The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-02
SOMEBODY'S
A Complete Abandoned Lumber Plant Found
In the wllds OF Alaska,


SEATTLE, Aug. 20.-The steamer Bos cowitz.
the last TO arrive from the north. brings details
Of one OF the strangest mysteries connected
with the exploration and developmentof Alaska.
For several months the Canadian Government
has had labOrers AT work surveying and put
ting in a telegraph line from Vancouver to
Dawson.
A few days ago while working near the old
juneau trail, In n dense forest, about one hun
dred miles from the coast. where IL was thought
white men had never been before. the survey
Ing party, that wa several days ahead OF the
pole and wire men, made a strange and CHASTITY
discovery. As they were working their way
through the forest they came to a heavily TIM
bered marsh. and near the centre OF this marsh.
they suddenly came upon a tract Of several
acres on which all the timber had been cut.
Near one side Of the clearing was a sawmill, still
in a good state Of preservation. The maohin-
cry had evidently not been disturbed since
these premises we're vacated by the operators.
With the exception Of a little rust on some OF
the bearings, the engine sc emed TO be ready
to fire up aud start AZ a moments notice. Tho
boiler was in good condition. and in different
parts of the mill were cross-cut saws, cant
hooks, axes. beetles. wedges. a blacksmith's
forge with all its appurtenances, n kit Of carpen-
ter's tools and other implements used around
a completely equipped sawmill. The lumber
OF the mill itself had evidently been cut on the
spot, and there we're several thousand feet
OF lumber which, to all Appearances. had been
cut about three years.
Near the sawmill was a shed that had evil
IDENTIFY been used for horses. and at intervals
OF a few feet around the shed were the skele-
tons OF twelve horses, most of them, Judging
from the bones, being large animals, Tn
bones we're entirely free from flesh. indicating
that they had been there at least two sum
mers. They were lying In such positions as
to show that they had never been disturbed
weatherbeaten ropes and, straps, the remains
OF the pack blankets and a quantity of half
decayed -four and other provisions that had
rolled from the backs OF the horses.
Near the mill were three small cabins con-
structed of logs and sawed lumber. and care
canned goods. bacon and flour. The hunks
on the walls contained a small quantity of bed
ding, and "A grindstone and several pairs OF
o~ycralls were found in one corner OF one of
them.
Search was made, but no human skeletons
We're found. The discovery was made about
forty miles of the old juneau Indian trail.
and all conditions point TO the conclusion that
the clearing was made three years ago. and
the horse. persisted the latter part Of the same
season, The trees were blazed on four sides.
way had separated. and were unable TO get
together again. The members OF the sur
veying party think that ~ the forest were
Of the camp should he found. The theory
OF murder by the Indians Is not entertained,
for In that case the provisions and tools would
surely have been taken. II Is estimated that
Of the mill outfit. when new. must have cost
at least a. OO.