Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-03-17
Letters From Other KIOndykers.


Dear Bob: As per your request I
now grasp the opportunity to drop
you a few lines, giving you a partial
description of q trip thus far,
together with our intentions for the
future.
We left Mexico, Mo-, on March LIST,
as you are aware. We were followed
by q large crowd of sympathizing and
we'll wishing relatives AID friends.
OF course, it Is needless to say that it
q sad farewell to some of us, but
we console ourselves with the belief
that it was all for the best, and, there
fore, accept the situation in good
spirits. We were greeted all along
the route, at every city DR. town of
any Importance, with large crowds of
cheering men and women. We had
the most delightful trip that probably
was ever taken over the same route
at the same season of the year. The
atmosphere was rarely, if ever, below
freezing from the day we left Mexico
until we reached Tacoma. The noun
tain scenery was simply superb to
those of us who had never visited the
mountains before. With their snow
capped peaks and sides covered
with the most beautiful trees of fur
and cedar and the valleys dotted with
fields of wheat and thriving villages,
together with the streams of crystal
waters that come rushing down the
mountain sides, all under the observa-
ton of ones eye in a single moment,
is simply grand beyond description.
Enough, however, OF this.
There are nine of us who have
agreed to share the profits and losses
of an Alaska life together and we sail
from Seattle at $3.50 o'clock to-mor-
row on the Steamer Protection for PIT.
valdes, Prince William Sound. We
had bought tickets at Mexico, Mo-,
through to Dyea, but, after reaching
Tacoma, we found that the influx of
people to Dyea was very great, so we
AO1A . SOh6AAN0NA0A 01kd A0A1AndOo w
try the Copper River district.
My associates in the wild race for
wealth are as follows:
8. B. Johnston, Columbus, Miss.
DR.. s. w. Downing, Centralia, Mo.
@. G. Baker, Laddonia, Mo.
j. r. Marshall, Mexico, Mo.
DIR. r. ]. Boatman and John r.
Dale, Fremont, Iowa.
F. D. Richards, Cleveland, o.
E. B. Jamison, GAINESVILLE, Mo.
I find them all to be perfect gentle
men. We QUILTED at Seattle. Our
supplies including clothing will cost
about $3.50 each. Passenger rates
from here to Copper River points are
$50, first-class; $40, second-class;
freight, SIT per ton.
would advise all parties who have
any intentions of making the trip to
Alaska not to buy tickets any further
than Pacific Coast points; then, after
they have arrived at the coast, not
to buy tickets on any boat until they
have seen the boat and know it is all
right. Since the rush has taken place
to Alaska every old tub on the rivers
has been fitted up to transport pas
sengers and freight, many of which
are, in my opinion, unsafe. 1 would
advise parties to lay in supplies al
Seattle. We were in Tacoma two
days and have the prices of both
places, Seattle u~nderseIling Tacoma
Besides, Seattle is a great city. YOU
can get anything in Seattle that car
be bought in any other city in Amer
lea. OF course, the prices of every
thing are high here, but You can't buy
them any cheaper elsewhere.
One steamer arrived yesterday from
Dyea with eleven passengers or
board who brought with them
500, 900 in gold. This is pretty fair
II us nine can return home in twelve
months with that much we will be
satisfied.
Well, Bob, in conclusion I will say ]
never felt better in my life; have
| gained seven pounds since / left home.
All are in fine spirits and send regards
to enquiring friends.
Yours very truly,
o. P. JONES.