Holyoke Snippets — April 25, 1898

by Laurel | April 25th, 2013

25 April 1898

mining tools

Letters from Holyoke Klondikers — Several interesting letters have been received from Holyoke men who have left for that place. It appears that nearly all of the Holyokers are now safe beyond the Chilkoot pass. Jake Becker writes from Lake Lindeman under date of April 3 that there were some terrible snow-slides in that vicinity at Sheep’s Camp and Summit. That morning a relief party has visited one of the landslides and discovered about 60 dead bodies. All were in their tents asleep when the slide came. there were about 200 men then searching for the bodies. Messrs. Lawler, Ferguson, Hayes, Warren, Walsh, Manning and the Easthampton party were all safe, as were Michael Proulx of Hatfield and John Rubick of Sunderland. The Indians say that the snow-slide was the severest that they have seen. Mr. Becker strongly advises those who think of going not to take any dogs with them, as eastern-bred dogs die rapidly; he had lost one and expects to lose the other two. As he was writing, 12 bodies were brought in, including one woman and a child. The bodies were to be embalmed and sent home, their outfits being sold to meet the expense. An equally interesting letter was received from Joseph Gamache, who was encamped about a mile from the Becker party. He, too, visited the scene of disaster and found 400 men shoveling to recover the bodies. The snow was then 15 feet deep on the trail and still blowing in. The stove in their tent had melted down in the snow about three feet. They expected to be on the move, however, before the letter could reach Holyoke. They were anxious to hear war news.

James H. Wood, who was reported to the police as missing Thursday night, has not been reported as found. He is a boy of 14, and is described as a quiet, retiring disposition and when last seen wore a checked shirt and collar, blue trousers and a brown hat.

The attraction at the Holyoke Opera House this evening will be Andrew Mack in “An Irish Gentleman,” a romantic drama in three acts written by Ramsay Morris (pen name of Frank Morris Ramsay  b. 1858 in Little Falls, NY — d. Nov 4 1931 in Jersey City, NJ).

There was a narrow escape from a collision on the Elmwood line yesterday morning. An Elmwood car came down at full speed on Maple Street and nearly ran into an Oakdale car that had just turned the corner from Cabot Street on to Maple Street. Both motormen reversed and the cars were stopped within to feet of each other. There was a difference of opinion as to which car was on the time of the other, but the Elmwood crew finally ran their car back to the Oakdale branch switch. Had there been a dense fog there would in all probability have been a serious collision.

There were but few cases before the Police Court on Saturday, and the civil cases were all continued on account of the meeting to honor the memory of Judge Pearsons. A charge of larceny brought against Mrs. Mary Leary was continued to today. One “drunk” was fined $10 and one $5.

Adapted from The Springfield Republican.

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