Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-16
Dr. Cassidy of Kansas Max ing "Yukon Belt" Tour with Party, Praises Sew ard District.
VARIETY ASTOUNDING
Says Seward Is Most Sub- stantial Looking of All the Alaskan Towns He Has Visited.

 with the majority of my fellow travellers that of all the beautiful journeying we accomplished thru the Yukon Territory and Alaska, no where did We enjoy the scenic trip as we did coming from Anchorage to Seward. The spectacle of the snow capped, towering mountains, with the rails creeping along at its base, was superb" Thus spoke c. W. Cassidy, formerly pastor of the First Avenue Baptist church, of Wichita, Kansas, who passed thru the city Sunday a member of the Yukon Belt" party southbound to Seattle.
 The entire trip was one of de- light, in the admirable scenery along the entire route, and the accommo- dating service and comfort administer ed en route. The memory of the beautiful scenics in Southeastern Al aska; along the White Pass railway to Whitehorse; the journey down the Yukon, thirty miles from Whitehorse to Lake Labarge, where in the early morning hours, the river boat encoun- tered a solid, soft ice flow, and had to batter her way across to the river again, will never be forgotten, ,Dr. Cassidy said.
 Six Days On River.
 From Whitehorse to Dawson, the party of approximately 40 tourists, consisting of residents from various points in the United States, the trip was made in two days on the steam CT Yukon. Arriving at Dawson am. pie time was given the tourists to wis it number of the surrounding and once-afmous oldtime mining claims It was hard for them to believe, Dr. Cassidy remarked, that in Dawson just few years ago, 30,000 inhabi tants were living. The impression gained steadily upon them as the pa1- ty progressed down the mighty Yu kon that Alaska was slowly being de populated. The deserted and small villages, the many empty buildings encountered everywhere along the Yukon, all bore silent testimony of be- ing once animated towns and camps but now they appeared to the tour ists as ghosts hamlets."
 Three days were required to ride on the bosom of the Yukon river tc Fort Gibbon, thence 30 more to Ne mana, where river and rail meet
 Two Days In Fairbanks.
 The Alaska Railroad had a special train awaiting for them at Nenana which carried them to Fairbanks Here the key to the city" was turned over to them and for two days the travel CTS, either took the opportunity te rest awhile; take short run out owe, the Richardson Highway; the Alaska Farthest-North) College, which ere ated considerable suprise; or a TUT out to the many gigantic placer camps which are in operation and enjoy the thrill of watching a cleanup of gold The hospitality of the North, which in particular, the citizens of Fair banks are renowned for, was extend ed to the visitors, at every hand.
 Curry Hotel Lauded
 Leaving Fairbanks last Tuesday th party began looking forward to tn time of their arrival at Cantwell where the government reindeer herd graze near the railroad during tn summer months. A few were glimps ed. Next came the Mckinley Nation al Park and majestic mountain itself gorgeous view of the uprearin peak being caught from Talkeetna.
 A pleasant surprise awaited tn tourists at Curry where Manage A. B. Cummings personally saw t it that they were made to feel a home. This hotel should certainl be advertised to the toruists," Dl Cassidy remarked. A few of tn