Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-10
A Probable Death Trap to Thousands
Of People.
PROSPECT OF TERRIBLE EPIDEMIC
Smallpox on Several, Vessels and
Typhoid Fever Feared.
MANY NAY BE STRANDED

that the Treasury Department would send
out a strong warning against the rush to
the gold fields of Cape Nome. The officials
of the department see in conditions at
Cape Nome a probable death trap for
thousands of people. but they are so far
that still continues.
The transportation companies engaged in
business around Seattle have done every
thing to lure people to Cape Nome regard
less of the consequences that may follow.
The steamships, tramps, lighters, scows
and all kinds of vessels that have gone
out of Seattle and other Pacific ports dur
ing May and June have carried thousands
of people without asking question whether
any Of these people were financially pre-
pared to return when the winter season be-
gins in September. By October. anyhow.
vessels cannot get away from the distant
Alaskan place, and the unfortunates left
at Cape Nome will have to get food and
clothing for the winter in some manner.
Prospect of Disease.
Worse than all. however, is the prospect
of disease Conditions are ripe for a terri
BILE outbreak of disease. Smallpox has ap-
peared on some of the vessels that went
there, and by this time may be epidemic
among the thousands of people who are
wandering along the bleak shores hunting
for the yellow metal.
Many people estimate that of the TO-. y
people who have gone to Cape Nome so
far this season not one-third has enough
money to pay passage back to some port on
the Pacific coast. The transportation COM
panies will not attempt to bring them back,
and there is no way to make the money
necessary to get back. 1t Is officially stated
that there is little employment except for
skilled workmen. If 5000 or 1900 people
are stranded the problem is already pre-
senting itself as to how they will get back.
Capt. Roberts Report.
The Treasury Department has received a
report from Capt. w. H. Roberts. COM
manding the revenue cutter Manning. The
letter is written from Dutch Harbor. Alas
ka. on June %. That Is one of the nearest
ports to Cape Nome Capt. Roberts, in de-
scribing conditions at Cape Nome, says:
The steamer Luella Of San Francisco, F.
Miller. master. came in from Nome with
clean bill Of health, and confirms the report
that smallpox cases were found on board
the steamers Ohio and Santa Anna. which
have been sent to Egg Island, off St Mich
ael's, for detention in quarantine. DR.. Call,
recently of our service. has been appointed
quarantine officer by the authorities. Capt.
Miller informs me that there are cases
of smallpox ashore, but that nearly every
one expects an epidemic Of typhoid fever.
There are, he believes, 10000 people on
the beach with no prospect Of securing
paying claim or Of obtaining employment,
builders, etc. 1t appears Impossible for the
vast throng that has been and is being
thrown into Nome by the numerous trans
portation companies, which use every
means possible to induce travel to the Cape
Nome fields, to find mines work. Many
of these people have but little above their
passage money and outfits. and depend
upon finding gold to keep them going after
landing
at is the opinion OF those from the min
ing district OF Nome and vicinity, from
whom l have sought Information, that a
large number of people will be stranded be-
fore the end Of the season. with no means
sstance from some source. The revenue
cutters, crowded to their utmost. could
take but a small fraction of the number.
and the problem of how they will survive
the rigors of an arctic winter is one that
requires serious attention"
A Serious Situation.
Captain Roberts states that the revenue
cutters would be insufficient to bring away
the stranded people. This being the case
the situation is rough one for the
thoughtless thousands who have flocked to
the remote and unknown country. If the
people could get claims that paid little
money there would be less likelihood of dis
aster, but there are no claims left that are
The winter season, with its fearful arctic
weather. will last from October until the
following June. during which no vessels
can reach Cape Nome.
The treasury will probably receive fur
Their reports and may try to take some ac-
ton that will put a stop to q further rush
to the gold fields In addition to the 10 600
already landed there probably 5000 more
will leave Seattle in July and August. still
further endangering the situation.