I left Grantsburg on May 20, 1898, and stopped over in Wardner, Idaho, during the harvest. I worked in Walla Walla, Wash., and the next winter cutting wood at Wallace, Idaho. In March, 1899, I started on a prospecting trip in the mountains of Idaho as many told me there was gold to be found there and I can say that I traveled over a great part of the state and found gold in many places but not enough to make a fair return for the labor.

   Toward fall I took my way to Seattle and where I found my brother Martin 24 miles north of Seattle. I had not seen him for 15 years and if I had not known it was he I would not have recognized him. His hair had got old and gray but he told me that I had not changed in the least since he left Grantsburg.

   The next day after meeting my brother I hired out in a lumber camp and worked there until this spring, when I started for Alaska.

   We left Seattle on the 21st of May and arrived at Dutch Harbor on the 30th. Stopped there and coaled until the 7th of June, when we went into the Bering sea and arrived at Cape Nome on June 12th. My partner is the man I worked for in the lumber camp. He sold out his interest in the business and we became partners.

   We had a fine trip across the Pacific Ocean. In the Bering Sea we had quite a bucking with the ice for eight days but we were of the few lucky ones to get through without bad luck. Good many had a narrow escape; good many got stuck in sandbars on the Yukon Flats as the waters in the Northern Sound is very shallow.

   Now to tell you much about this place I am unable to for the reason that I have been here only a short time, but I have seen enough to say that the reports about the immense richness of the country is more talk than facts. Here is gold; that is a fact. But not for everybody, and it is a costly country to live in. As soon as we came here we had to build us a boat; to hire a man and a boat would cost $5 an hour. We have now a good boat and we have been out a trip 24 miles north of Nome but we did not strike anything that suited us. We are at the present time negotiating with some parties for a lay, that is to work on shore.

   The whole country around Nome is staked as far back as 80 miles but it is mostly what we call wildcat claims and does not hold a speck of yellow stuff. Here is an immense crowd of people of all characters and nationalities, robbers, thieves and cutthroats. I cannot remember how many murders have been committed since I came here but it is quite many. The best a man can do here is not to meddle with anyone and be as independent of others as possible. That is the course I have made up my mind to pursue.

   Here is the place where the money sharks have more than fair play. They will charge you for everything that you need. Now it is, and ought to be considered that water should be free. But here you will have to pay for it, if you want it from a well and for that purpose there is agents and ticket brokers. But of all curiosities, and which crowns the whole, is men selling tickets for giving franchises to the people for doing their necessary jobs that men have to do, you can comprehend what I mean. [a line is illegible here]

   Here is not much rest to be had as people are up all night working and hammering and the barking and howling of 5,000 dogs is more than I can stand. But I hope soon to be out in the mountains where I can be in peace and separated from the ungodly alarm. I am healthy and strong and tip the scale at 198 pounds.

   There seems to be something to do in this part of the land and I am going to make an attempt at least to make a little for a rainy day. It took me two years to get here and I expect it will take longer before I am ready to turn away from here. I could have been here a year ago if I hadn't spent too much time and labor in Idaho. Since we came here two more men has been added to our company so now we are four. The other two men have been in Klondike and are well acquainted with gold digging.

   When I left Grantsburg I made a pledge that I should not write to The SENTINEL before I could write from Alaska and I have kept that pledge. Now and in the future I shall let you know from me often, so that you all can know how I am progressing.