Volume 2 - ElectricCanadian.com

THE YUKON ADVENTURE 141TheChilkoot Pass, causing the death of about sixty persons.journey over either pass in those days was "hard going," andto raw easterners the sight of so many dead packhorses wasparticularly gruesome. It was estimated by the MountedPolice that over three thousand animals had already beenalone.killed by abuse and overwork on the White Pass trailAt the summit of the pass, where the thermometer registered15 degrees below zero, the party received much kindness anda night's lodging from Inspector Cartwright, R.N.W.M.P., ason of the late Sir Richard Cartwright.On April 30, 1898, the second party which was to travelby the "passes" route, consisting of two officers and amessenger, left Toronto. They were detained a week atVancouver waiting for a steamer to Skagway, but finally sailedon May 14 by the "City of Seattle." This party took chargeat Vancouver of the preliminary supply of bank-notes andother banking requisites which had been forwarded to theBank of British Columbia in that city, and which had tosuffice for all purposes until the up-river steamer from St.Michael should reach Dawson with the remainder of thestaff and the main equipment of the branch, such as safes,bank-notes and other cash, food and general supplies. Theinterim supplies of bank-notes and stationery, which had tobe carried over the passes and then taken down the river toDawson, had been hermetically sealed, in order that no damagemight occur from mishaps on the way. The notes of the bankthus shipped in were not countersigned, and the serial numberswere recorded as a protection against worse eventualities.addition to this, during the earlier years,Inthe notes of eachindividual shipment were surcharged at each end "Yukon,"or "Dawson," in a distinctive colour, so that in the event ofloss by accident or theft, the notes of any particular shipmentcould be distinguished from allothers.During the stay of the second party at Vancouver andduring their passage on the steamer to Skagway, the mostgeneral topic of conversation was found to be the successful