Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-04-15

Two weeks ago l met George Jones,
OF Olympia. He is now working at his
trade in Dyea. When l met him he
was going up to see the Chilcoot pass.
There is nothing hazardous now while
the snow Is on the ground, in going
over the pass. 1t is about 40 or SO
feet wide and perfectly smooth. The
only thing disagreeable is its steepness,
and that is what makes the whole dis
lance from Dyea to the summit so
laborious. But to the man that has
money, every mile of the distance
would be enjoyed. The scenery is
grand, the rocky slopes of the mount
aims on either side of the river dcnsely
covered with spruce and hemlock.
The snow-capped SUBMITS and blue
glaciers, certainly make it very
picturesque route, especially during
the summer months. There are some
two or three thousand people at Sheep
Camp. Some are engaged in business,
Others are simply camping until they
get their freight over the pass. The
remainder are the tough element who
live by their wits. The old shell
game is being practiced upon the I'M
wary every day, and quite IL good
many bite at it, to their sorrow.
Well, have strung this letter out
to considerable length and for fear it
becomes tiresome to your readers, will
close. Would be pleased to receive a
copy of the STANDARD occasionally.
Should you send me a copy, please
send to Lake Tagish p. o., N. w. Ter.
Will write again later.
Yours truly,
+. McREYNOLDs.
p. S.
Sunday, Agril 3.-For three days it
has been showing very hard, but last
night Il greater volume of snow fell
than the two days previous. The re-
suit was that the snow piled up on the
sides of the mountain, and this morn
ing number of snow-slides, or ava
lanches, could be heard and seen in
our vicinity. About noon word came
that a number of men had been covered
up who were camping farther up the
canyon. My partners went up to in.
vestigate, and about one mile and
half up the canyon found the bodies Of
three men from Seattle lying beside
the trail stark and stiff. We had met
them quite frequently and had be-
come somewhat acquainted with them.
One of the mems name was Sebarg or
Seburg. They had pitched their tent
near the foot of the hill, two of them
were sleeping together and the other
one was in sleeping bag alone. They
must have been covered up this morn
ing and all smothered. They had q
fine large OK with which they were
hauling; he was not injured. About
one-half mile farther up, at o'clock
this A. NJ. about 40 persons were COW
cred up, or partially so, but they got a
long rope and were working their way
out when second slide came and it is
reported that five more dead bodies
have been taken out. The men were
certainly very unwise to remain in the
narrow canyon where such vast
amount OF snow was falling. Just OPP
posite to where the first catastrophe
occurred is high glacier, and every
day or SO a large piece of ice and snow
will break loose and come rushing
down the side of the mountain with a
tremendous noise. 1t would seem
that men ought to have been warned
by it, but all are so anxious to get over
the pass that great many chances
are taken. AS for us we expect to re-
main where We are until the weather
is more settled. Yours,
f. MGR.
7 p. M.-FOurteen bodies at this
hour have been recovered. f. MGR.