Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1899-08-26

Letter from q Former Nevadan Now
I'm Alaska.


George W. Halstesd has given the SEN
TIsEL q letter for publication, recently re-
ceived from II. d. Purdy. who left Cur
rant Greek last year with @. A. Brown for
Alaska. Mr.. Purdy Is we'll known through
out eastern Nevada as q practical man
whose observations OF the conditions In
the far north cannot be but interesting.
We give the letter In full, with the excep-
ton OF q few references to purely personal
matters. Rampant City Is about eight
hundred miles from 81. Miohaels, on Abe
Yukon river. The letter is dated July IA.
1899:
Your most welcome letters OF March "a
and May 20 received. Our facilities for
mail matter up TO recently have been al
most failure, but since the opening OF
the river the mail that has been accumu-
lating during the Winter along the trail
and at Dawson City has been distributed,
and we now get our mail pretty regularly.
The reason that 1 did not answer your
first letter Immediately was because !
thought Of going to Cape Nome il the re-
ports we heard from that section during
the Winter were correct. l was waiting
TO hear from some Of the party who went
across the country during the Winter and
promised to write, but there has been no
word up to this time did not know but
that / might want TO change my address.
The output in gold did not come up to
expectations when the wash up was made
In this district this Spring, and Q great
many mine owners we're very much disap-
pointed. l don't think the proceeds Of
the mines here amounted to much more
than $3.50, 900. There are q few very rich
claims, and quite Q number that prospect
fairly we'll, but there are many claims that
will not pay working expenses. II is claim.
ed the country adjacent will equal, il not
surpsss this In the near future.
Worked most Of the time last Winter
In representing claims. The thermometer
ranged from 80 to SO degrees below zero.
The Spring and Summer 30 far have been
very changeable. windy and stormy mos.
Of the time, with a few pleasant days in
termipgled with gnsts. mosquitoes, etc.
We have had all daylight since the frat
OF May. no lamp or candle being required
10 read or do any kind Of work during the
"a hours, We lose sight OF the sun for
about two hours, but the day merely mer-
ges from twilight to dawn. During the
Winter we had about two and a half hours
Of daylight, and the balance of the time
used a lamp or candles. The long period
OF darkness became quite m~onotonous,
and | longed for one more glimpse OF the
sun.
Quite q number Of people are leaving
here for the States or Cape Nome. l ex-
pee. TO remain here one more year, unless
| should have to go out on account of my
health. / was afflicted with rheumatism
this Spring. Worked all Winter in the
cold and storm and enjoyed fine health,
without suffering any from the cold.
Think / overworked myself. for two weeks
after laying off l was laid up with rheuma-
tism and have done nothing since. Am
now improving slowly and expect 70 be all
right by the time cold weather sets in.
l think the food we have 10 eat up here
has as much 10 do with the sickness in this
country as anything else. Our food is all
dry. There is nothing fresh or green in
the shape Of meats or vegetables. 1t is
either grsnulated, desecsted or evapor'
sted. put up in tins or paper packages,
and a person does not feel satisfied after
finishing q meal. Being forced 70 live on
this kind Of provender keeps one hungry
and always thinking of something good to
eat. Fresh, juicy beef and nice, tender
vegetables would appease our appetites
greatly, but expect ID will be some time
before / will have the opportunity of in
dulging in such food.
We we're shocked and surprised 10 hear
OF the passing away Of our ~neighbors and
friends on Currsnt Greek SO soon after
our departure. as they were all then in
the vigor and bloom OF life. / can scarce
ly realize that they are gone. What Q
q change there has been In SO short q time.
How strange IL will seem when l return
not to meet Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Bohen or
Joe Mendes; and Lorigan living on Duck
water. What a revolution. Surely l never
would have believed il, but such is life.
@. A. Brown has enjoyed good health
since he has been in this northern ooun-
try, and has appeared to be we'll satisfied
with his surroundings. though / have
never heard him say how long be expected
to remain in the country. As for myself,
/ want to get out next year. Am not sat
isaed to leave yet, for there are opportu.
mites to make money here If q man can
stay in the country long enough to take
advantage Of them ; but it does not suit
me here. the Winters are too long and
cold. Nine months of freezing weather is
more than l contracted for, but l made up
my mind when l left Currant Greek to re-
main awav until 1Qnn ana 7 -;u A. and