Francisco and this city for the shipment of entire houses to the gold
regions. The houses will be constructed in sections, so that they may be
carried easily in boats up the Yukon or packed on sleds and carried
through the rough country in baggage trains. A New York firm which
makes a specialty of such houses has received orders for as many as can
be sent there.
[Illustration: SUPPLY STATION FOR CIRCLE CITY.]
No tents are used in winter, as they become coated with ice from the
breath of the sleepers and are also apt to take fire.
Clothing for Men.--A year's supply of winter clothing ought be taken,
especial pains being taken to supply plenty of warm, durable underwear.
Old-timers in the country wear in winter a coat or blouse of dressed
deer skin, with the hair on, coming down to the knees and held by a belt
round the waist. It has a hood which may be thrown back on the shoulders
when not needed. This shirt is trimmed with white deerskin or wolfskin,
while those worn in extreme weather are often lined with fur. Next in
importance to them are the torbassâ or Eskimo boots. These are of
reindeer skin, taken from the legs, where the hair is short, smooth and
stiff. These are sewed together to make the tops of the boots which come
up nearly to the knee, where they are tied. The sole is of sealskin,
turned over at heel and toe and gathered up so as to protect those parts
and then brought up on each side. They are made much larger than the
foot and are worn with a pad of dry grass which, folded to fit the sole,
thickens the boot and forms an additional protection to the foot. A pair
of strings tied about the ankle from either side complete a covering
admirably adapted to the necessities of winter travel. If the newcomer
can get such garments as these he will be well provided against winter
rigors.
Women going to the mines are advised to take two pairs of extra heavy
all-wool blankets, one small pillow, one fur robe, one warm shawl, one
fur coat, easy fitting; three warm woollen dresses, with comfortable
bodices and shirts knee length, flannel-lined preferable; three pairs of
knickers or bloomers to match the dresses, three suits of heavy all-wool
underwear, three warm flannel night dresses, four pairs of knitted
woollen stockings, one pair of rubber boots, three gingham aprons that
reach from neck to knees, small roll of flannel for insoles, wrapping
the feet and bandages; a sewing kit, such toilet articles as are
absolutely necessary, including some skin unguent to protect the face
from the icy cold, two light blouses or shirt waists for summer wear,
one oilskin blanket to wrap her effects in, to be secured at Juneau or
St. Michael; one fur cape, two pairs of fur gloves, two pairs of surseal
moccasins, two pairs of muclucs--wet weather moccasins.
[Illustration: VILLAGE OF ST. PAUL.]
She wears what she pleases en route to Juneau or St. Michael, and when
she makes her start for the diggings she lays aside every civilized
traveling garb, including shoes and stays, until she comes out.
Instead of carrying the fur robe, fur coat and rubber boots along, she
can get them on entering Alaska, but the experienced ones say, take them
along. Leggings and shoes are not so safe nor desirable as the
moccasins. A trunk is not the thing to transport baggage in. It is much
better in a pack, with the oilskin cover well tied on. The things to add
that are useful, but not absolutely necessary, are chocolate, coffee and
the smaller light luxuries.
Beds are made on a platform raised a few feet from the floor, and about
seven feet wide. Often consists of a reindeer skin with the hair on and
one end sewn up so as to make a sort of bag to put the feet in. A pillow
of wild goose feathers, and a pair of blankets. Sheets, which have been
unknown heretofore, may become essential, but such a conventionality as
a counterpane would better be left behind.
Provisions.--There was a report that Canadian mounted police would guard
the passes during the latter part of the summer of 1897 and refuse
admission to anyone who did not bring a year's provisions with him. This
has been estimated as weighing 1,800 pounds. Whether this is true or
not, it is certain that no one should go into the Yukon country without
taking a large supply of food, and taking it from his starting-point.
Whatever is the most condensed and nutritious is the cheapest, and this
should be collected with great care. There is well-grounded fear that
famine may overtake all the camps there before the opening of navigation
in the spring. Newspapers on August 2nd reported agents of the Alaska
Commercial Company as saying:
"We shall refuse to take passengers at all in our next steamer. We could
sell every berth at the price we have been asking--$250, as against $120
last spring--but we shall not sell one. We shall fill up with
provisions, and I have no doubt the Pacific Coast Company will do the
same. We are afraid. Those who are mad to get to the diggings will
probably be able to get transportation by chartering tramp steamers, and
there is a serious risk that there will not be food enough for them at
Juneau or on the Yukon. After the season closes it will be next to
impossible to get supplies into the Yukon country, and a large
proportion of the gold seekers may starve to death. That would be an
ominous beginning for the new camp. Alaska is not like California or
Australia or South Africa. It produces nothing. When the supplies from
outside are exhausted, famine must follow--to what degree no one can
tell."
