Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-12
MILITARY LIFE IN ALASKA.
Weather Cold and Mercury Retiring
but Conditions not Wholly Bad.
Army and Navy JournaI)

tATHly anu Navy JouIildt'p
The government having at last ex-
DC nded considerable sums Of money
toward establishing military posts in
Alaska, it is reasonab bic 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, ! shall
presume to give to my fellow officers
the benefit of years experience on
the Yukon with the expectation that 1t
may be Of ues to them.
II certainly does get cold in Alaska.
The thermometer for five consecutive
days in January registered 63. G2, G5,
ss, G2, while 40. below is quite common,
and cold weather lasts from Nov. ] to
March 81. Substantial quarters have
been constructed at Forts Egbert, Glib
hon 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
family than those which follow a re-
tuIn to the isolation Of a one or two
company frontier post. a well stocked
subsistence department furnishes all
the necessaries of life. and most of the
uXuries. Fresh meat has thus far been
brought in in abundance in the form of
moose and caribou. Potatoes and on
il ms freeze solid in November, and II
properly prepared, are as good as fresh
vegetables until they thaw in the
spring. All the early vegetables like
radishes. lettuce. onions. parsley, etc.
come TO perfection in August. II is dry
end ordinarily still. though a hard
wind at 40 below is not unheard oi.
The snow fails gradua lly-an inch or
so nj q time-and never melts until the
April sun and rain wear il away In
May the ground is free from snow,
rains continue. gardens may be .prepar-
ed. and about the 18th the ice in the
river breaks up and floats off TO sea
Near the end Of May. steamers that
have wintered in some tributary Of the
Yukon come up the river on their way
T. Dawson. Steamers from st. Mich
rel bringing passengers from the states
do not come up the river until about
july 10 H.
From June to October people require
IN the States. Mosquitoes abound and
window screens and mosq1ito bars are a
necessity. Mail is received twice per
month throughout the year. except in IA 4
and spring when ice is forming on the
streams. or breaking UP before naviga-
lion opens n Mess new arrangements
are perfected. sccond--lass mail is not
delivered after navigation via ST Michael
closes Arrangements must be made with
friends 20 forward envelopes OF clippings
II one desires 70 ekep up with the news
As 10 clothing. heavy underwear is in
dispensahle, In addition 10 these gar
ments. heavy short coats or wraps must
be provided to put on whenever il 4
necessary to go out OF doors. The gov
eminent furnishes caps and mittens ana
most excellent footwear in the form o..
felt shoes. Ladies will find a fur park
the best all around outer garment One
can be purchased in San Francisco for
Sl2. The felt shoe cannot be improved
upon. Ii il not necessary to remain with
i'm doors during the coolest weat un-
less the nwid is blowing. The ordinary
routine " post goes on without regard
To temperature. and an can take exer-
else at any time without fear of fros
bites. Brink plenty Of books and games
for the long winter evenings As the
quartermaster department will doubt
less coustrUc this as service across TIL
seas. bring ali your furniture. Nothing
can be obtained in the country except
at prohihitory prices.
To sum up | would say that Alaska is
no worse .lan Keogh or Assinniboine.
and the greatest trial will be the lack OF
daily paper.