The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-03-26
MILITARY LIFE IN ALASKA.
Weather Cold and Mercury Retiring
But Conditions Not Wholly Bad.

| Weather Cold and Mercury Retiring,
But Conditions Not Wholly Bad,
The government having at last ex-
pended considerable sums Of money to-
ward establishing military posts in
Alaska, it is reasonable to suppose that
the army must in the future look for
ward 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 phesume
to give to my fellow officers the bene-
fit 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 sixty-thrse,
sixty-two. sixty-fve, weight, sixty
two, while forty below is quite common,
apd cold weather lasts from November
/ to March 81. Substantial 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 or fam
lily than those which follow a return to
the isolation of a one or two company
frontier post A well stocked subsis-
tence department furnishes all the ne
cessaries of life, and most of the luxu-
ries. Fresh meat has thus far been
brought in in abundance in the form of
moose and caribou. Potatoes and on
ions freeze solid in November 2nd, If
properly prepared are as good as fresh
vegetables until they thaw in the spring.
All the early vegetables like radishes,
lettuce, onions, parsley, &C., come to
perfection in August. 1t is dry and or
dinarily still, though hard wind at
forty below is not unheard of. The
snow falls gradually-an inch or so at
a time-and never melts until the April
sun and rain wear it away. In May the
ground is, free from snow, rains con-
tinue gardens may be prepared, and
about the 18th the ice in the river
breaks up and floats off to the sea-
Near the end of. May steamers that have
in some tributary of the Yu-
kon come up the river on their way to
Dawson. Steamers from st. Michael
passengers from the States, do
not come up the river until about July
to Is.
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 a necessity. Mail is received twice !
per month throughout the year. except |
in fall and spring when ice is forming |
On the streams, or breaking up before
navigation opens Unless new arrange |
nents are perfected, second-class mail |
s not delivered after navigation via st, |
Michael closes. Arrangements must be |
made with friends to worward envelopes
If clippings If one desires to keep up |
With the news A telegraph line con-
lects Skaguay with Dawson but I re-
,eived one telegram from Washington
hat was just month on the way
AS to clothing, heavy underwear is In
In addition to these gar
nents, heavy short coats or wraps must
,e provided to put on whenever it is
leressary to go out of doors. The gov
furnishes caps and mittens,
nd most excellent footgear in the form
f felt shoes. Ladies will find fur
'arki the best all around outer garment.
me can be purchased in San Francisco
or twelve dollars. The felt shoe cannot
Re improved upon. 1t Is not necessary
o remain within doors during the cold
st weather unless the wind is blowing.
he ordinary routine of post goes on
Without regard to temperature, and all
an take exercise at any time without
ear of frost bites. Bring plentN of
ooks and games for the long winter
AS the quartermaster's de-
artment will doubtless construe this as
ervice across the seas, bring all your
urniture. Nothing can be obtained in
be country except at phohibtory
rices.
To sum up I would say that Alaska
no worse than Keogh or Assnniboine.
nd the greatest trial will be the lack of
daily paper,-Army and Navy Jour
al.