La Junta tribune., 1898-02-19

I belt lies in our territory aloae tn.
range known n the Upper Ramparts-
That along the Tnnnaquah. Ninooi
creek, Birch creek and the head OF For
~ Mile. there are digginss that will
pay from $40 to $40 per day per man
now lying idle. ns they will not pay ex
penses at the present period. l am sat,
isfed that with adequate means OF
transportation and cheaper food this
will develop into one OF the greatest
old-producing regions In the world.
"A railroad from the head OF Cooks
Inlet. Prince William Sound, to the
mouth OF the Tannanah. from which
point supplies could be delivered by
light draft steamers nlong all the nav.
iGnble tributaries OF the Yukon, will re-
cure our people the commerce of this
| whole country. II would give q route
| to the open sea that could be operated
all winter and act as a check to the Ca
madam route"
A report dated Fort Yukon, October
26th, denis with Captain Rays trip
from Circle City to Fort Yukon. he
having left the former place ON the
18th Instant. and reached the latter
4 after q perilous trip.
! At Fort Yukon about $50 people were
found gathered and there had been
some threats Of taking supplies by
| force. The report adds:
Lieutenant Richardson, by prompt
and decided action, had checked All
turbulence, and by cooperating with
| the agents OF both companies had ar
ranged that all destitutes should be
fed. Those willing to work were to be
allowed to cut wood for the compan-
1 90 nt ~~~r~r r.. II
earned sufficient money they should
pay for their supplies.
THE sick and INDECENT should be fed
| without charge. and the bills for such
issues to come to me to be submitted
for the action Of Congress. This action
is now being taken"
Apparently Captain Ray left Fort
Yukon for a time. as under date Of that
place Of November LIST he says that
since his return matters have assumed
very serious aspect.
The Alaska Commercial Company
had q cache of 200 tons four miles
above Fort Yukon, and the N. A. n.
and T. Co. cache Mt Fort Yukon. The
Alaska Company's agent reported to
him meeting was being held to fur
ther movement to seize the COM
pany's cache.
He adds: Il went up with Mr.. Rich
nrdsOn. and, soon after arriving there.
was waited upon by n committee from
miners meeting. who stated in their
demands that there were seventy-five
OF them, and they demanded thnt they
be furnished on credit with nm outft
OF provisions and clothing for nine
month";. This Mr.. Davis, the agent, de-
clIned to do. l explained to them that
l would give orders on the stores for
food to feed the destitute. but as the
companies offered work at good wages,
the able-bOdied should accept II. and
those having money would be allowed
to purchase a reasonable outfit OF pro-
visions for the balance OF the year,
II came nwny without getting any
definite answer out of them, leaving
Lieutenant Richardson at the cache for
the night. received q note from him
saying he believed they intended to At
tnck the cache at 10 a. m. next day. at
once issued notices taking possession
night on the door Of the stofehouse and
In AL the companies, and early next
morning started from here with twen-
ty-hve men volunteers. could not
arm them eflciently, being able to
raise only hve rides and . few pistols,
10 deemed Il wise not to take any
thing but pistols concealed.
Soon after starting word came to
me that they had passed resolution
to arrest me. should attempt to 60
to the cache. When arrived within
one and one-half miles OF the cache
was met by one man (Noblett). who
stated the miners wished to have me
come to their camp to talk over the
situation. which declined to do. He
then came out In his true colors, and
said they had determined to prevent
my going forward by force. and. at
signal from him, twenty-five men,
armed with rides. came out or the tim
ber and covered the party. Noblett said
they had possession Of the cache.
'As Lieutenant Richardson was
there and ns had not heard any mr.
ing. knew his statement was false
and said 80. at the same time starting
on and told them they might open the
hight II they wished to. He then said
that M conditions were changed by
my seizure OF the stores and they were
10th to disturb government properly,
that II would walt few moments lie
would consult with the committee and
asked II was still willing to feed the
destitute. / stated my terms to feed
the destitute, and ~ long NJ the COM
panies would take wood they were to
go to work ut the rate Of &5 per cord.
and II they could not get work, they
would be fed II possible until the river
opened; that bona flde miners could
obtain outfits provided they went into
the neld.
s.In Z few moments he (Nohlett) re-
turned and said they accepted the
terms, and went to the cache where
/ found between thirty and forty men.
who said they had nothing, and I 4!
caused al to be fed. ] have hoisted
guard
This h not \ cnse Of worthy desti-
tute miners. It IL \ case OF premetlita-
ted robbery, and had they been ablc TO
ret poeseesiou OF either Lieutenant
Richar1eon Or myself. the cache would