The Dickinson press., 1898-02-26
Aroady Rich Men.


@ Woaeth heAeakk1.
Bypermission 81 Mr.. II. i Becket
the Press publishes 4 letter from Mrs.
Cunningham, written at Juneau. Feb'y, s,
which confirms the reports previously re-
ceiyed to the effect that Hugh Beckett
and Welton Mcdonald had rich gold
mines in the Klondike district. 1t is
supposed that Smith Dobson has also a
paying mine in the same locality, al
though his lame is not mentioned in
this letter. 1t will be remembered that
these gentlemen left Dickinson a year
ago this month and it is supposed that
they located claims adjoining each other.
The letter following will be very glad
news to their many friends:
My Dear Mrs. Becket:-We have Just
had later news from Mr.. Beckett and
thinking perhaps he had not had an OPP
p%ortunity of sending you a letter, will
write what we have heard. Hugh Day
came out from Dawson. yesterday. He
came out in twenty-one days, thereby
breaking all previous records. Said
there were no special incidents of the
trip. He and the man with him had FIVE
dogs and they came straight through,
without stop or accident. This is his
ninth trip. SO it is getting to be quite an
old story with him. You remember he
carried the mail last winter. He owns
interests in claims No. 80 and 81, adj
joining Mr.. Becket's Fraction A on Bon
ANA. Said his cabin was only about
thirty feet from Nj. Becket's. He
spoke very highly of Mr.. BE- claim.
Said the pay streak was fourteen feet
thick and the extent in length yet un-
known. Mr.. Beckett. had gone to Sui
phur creek before MI. Day came out.
He had left eight men, to whom he had
given lays, at work on his Fraction A.
You saw in the Oregonian, how his Sui
phur creek is panning out, SO there is no
doubt but he will be a very rich man.
We rejoice most heartily in his success
and, l believe, so will everyone who
knows him. When the Excelsior came
up we saw the party from Dickinson,
and Doc. Hamilton told Willis there was
a man aboard who had come out from
Dawson and who knew Mr.. Beckett and
Welton. He said that they were both
already very rich men. So you see all
accounts agree. Mr.. Day said that Mr..
Beckett was not coming out this spring,
as he had plenty Of provisions. Mr.. Day
is the man who brought out his little
twin boys last spring, after their mother
died. He is on his way to see theminow
and is going back to Dawson in a couple
of months. He, like all old Yukoners,
says Juneau is the only place to outfit,
and it is astonishing how much cheaper
everything is here. OF course you have
read about the wreck of the Corona, be.
fore this. The miners who lost their out.
fits on her, have published a letter in
The Alaska Miner, warning every one to
wait until they get to Juneau to purchase
Not only is everything cheaper and exor.
bitant freight rates saved, but there is
no danger of losing their outfits by ship.
wreck. | wish you would tell everyone
there, who is coming, to wait until they
get here before buying. We think now
of waiting until April before going over
the pass. Mr.. Day says the trail will be
good then, the weather will be warmer,
and there would be nothing gained by
going over early and eating up our outfit
while we waited for the lakes to break
up. Freight rates for getting outfits ur
to Sheep Camp are very cheap just now
and Archie Burns cable tram is running
over the summit. Must write other let
tiers to-day, as it is Sunday, and l Away:
take this day to catch up in my CORE
spondence. wish you could see m,
Mackinaw suit. 1t is so heavy that the
problem now is, how am l going to carr,
it. And with my foot gear. l don't set
how l am going to get along at all.
Give my love to all the Dickinson
folks as you see them; and with love t.
yourself and family, l remain,
Your sincere friend,
ELLA H. CUNNINGHAM