The Dickinson press., 1899-03-25

AS |
that all we're we'll at date of writing, Nov.
goth. No n can ever know, except by
actual experience, how people in here
hunger for letters from home. This is
the one absolutely unbearable feature al
life in the Klondyke. The lack of some-
thing to read is another great drawback.
There are news and book-stands here,
but the prices are too high to suit the
pocket.book of the average chechako.
The long night is about over now and
the u shines in our cabin window about
half an hour each day. In about two
weeks more it will shine upon the entire
fiat where we live. How good it seems
to see old Soils benignant countenance
once more. No wonder there were SUM-
worshippers in the olden days. 1 think
they must have lived in a Klondyke of
their own,
We have secured no claims as yet; but
now that Willis is up and around again
we hope soon to become the proud pos
SCISSORS of a "Klondyke Nine" There
are good benches on Hunker, going fast,
and we must "get a hustle on ourselves"
to get n while they are going, The
great trouble in here is the corruption and
connivance in the recorders office which
makes it almost impossible to record any
thing except on a "tip" and by giving up
a share of it. BY the way, the recorder
here, E. D. Bolton, is a cousin of our fel-
low-townsman, Sam Bolton. There is a
public investigation of affairs in the re-
cordingo Office going on at the present time
that may make it easier in the future for
the common people to record claims.
l must tell you some of the latest gags"
on Klondykers. Perhaps youhave already
heard them, but if not | think they will
make you smile. Two Klondykers went
out from here and went into a Seattle.
restaurant for breakfast. The girl came
in and said "Mush, gentlemen?" and
they both got up and walked ont.
Another Klondyker went out and
went to church-Catholic church. He
said "he felt more at home there than
any place he had been since he came
out. for an old fellow came in with a
farka on and a kid following him swing
ing a smudge around, tho there wasn't
a mosquito in the house." Sabe?
We are having all sorts Of queer ex-
p%eriences in here. This winter all the
conversation you hear is about "pay-
streaks and tunnels and burning and
sinking and how much gravel he struck"
etc. Dawson is very tame, for most of
the men are up the creeks. But won't
it be lively after the cleanup next
spring! There are all sorts of gambling
houses and dance-houses; and here vice
stalks openly, and unreproved.
There have been many deaths since
last July, but the death rate has not been
high, considering the number of people
and the conditions of living, This win
tel, scurvyi is quite prevalent. 1t is not
usually fatal, however.
The high bluff back of Dawson pre-
sents a queer appearance, this winter,
dotted thickly with cabins clear to the
very top. Along each side of the Klon-
dyke, for more than two miles up, are as
many more cabins. Whatever they will
be good for, after the exodus, is a mys-
terry. But if anybody is left in this camp
two years from now, he will have wood
enough to last him the rest Of his life
time.
We heard to-day that two sled-loads
of mail had just come in. What a rush
there will be for the postofice tomorrow.
How hope that We shall get letters.
forgot to add that there are three
newspapers in Dawson, The Klondike
Nugget, The Klondike Miner and The
Yukon Sun formerly the Midnight SUM-
The last named are what the Nugget
calls the Government Apologizers," and
the Nugget is the peoples paper.
There are four churches here besides
the Salvation Army headquarters; three
hospitals; government buildings. etc. All
of the buildings, however large and pre-.
tentio0S, are Dullt OF logs. oOme are
sided and decorated in front, and wen
painted, in a few instances.
We haven't seen Mr.. Mulholland this
winter, AZ he is over on Eureka, working
a lay; but we have heard that he has
taken out quite a dump of pay-dirtT Dan
Mcdonald went to Forty-Mile in Sep
TENDER and just came back about two
weeks ago. Geo. Kemper is working
over on Sulphur and Geo. Little is here
with US.
must close now, as to-day is Satur-
day and l have to make doughnuts and
pies.
Sincerely Yours,
ELIJAH. CUNNINGHAM.