The Somerset reporter., 1899-05-18

n SOtAChDOS bh6b An
Mr.. s. j. B,gelow formerly of Corn
vile, was for some years police officer
in Lowell Macs, but resigned his posi-
ton to go to Klondke.
The Lowell M,il publishes letter
from him to trieud In that city from
| which we make few extracts FIR the
benefit of his Somerset friends. His
letter Is dated Jan. 10, at Arctic City,
| Alaska.
"Thirteen of US arrived In this place
Sept. Il last, and we have been quite
busy. We worked two weeks for the
Winthrop mining company OF Boston,
the founders of this town site. w
then built ourselves a fine log cabin,
which we claim is the best Ia the place.
We took contract to build large
dance hall, which we completed In six
weeks. L. Is 20x40 feet Inside, and Is
built of hewn timber, which we RATED
two aud a half miles. When the hall
was fl lished there we're favorable re-
ports from the dggings and that, of
course, created stampede.
We male seven sleds In hurry,
loaded on our supplies, aud started Nov.
II. The diggings are at the head of the
| Alleukaket river and 100 miles from
Arctic city. We made The trip In Il
DAYS. While we were on the trail the
mercury WAS as low as As degrees below
zero. out we did not feel IL much.
1--WE had nothing but canvas tents to
sleep in, and can safely say that we
were as comfortable as il we were in
Lowell with the mercury % degrees
above.
up to the present time there haven't
been any holes put to bed rock. The
reason is 1t hasn't been cold enough yet
to freeze the ground. The water comes
in and puts out the fire which has to be
used ia burning.
below two or three feet the ground
Is frozen the year round. 1t ID covered
with heavy coat of Arctic moss, and it
requires very cold weather to stop the
water. That all mining will have to be
done in winter 10 this section will be
news TO many people In New England.
February, March and April are the
months in which mines are worked most
successfully. There are some claims
which can be successfully worked in
summer. We have 20 or more claims in
the gulches which we are going to work
with full force as soon as we can.
II suppose hundreds of people are
making preparations to come to this
country in the spring. would advise
them instead to invest their money in
mining stocks of this section. This is
sure to be the coming place.
"Ihe coolest weather here comes with
a south wind, and usually with new
moon. The cold spells last one or two
weeks and thermometers register some
times So degrees below. O1e night
there WAS a record of Is degrees below.
when the weather Is colder than so
degrees below 1t is unsafe to be out, as
one easily gets frozen.
1--WE are well provided with proyis-
ions, but we long tor fresh meat. |
haven't tasted any for four months. Ii
| can live on pork and bacon | will when
get home feel like lifting my hat to
every pig meet, People coming here
from New England do not need to
start before June |, for 1t Is impossible
to get up to 81. Michael's before the last
Of June.
There Is no need OF bringing too
much clothing, for it can be bought here
for less than at home. Tobacco sells for
a big price. 1t brings here today 81 so
a pound, and poor stuff at that. What
one wants in this country are furs of
cold climate animals. They are light
and warm and save carrying heavy
weight. Fur robes, fur coat, and cap
and moccasins which can be bought
from Indians are the things.
IT n n 0
our journey from Seattle. We were
shipwrecked and short of provisions;
we had a fire at sea; we ran short of
fresh water; passengers were poisoned
by nned goods and several nearly
died we were lost In q fog and nearly
ran on the rocks. To crown all the
crew were about to mutiny. My spring
bed is made from spruce boughs