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The Palm Sunday Avalanche on the Chilkoot Trail, 1898
Klondike Gold Rush
The Slide Cemetery at Dyea
Dateline: October 26, 2025. Last update: March 26, 2026.
The deadliest event of the Klondike Gold Rush, now commonly called the Palm Sunday Avalanche, occurred on Sunday, April 3, 1898. The National Park Service says it happened "between Sheep Camp and the Scales on the Chilkoot Trail. Numerous snow slides took place on that day. Five slides directly involved stampeders, and three resulted in the loss of life. Another slide the following day took the lives of two others. Altogether over 65 lives were probably lost."
The image to the right was on the front page of The Dyea Press the following day - Monday, April 4, 1898. On Wednesday, April 6th, the article was largely repeated, with some additions and corrections being made, so that's the one we have reproduced below.
Note that none of the newspaper reports had the list of people killed correct - see the Dyea cemeteries page for details about that.
The Dyea Press (Dyea, Alaska) - Wednesday, April 6, 1898
At the hour of going to press the following fatalities are reported, with addresses of the victims where it was possible to obtain them.
Corrected and Additional List Of The Dead
Up To Date
E. T. HUDSON, Portland, Or.,
E. P. HAINES, Seattle,
W. L. RILEY, "
E. D. ATWOOD, New York,
C. BECK, Sandford, Florida,
L. WHEIDELEIN, Kansas City,
JOHN A. MORGAN, Emporia, Kas.,
S. GRIMES, Tacoma,
MRS. A. U. MAXON, Pumxatuney, Pa.
THOS. CULLEDEN, Portland,
S. STEVENSON, Seattle,
C. P. HARRISON, Seattle,
G. LEON, residence unknown,
WALTER CHAPPEY, New York,
J. C. MURPHY, "
FRANK SPRAGUE, Ballard Wash.,
The following seven were employes of the Chilkoot T. & T. Co.
T. GLINN, Portland,
ED. DORAN, residence unknown,
A. ENGLUND, Tacoma,
JOHN MERCHANT, Grizzly Bluffs, Cal.,
C. L. MCNEILL, San Francisco,
JOHN READY, residence unknown,
GEO. ULIN, Tacoma,
GUS. ZEBAULT, Seattle,
__ GARRISON, residence unknown.
__ RITCHEY "
__ DERBER, "
AUSTIN PRESTON, Grizzly Bluffs, Cal.,
HARRY HOLT, Tacoma,
JEFF SALEY Weiser, Idaho,
S. ATKINS, Baker City, Or.,
RASMUS HEDEGARD, Baker City, Or.,
__ STEVENS, New York,
ALLEN GRAY, Seattle,
G. F. SMITH, Sedro, Wash.,
J. PIERCE, Tacoma,
__ WARNER, San Francisco,
A. ANDERSON, " "
E. KINNEY, residence unknown,
W. CARL, San Francisco,
CON GEPHARD. Seattle,
J. P. CLARK, Idaho,
__ KING, residence unknown,
TOM CLARK, residence unknown,
GEORGE RINER, Seattle,
MCNEILL SANFORD, Portland,
A. CHAPPELL, Seattle,
CON RASMUS, Colorado,
GUST ZIEBERT, Seattle,
W. GRIMES, Atkins, Idaho,
Reported Missing.
A. S. SMITH, in doubt,
Lewis of the Chilkoot Tramway Co. is still missing. The bodies of his comrades, Pierce, King, Holt and Smith have been recovered.
A disastrous and fatal snow slide occurred at a point near the Scales, and between that point and the Stone house, Sunday noon.
For several days indications were manifest that a slide was probable, and emigrants were cautioned by the residents of Sheep Camp, but these admonitions fell on deaf ears, and the great crowd now pressing along the trail continued to advance, taking chances of getting forward to the summit with their outfits and back again
before the warm weather and rain effected its purpose of releasing the icy grip of accumulated snow on the mountain sides.
The intelligence of the disaster was sent to the city soon after the occurrence by a telephone message from Archie Borns' store, located nearest the scene of the tragedy.
The dispatch announced that twenty-three bodies had been recovered, including the body of a woman, and it was feared that many other bodies were still under the snow. The report caused great excitement in Dyea, and many anxious inquiries were made concerning friends and relatives known to be in that locality.
On receipt of the news, Col. Anderson, military commander, ordered forward a relief detachment, and offers of assistance were freely made by our citizens. In answer to this a telephone message was returned, that it was unnecessary as thousand of volunteers were on the spot and working with a will, born of hope to relieve those alive
and to rescue the bodies of the dead.
The people of Sheep Camp and Canyon City, and all along the line, all
rushed to the wark of rescue, and no doubt saved many lives, as it was reported that many! were taken out alive, badly bruised and chilled by the deadly weight of snow that covered them as a funeral shroud. Active steps were taken to identify the bodies, as they were recovered.
The PRESS, sent a representative to the fatal spot last evening, with instructions to obtain if possible a full list of the names of those dead and also of the injured, accuracy being the essential, in order to meet the demands of inquiring friends and relations, and to relieve their apprehensions as regards the safety of death of friends.
A great deal of error has crept into earlier accounts of the catastrophe, the PRESS assures its readers that they need not give themselves a great deal of anxiety concerning friends who were on the way from Dyea, going to the Summit. The party who met with this misfortune were composed of people returning from the Scales and those camped near this fatal spot.
