Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-07
MILITARY LIFE, IN ALASKA.
Weather Cold and, Mercury Retiring
But Conditions Not Wholly had.

But Conditions Not Wholly Bad.
From the Arm. and Navy 'Journal.
The government having at last expended
considerable sums Of money toward estab-
Fishing military posts in Alaska. it is rea-
sonable to suppose that the army must in
the future look forward to regular details
of service in that part of our country. AS
service in high ATTITUDES is new to most of
us. and as the hardships of Arctic life have
been so much exaggerated. I shall presume
to give to my feIlowJofficers the benefit of
a years experience on the Yukon, with the
expectation that it may be of use to them
1t certainly does get cold in Alaska. The
thermometer for five consecutive days in
January registered 81. 81, g. IS, GO, while
~ below is quite common. and cold weather
lasts from November to March 81. Sub
Stantial quarters have been constructed at
Forts Egbert. Gibbon and Cape Nome, and
the post at ST. Michael will be built during
the coming summer.
An officer coming to Alaska need fear no
greater hardships for himself and family
than those which follow a return to the
isolation of one or two company frontier
post. A well-stocked subsistence depart
ment furnishes all the necessaries of life.
and most Of the Injuries Fresh meat has
thus far been brought in in abundance in the
form of moose and caribou. Potatoes and
onions freeze solid in November, and. if
properly prepared are good as fresh veg
etables until they thaw in the spring. All
the early vegetables like radishes. lettuce,
onions, parsley, &c, come to perfection in
though hard wind at 40 Below is not I'M
heard of. The snow falls gradually-an inch
or so at time--and never melts until the
April sun and rain wear it away. In May
the ground is free from snow. rains con-
tlnue. gardens may be prepared and about
the 18th the ice in the river breaks I'D and
floats off to the sea. Near the end of May
steamers that have wintered in some trib-
Yukon rir- on,
their way to Dawson. Steamers from St
Mlchael. bringing passengers from the
states, do not come up the river until about
July to Ii
From June to October people require about
the same clothing they would wear in the
states. Mosquitoes abound and window
screens and mosquito bars are necessity.
man Is received twice per month through
out the year, except in fall and spin. when
ice Is forming on the streams or break king
up before navigation opens. Unless new ar
Iahseniehts are perfected. second-class mail
Is not delivered after navigation via st.
-Alchael closes. Arrangements must be
MADE with friends to forward envelopes of
chppings If one desires 10 keep up with the
news telegraph line connects Skae1lay
with Dawson. but 1 received one telegram
from Washington that was just a month
on the way.
AS to clothing. heavy underwear is indis-
PenSapie IN addition to these garments
heaVy short coats wraps must he nrc
Vlded to put on whenever it is necessary to
go out of doors. The government furnishes
caps and mittens and most excellent foot
gear in the form of felt Shoes Ladies will
ma a FUR park the best all-arouni outer
garment. One can be purchased In san
Francisco for s12. The felt shoe cannot be
improved upon. 1t is not necessary to re-
main within doors during the coolest
weather unless the wind is blowing. The
ordinary routine of a post goes on without
regard to temperature. and all can take ey-
erclse at any time without fear of frost
htes Bring plenty of books and games for
masters department wiiI,loubtless cnns,,1la
this as service across the seas, bring all
your furniture. Nothing can be obtained In
me country except at prohibi:ory prices.
10 sum up. [ would say that Alaska is no
worse than keogh Or Assinniboine, and the
greatest trial will be the lack of a daily
paper. = ''