The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-09-27

liable to community as the Bub0nic
plague, cholera or smallpox, With so
many saloons paying license, one
would expect good side walks and well
paved streets, but such is not the
case. Beyond the business streets,
10 the residence part OF the place, the
ladies have to wear gum boots to get
across the muddy tundra from house
to house. 1t is an incongruous pic
ture when one OF these fine ladies in
diamonds and seal skins pass by, lif-
ting a rich silk or satin kirt, not to
reveal delicate slipper or French
gaiter. but pair Of awful gum boots,
such as men wear in the mud and
mire Of the gold mines.
We have dreamed Of some sweet
day when we could walk the
streets Of city paved with gold, but
here we have already walked the
front street Of a city nearly
wo miles with much gold mixed with
the sands beneath its plank pave
ments. On the beach in front and
for several miles above and below the
city are a large number OF men pa
tiently panning the fine dust from the
sands Much of this sand has been
washed before, and some of the men
find it difficult to get. enough money
ahead to buy ticket to distant
home in the states. We would not
advise anyone to come to this country
! without bringing money enough to
get back on, and also plenty Of good
books to read along the way. Ex'
ceptihg sensational novels there are
comparatively few books to be found
anywhere in Alaska
10 1898, Catherine H., of Russia,
sent Missionaries to Alaska, ther
called Russian America, and witt
them couyicts from Siberia to teach
agriculture. This accounts for much
of tie scandals and crueltieS in the
treatment Of the natives during those
dark DAYS. These Russians then haC
a proyerb: "Heaven is high and thl
car distant y Remoteness from
Washington City led one of the earl'
district judges of Nome to attempt
high-handed game to cheat the poore
miners out of their claims. Thi
Judge declared many of them bank
rupt and appointed foxy or cunnDI
manipulation of a great railroad IA
receiver for various mines belonging
to poor Norweglans and Swedes
, Had it not been that a wealthy man b
the name OF Lane had bought lsrg
number of such claims from Scan
| danavianS, who had the friendshi
and influence of Teller and Stewart
two Of the ablest mining lawyers i
the United States Senate, this high
handed attempt at judicial and whole
: sale robbery might Of had succeeded
! Instead of such success, however, tn
Judge and the rascal recejYer bot
landed in prison.
There are only two railroads yet
{ all Alaska; the White Horse froI
{ Skagway to the headwaters of th
: Yukon, and the Wild Goose Road 0
. Cape Nome, leading from the city {
I Nome out into the mountains an
6 mines A very important road is mo-
> 10 prospect and is being suryeYe
y from Valdez to Eagle City, on ih
?" Yukon near the line between Alssk
i and Canada. Valdez is a port Oh tn
: Pacific, mparatiSely free from ic
2 all winter. Port Clarence is the onl
u place where large city could /
y ! rgicaIly located The present cit
2 of Nome is dreadfully exposed to tn
. raging sea aud It costs almost ;
o much to land freight from the lare
q ships anchored three miles from IL
shore, as 10 get such freight from I'll
T states. II Nome ever grows TO be
, large city, a lIte.saylng station will |
's very necessary In rough weathe
! passengers on large ships are detaine
ie for days before they can be safe
4 landed.
ls One Of the most pleasant memori
y we viii bear from Behring sea will