Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

THE WHITE PASS AND YUKON RAILWAY. 23 the Yukon River to the Klondike in small boats built by themselves on the banks of the Yukon. After navigation had closed in the autumn of 1897 the goldseekers still continued to arrive throughout the winter, and being unable to get over the passes till the spring, had to remain at the head of Lynn Canal, where they settled down on a gravel flat called by the Indians Skagua, which has since become known to the world as Skaguay. a company of soldiers, while the Canadians kept a few mounted policemen there, who were only allowed by the United States the status of private individuals, as the disputed territory was de facto in the possession of the United States. But there were no laws of the United States applicable to it, and no courts estab- lished to give effect to them if there had been any. In these circumstances Skaguay became a sort of Tom Tiddler’s ground and centre of CLEARING A PATH FOR THE RAILWAY THROUGH A PINE FOREST. Exciting Times at Skaguay. The Klondike rush made this place of great importance, and a hot dispute at once arose between Canada and the United States as to whether the true boundary between these countries placed Skaguay in the United States or in Canada. This point was not settled in favour of the United States until years afterwards by inter- national arbitration. Meanwhile the United States Government occupied Skaguay with attraction for all the lawless and criminal characters who are invariably attracted by the opening of a new mining district, but who seldom find such favourable opportunities for carrying out their lawless methods as were afforded in Skaguay in the early days. These people were led by a man named Smith, better known as “ Soapy Smith,” and had things pretty much their own. way in Skaguay until the better element rallied round the railway builders, and inaugurated an era of self-govern-