The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-21

could get what they found. Charles
koenig, an old business man of your
CITY, Is IN, business here in partnership
with capt. o. B. Olson, who was en-
ployed by the United States govern
ment IN 80 to look up the whalers that
were frozen in, somewhere in the Arc
tic ocean. find him a very interesting
man to converse with. He can tell many
an interesting tale about his trip over
land from Port Barrow and back He is
faVorably impressed with Alaska and
he thinks in the near future it will de-
velop into one of the greatest mining
countries of the world
Prospecting here, the best you can
make of it, is a dreary occupation to
wander over the country through the
diminutive forest, and over volcanic
mountains, and one must have pluck to
stick.
The most serious problem of this
country is transportation. Everything
depends on a successful solution of this
problem. Thus far, the means of in
gress and egress are very limited al all
periods of the year, and in the winter
practically do not exist. The freezing
up of the Yukon seems to cut off all
communication with the outside world
We perhaps secure paper with the
worlds news. in every six or eight
weeks, and as that paper has only the
news VI the proceeding twenty -IOuI
hours, we get but very little news of
the outside world and as that news de-
velops, is to us unknown during the
winter months on the Yukon. We are
occasionally relieved by the receipt of
the Klondike Miner or Sun, that gives
US sort of an idea, but it is not like
the daily study of the pulsation and
heart beats of the world, as it is given
us in most parts of the world, warm
from the wires and with a living soul
that to some extent speaks to us that
we may understand what the future
will probably produce.
The majority of the people in here
are interested in the early dispatches
of November, which seem to indicate a
great danger of war between England,
France and Russia, that would involve
the world. And yet it is impossible for
us to even form an idea of whether this
is real danger, or whether it merely
appears SO to us, who are buried in
these wilds. without any of the search
lights furnished by daily or weekly
news to enlighten u.s.
We have had no United States mail
so far this winter, and as things look,
it is doubtful II we will get any till
spring. The Spaniards could lombard
the Anaconda smelters, or blow up the
mines in Butte and we would be none
the wiser. Another handicap is the lack
Of Woman's society. In the rush to
other eXcitements of similar nature,
men took their wives and families with
them in many instances To bring them
in here would be like taking them out
Of the world
The scarcity of natural food product
is another drawback. Nothing can be
grown in here. everything for all time
to come must be imported at enormous
cost. There is quite number of orders
in,
Men and Yukon Pioneers. To become a
member of the latter you have got to
be in here three years, and during that
time there are three preliminary degrees
you have to stand the rest of before you
are eligible to membership. The first
year you are to marry 'Siwash lady
who in the spring gets a divorce; the
next year you are supposed to marry
a white lady. who in the spring gives
you the marble heart: the next spring
you are to wake up with two old NAL
amute dogs. Then you are entitled to
become member of the Yukon Pion-
GERS. Thinking l have given you some
what of an idea Of this place, l shall
refer loosely, to few little incidents
while on the trail. On my way from
Canyon City to the summit, when about
half way through the canyon, / over
took an individual to all appearances
youth in its attire from the mukluks
to the cap, having siX-shooter and
bowie knife strapped on, but, by the
fine cut features you could observe they
were in disguise. To make sure 1 said,
Madame, it is pretty hard graft get
ting in this country" She looked up,
surprised to think I discovered her dis
guise, and replied" Yes, but I will get
there just the same I admired her
pluck but did not think much of her
judgment. While on top of the summit
fob IN, ha ifrIf &c fpht pcr tl,a
people all in a rush to the gold fields,
I saw a sight that would do justice to
Puck or Judge. A lady in bloomers
had just reached the top after long
and tedious climb. At the top there was
a large cache that she had to go around,
where the packers had made a chute to
slide to the bottom in. Some way or
other misfortune overlook her. She
went into the chute and to the bottom,
looking at times more like balloon as
censon than bloomer decension. AT
the head of Crater lake a young fellow
upset with his load, when up rushed a
lady and made inquiries of him if he
had seen party go by, giving the de-
scription of the man, six feet tall,
blonde complexion, with a smooth face.
He said that party of that description
had gone past but he thought the man
had moustache. She said it could not
have been him for he had no mustache.
At that time the fellow was ready to
proceed on his journey, and in speaking
to his dog team said "Must-tash." She: Il
say he had no mustache." He: Must
tash." She: you ungentlemanly villain,
I say he had no mustache.' He:
Madame. fash is my dogs name" and
mushed on to Klondike and she mushed
in search of her old man. Bidding you
all a Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year. CHARLES H. SMITH.