Amador ledger., 1902-08-01
Letter From Alaska.
PoRCUPINE, ALASKA, July Is, 1902
Editor LEDGER

Three times the mercury has touched
e00 in the middle of the day. How
ever the summer rains have now begun,
and the weather is perfect. Wild
flowers, such as none but Alaskan
climate produces, are in profusion
wherever there is soil enough TO afford
a foothold. While their perfume is
faint and delicate, the small blossoms
have dainty freshness and brilliancy
of color not found nearer the equator.
Today is showery. Temp. CO.. The
snow is nearly all gone from the noun
tain tops and only the CLASSY glacier
still remind US that during the greater
part of the year this is the '1and of the
white silence" Fish, grouse, squirrels
and berries are plentiful, and the lazy
contentment of the Indians afford such
sharp contrast to the peverish rest
lessness of the white gold seekers, one
is almost tempted to get tub aud turn
philosopher. Still it must be remem-
bered that Diogenes preferred the city
to the wilderness.
July Sd l started on trip com bining
business with pleasure. Walked mile
to where Porcupine creek enters the
Klahens river, which is a little larger
than the Mokelumne. Two Indians,
one with clooch and papoose (wife and
baby surprised US by being ready to
start, and at 5 a. m. we seated our
selves In the bottom Of small canoe,
and away we went as fast as paddles
and the swift current could carry us.
The river banks seemed to be plying
up stream, and the short bends, float
ing logs and stranded stumps, kept the
Indians on their mettle continually.
Once the breaking of paddle made a
lively and anxious minute, but no harm
resulted. The rocks and pebbles in the
river bed made constant muffled rat
tling, as if Thousand loads OF marbles
were being rolled seaward. We came
16 miles in an hour and 40 minutes, to
Klukuan, where the Klahens flows into
the Chilcat, and reached Haines, AZ
miles from Porcupine, in time for din
ner. Here preparations for the 4th
were in progress, the Indians taking as
much interest as anyone. AS there
was practically no night, they set off
6rewheels, Roman candles, rockets. &c,
in broad daylight, along with fire.
crackers and bombs, and seemed to en-
joy it thoroughly. Friday morning
went to Skagway on small steamer,
arriving before noon. Celebration was
in full blast, and an excursion train
from White Horse had brought 23O of
our British cousins to listen to the
Declaration of Independence and hear
the eagle scream. Along with old
glory were flying great many English
flags, and on one staff was mongrel 1
did not fancy; viz, the stripes OF our
flag with the Union Jack in place of
the field OF stars. However. suppose
1t was intended to denote good will.
There was the usual program OF music,
procession, oratory and races, a base
ball game between the White Horse g.
White Pass r. r. clubs, won by the
latter. score to 6, and grand BALI
at night. spent three very pleasant
days at Maggie Murphy's Home" and
visiting old friends. Sksgway is retro
grading sadly in business way. on ac-
count OF restrictions put upon Ameri-
can trade by the Canadians, while our
officials are forbidden to retaliate by
strict commands from Washington.
Col. Ivey, the man who refused to
obey the humiliating orders of Secre-
tary Hay, has been removed, and more
than half the stores in Skagway have
been closed.
July 7th left for Juneau and Doug
las. On the way saw fight between
q whale and thrasher, but did not
learn which whipped. Our boat STOP
ped at an iceberg and "quarried off" a
lot OF Ice for home use. Icebergs are
broken off pieces OF glaciers, which are
rivers of ice formed from compressed
snow. Juneau is now the leading busi-
ness point of south eastern Alaska, but
Douglas Island, where the Treadwell
mines are situated, shows the greatest
improvement. Many new buildings
are going up, many of them very fine
ones. On the 11th l came to Haines
by small steamer; on the 18th l had an
Indian take me to Klukuan in a small
canoe with sail, and on the 18th
walked up the Klohens on the Canadian
trail in company with two old miners
Arriving opposite Porcupine, the rains
had raised the river so my companions
would not try to cross. With heavy
piece of driftwood on my shoulder to
hold me down, came across, although
the water was waist deep and too swift
for comfort, but l reached a warm
room and good supper, while the other
chaps had to remain over night at an
Indian fishing camp.
l miss the California fruit, but you
would enjoy our summer days with the
mercury ranging from so to 20. Can't
have all the good things in one place.
Yours,
G. H. G.
Their Secret Is Out.