The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-10
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| reason Of exorbitant rates. Before the
railroad was projected the packers
were charging 60 cents per 100 pounds to
the summit, with no guarantee for safe
delivery. The railway charges cents per
100 pounds and insures against loss or
damage. While this seems ridiculously
low rate, Mr.. Gray laughingly pointed out
that their charge for fifteen miles was
the transcontinental rate for a haul Of
Francisco. I'VE have" said he, hun
dreds Of tons Of freight waiting transpor-
tation to the interior. With present ia
cilities we cannot handle all that Is pre-
scented, but just as soon as our new loco
motives arrive, which have been specially
constructed for mountain work, we shall
land freight on the head waters Of the
Yukon twelve hours after Its arrival in
Skaguay." He pointed out Of the window
as he spoke, to long line of freight cars,
containing an undesirable tumble OF
t1mbers and machinery.
THIRTEEN DAYS TO DAWSON.
mo" said this keen young traffic man
ager, in answer to a query, "that Is not
the wreck Of Barnum's circus, but four
great river steamers in transit knocked
down They are the equals in every re-
spect to the best on the Mississippi. Long
before navigation opens we shall have
our road completed to Lake Bennett,
where these steamers will be launched, to
operate in close connection with our
trains, upon the lakes and Upper Yu-
kon."
when this Is done, what will be the
time between St. Paul and Dawson?"
And the astonishing reply was thirteen
days That Mr.. Gray's schedule is cor
rect is beyond dispute. A journey that
one year ago could not be made in less
than two months and then only under
circumstances of great fatigue and peril,
can now be made with comfort in as
many weeks. Here is the table:
St. Paul to Seattle, days.
Seattle to Skaguay, days
Skaguay to Lake Bennett, via White
Pass and Yukon railway, hours.
Lake Bennett to White Horse Rapids,
by steamer, 2 days.
Around rapids by horse cars, hours
White Horse Rapids to Dawson, days.
Total, IS days, Is hours.
Like the Panama railway, this one OF
thirty miles saves an ocean voyage of
thousands Of miles, or Journey on foot
both dangerous and eXhausttng.
For the first five miles the road follows
the Skaguay river, traversing a fiat val
ley, possibly a mile wide, 11oored with
water-washed powders scattered through
q thin growth of cottonwood trees, and
shut in by gray walls of great height
For fourth Of this distance the log
cabins and boat shanties of the townSpf
Skaguay spread out like q fan. Then
comes the climb of Porcupine hill,
sharp promontory quitting out into the
valley from the north Winding in and
out of its irregular face on a three and
mine tenths grade, an hours climbing
brings the train to the top and outer edge
of this ridge. 1000 feet above its base.
Here, with the forked head of Lynn
canal lyingsaike chain of Alpine lakes in
the offing, begins a series Of landscapes
which must certainly attract tourists by
the thousands as soon as their LONELINESS
and grandeur become known. California
and Colorado must look we'll to their
laurels, for with the glorious scenery Of
the White pass unlocked to the luxury
loving traveller, Baedecker will do we'll
to give Alaska special and early edition
Of his guide book.
FIVE MILES TOUGH CONSTRUCTOR.
Five miles farther and theStrain draws
up to Glacier station, attached like a
Swiss chalet to the rugged side Of a
mountain. Here the first snow obstruction
Is encountered The heavy coach is I'M
coupled, and the Klondikers, shouldering
their packs, take to the trail. Here F.
B. Flood, the brilliant young engineer in
charge of the toughest five miles of
railroad construction in the country" in
vited the writer into the locomotive cab
to accompany him over his division, on
tour of inspection.
large force of men had been strung
along the line to keep the track clear,
but, do their best, the snow in some places
drifted in faster than they could remove
1t. Nearing the summit. we bucked into
a great white bank which had slid down
from the heights above. Retreatlng. we
tried 1t again. With sand box open and
escape valve blowing the engineer threw
her wide open,'' and away went the