The record-union., 1898-01-23
Martial Law Has Been Proclaimed
at Fort Yukon.
Captain Ray Takes Charge Of the Stores Of
the Trading Companies.
Places the Five Hundred Inhabt-
tants on Rations, Compelling
Those Who Have Money to Pay
for Them, and Those Who Have
Not to Work for Them-The
Step Taken TO Prevent the Pos
sibility OF Starvation.

Step Taken TO Prevent the Pos
sibi1ity OF Starvation.
SEATTLE, Jan 22-The latest news
from Alaska is that Captain Ray, u. S.
A, has taken charge of the stores of
the Alaska Commercial Company and
the North American Trading and
Transportation Company, proclaimed
martial law at Fort Yukon, and placed
its 900 inhabitants on rations COM
pelling those who have money TO pay
for them. and those who have not 10
work for them. This step was rem
dered necessary by the small stock of
supplies on hand, which, it was feared,
would be exhausted before the Yukon
River opens next spring.
After taking this action Captain Ray
sent special messenger to Dawson
with letter to the commercial COM
panes, 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 enjoyed by the
Canadian mounted police
The news of Captain Rays action
reached here this morning on the steam
or City of Seattle Which brought forty
five passengers from Dawson City and
gold dust and drafts estimated at half
a million dollars.
To-day's arrivals bring advices up to
December 21st. They contain no late
news Of importance. 1t is almost the
universal expression of those arriving
to-day that while there is no immediate
need OF a relief expedition it will be
very acceptable late in the spring. All
say that an expedition cannot be taken
in at this season, but that it would
lie a wise move on the part of the
Government to have it at the lakes
ready to start when the ice runs out.
1t viii then reach Dawson in time to
relieve the distress that now seems
probable to occur before boats can as
cend the river. It is stated that Cap
ain Ray win ask the Secretary of War
for sufficient troops to patrol the Yu-
l.on Basin this coming season.
1t is also stated that Major Rucker,
who is at Dyea and Skaguay making
preliminary arrangements for the Gov
ernment relief expedition. has recon-
mended that troops be stationed at, the
two places and along the trails TO pre-
serve order.
a peculiar fatality occurred on the
City of Seattle on her upward trip. A
light fell from masthead and struck
q passenger named George of Victoria.
crushing his skull and killing him in
stantly.
The commission appointed by the
miners at a recent meeting in Daw-
son to go TO Ottawa and ask for a mod
iieation of the mining laws was among
the City of Seattle's passengers.
SEATTLE, Jan. 22-W. NJ Rank of
San Francisco, who arrived here to-
day from Dawson. which place he left
on December 10th, gives the following
particulars of an attempt by a mob
at Fort Yukon to seize the warehouses
of the Alaska Commercial Company
and the North American Trading and
Transportation Company. The partic-
ulars were brought to Dawson by Fred
Gosch on October 2Sth One hundred
and fifty men went to the trading COM
panies and demanded that they be given
q years supplies on credit. They said
that they would pay them with work
in the mines at the Klondke next
a consultation with Captain Ray. On
the following day the mob gave notice
that unless it's demands We're complied
with the warehouses would be seized.
Captain Ray. when informed of this.
hoisted the United States flag over both
warehouses. and placing Lieutenant
Richardson in command OF one took
possession of the other and proclaimed
;oa 10.
force Of twenty-five men to aid him
in protecting the property
ARE MANY WILDCAT SCHEMES.
JUNEAU tAlaska), Jan. Is tvia Sc
attle Jan. 2s).-EdwarG ]. Livernash.
who is one of the commission OF three
appointed by the miners at Dawson to
go 20 Ottawa and endeavor TO secure q
modification of the mining laws, passed
through this city to-day
Mr.. Livernash does not paint the rich
rtess of the Klondike in such roseate
hues as some of the recent arrivals.
When asked for his estimates of this
winters gold output. he said that IL
would not exceed S6.000090. In answer
to the question whether any new strikes
had been made, he said:
None Next to nothing is known of
the Klondike beyond what was known
last spring. The expectations as to
Hunker Creek are partially realized, and
the indications are favorable for Sui
phur and Dominion. The public should
he wary of rosy reports of marvellous
finds. The Klondike has wildcat
schemes as well as valuable mines. and
some of the schemes have hurried to
the front"
Fred Stevens, formerly of Juneau. has
lust arrived from Dawson. accompanied
by his partner, James II. Dougherty. or.
as he is famiIiarly called, Niger Jim. =
They have a number OF valuable claims
OH Bonanza Creek They will go to
Kew York, where. il is said. they have
been offered 100000 for their proper
ties. Stevens estimates next years out
mn of gold at $50 100000 He said since
The two safes of the Alaska Company
have been filed With dust the COM
many is packing the dust in wooden
boxes. which hold about LOO pounds
each.
FOOD SITUATION AT DAWSON.
SKAGUAQ Lklaska). Jan. II (via Sc
...,o Tan 12)-Thiriy persons have ar