[Illustration: PANORAMIC VIEW OF JUNEAU.]
It was further understood at this date that there are 2,000 tons of food
at St. Michael, and the Alaska Company has three large and three
small steamers to carry it up river. It is hard to ascertain how much
there is at Juneau; it is vaguely stated that there are 5,000 tons. At a
pinch steamers might work their way for several months to come through
the ice to that port from Seattle, which is only three days distant. But
it may be nip and tuck if there is any rush of gold seekers from the
East.
Alaskan Mails.--Between Seattle and Sitka the mail steamers ply
regularly. On the City of Topeka there has been established a regular
sea post-office service. W. R. Curtis is the clerk in charge. Between
Sitka and Juneau there is a closed pouch steamboat service. Seattle
makes up closed pouches for Douglas, Fort Wrangel, Juneau, Killisnoo,
Ketchikan, Mary Island, Sitka, and Metlakatlah. Connecting at Sitka is
other sea service between that point and Unalaska, 1,400 miles to the
west. This service consists of one trip a month between Sitka and
Unalaska from April to October and leaves Sitka immediately upon arrival
of the mails from Seattle. Captain J. E. Hanson is acting clerk. From
Unalaska the mails are dispatched to St. Michael and thence to points on
the Yukon.
The Postoffice department has perfected not only a summer but a winter
star route service between Juneau and Circle City. The route is overland
and by boats and rafts over the lakes and down the Yukon, and is 900
miles long. A Chicago man named Beddoe carries the summer mail, making
five trips between June and November, and is paid $500 a trip. Two
Juneau men, Frank Corwin and Albert Hayes, operate the winter service
and draw for each round trip $1,700 in gold. About 1,200 letters are
carried on each trip. The cost of forwarding letters from Circle City to
Dawson City is one dollar for each letter and two for each paper, the
mails being sent over once a month. The Chilkoot Pass is crossed with
the mail by means of Indian carriers. On the previous trips the
carriers, after finishing the pass, built their boats, but they now have
their own to pass the lakes and the Lewes River.
In the winter transportation is carried on by means of dogsleds, and it
is hoped that under the present contracts there will be no stoppage, no
matter how low the temperature may go. The contractor has reported that
he was sending a boat, in sections, by way of St. Michael, up the Yukon
River, to be used on the waterway of the route, and it is thought much
time will be saved by this, as formerly it was necessary for the
carriers to stop and build boats or rafts to pass the lakes.
[Illustration: VIEW OF WRANGELL (FROM CHIEF'S HOUSE).]
Contracts have been made with two steamboat companies for two trips from
Seattle to St. Michael. When the steamers reach St. Michael, the mail
will be transferred to the flat-bottomed boats running up the Yukon as
far as Circle City. It is believed the boats now run further up.
The contracts for the overland route call for only first-class matter,
whereas the steamers in summer carry everything, up to five tons, each
trip.
Sledges and Dogs.--The sleds are heavy and shod with bone sawed from the
upper edge of the jaw of the bowright whale. The rest of the sled is of
spruce and will carry from six to eight hundred pounds. The sleds used
in the interior are lighter and differently constructed. They consist of
a narrow box four feet long, the front half being covered or boxed in,
mounted on a floor eight feet long resting on runners. In this box the
passenger sits, wrapped in rabbit skins so that he can hardly move, his
head and shoulders only projecting. In front and behind and on top of
the box is placed all the luggage, covered with canvas and securely
lashed, to withstand all the jolting and possible upsets, and our snow
shoes within easy reach.
An important item is the dog-whip, terrible to the dog if used by a
skillful hand and terrible to the user if he be a novice; for he is sure
to half strangle himself or to hurt his own face with the business end
of the lash. The whip I measured had a handle nine inches long and lash
thirty feet, and weighed four pounds. The lash was of folded and plaited
seal hide, and for five feet from the handle measured five inches round,
then for fourteen feet it gradually tapered off, ending in a single
thong half an inch thick and eleven feet long. Wonderful the dexterity
with which a driver can pick out a dog and almost a spot on a dog with
this lash. The lash must be trailing at full length behind, when a jerk
and turn of the wrist causes it to fly forward, the thick part first,
and the tapering end continuing the motion till it is at full length in
front, and the lash making the fur fly from the victim. But often it is
made to crack over the heads of the dogs as a warning.
