We do not know his name: Klatsassin and the Chilcotin War
   
 

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From Bute Inlet
Victoria Daily Chronicle, July 28, 1863

July 28, 1863

Mr. Waddington has kindly favored us with the following report in reference to the Bute Inlet route, and in the first place he solemnly asserts that certain articles which have appeared in the Evening Express, are untrue. He considers the articles highly injurious both to the success of the enterprise, the consequent prosperity of the town, and his own reputation.

Mr. Waddington left Bute Inlet on Thursday, 23d instant, at noon, and arrived here yesterday morning, at 7 o’clock, making the trip in three and a-half days. He left 47 men at work, who were in high spirits as to the undoubted success of the undertaking. It is true that there have been great difficulties to overcome, and Mr. W. was obliged to renounce the idea of taking a provisionary trail at an enormous expense through the caņon, but has carried it over the bluff or mountain side at a very easy grade - the extreme height being only 900 feet. The ascent and descent of this trail measures 5300 yards - or a trifle over three miles. This result has not been obtained without considerable engineering and expense on account of the abrupt nature of the mountain. As it is, a tilbury could trot up and down it, if the trail were wide enough. Mr. Waddington was most anxious to make this part of the trail better than any other. The greater portion of of [sic] this part of the road is now finished, and he expects to be able to ride over it on horseback shortly after his return to the Inlet. Two other rocky bluffs lie further on, but they can be easily overcome and the whole will then be open to Benchee Lake.

The upper river is navigable for barges, and winds through a rich country abounding a pasturage, the grass rising to the surprising height of from five to seven feet.

The four men who were sent up with a guide furnished by Mr. Waddington, got to the Big Lake (50 miles) in two days and a half, without the slightest trouble. They proceeded on to Cariboo, and the guide returned. Of the five other men who were left wandering on the mountains with the guide Kendall, four returned to camp a week since, nearly starved to death. They had wandered about for 23 days lost in the snow and were perfect skeletons when they came into camp. It was thought that one of their number could not recover from the effects of starvation and cold. The fifth man, who is named McGinn, with Kendall, deserted the party five days before the remaining four returned to camp, taking with them the only gun and all the ammunition. They have gone to Williams Lake or Bridge River. The returned men swear vengeance against Kendall should they ever again set their eyes upon him. Mr. Waddington suspects that Kendall was sent down on purpose to spy and create disaffection among his men, by people interested in the Bentinck Arm route - in which he thoroughly succeeded.

Eight houses and an hotel have been constructed at the town-site, where a small but splendid crop of potatoes, barley and oats are growing. The loss occasioned by the rise of the river was very great, and nearly all the bridges have had to be rebuilt.

Mr. Waddington adds that he brought down with him five or six men who can corroborate every word which he has stated above.

The Indians reported that a party of miners from Stikin had taken the Bentinck Arm route for Cariboo.

Source: "From Bute Inlet," Victoria Daily Chronicle, July 28, 1863.

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