The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-21
Word Received From
Clinton Miners Tn
Far Alaska.
A MAY FESTIVAL.
Post Office Location is FL
nally Settled IN Y. M. G.
A. Building.

9Clinton, April 2O.-Walter B. ,O'Toole
has received a letter from his brother,
Charles B. O'Toole, who, with 25 others,
left the state in April, 1898, represent
ing the Winthrop Mining Association.
For months nothing has been heard of
the party. Unusual anxiety was felt
in this town and in other towns in the
state, among the friends and relatives
of the men who went to frozen Alaska
to search for glittering gold.
Mr.. O'Toole received his letter yes
terday. 1t was written in Arctic City,
last November. 1t was packed over
many miles of trail until it reached
Vancouver, then it was confided to the
care of the mail service there and in
due season reached this town through
Uncle Sans post office.
Arctic City is at the head of naviga-
ton on the Kyakuk river. The city
was founded by the men who went out
in the party of which Mr.. O'Toole is a
member. There are 700 people in the
city now.
The letter tells how the party ar
rived last August and began prospect
ing. The substance Of this was con-
tained in a previous letter. Up to No
yember no especially rich finds had
been made; nothing, in fact, that will
repay the party for the expense to
which it has been put. A number of
sights of gold have been obtained, how
ever and the feeling in the mind of the
writer of the letter is one of hopeful
ness. Every day at least two mem
bers Of the party go on a prospecting
expedition. One of these expeditions
discovered three mountains, before I'M
known, which have been named Faith,
Hope and Charity. Unfortunately, the
letter contains no particular descrip-
ton of these mountains as to their
height or dimensions, except that it
says they are far within the Arctic
circle.
Mr.. O'Toole says that u members are
further within the circle than any other
white man has ever been in Alaska.
This is region of almost continual
snow.
Arctic City, where the party is en-
camped, is at the head of navigation
OF the Kyakuk river The river froze
over last October. 1t will not thaw
out until May Part of the equipment
of Mr.. O'Toole's party was an electric
light plant. The letter tells about the
surprise of the other inhabitants of
Arctic City, when one evening they saw.
electric lights burning in the cabins
occupied by the members of the Win
throp Cooperative Mining Association.
The party expected to return in the
fall of 1899 but if there is prospect of
good business the men will remain I'M
til the fall of 1906.
There are six men from this vicinity
in the party, including the writer of
the letter. They are Richard f. At
fridge, Alban Cox, George Conrad, Will
liam Dorsimer Hector Moray John
Watson.
The average temperature at the time
when the letter was written was SS
degrees below zero. This did not seem
greatly colder than temperature of
zero,N when the writer was in Massa-
chusetts. The members of the com
pany, of which Mr.. O'Toole was
member, were the best equipped of all
the companies which went out OF this
state. They had provisions enough
with them, it is understood, to main
tain themselves several years, in the
distant territory to which they have
gone, even if no help should reach
them from the outside world.
There was a conference of the three
republican selectmen tonight over IL
censes. Several hundred people were
Stalking their ears tonight to get some
echo from the conference, but without
result. No whisper of what was done,
as far as anybody knows, passed the
lips of the men who did it. The IN
terest was because it is understood the
republican selectmen would pass uFon
the candidates. Of the men variously
before them, so as to be ready to act
without unnecessary fanny jars in the
meeting of the full board of selectmen,
which win take place tomorrow night.
Eleven licenses are to be granted at
$500 for each license.
Something like half a dozen appli-
cants for these first-class licenses must
be left out in the cold. 1t is under
stood that the selectmen are reason
ably convinced that M. T. Dwyer is not
interested in the Clinton hotel deal. His
chAAce for a license at his present place
of business is consequently much in
creased. The general opinion tonight
seems to be that Dwyer will get his
license along with Eustace Brothers
aid others.
The tenth annual May festival of the
Franklin Unity will open in Town hall
next Monday night The first night
Mia. 1t is because of this victory that
the management of the Unity decided
to arrange for a festival illustrating
American history.
sghe festival will open at o'clock
Monday afternoon and close at mid
night. 1t will reopen at 8 o'clock and
close at midnight on Tuesday. Monday
will be Dewey day, and Tuesday Will
be festival day.
A place will be arranged at the foot
of the board stair on the right of the
entrance to the hall for packages and
umbrellas. The cafe viii be located
in Bigelow hall There will be a spe-
cial supper Monday night at 25' cents a
plate, and supper on Tuesday night
at 10 cents a plate.
Tie annual children's entertainment
will take place at o'clock. Mrs. Eda
J. H. Jones of Lancaster will have
charge of this function, which will in
clude the browning of the May queen,
the Maypole dance and patriotic dances.
The bioscOps viii throw illustrated pic
lures of the war upon a screen. There
will be illustrated songs by soloists
from Clinton and out of town. On Mon