The Meeker herald., 1898-01-22
BACK FROM DAWSON,
AchsvsnnE MANS EXPERIENCE
1x-sAesa6 Rredsad.ll says That There Is
P1saey Of Food aad Lots Of 0oad-Hs
CalAs cut In Dsesabsr.

Denver, Jan. 17.-A special to the Re-
publican from Cheyenne says
Ex-Sheri6 Ira l.. Fredendail Of this
city, returned this morning from q
dve-month's trip to the Alaska gold
fields, one month Of the time having
been spent at the famous city of Daw-
son. Mr.. Frelendall, with several
companions. left Dawson on December
2, last. and arrived at Dyea on January
4th. They had no difficulty In making
the journey. which was by way of
Chilcoot pass. although the tempera-
ture was at times u degrees below
zero. A well-beaten trail In worn for
the entire distance between Dawson
and Dyea and only strength and en-
durance are necessary to make the
journey speedily and safely.
Mr.. Fredendall brings very encourag
Ing reports of conditions at Dawson.
The food supply there is ample for the
population, which IL. including the
outlaying placer districts. upwards of
5000. A large proportion OF the
miners and prOspectors have provis-
ions sufficient to carry them well into
next summer and In the town OF Daw-
son are food supplies sufficient for all
who are there. The relief expedition,
which Ia being carried Oh by the gov
ernment, Is pronounced by Mr.. Fire.
dendall to be absurd. Supplies cannot
be taken by pack train as the mules
cannot carry enough grain to keep
themselves alive dnring the journey.
to say nothing OF carrying other sup
plies. The people Of Dawson and vi
ciniiy do not know that the relief ex-
pedition is coming and do not know
that any necessity exists for such an
expedition.
Mr.. Fredendall says the mining pros
poets exceed by far the expectations
he had when he first sailed for the
klondike last August. Thousands OF
prospectors are working the gulches
along countless streams In the district
and are daily making new discoveries
of pay diggings. At the present time
upwards Of $s.00O.0OO In gold dust is
stored In the vaults Of the Northwest
ern Transportation Company mt Daw-
son. and 1t is firmly believed by con
servative men In the district that the
Klondike will send out fully 5000 600
In gold this year. Mr. Fredendall speaks
OF Dawson az quiet town when
compared with the towns of Dead
wood, Cripple Creek, Lendville. Vir-
SlLu SltS anu OtHtF WtSItTn InfHlnS
camps In their earlier days. Captain
Ray and Lieutenant Richardson. both
Of Fort Russell who started for the
gold fields in behalf of the government,
in July, are at Circle City. where they
will remain for the remainder OF the
winter. None of the persons who tried
to reach Dawson by the way of the
Yukon succeeded In getting there and
all are stranded at Fort Yukon or
Circle City. There is an ample supply
of provisions Mt these points.
Mr.. Fredendall secured several
claims and returned to make arrange
ments for working them thoroughly
He will start back In about three
weeks and expects to make the TRIP
from Dyea to Dawson in fifteen IA
twenty days. He reports the rush
from Seattle to the Alaskan coast
towns az being enormous. An average
Of 400 people leave Seattle daily and
the steamers carry more than theii
legal quota of passengers every trip
While Mr.. Fredendall gives glowing
account Of the possibilities OF the new
Ell Dorado he advises no one to &c
there. nor does he advise against the
trip, but says that every man should
use his own Judgment as to the possi
bilities Of success.