The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-08
ANACONDA NEWS.
HORSES IN THE KL0ND|KE
Milo Knox Took Fourteen From
Montana There.
WORK HORSES $40 A DAY
How Monroe Salisbury Kept His Horses
in Good Order by Kind Treat-
ment-They Seem to Like
the Country.
WORK HORSES $40 A DAY

Milo Knox Of Haywards. who is well
known in this state, having been here
early last summer purchasing horses to
take to the klondike writes the following
letter to the Breeder and Sportsman of
California:
''Mr. Salisbury started from Seattle
with IA carefully selected. rugged looking
Montana bred horses. weighing from 1000
to 1,40o pounds. AT Skaguay nine of the
horses were sold at good prices to par
ties bound for the klondke. and the re-
naming five. together with a 'single-foot-
err purchased at Skaguay, were started
over the White pass wagon road Mr..
Salisbury's long experience with stage
. and race horses had taught him that good
care and good feeding enable animals to
endure greater hardships and he either
gave every horse his personal attention
or saw that he was well cared for. Feed
for the horses was carried along. The
hay and grain were procured at Seattle
and taken with them. All the hay was
chopped and pressed into 100 pound bales.
three of which could be carried on the
, back of a horse. Ground feed in the
shape of three parts of rolled wheat to
one part of rolled oats was sacked in wa
terproof sacks.
''On the trip from Skaguay to Lake
Bennett, about 30 miles, the greatest
trouble was in getting the freight and
feed to the top of the mountain. Several
trips had to be made before all the outfit
was landed on the summit. Going down
hill was easier and 90 seds could be pull
ed by four horses. The horses were fed
both hay and grain in nose bag, and
by giving them good care. attending to
their feet and liberal feeding, every one
of the six horses reached Dawson looking
as well as when they started.
Mr. Knox says he never saw a lot of
horses picked up in different places that
were as strong and steady pullers as
were these six. From Lake Bennett to
Dawson the trip was made by water by
means of a large Scow, 40X12 feet, which
was built at the lake.
"All the way down the Yukon to Daw-
son the feed along the river last summer
was excellent, the grass growing three
feet high and bunch grass in profusion
On arrival at Dawson plenty of work was
found for the horses at SO per day per
team. pulling logs from the river for use
3 in building houses. and the 'single-footer
was hired out to prospectors and others
looking at mines for $50 per day. Much
wild grass hay can he cut along the Yu-
Skon in the summer season. but it is not
very nutritious. With the rolled wheat
and oats, however, horses can be kept in
excellent condition and do well. There is
some trouble with the feet and legs of
horses If they are not carefully looked af-
ter. Cuts and bruises caused by the rocks
or ice will make bad sores unless kept
clean, but with close attenuenfand treat
ment they heal fapitl.-. Light coverings
must be kept on Outing part of the sea-
son when the flies and gnats are bad. Mr..
Knox says he has seen horses standing
out of doors when the mercury was 20
degrees below freezing and if they had
plenty to eat did not seem to suffer, as
the air is so dry.
I'm the cold weather some of the pack
ers will not recove the saddles from the
horses backs at night, claiming that the
cold winds striking the heated spots
where the loaded saddle has been cause
weak backs and kidney complaints. He
however, removed his saddles. thoroughly
dried the hair and carefully blanketed
his horses and they all made the trip
without getting sore backs or suffering
while many of the poor animals owned by
the packers had the sorest of backs and
shoulders.
Mr. Salisbury and Mr. Knox spent the
summer in teaming and contracting, but
found time to locate a few claims, which
their many friends hope will turn out
several buckets full of gold dust when
worked. They returned by way of St
Michaels in October last. Mr.. Salisbury
has been so interested in a lot of young
trotters and PAGERS at Pleasanton lately
that he has been down TO the city but
very little of his time. They say he has
been riding about 40 miles a day for the
past month"