The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1898-02-03
FOOD STORES SEIZED
Government Takes Posses
sion of Fort Yukon.
MARTIAL Law Is PROCLAIMED
Whom Captain Ray Asserted
His Authority.


His Authority.
Seattle, Jan. 25.-The latest from
Alaska is that Captain Ray, United
States army. has taken charge OF the
stores of the Alaska Commercial Com
pany and the North American Trading
& Transportation Company, and has
proclaimed martial law in Fort Yukon.
and placed its 500 inhabitants on
rations, compelling those who have
money to pay for them, and those who
have not to work for them. This step
was rendered necessary by the small
stock of supplies on hand, which, it
was feared, would be exhausted before
the Yukon river opened next spring.
After taking this action, Captain Ray
sent special messenger to Dawson
City, with letter to the commercial
companies notifying them that he had
taken possession of their stores. 1t is
stated that the letter also asked the
commercial companies to use their in
fluence in securing legislation by con-
gress giving to the soldiers in Alaska
the same civil functions as enjoyed by
the Canadian mounted police.
The news OF Captain Rays action
reached here this morning on the
steamer City of Seattle, which brought
45 persons from Dawson City. and gold
dust and drafts estimated at $500, 900.
Today's arrivals bring advices up to
December 81. They contain no other
10 roxyc of
1t is almost the universal expression
of those arriving today that while there
is no immediate need of a relief expe-
dition, it will be very acceptable late
in the spring. All say that an expedi-
tion cannot be taken in at this season,
but that it would be a wise move on
the part of the government to have it
at the lakes ready to start when the ice
runs out. It will then reach Dawson
in time to relieve distress that now
seems probable to occur before boats
can ascend the river.
1t is stated that Captain Ray will
ask the secretary of war for sufficient
troops to patrol the Yukon basin this
coming season. 1t is also stated that
Major Rucker, who is at Dyea and
Skagway, making preliminary arrange
ments for the government relief expe-
dition, has recommended that troops
be stationed at these two places and
along the trails to preserve order.
w. M. Rank, of San Francisco, who
arrived here today from Dawson City,
which place he left December /, gives
the following particulars of an attempt
by mob at Fort Yukon to seize the
warehouses of the Alaska Commercial
Company and the North American
Trading & Transportation Company.
The particulars were brought to Daw-
son by Fred Gosch, October 80. One
hundred and fifty men went to the
trading companies and demanded that
they be given years supplies on
credit. They said that they would
pay them with work in the mines in
the Klondike next season. The COM
panies refused, after consultation
with Captain Ray. On the following
day the mob gave notice that unless it's
demands were complied with, the ware
houses would be seized. Captain Ray.
when informed of this, hoisted the
United States flag over both ware
houses, and, placing Lieutenant Rich
ardson in command of one, took possess
sion of the other, and proclaimed mar
tial law. Captain Ray swore in force
of 25 men to aid him in protecting the
property.
A peculiar fatality occurred on the
City of Seattle on her upward trip. A
light fell from masthead and struck
passenger named George, OF Victoria.
crushing his skull and killing him in
stantly.
The commission appointed by the
miners at recent meeting in Dawson
to go to Ottawa and ask for modifica-
tion of the mining laws, was among
tho Citv nf Seaft1o's nassen0era