The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-23

The government has decided 10 establish
a winter overland United States mail route
from the Cook inlet coast % Nome. To
this end II is dispatching an expedition led
by Edwin Engelstad and Postofiice Inspec-
q tor Wilcox. whose commission is To travel
over the so-called Katmai trail and ascer-
tain its practicahnity for mail-carrins
purposes.
Engelstad arrived in the city wednesday
evening from san Francisco. his former
home. He leaves Saturday on the Cottage
CITY for Skagway where Wilcox VIII JOIN
him Wyllys Hall, Of san Francisco. goes
as official photographer His views OF the
trail win be used by the government in
determining the feasibility OF the Katuai
route. though the experience OF the mem
hers Of the party IN actually travelling ths
trail viii go farther towards the settlement
OF that question.
Besides EngeIsiad Wilcox and Hall, The
expedition includes four others whose duties
VIII be 70 pack S00 pounds Of mail and the
outfits where natives cannot be engaged.
The venture is undertaken strictly along
the lines or government mail CARRYING, no
charge being made save the postage re-
quiremcnt OF cents a letter.
The New Route.
In a general way Eugelstad describes the
overland route az follows:
From katmai IN an almost direct line to
Bristol, thence to Fort Alexander, on the
Nusaegahk river; from Fort Alexander 20
the mouth of the kuskokwiIn. and thence
Heventy-fivc miles up that stream 20 kol-
makofsky. From this settlement the path
finders expect 70 trek across the tundra 10
the ancient native town Of Andreofsky on
the Yukon. and thence down the river 10
its mouth and along the shores Of Norton
sound 20 Inaakiik 70 Norton bay. 20 Col
| OWN bay and to the Nome City, making
| total land travel az 100 miles.
Encelstad believes the katmai route Will
| prove practicable and that he and Wilcox
| will he able 10 so recommend II 20 tho
| government on reaching the metropolis OF
the Nome district.
| Few men have had more experience in
| northern Alaskan travel than Engelaiad
| whose home has been on Norton sound and
| vicinity for eleven years. His family lives
| there in fact and hts experience as a
| trader and hunt-man operating In eonlunc-
| ton with the North American Commercial
| Company has given him an intimate
knowledge Of the topography and general
| contour Of northern Alaska tie leaves on
| his mission equipped with strong letters OF
| recommendation from the Alaska Conn
| merctai Company. the Alaska Exploration
| Company aud the Pacific Steam whaling
! Company % their agents In the section 20
be traversed The agents are directed 20
| furnish tho expedition with the hest native
| guides, and do all other things possible 10
expedite the voyage Of the party.
AZ Nome ny Way 1.
Engelstad believes he VIII be able TO
| complete the journey by May J.. From
| SitllA where he will leave the Cottage City,
| the explorers hope 20 make connection for
| the westward To katmai With the Wolcott,
| lie thinks the route will prove so practical
| bic that II viii bc possible for the gov
| eminent in the future 20 make four mai
trips a winter each way between Nome and
KatmaL But this overland route In time
! Fngelstad believes. viii be shortened Jt
miles by starting at Good News bay, Der
| ing sea. Good News bay 10 but Few
miles from the mouth Of the kuskokwim
| and may be reached by ucran-going vessel.
| in both winter ana summer. The latter
| route ia not attempted now. for the reason
that no steamers have ever run regularly
to Good News bay.
The Engelztad expedition is operating I'm.
| der The special instructions or Second rs
sistant Postmaster General Shalenberger.