The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-04-13
LETTER FROM ALASKA.
Written to Miss Carrie Albright by Her
Cousin, Fred Albright.
SKAGUAY. ALASKA.

SKAGUAY. ALASKA.
DEAR CoUsIN:-You will see by this
letter that | have taken another plunge
into the mad career OF a miners life.
After settling down in business twas
but short time before the reports OF
untold wealth caught me, as it did many
others, and here am on my way to the
Yukon gold fields. A friend of mine
returned with $65, 900 in nuggets and a
claim for which he has refused $780,
900, and only gone one year. When he
talked of going I did my best to dis
suade him. He took his wife, who was
quite frail. She herself panned out
several thousand dollars.
made up my mind to go with the
rush. sold out my business at a sacri-
fee, as did many others. Many simply
closed their doors and went. Many
went on grub stakes, and in fact
every one who could in any way raise
the necessary funds, have gone or are
going. | cannot describe this mad rush,
but there is something in it that no
man can withstaud-and women, too.
Many women could be seen struggling
along the trails with packs on their
backs, as eager and as excited as the
men, in hopes that by some good luck
they may get hold of claim. Men
have worked themselves until they
have died in their tracks. Horses have
been packed to death. About 5000
poor horses are dead along the trail
distance of about l6 miles. Every
body wants to be first. Many poor fell
lows have left Il good home never to
return. Many have drowned: many
shot in the excitement, and some few
rascals, who will be found in any crowd
have been hanged. Many poor fellow
has lost his outfit, after putting every
dollar he had on earth in it. This is
the case of a poor fellow, a friend, whom
I took in and am caring for the best I
can. He lost everything in slide.
Notwithstanding all this, about 10000
have gone this fall and over 100000
souls will try it in the spring. Over
100000 will come from Europe alone;
10000 from Chicago and every other
place at the same rate.
was not, crazy enough to attempt to
go over the trails after saw them, but
l shall go on in the snow in February
or March. Then is the best time. To
H. hot he
trail in summer and winter: In sum
mer man has to carry on his back a
pack of 100 lbs. and in order to get a
years outfit over to the lakes (about 40
miles) has to travel about 1000 miles
with this load over very rough,
rocky and muddy trail, fording streams,
crawling foot-logs, sleeping out nights
in rain and frost, while in winter one
can load his entire outfit on sled and
go right along, digging hole in the
snow to sleep in. This way takes about
one week, while the other takes about
two months. After reaching the lakes
it is easiest and quickest in summer
but more dangerous to go down the
river in boat, while in winter one goes
on the ice, putting sail on his sled and
letting the wind help him and, in many
places, do all the work. Many use
dogs, but / will not bother with them
1t is about 600 miles from here to Klon-
dike the goal OF fabulous wealth, and
about 1000 miles from here to Seattle.
Well, will try it again While /
y was writing the other night a stampede
took place and OF course l had to stop.
This is the second stampede since have
been here. left Seattle Sept. 1st and
landed here the 7th. have seen Skag-
uay grow from a place OF half dozen
tents to town of 1000, with good
buildings, wharves, electric lights, saw
mill, and dens of vice of all sorts, typ
ical boom mining town. Everyone car
ries u gun. Anyone caught stealing is
left ona tree.
l will try to describe stampede and
by SO doing will tell you of the one
was In last. Several good quartz mines
have been discovered here this fall and
Of course have fred the spirit Of the
gold seekers. At supper time rar
came ut the door Of our cabin and we
were told that aS placer field had beer
found ct Dyea panning on the surface SOC
per pan (which is pretty good for sur
face). Dyes is six miles from here and
although there is land all the way, the
only way one con get there is by boat
1.-THE mountains are 30 high and steeT
between here and there) and the fare Il
500. Well, to proceed, we hastil,
finished eating and in very few min
utes we're on the move with our pioks
uhoyola, blankets. tsnt. cooking utensils
"a rxtIona, opd A tWeutv minutes ~
nm eQpipped the same. were on tbl