The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-07-19
CAPT. HUNTERS GAY BANJO.
Interesting Chat with the Com.
mander Of the Elder.
IEcrease Of Freight and Passenger
Hasaeess-De Sum-
mer Weather.

The steamship George ". Elder. just
from Alaska. lay at the coal hunkers
last night when Posr-ISrglLseExcER
reporter called Captain ]. c. Hunter
was foand IN his handsome cabin
PLAYING the Sailors Hornpipe" on an
elegant nickel-plated banjo. In order
to keep the sheepskin head Of the
banjo tight there are about loo little
thumhSsrews. In about seventy-fiye
of these are tasted little knotted rib
hcns OF ali the hues of the rainbow.
The captain modestiy explained
that the lady tourists who
travel on the steamer are frequently
artists on the banjo. One of them
borrowed the instrument and was so
pleased with its mellow tones that she
fastened pale blue ribbon with her
name written thereon. Then other
ladies VINO played ON the old banjo
aaaed bows of ribbon until now t-ere
are abont seventy-five bows upon
il. There are BOWS OF
green. red, white, blue. pink. brown.
HGti0W aEkd E$SiN N&A1oN-
In fact. there are no two bows alike
on the banjo. Some of the bows are
marked with the names of some of
the hest known and finest ladies in
the land. Naturally the captain is
very proud of his gaily-bedecked
banjo and plays on il with more gusto
than il il had not been hedecked by 50
fair hands.
"oar last trip 10 Alaska said Cap
tain Hunter. was the most pleasant
l ever experienced. 1t was a voyage
of almost constant sunshine. Ii only
rained part Of one day. The rest of
the time not cloud was 10 be seen.
There were some $50 passengers on
board. about half of whom were ladies.
All were sociahle and seemed bent on
having good time. and assure you
that | never saw merrier lot OF pas
sengers. | sail again on the 9th of
July. and already every berth is en-
gagged.
THAT reminds me-" continued the
captain, ''of how the Alaska trade is
growing. A few years ago one steamer,
the Idaho. Was able 10 attend To it all !.
Now there are five large steamers run-
ming 10 Alaska. Three of these are
engaged in carrying passengers and
two in transporting freight. Why,
every time | 20 up there the Elder
carries l,lo0 tons of freight Next
month the Alaska people will begin to
ship down their canned salmon
and every steamer will be loaded with
il for the next three months. In n
few years the Alaska trade will give
employment TO twenty steamers in-
stead of tive as AT present. Ii will be
the greatest summer resort for tour
lists n the world in a very few years
There are so many wonders 10 he
seen and the voyage is such safe one
that many tourists now GO To Alaska
two or three seasons in succession
The steamship Elder on her last
trip up. arrived ar Wrangle on the af-
ternoon OF the Fourth. with about $50
excurSionists. all of whom were filled
with patriotic sentiments. and also
being inspired with the romantic
grandeur of the scenery and the beau
titnl weather, resolved to have cele-
hration on the ship while she lay at
that place. Accordingly committee
OF arrangements was appointed, who
selected Mr.. Thomas s. Novel; as
chairman.
Mr.. W. q. Wyckon, of New York,
introduced Mr.. Novel;. who delivered
an eloquent address. Judge Grayson.
of Florida, was the orator of the dav,
and delivered splendid address.
Mrs. Amelia Woodward Truesdell, the
poet of the day, read an original poem.
After the reading of the poem the
exercises of the day closed with the
old and familiar hymn, "Auld Lang
Syne. Miss Susie Wells, of San
Francisco, presided at the piano.
After the close of the exercises Cap
tain Hunter ordered the signal gun
fired repeatedly, and sent many
rockets skyward, the brilliant colors
OF which Illuminated the mountains
and also threw a dim light on the
ancient and curious town of Fort
Wrangel, once the business center of
Alaska