New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-11
HARDsHIPS OF THE GOLD TRAIL.
SURVIVORS OF THE EDMONTON ROUTE
TELL HEARTRENDING TALES.

TELL HEARTRENDING TALES.
wransIe. Alaska Aug. G. via Seattle. Wash, Aug.
l0-The Stckeen River steamer Strathcona arrived
here to-day with thirty survivors Of the Edmonton
Trail They are all Western men, except c. Jener-
son, Asbury Park, n. j.. NJ Ve,ey, Ohio; J. McGill-
vary London England; w. Red Canada; o. Reed.
Canada: J. Levin Ottawa: j. Hackney. Ottawa; NJ.
Tall. Canada and f. H. Tall, Canada. All the men
came in with the pack train sent out from Tee-
graph Creek and Laketon by the various trading
companies last spring.
The unfortunates tell heartrending stories Of
hardships endured and comrades lost and aban-
doned and strongly denounce the trading and
transportaton companies well the Canadian
officials and newspapers that profusely advertised
this route as a feasible TO the klondike gold
fields. To outward appearances these men GER
tainy give evidence Of the awful suffering under
gone since leaving Edmonton eighteen months ago.
Most OF them are sicky looking, with unkempt
boards and greasy clothes-pictures OF physical
and financial wrecks. Several have grown gray
and bear marks Of scurvy.
few have Just enough money 10 reach Seattle
or Victoria, but the majority are without funds.
The citizens OF Wrangel have applied 10 the United
States Government at Washington. but UP 10 this
date no aid has been received. There are about
twenty-five destitute miners here. Many had mar
row escapes from starvation along the trail from
Fort Simpson to Mud River and Fort Laird
William Schmidt and Fred Swift left the camp
At Laird Post last spring 10 trap, and have never
been heard from since. Perry Wells died OF
scurvy at Telegraph Creek.
II ia admitted that there still more than one
hundred men scattered along the trail between
Laird Post and the Pelly banks. and relief par
ties have been sent out by the Hudson Bay Com
many The last reports brought TO Laird Post
we're that many were dying of scurvy and hunger.
=, ie estimated that there thirty forty suf-
ferers at Telegraph Creek. awaiting the next trip
., the boat The sick that had 10 be carried on
.tretchers had not yet reached Genora when the
btrathcona sailed.
Several starvation cases are reported ABOUT
twenty miles above Devils Portage TWO unknown
men were found frozen to death last winter A
man OF the name OF Johnson from New-fork. was
found dead In a tent near the source Of the Mud
River last fall. This poor fellow bad as covering
only half OF blanket and in diary still open
.n his hand we're these words opposite the Gate
February Is. 1897;
~ died or hunger"
All along the route from Fort Simpson on the
Mckenzie River to Fort Laird men with frozen
limbs were assisted. while some too weak 70 he!p
themselves. were necessarily left behind by those
more fortunate and able 10 struggle along. 5curvy
ragged In all the camps. more or less, but there
are few deaths from this disease reported A
number OF Canadians who attempted TO cross OUT
land trail from Fort simpson to Fort Francis last
fab have never been heard from, and II is likely
that they perished from cold. Beaupre was the
name Of one OF these men, and he nailed from
Ontario.