Document 86: Letter from Alfred McMichael
Diary and Letters of Alfred McMichael, Juliette Reinicker Papers, MSS 100, Acc. 79/68, Box 10,
Yukon Archives, Whitehorse,
Yukon Territory, Canada.
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Dyea Trail
April 1, 1898
One woman went in the 12th of February, alone, and is now over with 1000 pounds of stuff. Another party of three women are now on the way, and they are very independent of all male help or sympathy. Old gray headed men and women are also on the trail....
A boat just arrived with about fifty passengers, six of whom are women who are going over the pass....
Sheep Camp, April 8. ....Yesterday I saw two women pulling a sled down hill and one on the other end of the rope going up. These women have brought their stuff all the way from Dyea unassisted. A great case of pluck, push and perseverance. No one could doubt it who had been on the trail an hour.
Women are quite plentiful on the hills or trail, but mostly in company with husband or some relatives, I think. Some have bloomers, some short and some long skirts, but nearly all have rubber boots. One woman I have seen for several days and not till today was I sure if it was a young boy or a woman. I had never seen one in blue jean overalls, sweater and top boots before, you see, and cannot be blamed. She is a hustler, too.