The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-20
Criminals Are Numerous, and AIm0n9
Certain to Resort to Violence Un-
less Promptly Checked.
THE BANDITS ARE VERY BOLD
PROSECUTORS GOING IN NOW WILL
HAVE TO OPEN NEW FIELDS.
Desirable Lands I'm the Prospected
District Can Only BE Had by PURE
chase, and Prices Are High.
pecial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
CIRCLE CITY, Alaska, Jan. l4-The
United States government cannot begin too
early making preparations to protect the
lives and property of its argonauts this
spring and summer. There is nothing
alarming about the present situation, but
there is enough of the vicious element
among the people wintering along the Yu-
kon to warrant the fear that in the spring
it will break through the meager re-
straints of law that can be opposed to ii.
Gamblers were quick to seize the oppor-
tunity offered by the gold excitement to be-
among the first to enter the country and
gain foothold In their train there fol-
lowed fair-sized host of those parasites
who always cougregate where fortunes
may be quickly made. These men will be
Obliged to stick to methods that are ac-
counted honorable in their traffic as long
as they are shut off from the outer world
and are forced to remain a part of the
Kiondike communities at Dawson and Cir
Gle City. But when the spring comes and
navigation is resumed and the miners flock
into the two cities with their clean-ups that
will amount up into the millions then the
great opportunity for gaining plumber by
force or strategy will present itself. and
unless some powerful engine of law and
justice is at hand there seems to be little
chance of keeping the criminals in check
The field for the operation of these men,
however, promises to be much larger than
that supplied by the people who are now
here Such communications as we have had
from the States and Canada have been full
of indications that the rush to this country
in the spring will be of gigantic proper
tions 1t has been possible thus far to
handle comparatively small bodies of men
with success and hold them within bounds
by the operation of miners law. This might
be continued effectively later on by reason
of the greater security afforded by tho
growing acquaintanceship and the conse-
quent banding together of the reputable
people for mutual and common protection.
But with the whole country overrun by a
swarm of newcomers. outnumbering vastly
all those now in the country as seems
probable. it would be folly to trust to any
chance the safety OF such multitude
VERDICT OF CAPTAIN RAY.
Captain Ray, OF the United States army.
has studied the conditions carefully and
has had abundant opportunity in his own
exciting experience to realize the necessity
for locating here a strong force Of gov
eminent troops. He early advised the au-
in every subsequent communication has
emphasized the gravity OF his recommen-
dations. There is no one acquainted with
the country from long personal experience,
who will not indorse the captains conclu-
sions, and the government will find itself
almost guilty of criminal obtuseness If 1t
does not strictly comply with the request.
The Klondike craze cannot be belittled az
passing boom that does not warrant Sc
rious governmental consideration. 1t is a
reality Of immense prospects that has not
failed in a single test to give indubitable
evidence of the genuineness of its phenom-
ena. The country is amazingly rich in gold
That is fact Demonstrated beyond the
possibility Of caviE and, since that is this
case it is sure to lure within its inhospit-
able confines an immense army of soldiers
of fortune, who must be afforded the most
ample safeguards. The climatic conditions
that have practically skut off the gold
seekers for so many months serve to give
time to prepare intelligently for the rush
when it does come, and Uncle Sam must
not be found wanting in forethught and
reasonable precauton against disorders
Speculation has become lively already as
to where the next big strikes will be made.
1t is certain that the thousands expected
here in the spring will be driven away from
the present explored country. There is lit
tie land of any promise along the prospect
ed creeks that has not been already taken
up. A man, to get gold mine, must either
buy 1t at ruinous price or try some new
territory and trust to luck. AS most of tha
newcomers must of necessity resort to the
latter expedient, it is reasonably sure that
many Of them will chance on a rich, claim.
The country is known to be so full of gold
that the possibilities of failure, where the
expedition Is well provisioned, are decidedly
small. There have been many alarms OF
this character already, but most Of them
proved to be false alarms. But it doesn'h
make any difference how many Of these
false alarms arise, there are few miners
here so courageous as to dare to ignore the j
next one that arises. All realize that Is Is
only a question of time when an alarm
will prove to be the real thing, and all are
afraid that they will net get in on the
ground floor when it does come.
Any quantity Of these "booms'' can ba
expected when the crowd pours in here in
the spring, and gets scattered over the
country. The natural result OF some ona
or other Of the incomers' successful finds
will be the founding of new cities" Cir
Gle City practically sprang into life In q
day, and was deserted completely almost
gave birth to Dawson. Now both cities ara
well populated and promise to be enduring.
but it is not impossible that both win ba
unknown when another year has rolled
around. 1t doesn't take much to make q
city in this country, only the time needed
to transport the floating population.
RICH FINDS AT SULPHUR CREEK.
The most probable points Of new dlscov-
eries are in the immediate Klondike ana
Indian river division of the Yukon country.
The excitement there is growing in intensl-
ty daily. In Dominion, which Is a tributary
OF Indian river. and just above the quarts
ridge or mountain, from the hsads Of Bo-
nanza and Eldorado. claims are now being
held or sold at about the same figures that
claims on these last-named creeks Brought
last autumn.
Ed Wilmer. of San Francisco. wfo Il rec
ognized everywhere as a conservative aus
thority, has verified from personal invests
cations the richness Of the new sulphur
creek district. which ~ about fifty miles
from Dawson. Tapen Adley. Of harper
Weekly. has also gone ever the ground.