[Illustration: A TEAM OF DOGS AND DOG SLEDGES.]
The eleven dogs were harnessed to the front of the sled, each by a
separate thong of seal hide, all of different lengths, fastened to a
light canvas harness. The nearest dog was about fifteen feet from the
sled, and the leader, with bells on her, about fifty feet, the thongs
thus increasing in length by about three feet. When the going is good
the dogs spread out like the fingers of a hand, but when the snow is
deep they fall into each other's tracks in almost single file. As they
continually cross and recross each other, the thongs get gradually
plaited almost up to the rearmost dog, when a halt is called, the
dogs are made to lie down, and the driver carefully disentangles them,
taking care that no dog gets away meanwhile. They are guided by the
voice, using "husky," that is, Eskimo words: "Owk," go to the right;
"arrah," to the left, and "holt," straight on. But often one of the men
must run ahead on snowshoes for the dogs to follow him.
The dogs are of all colors, somewhat the height of the Newfoundland, but
with shorter legs. The usual number is from five to seven, according to
the load.
List of prices that have been current in Dawson City during 1897:
Flour, per 100 lbs. $12.00 to $120.00
Moose ham, per lb. 1.00 to 2.00
Caribou meat, lb. .65
Beans, per lb. .10
Rice, per lb. .25 to .75
Sugar, per lb. .25
Bacon, per lb. .40 to .80
Butter, per roll 1.50 to 2.50
Eggs, per doz. 1.50 to 3.00
Better eggs, doz. 2.00
Salmon, each 1.00 to 1.50
Potatoes, per lb. .25
Turnips, per lb. .15
Tea, per lb. 1.00 to 3.00
Coffee, per lb. .50 to 2.25
Dried fruits, per lb. .35
Canned fruits .50 to 2.25
Lemons, each .20 to .25
Oranges, each .50
Tobacco, per lb. 1.50 to 2.00
Liquors, per drink .50
Shovels 2.50 to 18.00
Picks 5.00 to 7.00
Coal oil, per gal. 1.00 to 2.50
Overalls 1.50
Underwear, per suit 5.00 to 7.50
Shoes 5.00 to 8.00
Rubber boots 15.00 to 18.00
Based on supply and demand the above quoted prices may vary several
hundred per cent. on some articles at any time.
Fare to Seattle by way of Northern Pacific, $81.50.
Fee for Pullman sleeper, $20.50.
Fee for tourist sleeper, run only west of St. Paul, $55.
Meals served in dining car for entire trip, $16.
Meals are served at stations along the route a la carte.
Distance from New York to Seattle, 3,290 miles.
Days required to make the journey, about six.
Fare for steamer from Seattle to Juneau, including cabin and meals, $35.
Days, Seattle to Juneau, about five.
Number of miles from Seattle to Juneau, 725.
Cost of living in Juneau, about $3 per day.
Distance on Lynn Canal to Healey's Store, steamboat, seventy-five miles.
Number of days, New York to Healey's Store, twelve.
Cost of complete outfit for overland journey, about $150.
Cost of provisions for one year, about $200.
Cost of dogs, sled and outfit, about $150.
Steamer leaves Seattle once a week.
Best time to start is early in the Spring.
Total cost of trip, New York to Klondike, about $667.
Number of days required for journey, New York to Klondike, thirty-six to
forty.
Total distance, New York to the mines at Klondike, 4,650 miles.
Doane & McDonald
233-235 Monroe St., Chicago, Ill.
Leather and
Duck Clothing
Fur Garments and Robes
Prospectors' Clothing
Three-Point Blankets
Exquimaux Suits
Sleeping Bags
[Illustration: No. 477.]
[Illustration: No. 21.]
RAND, MCNALLY & CO.'S
Large Map of Alaska
SIZE, 24 × 36 INCHES.
