The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-09
RESPECTED THE FLAG
It Protected Provisions at Fort Yu-
kon From a Mob.
CAPTAIN RAYS BRAVE STAND.

He Held on the Would be Rob bers and
Seized the Food For Distribution I'm.
| der His Immediate Supervision-No
| Trouble with Canadian Collectors.
Washington, Feb. 9.-E. Hazard
| Wells, the special courier who brought
Captain Rays dispatches from the Yu-
| kon. arrived last evening. He did not
| bring the full copy of the dispatches,
these having been expressed by GEN
eral Merriam from Seattle. Speaking
| to a press representative Mr.. Wells
said:
Il cannot properly say anything as
to Captain Rays report, but i can say
that left him in rather critical po-
sitlon and the sooner the government
gets support in to him the better. Cap
tain Ray had only one man with him,
Lieutenant Richardson. They reached
Fort Yukon somewhat ahead Of a mob
of between so and 100 of the toughest
men that could be picked out Of Daw-
son, and when / left the captain he
was standing off this mob from the
provision caches largely by virtue of
small American flag and his own mag
nificent nerve.
When the food panic began at Daw-
son two companies each had a cache
of provisions there. The Dawson men
intended to appropriate these supplies
and let the rest Of the camp shift for
Itself. Ray learned of this, and he
posted himself at one cache, while
Lieutenant Richardson guarded the
other. They were in uniform, and each
of them had small American flag.
The mob tackled the captain first and
ordered him to give up. He refused,
and Ior time 1t looked as though
There would be shooting, but between
his nerve and the flag the mob was
overawed.
Ray then established himself as q
sort of military dictator superintend-
ed the sale and distribution of pro-
visions, and will make an accounting
to the companies when it Is all over.
When l left he had the support of
about 60 OF the decent element, and
there are about 800 of the better ele-
ment there also, but few bad men in
q place Of that sort can usually make
trouble and run things II they get
started.
Az u pioNlsluIliit the ncuple VIII
need the government relief by the time
1t reaches them, but there Is no reason
It should not get in all right. l came
out by the White Pass, and the road
is good though the Dyea trail has re-
Gently been buried by a big snow
slide.
'One thing cannot be too strongly
impressed upon those who contem-
plate Joining the rush this spring Ma
jor Walsh. the Canadian commissioner,
will allow no men in over Canadian
soil who does not bring 1000 pounds OF
provisions. To start without that will
be to be turned back.
AS to the reported trouble with |
Canadian collectors on American soil |
between Lake Linderman and Lake |
Bennett, l do not believe it. The Cam
came out, but that is an unques-
toned British territory. They seem to
be very decent class of officials, and
not inclined to make trouble.
THE rush next year, SO far as one
can judge is going to be on the Tan
ana river. in the heart of Alaska,
southwest of the Klondike, and in
American territory. There Is where
the most of the hundred thousand
corners will strike.
THE transportation companies cam
not get provisions enough in for all
that crowd, and the government will
probably have to help them - y next