The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-03-24
RUSH TO THE FROZEN NORTH.
Many klondike Prospectors Reach the
Do,;Eo roo.<

Many Alondike Prospcctors Reach the
Pacific Coast.
| Over 5000 prospectors have passed up
the Straits of Georgia since the season
opened, bound for Alaskan ports, accord
| ing to letter from Consul Smith. receiv-
ed at Washington. Mr.. Smith writes:
The advance division of the army Of pros
pectors bound for the klondike gold fields
has arrived on the Pacific coast. and in even
larger force than was anticipated so early
| in the year At least four -ifths are Ameri-
cans, though many come from England and
also from various British colonies That
more nave not gone Is due to the lack Of
room on the boats, although there are at
least nifty steamers and schooners constantly
ana solely employed in carrying men. stock,
horses, dogs and provisions up to the still
frozen region of the north.
MOST OF these are from the Sound. and
contrary to the general rule in the waters of
the Pacific, the majority are American ships
manned and owned by Americans and dis
playing the stars and stripes. A list Just
published shows that forty-two steamers and
twenty four sailing craft are now engaged in
m TINS trade between Puget Sound and Dyea,
skaguay, Wrangell, and other Alaskan
ports. About one-third Of the American
steamers touch at Victoria on their way
north In addition to this fleet, twelve
British steamers and several schconers sail
IL yin Luie poIL us OlleH as tiley can make the
trip, which is every two weeks. Sometimes
several Alaskan steamers leave this port in
one day. Many old hulks that have been
idle for years have been overhauled re.
paired, equipped and pressed into this ser.
vice, and all go loaded to their utmost ca.
paclty. AS natural result, the price OF
passage has already been advanced 25 per
cent. and strikes frequently occur among
the men employed on the steamers.
This congestion will inevitably be much
relieved when the ocean steamships now on
their way here arrive, which will be next
month, unless, indeed, the throng increases
as the days lengthen. The dangers of the
route, the suffering already prevalent an6
the knowledge that not one in ten Is at oil
likely to secure even an independent liyeli.
hood do not hinder the hegira to the frozer
North. In consequence of the immense In.
crease In the coasting trade, pilots have tc
be occasionally employed who are not fa
mil1ar with the many reefs and rocks of the
archipelago Of islands through which tho
channel to Alaska lies, and already two
steamers have been wrecked, and eact
proved almost a total loss.
But as long there are letters received
like the following addressed TO a resident o.
Vancouver. 1--WE have struck it rich on ar
unknown creek across the border in Alasks
never before seen by man. In the crevicei
of the rocks in one day we picked I'D $50 OW
1t away, and come quick with ten men''-st
long will the crowds go north, regardless O.
snow, ice, storms or wrecks.
The outftting trade is the scene Of fierce |
among the different cities of til,
coast. 1t has given new life to all ant |
caused material prosperity, such as they |
have not known for years.