From United States and Dominion of Canada Official Survey, revised to
July 29, 1897, shows in detail
THE GOLD FIELDS OF THE KLONDIKE REGION
The Routes from
JUNEAU, YUKON RIVER AND NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Locates and names
DAWSON
FORT RELIANCE
FORTY MILE CREEK
SIXTY MILE CREEK
FORT SELKIRK
JUNEAU
TELEGRAPH CREEK
TESLIN RIVER
LEWIS RIVER
CHILKOOT PASS
CHILKAT PASS
WHITE PASS
ATLIN LAKE
WRANGELL
TESLIN LAKE
TAMZILLA RIVER
And all other points of importance.
SCALE 1:3,600,000, OR 55 MILES TO THE INCH.
=Price, in pocket form, 50 cents.= Sent to any address in the
United States and Canada prepaid, upon receipt of price.
Rand, McNally & Co., Publishers,
NEW YORK BRANCH:
61 EAST NINTH STREET. ....CHICAGO.
For Convenient Reference.
NEW COLORED MAPS OF EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. AN ACCURATE UP-TO-DATE
READY REFERENCE WORK FOR THE USE OF EVERYBODY.
[Illustration]
160 PAGES. SIZE, 12 × 14 INCHES.
Showing NOTHING BUT MAPS of
Each State, Territory, and large City in the United
States, Provinces of Canada, the Continents and their
Subdivisions, with Ready-reference Marginal Index.
Bound in stiff cloth, colored edges. Price, $2.50
THE LATEST ACKNOWLEDGED STANDARD MANUAL
FOR
Presidents, Secretaries,
DIRECTORS, CHAIRMEN, PRESIDING OFFICERS,
And everyone in anyway connected with public life or corporate bodies
IS
_Reed's Rules_
BY
THE HON. THOMAS B. REED,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
"I commend the book most highly."
=WILLIAM McKINLEY,= _President of the United States._
"Reasonable, right, and rigid."
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_Ex-Secretary of Agriculture._
CLOTH, 75 CENTS,
LEATHER, $1.25.
RAND, McNALLY & CO., Publishers,
CHICAGO.
MARAH ELLIS RYAN'S WORKS.
A FLOWER OF FRANCE.
A STORY OF OLD LOUISIANA.
The story is well told.--_Herald, New York._
A real romance--just the kind of romance one delights
in.--_Times, Boston._
Full of stirring incident and picturesque
description.--_Press, Philadelphia._
The interest holds the reader until the closing
page.--_Inter-Ocean, Chicago._
Told with great fascination and brightness. * * * The
general impression delightful. * * * Many thrilling
scenes.--_Herald, Chicago._
A thrilling story of passion and action.--_Commercial,
Memphis._
A PAGAN OF THE ALLEGHANIES.
A genuine art work.--_Chicago Tribune._
A remarkable book, original and dramatic in
conception, and pure and noble in tone.--_Boston
Literary World._
REV. DAVID SWING said:--The books of Marah Ellis Ryan
give great pleasure to all the best class of readers.
"A Pagan of the Alleghanies" is one of her best works;
but all she writes is high and pure. Her words are all
true to nature, and, with her, nature is a great
theme.
ROBERT G. INGERSOLL says:--Your description of scenery
and seasons--of the capture of the mountains by
spring--of tree and fern, of laurel, cloud and mist,
and the woods of the forest, are true, poetic, and
beautiful. To say the least, the pagan saw and
appreciated many of the difficulties and
contradictions that grow out of and belong to creeds.
He saw how hard it is to harmonize what we see and
know with the idea that over all is infinite power and
goodness * * * the divine spark called Genius is in
your brain.
SQUAW ÉLOUISE.
Vigorous, natural, entertaining.--_Boston Times._
A notable performance.--_Chicago Tribune._
A very strong story, indeed.--_Chicago Times._
TOLD IN THE HILLS.
A book that is more than clever. It is healthy, brave,
and inspiring.--_St. Louis Post-Dispatch._
The character of Stuart is one of the finest which has
been drawn by an American woman in many a day, and it
is depicted with an appreciation hardly to be expected
even from a man.--_Boston Herald._
IN LOVE'S DOMAINS.
There are imagination and poetical expressions in the
stories, and readers will find them interesting.--_New
York Sun._
The longest story, "Galeed," is a strong, nervous
story, covering a wide range, and dealing in a
masterly way with some intricate questions of what
might be termed amatory psychology.--_San Francisco
Chronicle._
MERZE; THE STORY OF AN ACTRESS.
