The Van Buren press., 1899-05-06
ALONG THE YUKON RIVER.
Reports from Capt. Richardson and
Lieut.. Walker at the War
Department.
HOW THEY FIND THINGS IN THE YUKON.
Opposition to the Estabilshment of
Local Government ut Circle CITY.
While at Lawand st. MichaeIs Or
der in Taken More Kindly TD~
Supplies Plentiful.

Washington, May 4.-Acting Secre-
Ietary of War Meilklejohn has given
out report from Capt. w. p. Richard.
son, of the Eighth infantry, who coin
mands the post at Circle City, Alaska.
together with brief report from
Lieut.. Z. s. Walker. of the Eighth i'm
fantry in command at St. Michaels,
Alaska, upon the conditions existing
along the Yukon. According to Capt
Richardson's report the advent of the
United States troops at that place met
with considerable disfavor from the
majority of the people at Circle City,
while at st. Mchaels, on the otlier
hand, Lieut.. Walker reports that the
business men desire the retention of
the troops, and he recommends the
continuation of the garrison at that
point.
Opposed 10 Local Government.
Capt. Richardson made several at
tempts to induce the better element
of the community to establish some
sort of local government, and several
meetings were held during November
and December, but in January, at
big mass meeting, all his work was
overturned and by large majority
the town decided to reject every form
of town government suggested. The
sentiment of the meeting, Capt. Rich
ardson says, was 1.-The people of the
town already have too much law aud
government"
The Opposition Explained.
Capt. Richardson explains this op-
position to the establishment of local
government on the ground that few OF
the inhabitants expect to remain
longer than few months or years at
most. The only general regulations Is
sued by Capt. Richardson up to the
time of the report have been for clos
ing saloons, dance halls and gambling
places from 6 a. m. until p. m., on
Sunday, and against the carrying of
concealed weapons. He says he may
be obliged to prescribe, in addition,
some general regulations upon SANTA
ton and police with the coming of
spring.
A Patrol Established.
He established patrol of one nom
commissioned officer and six men in
the town, and reports that this work
has been satisfactory and acceptable
to the betetr element. He commends
the work of the commissioners court
at Circle City, which, he says, has
maintained itself with dignity and has
administered the law within the linn
its of its authority. At the time Capt.
Richardson sent his report no mail
had been received over the ice from
the states.
Mail Was Lost.
He understood that the first mail
sent through early in the season was
lost. Local and delayed mail from the
outside was received from Dawson in
November and December. He directs
attention to the advantage of cross
country route from Circle City to
Cooks Inlet, or some other point OH
the coast, The up-riyer and lake coun-
try is also safe for travel during two
or three months of the closed season,
wheras, the overland route could be
used while the river is closed.
All quiet and Supplies Plentiful.
Lieut.. Walker reports everything
quiet along the river on February 6.
Supplies were plentiful and there were
few cases of destitution. The command
at Rampant was reported in good
health. Lieut.. Walker urgently re-
quests that the garrison be maintained
at st. Mchaels. The business men
want thet roops there, not only be-
cause they afford protection, but be-
cause difficulties are more quickly and
less extensively arranged, and the peo-
pie feel that the decisions made by
military officers are just and equita-
BILE.