The San Francisco call., 1898-01-05
G0SSIPY LETTER FROM 4 FORTUNE HUNTER IN
 THE Kk0NDiKE COUNTRY.
Experiences Of One Of the Argonauts Who Is Wooing Wealth With Pick
 and Shovel

SPOKANE, Jan. 4.-Attorney Alex ander M. Winston has received a letter from George Foster dated November 3, and written at Dawson City. Mr. Foster is the cabinmate of Sam Wall The Call correspondent. MT. Foster is enjoying good health and has already made some locations, but so far has not done any development work. Portions Of the letter are given below:
 There will be party start up the river with dog teams in few days and 1 will send this letter with them. I wrote you some time since, which letter I presume you have received and learned of my ar rival Cole. Luhn and young Burke of Spokane will start out as soon as the river freezes over. They have given it Spring of Seattle. He is a good fellow, but little too cautious.
 l staked a claim on Bonanza Creek the other day, "No. 96 above" A few days after We staked there was 8 stampede clear to its head. The Gold Commits sioner was among the number, as were two men in his office.
 The strike and shortage of candles and provisions is seriously hindering devel- opment, yet reports from the new creeks are very favorable. l went over to Quartz Creek to get claim, but there was stampede party a few hours ahead of me, so 1 missed it there. There are lots of men watching Deadwood Creek and will over, so they can go. l shall go with the hrSt Jam and try and be first
 w. E; Porter is here. l ran onto 8 quartz location of his on Fl Dorado
 It is almost impossible to prospect for quartz now, but will go and see if I can get the extension of his claim. I am in good health and spirits. Candles are worth $1 apiece. Grub is very scarce. Flour has changed hands at sl a pound. Senator Range of Seattle came in with out grub and had to go on to Fort Yu- pointed and heartsick, to which hun dreds have gone. l guess Senator Range thought the Legislature was in session here, but that is most too pathetic a thing to discuss with levity.
 There are over loo men on the ice walk ing out. The river is not all frozen over thoughts then were bright with dreams of untold wealth, where now they are filled with fear of the two most relentless Equipped as they are it is almost mo " sure; sure death, but they flee only because they feel that sure death by starvation awaits them If they remain. It would be heroic on their part if they realized the diffi- culties that lie before them.
 So long as the weather is mild they are all right, but the cold, the drifting snow and their poorly provided condition will make them easy victims. You will see many pictures of the pathetic" in the papers, but few will be OVerdrawn of those suffering from hunger. They will be true to the letter.
 Ten days later, on November 15, Mr. Foster completed his letter. It reads:
 November 1.-The river is frozen over and the dog train is to start on the 17th It is F degrees below zero to-day, but it is not very cold. I went to Deadwood Creek. Two men who were with me froze-one his hands, the other his foot 1 turned back to help them in and lost the opportunity to stake a claim on ac- count of the accident.
 This would be nice place for you to come on trip next summer. The pas sage around by St Michael is simply de- lightful. l think Norman could make money here next spring. If he comes have him come early and get to the lakes on a sled. Bring at least 1000 pounds of flour, bacon and beans. Too many make You can get clothes, pepper and salt here. Oatmeal is a good thing to bring Oscar Stevenson is going out the 25th The snow is about foot deep. The days are getting short and the northern lights are getting very bright. There is not SO much talk of the shortage of provisions as formerly
 I had a talk with Porter He is not going out this year. He hopes to find the mother lode next summer, and is go- ing over on Stewart River
 The Commissioners office is crowded with men, who stand in line for days on to record claims and transact other busi- ness. Everybody is sore at the Govern ment on account of the laws more especially as to cutting claims to 100 feet Queen and the royalty. They are pro- testing and may get the laws modified
 It was 27 degrees below zero this morn ing, but 1t is not very cold.