We can not doubt that the author is one of the best
living orators of her sex. The book will possess a
strong attraction for women.--_Chicago Herald._
This is the story of the life of an actress, told in
the graphic style of Mrs. Ryan. It is very
interesting.--_New Orleans Picayune._
* * * * *
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RAND, McNALLY & CO., Publishers, Chicago and New York
ESTABLISHED 1840.
GEO. B. CARPENTER & CO.
MANUFACTURERS OF
Miners' and Camping
[Illustration]
TENTS
[Illustration]
Sleeping Bags
Camp Outfits
=WATER-PROOF CLOTHING,=
=WATER-PROOF DUNNAGE BAGS, Etc.=
WESTERN AGENTS FOR THE
Primus Cooking Stove
=Used Exclusively by NANSEN on his Trip to the Pole.=
Send 4 cents in stamps for Catalogue,
and mention this Guide.
=202, 204, 206, 208 South Water Street,=
=CHICAGO, ILL.=
Alaska-Klondike
Gold Mining Company
CAPITAL STOCK ... 500,000 Shares.
Par Value ... $10.00 each.
Full Paid--Non-Assessable.
* * * * *
This Company is a
Transportation,
Commercial, and Mining Corporation
owning large GOLD GRAVEL claims on the Yukon, Klondike, and other rivers
in Alaska, and now have under construction steamers to ply on the Yukon
next season.
The Board of Directors are a sufficient guarantee that
the affairs of the Company will be well managed.
_DIRECTORS._
=JAMES RICE=,
Late Secretary State of Colorado.
=WM. SHAW=,
Capitalist, Chicago.
=E. M. TITCOMB=, Vice-Pres't and Gen'l Manager,
Eastman Fruit Despatch Co.
=H. C. FASH=,
Member Maritime Exchange, New York.
=GEO. W. MORGAN=,
Circle City, Alaska.
A limited amount of Shares are offered at =$10.00 per share=.
For information, address,
Alaska-Klondike Gold Mining Co.
96 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.
HON. JAMES RICE, PRESIDENT.
W. L. BOYD, SECRETARY.
HO! FOR THE
Klondike
REGIONS AND THE
Gold Fields
of Alaska
We make a specialty of outfitting, and can supply you
with everything you eat, wear, or use. We have ...
=Jumbo Shirts, Underwear and Hosiery
for the Northern Regions,=
sold by us exclusively,
=Gum Boots,= =Fur Robes and Blankets,=
=Miners' Boots,= =Canned Food Products,=
=Woolen Shirts,= =Meats,=
=Pants,= =Portable Camp Outfits=
=Overcoats,= (tin and aluminum),
=Arctic Clothing,= =Miners' Tools,=
=Sleeping Bags,= =Guns and Ammunition.=
In fact, we can supply you with anything and
everything you'll need during your stay in Alaska.
=Our General Catalogue _and_ Buyers' Guide=
Tells the prices. Send 15 cents to partly pay postage
or expressage, and we'll send you a copy. It has
nearly 800 pages, over 13,000 illustrations, and more
than 40,000 descriptions of everything you wear or
use.
MONTGOMERY WARD & Co.
111 to 120 Michigan Ave.,
CHICAGO.
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired. Text uses Shagway, Shkagway and
Skagway once each.
Page iv, "intensly" changed to "intensely" (is intensely curious)
Page vi, repeated word "to" removed original read (travelers to to that
far-away)
Page 49, "guage" changed to "gauge" (for a narrow gauge)
Page 50, "Lindemann" changed to "Lindeman" (miles below Lake Lindeman)
Page 52, "oulet" changed to "outlet" (The outlet is a clear)
Page 73, "reconnoisance" changed to "reconnaissance" (examined until the
reconnaissance)
Page 75, "Cambell" changed to "Campbell" (1840 Robert Campbell)
Page 79, "completely" changed to "completed" (completed, when, on
August)
Page 80, "exhorbitant" changed to "exorbitant" (at an exorbitant profit)
Page 85, "murcury" changed to "mercury" (rocks with the mercury)
Page 118, "ACRICULTURE" changed to "AGRICULTURE" (CLIMATE, AGRICULTURE
AND HEALTH)
Page 123, "accurred" changed to "occurred" (65 below, occurred)
Page 127, "ophmalmic" changed to "opthalmic" (the opthalmic nerve)
Page 135, "raindeer" changed to "reindeer" (of a reindeer skin with)