The most momentous event in the latter day history of the great port of Dyea has just happened. Strange to say that, notwithstanding the importance of the event, it
passed without demonstration or bluster or fuss. Although it concerned the whole of the town and the famous trail that leads out of the town, this event extraordinary took place known
but to one or two persons. The great affair was, to express it in a breath, nothing less than the closure of the port of Dyea.
There is no longer a port of Dyea. The erstwhile busy town having lost its teeming population of hurrying gold seekers and temporary traders and dwellers, has lapsed
into a deep sleep. Deputy Collector Walker (who bravely stood by and collected his salary) kept open the port as long as there was a prospect of a pound of freight going over the summit,
and months and months after any did go over. The thousands of former townsfolk had dwindled to hundreds, and the hundreds to a few tens.
Then some mysterious power moved the spirit of some one to have the port closed.
So now, says the Alaskan, it is closed, and Mr. Walker has come to Skagway to help collect duties where there are duties to be collected and to be in a port which is
a port, and a lively one.
Uncle Sam's customs man is not the only one leaving Dyea just now. A large delegation is getting away for Nome, and others are moving out. Still it is maintained by
some of the most loyal to the old town that she has at least 100 population remaining.
One of the patriarchs who came over yesterday to be in the metropolitan atmosphere for a short time, stated that since the great hegira many houses which were left
partly furnished have been rifled, and depredations of all kinds imaginable have been committed. Not content with taking contents of houses, some of the thieves took the very doors or
windows designed to be a barricade to them, and others even carried away houses.
Campbell, the mail carrier of the Skagway-Dyea route, has left for Dawson, and Peter Bertona, better known as Spanish Pete, has been given the contract for the summer,
and will continue to give a daily service between the two cities.
