Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-18


Totals ~ 1870 lbs $4,000 to $4,000
THE above embraces first-class supply.
Many think they can do with less. but
| do not advise it. The list l give calls
for the best of everything. as man cam
not afford to take any inferior grade or
quality as 3ny part of his outfit. A break
down failure in any portion OF it might
be very serious matter
I'm addition to his supplies a man should
have from $500 to $3.50 in cash, besides
steamer ticket to Alaska. This will be
necessary for the purchase of dogs to draw
the sled and feed for them and also for
sundry expenses on the trail and river.
When to Start.
1.-THE start should be made from Seattle
for Skagday or Dyea, in Alaska, early in
March, and the route should be over the
Skaguay Cor White) Pass or over the Chill
koot (or Dyea) Pass. and down the lakes
to the headwaters of the Yukon over the
crusted snow. By starting in March, after
the first thaw, the miner can take advan-
tage of the hard, firm crust on the snow
and can get over the pass with his outfit
and far down the lakes and river at mucn
less expense than at any other time of
year.
Heretofore the snow has been best in
April. but 1t is expected that this year the
large number Of miners Camped along the
trail will keep il tramped down and in good
condition. so that outfits can be taken over
on DOG SleuS early III the spring.
Engage Acc0mm oda lions in Advance.
"Hotel or boarding house accommoda-
tons for the few days to be spent in Seat
tie should be engaged in advance-at once,
in fact, as during the rush the city will no
doubt at times oe filled TO OVERLOOKING. and
a man, If he waits, may fail to get salts
factory accommodations, or, it may be, any
at all. The same is true of steamship pas
sage from Seattle to Alaska. Even at this
early date the steamers Tor Alaska are
leaving the Seattle harbor loaded to their
utmost capacity with both passengers and
their outfits.
The Best Route.
This question has been much discussed,
and there are still many varying opinions
The general belief, however, is that the
best, quickest and safest route is over the
Skaguay TRAIL SO much condemned for its
miserable condition last year. A New York
company has, however. since that time
spent a LARGE sum of money in improve
ments on the trail. Already sixteen miles
of good wagon road, sixteen feet wide and
in first-class condition, are completed, and
work is being rapidly pushed on the re-
mainder of the road. December So Mr.
Sifton, the Canadian minister of the in
terror stated in an interview with
United States Assistant Secretary of War
Meikeljohn at Washington that 1.-The only
practicable route to Dawson City is what
is known as the White Pass (Skaguay
traiD. commencing at Skaguay on Lynn
canal" He stated at the same time that
the mounted police force in Alaska is using
this trail for the transportation of it's
supplies. and find it much the best.
ION the same date the War Department
received from Capt. W. w. Robinson of the
quartermaster's department of the United
States army. stationed on Puget sound. a
report to the same effect, recommending
the Skaguay route.
ChilkOot Pass Next Rest.
Next to the Skaguay route I recommend
that over the Chilkoot pass from Dyea.
It is 1000 feet higher than the Skaguay
pass and much sleeper and rougher. But
this is to be overcome by use of an over
head tramway, by which goods will be
Il transported over the summit 1t has the
great drawback, however, of having no
suitable harbor and no wharves because
of shoal water in front of the town. The
steamers discharge their cargoes more than
mile from town. and from there they
have to be transported to the beach in
Dor is an excellent one. with three deep
water wharves, already completed and
another much larger one now being built.
Miners going In the spring over either
pass viii require sleds and dogs for the
trip from the pass down the lakes to the
open river. Having dogs and a sled ca
rable OF taking his outfit down the river
the miner may as well also haul his out
At over the pass. He will thus save ex-
perse and bother and be entirely independ-
ent Of tramway or other companies.
Tewn Of Skaguay.
'"Ths town Of Skaguay, built by Kon-
dikers who failed to get across the pass
last year. IL now a typical western town
Of about 5000 inhabitants. II has stores,
hotels, warehouses, wharves, electric
lights, water works (now being construct
ed and many other substantial improve
Eeuts are being made. The people are
pushing ahead with their local Improve
ments n well a. lending their assistance
TO the continuation OF the wagon rad.