The National tribune., 1902-09-25
CONDITIONS IN THE KLONDIKE.
Wood for Fuel $22 per Cord-Two Coal Mines
Now Operated in the Territory.

Conditions in far-away and frigid Daw
son are interestingly pictured III report
recently received by the Department OF
State from Consul Henry ID. SaylOr. The
report states that Dawson is connected
| with the outside world by two routes
known as the ''inside" and outside" Th'
inside route is the one used in Winter as
well as in Summer, and extends via Skag
way overland and by river to Dawson
The other way is to st. Michael and
thence up the Yukon River, this one being
used in the Summer season only.
The sO-called passenger stages which
travel between Dawson and White Horse
twice week are drawn by four horses
These stages, or sleds, Consul SaylOr says
are as comfortable as the circumstances OF
the route will permit. Each consists of
an open box mounted ON bOb-sled runners,
and is about II feet i'll length. In the cen
ter Of the box are two seats, arranged
back to back; in the rear is another seat
and in the front still another. In front
of this is the drivers seat, with accommo-
dations for one passenger, making seat
ing capacity for nine passengers and driv-
er.
The stages are upholstered in leather
and corduroy and furnished with large fur
rugs and robes. In the rear is boot
in which 1000 pounds of mail and 1,00O
pounds of passenger baggage can be car,
ried The travel was very heavy last
Winter, bT. not u single accident occurred
The sleds are well equipped with good
modern brakinG appliances, and every pre-
caution is taken to avoid accidents or de,
lays. A relay OF fresh horses is supplied
every 25 miles. The trip is usually made
in II relays, in which 6S horses are used
About Is miles per day are made.
The quickest time made between White
Horse and Dawson, including day and
night service, was three days and IL
hours, which enabled letters from New
York and Philadelphia to reach Dawson
during the Winter months within ID days
Passengers not desiring to travel at night
are provided for at road houses, which are
comfortably furnished. The daily cost OF
meals along the trail, including lodging
at the inns, averages about So per pas
senger. In Winter the trail is well packed
and comparatively smooth.
The weather at times is very cold, aver
aging for days from 40 to so below zero
The average fare from White Horse to
Dawson during the Winter was 500, the
lowest being 500, and the highest being
$50, exclusive of excess baggage leach
passenger being allowed % pounds of bag
gage, and all in excess being carried at the
rate of 40 cents per pound). The above
house expenses.
In Summer the trip from White Horse
to Dawson is made By steamboats, on the
Yukon River, and the fare averages SIS
including board. As to means of access
from Dawson to different parts of the sur
rounding territory, the Canadian Govern
ment has constructed good wagon roads
to all the creei's within a radius of AZ
or SO miles. At the end of the year 1901
there were over 1876 miles of these roads
which have greatly facilitated the develop
ment of the gold fields
The development Of the Klondike, adds
the American Consul, has been largely due
to the enterprise and capital Of our own
people, about 20 per cent Of the popula.
ton being Americans. The output of gold
for 1902 promises to exceed that of last
year, which amounted to over $4,000, 600
The statement that business panic pre-.
walls at Dawson and that the miners are
deserting the creeks is false.
In conclusion the Consul states that
wood, the principal fuel in the Klondike,
costs the consumer $22 per cord. Efforts
are being made to locate coal veins, and
as result two coal mines are now sue
cessfully operated in the Territory.