The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-12
SEATTLE WASHINGTON. SATURDAY. February IL.

there is 10, an Official qualified TO admins
Ter an oath within thousand miles OF this
place.
II am surprised that matters are not
worse We are facing a fact. not theory
as believe i, is the first time in the his
terry Of our government that il has been
called on 70 govern an outlying province.
whore the issues are vital and important.
both national and financial. for. il the
transportation companies cannot be given
protection along this river they will be
driven from the field and a route opened
through British North America TO supply
our own people in our own country"
Compnnic. Guilty of Had Faith.
Capt. Ray, under date Of Circle City.
October !, says tina; the transportation
companies utterly fail TO keep promises
made to passengers; that SIG people landed
al ST Michael bound for Circle City and
that forty-two reached their destination.
the balance being stranded between Circle
City and ST. Michael or having returned
to the States. He says:
There have been less than 2,0e tons of
freight, all told. delivered above Fort
Yukon, and there are now lying at that
point 600 tons of provisions and liquor.
eashed by steamers that could not &c.
over the Flats. This failure on the part
OF the transportation companies to put
into the mining districts n sufficient sup
ply Of food has not only given serious
check 10 the mining interests and caused
great suffering but has destroyed all con-
fidence among the people in their ability
10 supply the demand by this route.
America Owns the Gold Belt.
II am satisfied that much more could be
accomplished II the employees of the trans
portation companies devoted less time to
personal traffic. From what l have learn
ed from mine owners and prospectors.
am fully satisfied that the greater part OF
the gold belt lies in our territory. along
the range known as the Upper Ramparts;
that along the Tanana, Munook creek,
Birch creek and the head of Forty-Mile
there are diggings that will pay from $40
to $40 per day per man now lying Idle, as
they will not pay expenses at the present
period. l am satisfied that with adequate
means OF transportation and cheaper food,
this will develop into one OF the greatest
gold producing regions in the world.
"A railroad from the head OF Cook inlet.
Prince William sound. to the mouth OF
Tanana from which point supplies could
be delivered by light draft steamers along
all the navigable tributaries OF the Yukon.
will secure our people the commerce OF
this whole country. Ii would give route
10 the open sea that could be operated all
winter, and act as a check to the Canadian
route. At the request of the citizens here
I most respectfully recommend that the
government make a preliminary survey Of
the route.
Hungry Men Threaten the Supplies.
report dated Fort Yukon. October 8.
deals with Capt. Rays trip from Circle
City to Fort Yukon. he having left the
former place on the 18th inst. and reached
the latter after a perilous trip. AT Fort
Yukon about $50 people We're found gath
cred and there had been some threats OF
taking supplies by force. The report adds:
Lieut.. Richardson. by prompt and de-
cided action. had checked all turbulence.
and by cooperation with the agents of
both companies, had arranged that all des-
work were 10 be allowed to cut wood for
the companies at s. per cord. and when
they had earned sufficient money. they
should pay for their supplies.
The sick and INDECENT should ba fed
without charge. the bills for such is
sued TO come to me to be submitted for
the action of congress. This action is
now being taken.
II q. X. a the orders for all supplies
which the government is 10 be responsible
for. and will submit the total amounts
when the work is finished. Both agents
have verbally asked me 10 take charge OF
the caches. which / have refused TO do for
cogent reasons.
Il shall not force an issue but shall de-
fend the caches from violence and plilage
as they contain the only provisions this
SEi 0f nax
dred people are dependent for existence
for the next seven months
Face 10 Face With Starvation.
Should Y come to fixing the amount
each shall receive, I may then be com
PEELED TO take charge. as find there are
many lawless and turbulent Characters
here. | have gone over the stock and
manifests OF both companies. and find
that both have exaggerated the amount
on hand here. The people arriving here
all agree in stating that the managers OF
both companies urged people TO coma
here stating "a an inducement that there
were over 1.0co tons Of provisions at this
place when In fact there are less than
$50 tons. and that badly assorted for
issue. On rations OF three pounds per
day there can be fed at this place sa
people until June | without tea or coffee
I may lie placed IN a position where I
may be compelled To take possession OF
caches u save them from pillage and 10
insure an equitable distribution. What
ever course | may he compelled to pursue.
! trust that the present congress Will sus-
tain me in what ! deem 10 be the only
right course. situated as ! am in using my
best endeavors 20 save American citizens
from starvation and death"
Apparently Capt Ray lef. Fort Yukon
for time. es under date Of that place
of November he says that since his re-
turn matters have assumed a very serious
aspect. The Alaska Commercial Com
pany has q cache Of 30 tons four miles
above Fort Yukon. and the North Amer
lean Transportation and Trading Com
pany q cache a. Fort Yukon. The Alaska
tompany's agent reported 10 him that A
meeting was neing held 70 further a move
ment 70 seize the companys cache Capt.
Ray adds;
Boia Attempt fo Rob the Caches
I went up with Mr.. richardson and
soon after arriving there was waited u-,on