by
existing conditions to go.
Very extensive preparations are being
made for working the placers this win
ter. Great quantities of wood are al
ready piled up along the creeks for
burning the holes on the ground; cab
ms have been constructed until the dis
tance between Dawson and Lower Do
ninion and Sulphur creeks, nearly
forty miles, is almost like continu-
alton of the streets OF the city. An
army Of men are moving early and late,
back and forth, over the trails leading
to the several creeks and have
been doing so for weeks, al
though the real transportation of
goods and provisions for the
winters work does not begin until the
ice on the river is solid and the trail
may be laid there. It still, for the most
part, follows along the hillside as in
summer, although the crossing of the
river is made on the ice. The general
prediction is for a very large output OF
gold next year. In town the number
of cabins has increased very rapidly
during the past month, but still great
number Of people are living in tents.
The situation as to food is peculiar.
There are dozen large dealers. all Of
them with well stocked warehouses,
whereas at this time last year there
were but two dealers, and neither had
much in his warehouse. There is
undoubtedly plenty of all the necessi-
ties for the miners table and very