It appears that apprehensions of a disaster were aroused at the Scales, and a party of about two hundred people, with a few who joined them returning from the Summit, aud the Scales, some looking after outfits cached along the trails. This composed the ill-fated party of about two-hundred people.
They were close together, and reached che fatal spot at a critical moment, had they been a few moments earlier, or later, they would not have been caught in the slide, which came from the east side of the trail and covered a length of about one hundred and fifty yards.
At ten o'clock in the forenoon a slide occurred at what is known as Squaw Hill, this side of the scene of the present disaster. Three lives were lost. They were camped on the side of the trail, where they were crushed in their tent. Their bodies were recovered. Beside the tent: was found a live ox, which was extricated with considerable
difficulty.
An eye-witness to the disaster, who was present when the relief party
reached the spot, states that the slide itself was not of such a character as might be termed extremely dangerous or unusual. The snow seemed to have rolled over from the top and no trees, stones or ice was carried in the debris. Death in all cases resulted from suffocation; the depth of snow covering their remains being from twenty to fifty feet and saturated with water. Those found alive, were badly chilled and several died from exposure after being removed. The dead bodies were taken to Sheep Camp, and willing hands volunteered to look after the injured who will receive the best treatment that generous care can give.
A great many outfits are covered by the slide, as it appears that many had proceeded this far and cached their supplies, which they moved by easy stages over the summit, of course goods of a perishable nature will be injured or destroyed. It is also stated that a great many people in a spirit of recklessness are camped along the trail exposed to slides that are liable to occur at any moment. Their tents were located at the foot of steep hills covered with snow. Plenty of safe spots can be found for camping purposes. These parties have been warned of their danger by those having experience in such matters, and if they meet with misfortune the blame will rest largely on themselves. Why men should tempt fate and refuse to listen to protests and warnings is beyond comprehension.
The condition of the trail remains intact and will soon be cleared for travel, but those intending to leave Dyea had better delay a day or two before starting, owing to the confusion and excitement that prevails by reason of the calamity.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.
Your correspondent managed to interview several persons who were in the midst of this long-to-be-remembered snow-slide, who miraculously escaped uninjured. J. A. Rines of Maine, gave his account of the accident as follows:
"All of a sudden I heard a loud report and instantly began to feel myself moving swiftly down the hill, and looking around saw many others suddenly fall down, some with their feet in the air and their heads buried out of sight in the snow. Then I realized that we were being carried away on an immense avalanche. I never once lost my presence of mind, but braced myself as well as I could and kept on my feet and let myself go with the slide.
When I struck the bottom, I tried to run, but the snow caught me, and I
was instantly buried in thirty feet of snow. 1 was almost suffocated but they dug me out, being buried at least thirty minutes. As soon as I was freed I turned to and helped dig out many others. I think the slide occurred at eleven, a. m.. In my party were C. Burge, Emporia, Kansas, A. S. San... of Kansas City, Mo., F. J. Bea... of Emporia, Kan., and J. A. Morgan of Ohio, who was killed in the slide. All of the rest of the party escaped uninjured. The slide occurred on the east side of the canyon, about forty or fifty rods above the power house and was caused, in my opinion, by the several days of warm, stormy weather from the south. Many were saved by taking hold of a rope that was used for hauling freight to the summit; by that means forty or fifty were pulled out of the snow. "I never want to experience such an awful half-hour again so long as I live and am thankful to be well and alive."
C. F. Shobled of Seattle, Wash.: "As near as I can tell the slide occurred at 11:30 or 12 o'clock noon. I and partner were in the midst of it, narrowly escaped with our lives, fortunately neither of us were hurt. The people did not realize what was the matter and there was very little excitement at the time of the slide. About
fifty men saved themselves by means of a rope that was at hand by taking and keeping hold of it, whether buried or top of the snow. It occurred so suddenly that few had any warning or could get to snelter."
LATEST.
The work of uncovering the dead is not yet completed and it is feared
additions will be made to the list as the work proceeds.
If more authentic news is received the Press will supply it to its readers in special editions. Detaiis complete in every particular will appear in the
regular edition.
TRAFFIC UNINTERRUPTED.
In answer to the untruthful report started at Skaguay, by interested parties who hoped to direct the tide of emigrants patronizing the Dyea trail that the trail was impassable.
We publish the following interview with a few of our leading freight-men who are responsible and reliable.
Mr. Hammond, of the Dyea-Klondike Transportation Co., says:
"No interruption to our business will ensue from the effects of the snow-slide. We are moving freight promptly across the trail, as far as the lakes."
Mr. Wallace, of the Chillkoot Tramway and Transportation Co., says:
"Our company is prepared to have all freight over our line to the lake over the Chillkoot pass without delay on account of the snow-slide."
Mr. Cleveland, of the firm of Cleveland and Young, says:
"No interruption exists in our business, or any damage to trail. We are passing our freight promptly, the trail is open and in good condition.
Clarence Berry, who brought $200,000 in gold from Dawson City in June, who is now in the city on his return with a party of ten persons and eight tons of provisions over the trail, says:
"The best rate offered us, over the Skaguay trail to the lakes, was sixteen cents a pound. I have closed a contract at Dyea at nine cents a pound. I will proceed with my supplies over the Dyea trail to the lakes."
More news: Saturday, April 9, 1898
More news: Saturday, April 16, 1898
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