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Subject: !!John MAHONEY's letters from the Klondike -- 1898
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 14:58:23 -0800

Just couldn't help myself -- I saw these letters while pulling vitals
from the Hollister paper & figured that some folks might find them
interesting. Hope someone enjoys them -- I know I did.
Dee
*************************

The Free Lance; Hollister, CA; 15 Apr 1898, p. 1:

FROM ALASKA --
Through the courtesy of Mr. Louis MAHONEY we are enabled to present the
following extracts from a letter received from his brother, John MAHONEY,
who left here last month for the Klondike. This is the first epistle
received since John embarked for Alaska:

Dyea, Mar. 24, ‘98
Dear Folks,
I left San Francisco, on March 17th (a sort of St. Patrick’s Day
celebration as it were) on the steamer “Humboldt,” and while we have had
a very fine trip since we left Seattle, yet, for the first 3 days, in
common with the majority of the passengers, I suffered greatly from
seasickness. Before reaching Seattle several of the passengers had money
stolen from their bunks. One man lost $150. The identity of the thieves
could not be discovered.

I made but few observations at Seattle. It appeared to be a lively place,
but I preferred to stay on the boat, and keep an eye on my possessions.
On March 19th we arrived at Victoria, and after breakfast all hands went
up to town to procure miner’s certificates, which cost us $11 apiece.
After leaving Victoria at 12 on the above date, we passed a great many
islands along the route. These islands were covered with pine and,
apparently, untenanted by human beings. The weather commenced to turn
very cold as we progressed north. During the day we passed 7 steamers
going and coming. The “Humboldt” being very fast easily outstripped all
vessels going north.

Next day (Sunday) we witnessed a grand sunrise, and from now on the
hilltops commenced to be covered with snow. We struck very rough weather
that day which had the effect of sending lots of the passengers back to
their bunks seasick again. For myself I never felt better. I ate
heartily, and slept nearly all the afternoon. In the evening, we had a
grand concert, in the cabin of the steamer. On Monday we made a landing
at Mary’s Island, the first American landing place after leaving
Victoria.

Tuesday it snowed all day and night. Everything the eye could see was
white. We commenced to be confronted with the stern realities and rigors
of Alaska life. Some of the “pet” boys, on the steamer, commenced to wish
themselves back home. One passenger wanted to sell his outfit for enough
to take him back home. I have not changed my clothing for anything
heavier yet. While some of my fellow passengers had donned furs, I felt
the cold but very little.

We arrived at Dyea on the 23rd, and commenced unloading. While the
weather is cold, still I think I have experienced colder weather at home.
They tell me it gets intensely cold the farther we get back in the
mountains. We expect to start from here tomorrow. I will keep a faithful
account of all incidents of the trip, and will send them to you when I
can.

Now, don’t worry about me. I am all right, sound and hearty. Try and
write to me at Dawson City, about the first of May. United States stamps
are worth 10 cents each in Dyea, yet you can buy oranges as cheap there
as in Seattle.

Tell anyone who expects to come to Alaska to stay at home. It takes money
to make this trip. They try to skin you on every side. However, I’m
started, and I mean to go through.

John MAHONEY

**********
The following letter addressed to the ‘Lance’ was received yesterday:

Sheep Camp, Apr. 2, 1898
Ed. Lance,
I have had little time to write since I landed at Dyea, as we got in a
little late for good traveling, and learning that the ice was fast
breaking up in many places on the trail, we had to keep moving on, or get
left, and have to pack our outfits on our backs, or have it transported
at 50cents per pound. At the present time we can get packed to the top of
the pass at 4cents per lb. The price is going up, however, all the time.

I had often heard it said that only horses and mules worked, but since
coming to Alaska, I have changed my opinion in that regard, somewhat. I
have seen a man pull 100 lbs. of freight over a hill that a horse could
not pull 350 lbs over. You can just bet a man works in this land of
golden prospects.

From Dyea to Canyon City is called 9 miles. It is certainly all of that
distance and a little more. It would not be bad sleighing were the ice
not all gone. The hauling, at present is done with wagons. We got over
the road before the ice had disappeared for 1 ½ cents per lb. From Canyon
City to Sheep Camp the road is through a deep canyon with huge
precipitous mountains on each side covered with snow. The canyon is only
about 10 feet wide in most places. It is extremely difficult for 2 teams
to pass in any place on the journey. The crowd passing back and forth
here reminds one of the crowd on Market street, or more like a nest of
ants. Everyone is pulling a sled or driving a team of some kind -- horse,
goat, dot or ox. No wagons can be used here. I think the ox is the most
serviceable beast, as you can convert him into beef after you get over
the mountain.

I have a number of my things at the “scales,” 3 miles above Sheep Camp.
From there it must be packed on one’s back, up 162 steps, to the top of
the Pass. The canyon will be passible for animals about 2 weeks longer,
after the ice breaks everything will have to be packed on the back. From
the top of the Pass we have a straight shoot down hill to the lakes.
Everybody going over must camp at Sheep Camp until all their possession
are on the top of the Pass, as there is no wood between those 2 places
for cooking purposes. Everybody going up in the morning takes a jug of
water with them, as water at the “scales” is worth 10cents a drink. A man
possessing lots of money can make this a great pleasure trip by camping
along the line and having his stuff transported over, but the man who has
to pack his own belongings will earn every cent he makes. Kind regards to
friends.

John MAHONEY

Transcribed by: Dee: CASanBenito0001
San Benito Co. abstracts:
http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/CA/SanBenito/index.html
Search engine located at:
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