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Subject: Klondike Letter -- John MAHONEY -- Sep 1898
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 14:58:27 -0800
The Free Lance
Hollister, CA
23 Sep 1898
Letter from Alaska --
Selwyn River, July 12, 1898 --
Dear Folks,
I eagerly seize the present chance to write these few lines to you,
knowing full well how anxious you will be to hear from me, although I
never can hear from you, but I suppose that is because I am ever on the
move.
I have not, however, let much grass grow under my feet. When I last wrote
you I was going up Pelly River. I ascended that stream and found small
colors on the various bars with which the river abounds, but nothing
more. At last, however, I think I have got hold of something worth while
talking about. I have located a claim upon the Selwyn River, 12 miles
from its mouth, just below Discovery Creek. It is claim No. 37, and
together with the locator of claim 36 we shall work both mines, and if my
expectations are realized I shall go home in the spring. If I am
disappointed I shall go home anyhow. I think my present chances are very
good. The man who discovered these diggings, came here in 95, but left
here to join the rush at Dawson. He secured a claim there, sold it, and
then came back here, and there are over 500 claims located on this river
now.
Should this claim of mine turn out good it is the only strike made here
this year. All those stories in the newspapers were lies. Those who went
to Dawson are leaving there as fast as they can, and going home
completely discouraged and disgusted. They are getting out of the region
as best they can, but I will have the same chance to get out in the
Spring that they have now.
Dawson is a huge fake. It is a good place to stay away from. There are
over 100 men for every job. Some of my companions, on the trip in, have
never yet put a pick in the ground. By staying here this winter, even
should my claim turn out to be a failure, I stand a chance of securing
work from some one who has got a good claim. I will start in to move my
outfit up here next Monday. It will all have to be packed upon my back. I
will only take enough to last me until the river freezes over next month,
then I will pack it in on a sled. I shall start in at once to build my
cabin and get fixed all snug for winter.
Farewell! Dont write, as there is no post office near here. I will write
to you again soon.
Signed: John MAHONEY
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