Klondike nuggets From the wild north

Wednesday, 03 February 2010 00:00

February 3, 1899. Doings in Dawson City, the Yukon gold rush capital, as reported in the Dawson Nugget and summarized in the Toronto Leader, Toronto, February 3, 1899.
One Madison at Forty Mile was picked up at night in the bottom of a slough... Hands and feet were frozen, and both had to be removed, leaving a helpless trunk. The poor fellow was heartbroken and at last accounts was refusing food with the intention of ending his life.

The record made by the N.W.M.P. boys in advancing the mail which left Dawson Dec. 1, is worthy of more than passing notice. From Dawson to Stewart River in one day is a record of which the boys may well be proud... Mail communication between Dawson and the coast will be reduced to about 10 days. No greater boon can be given to the people of Dawson and vicinity than to be able to send and receive mail in such short time...”

The Dawson police court appears to do a flourishing business. “W. Green played the game for $25 and cost…R.A. Reynolds was full and did not deny it, and escaped with $20 and costs.
The gamblers are also engaging attention... J. Galbraith serves at the shrine of dame fortune. The police code does not recognize it as a legitimate profession. A fine of $50 and costs and all is well with Galbraith until next time.

Commissioner Ogilvie is undoubtedly proving himself to be the right man in the right place. While the social atmosphere at Dawson City is charged with elements, which are more, carefully disguised in older settlements, yet life is safe, property rights are respected, and law and order is maintained in an exemplary manner.