Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1897 — IN GENERAL. [ARTICLE]

IN GENERAL.

The total losses by fire for October in the United States and Canada aggregate $11,387,500. The latest trust reported to be in process of organization is a gigantic-combi-nation of insulated wire and electric cable manufacturers. Foreign orders for fifty-six locomotives have been booked by the Baldwin Locomotive Works within the last few days. The price aggregates $600,000. Robert T. Lincoln has been elected acting president of Pullman’s Palace Car Company. The election of a permanent president has been indefinitely postponed. Stories of the fabulous strikes in the Klondike literally drove three members of the whaler Winthrop crazy. They started to burn the ship in the Arctic Ocean and thus run away to the gold fields. The fire was put out. The Yukon Company of Seattle has contracted with the Roach Shipbuilding Company for 5,000-ton steamships to ply between Seattle and St. Michael’s. They are to have a speed of sixteen knots, and have accommodations for 1,000 passengers. Prof. Charles W. Shields’ resignation from the Presbyterian Church has been accepted by the New Brunswick Presbytery, which also adopted a resolution calling attention to the deliverance of the general assembly in regard to signing petitions for liquor licenses. The steamer George W. Elder has arrived at Nanaimo, B. C. Among her passengers was Donald Nicholson, who left Dawson-Sept,—2X-.—Mr„ Nicholson,, says the food problem was a most perplexing question when he left Dawson. Seven steamers were then overdue. Nicholson says that Skookum Gulch proved an absolute failure outside of one claim. He believes the country to be rich, but it can never be properly developed until' provisions are cheaper. Work is plenty at $1.50 per hour. The gold commissioner and mounted police do not consider it advisable, under existing circumstances, to collect the 20 per cent, royalty and to reserve alternate claims for the Government. The miners are not required to take out licenses, but have to pay sls for staking claims, which pays for surveying and recording, and SIOO for the claim the second year. F. W. Vaille, assistant superintendent of the railway mail service at Portland, Ore., has received a letter from Dyea stating that a party started Oct. 22 with 300 pounds of late mail for Dawson. The Canadian police were in charge, and the mail was drawn by dog teams.