The Newtown bee., 1904-08-05
LITCHFIELD COUNTY
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON.
 A WAsH1NGTON BOY VISITS ALASKA.
 Ritzville, Wash, July 27, 1904.
 Upon returning from our trip to Southern Alaska, we have found the hot plains of Washington with the thermometer registering 1O5 in the shade quite contrast to the snOw- chilled winds of Alaska. Crossing Puget Sound from Seattle on the steamer Spokane" we were delighted with the view of the snow covered Olympics on our left and the peaks of Mt Baker and Mt Tacoma on our right. Indeed from start to finish we were charmed by the beauty of the fir-clad mountains capped. as they are by perpetual snow. Our first stop of interest was at Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. This is very att tractive city with substantial busi- ness blocks and residences; the gov ernment buildings recently completed at a cost of s1,OOO,O0O are especially fine. Here we saw a few real Indians and many Chinamen. Nearly the en- tire voyage northward was along the inside passage behind sheltered is- lands, so that we had very smooth voyage. We were affected by the ocean swell only three times, but that was suf11cent to make many of us hurry to our berths. At Douglas Is- lands we visited the celebrated Tread we'll mines and stamp mills, which are the largest of their kind in the world. Rock containing gold is taken from a large open mine called the 'Glory Hole." This rock is taken to the stamp mill and there crushed by hun- dreds of heavy stamps. In one mill there are 900 stamps. After being crushed the fine stone is washed by 8 skilfully arranged mechanical process. After being washed the concentrate is taken to Tacoma and there smelted for gold. This rock seldom yields over s8 worth of gold to ton Of rock and many times not more than sl.50 to a ton, but they crush about 5000 tons a day so that the concern pays we'll. The mine originally cost s400 and Treadwell sold it for $4,0O0, ,O00. The din in the stamp mill was so great that it is impossible to hear ones own voice no matter how loud you shout. One of the workmen tried to shout something in my ear, but I could not distinguish one word he said. Across the channel from Treadwen we called at Juneau, a hustling mining town beautifully situated at the base of high mountains. Early Saturday morning we reached Skagway, the most northerly point that our steamer visited. This town is the gateway to the famous Klondike region and is quite thriving village. We took the train over the White Horse Pass. It was over this pass that so many min- CTS struggled and lost their lives try ing to reach the Klondike country be- yond. From the open cars we could see below us the old trail and even in middle of July this was covered with snow in many places. The scenery on this ride was grand beyond descrip- ton. To me it was finer than any, thing saw in the Rocky mountains. This railroad was built at great ex- pense and much danger and loss of life. In many places the rails seem to hang right on the sides of the rocks. Trains now run twice day, summer and winter, carrying many passengers and quantities of provisions to the gold fields. From Skagway we turned south and went to Muir glacier. This is the largest explored glacier in the world. We were disappointed in not being able to sail close to the face o1 the great ice wall, but Glacier bay wa, so full of floating icebergs that ii would have been dangerous and i'm possible for the ship to turn around ir the ice. About four years ago ships went close to the glacier and made g landing, but an earthquake broke uI the ice and filled the bay with float ing bergs. At 10 one evening our shil was anchored one mile from shore ant about 50 passengers were taken ashor' in small boats. After 8 walk of tw' miles we climbed on Davidson glacier which we found full of dangerou
 crevasses, but very interesting. ha, a newspaper in my pocket and read {
 few lines to the explorers and on look
 ing at our watches we found it wa
 12,3O in the morning. It was no
 bright daylight, but there was suffic
 cent light to read by and goin
 through the deep woods we coul
 easily distinguish our companions
 Another evening we indulged in hail
 but fishing from the steamer, but fish erman's luck was not with us, for W
 caught only a dozen, several weighin
 from 30 to 40 pounds. The next morr ? ing we had fresh halibut for breal fast. Monday we were at Sitka, tn
 old capital of Russian Alaska. A sci
 clement was first made here in 1894 t
 some Russian traders. Many of tt
 old Russian buildings, including
 block house for defense against u | Indians are still standing Here W