The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-20

ii the plans of P. c. Richardson. the A.
aska mail carrier man, are carried into ef-
feet. the scheme long cherished by Sheldon
Jackson for the use OF reindeer teams be-
tween ST. Michael and points On the Yukon
river in Alaska viii be put into operation.
The contracts which the postal department,
has entered into with Mr.. Richardson, who
lives in Seattle. by the way. comprise per-
haps the largest contracts of the kind ever
closed for mai. services in the remote, Ice
bound bonanza land. Mr. jackson, who
has always been regarded as an authority
On reindeer. is interested in some ventures
with Mr.. Richardson, ii is understood. 20
this extent, tina; he is 10 aid him in pro-
curing reindeer during the winter season.
Mr.. Richardson has three important con-
tracts with the government; for the hand
ling of the Alaska mails Two OF them are
10 run for four years and the compensa-
ton is 1890 per annum. A semi-mon:hly
service for letters only will be inaugural
ed not later than July i between Juneau
and Weare, at the mouth of the Tanana,
taking in en- route Dawson, Forty Mile,
American creek. Gree City. Fort Yukon
and Rampant. Below Weare a monthly
service Will be inaugurated between Weare
and ST. Michael.
The third contract which Mr. Richard
son was fortunate in securing is that for
the transmission OF 2,50o pounds OF mail
monthly from Seattle by way OF ST. Mi
chas2- TO Circle city and thence 10 Dawson.
II the river boats OF the trading companies
have no difficulty in reaching the kiondike
capital. For this service Mr.. Richardson
is to receive 1895 for each trip made during
June. July and August.
Il is understood that Mr.. Richardson viii
operate in Alaska in conjunction with the
Arctic Express Company. which is to be
organized TO handle small packages. etc.
between points on the Yukon and the
coast. Mr.. Richardson, il is understood.
is interested In this company, having asso-
ciated with him weli-known capitalists In
the East. Ii is said. also. that the Great
Northern Express Company is allied with
the new concern, although no definite in
formation is obtainable on this score.
The Post-lntelligencer published In full
two months ago the letting of the con-
tracts for carrying the Alaska mails 10
Mr.. Richardson. Soon after the govern
ment sent Mr.. Jackson and his Laplanders.
reindeer. etc. to Haines Mission. Mr..
Richardson purchased from the war de-
partment a band of reindeer and at the
Same time took a number OF the Lapland
ers 10 use on his route between st. Michael
and Weare. the government. reiinquishing
It's contracts with the men TO him. Mr.
Richardson ccnteTpiates securing both
dogs and reindeer for the work he has ir
prosper and in obtaining the reindeer Mr..
Jackson VIII aid him materially. The
equipment of sleds, harness. clothing and
necessary supplies Mr. Richardson is now
securing and vii. forward to St. Michael
before many days.
The distance between Dyea and 81. Mi
chaei IS about 200 miles. Between Dyea
and Weare, between which points a semi
monthly service is to be established. 1t
ia approximately 1875 miles. In order TO
cover this route and maintain the required
schedule In winter. Mr.. Richardson will
require the services OF number of strong.
hardy men who are used 10 exposure and
hardship and who have knowledge OF
handling dog teams over "A frozen country
in extremely cold weather. The time re-
quired for travelling 1876 miles in the dead
OF winter IN Alaska varies according TO
the weather encountered and to the char
acter of the men selected for the periious
journey. from six weeks to three months.
The contract price per annum for the
Dyea-Weare route IS s56,000 or N,66s per
month.
From Weare 20 ST. Michael II IS approx
matey 925 miles. Between these points the
contract with Mr.. Richardson calls for a
monthly service for which he is to be paid
81, so. Or nearly s2,o9o per north. Alaska
travellers say that these figures will enable
Mr.. Richardson To fulfill his contract with
the government and leave besides a fairly
remunerative margin Of profit.
The bidding for the contracts for carry
ing maj IN Alaska was confined largely
to the Wells Fargo Express Company and
Mr. Richa rdson. The la:ter's bid for the
two fcur-year contracts was just 81 600 less
than that Of the express company. Al
first the government was inclined 10 throw
out the bids. believing that the figures
were toe high. BEFORE new bids were re-
ceived the Canadian government notified
the department ut Washington that Il
would not permit the United States as a
government 10 award contracts for mail
routes through the Northwest territory.
Mr.. Richardson went 20 Ottawa and after
some hard work succeeded in obtaining
ernmeat between the international bound
airy and Dawson. Then he returned TO
Washington able to carry out any con-
tract the department might let him have.
After several weeks more az negotiations
the contracts were fina.is signed by Post
Yag-te~ General Gary.
Thr Canadian mails Will be taken from
the Canadian customs post on the trail be-
tween Dyea and the lakes, and thence 10
Dawson every two weeks. Mr.. Riehard-
sons carriers will leave or dates aiternat-
ing regularly with the mounted police 80
na+ f,rartif-a e weekly service vi no