The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-09
MERGERS CARGO OF GIRLS.
THEY BkNKRUPIED BIM, BUT THE
NORTHWEST VAS SETTLED UP.
There Were 500 or Theu, rrou, New York
and New England. AND They Kept the
Pacinc Coast Matrimonial Market Sup
piled for Just About Six Mouths.

There Were 800 OF Theu, frou, New Yor
and New England. AND They Kept ii
Pacinc Coast Mntrimo,,n, Market Sui
piled for Just About Six Months.
ftom The San Fydnei,co Ennminu.
| One OF the unique enterprises in the deve
opm ent OF the Northwest was tho shipment q
q cargo OF 800 New England girls from Ne'
York to the Pacific coast in 1886. The schem
was originated and successfully accomplishe
| by A. s. Mercer. who is now an editor and pro
prietor OF n newspaper In Cheyenne. youn!
man Of 30 at tho time OF that adventure. h
now looks back upon It as tho noteworth
achievement of his life. and few days ago h,
gave detailed account Of It to correspond
OF the Examiner.
Il overloaded myself with girls" said Mfr
Mercer. and broke my back financially. bu
from every other point OF view the expedition
was a success The results were notably good
To-day many OF those New England girls are
the leaders OF society in the Puget Sound
country. They are wives and mothers In
many Of the wealthiest and best families oil
Seattle. Olympia, and other towns OF the State.
SO far as l can learn. all but one OF my cargo
got married soon after reaching the coast.
In Washington Territory thirty years ago.
There wa. lack of womsns nursing
There was dearth OF wonan's tears.
I'm fact. the women were not there to nurse
or cry. There were few real homes because
there we're few women. The sturdy blows Of
the axeman. the work of the pioneer farmer.
the labors OF the lone fisherman were all un-
relieved by the companionship ministrations
ington was dense forest jungle. The popu-
lntion was largely made up Of lum bermen from
men from the Southern and Middle States.
The great forests, the mighty rivers and lofty
had nst begun TO yield their
the composite forces which make the perfect
Was 'T Pr S Of the Washington Terri.
torial University. then Just completed. and
with but few students. l went through tho
ments: to awaken nm interest in school mat.
ters-, Seeing the need OF teachers / arranged
The acquisition was hailed
with delight. The only trouble was that they
were too promptly grabbed up and married
oil: but the experiment was SO successful that
began to have visions OF the greater scheme.
Tho women were pleased with their reception
which they had entered upon | brought out the
school teachers in May 1854. In the spring
81 1865 determined to attempt the importa-
ton OF women on large scale.
Historical parallels are not wanting in the
record Of similar enterprises" said Mr.. Nor
men and made them wives, The London col
ony sent to Virginia in 1881 ninety maidens to
become wives of the jamestown settlers. In
France sent out II ship load of young wemen to
J ian AZ these eXneriments resulted hap
Sed there n Apr 'i 1885, NY NY pla no was a" to
for the next ib. day and
lad conned over q nice little speech to
make to him. referring to the fact that the
# Idle transports and stea mers. and that I had
lse for one OF those steamers in IL good cause.
would sny; The war has made thousands Of
Dung men Of good, enterprising character in
he Puget Sound country. and We want to
United States vessel nna men my to M
will furnish the coal and provide for the pro-
ision and other expenses. and guarantee the |
men OF Washin eton and Oregon lao"
t asn who zane tie ss shat
nation of President, Lincoln. This event
hanged my plans and | won't to Boston to
reat war Governor The Governors office
sTlGus xs5 matters army oiss5s
lew: The third day I gained access to the
'hep l had explained nv enterprise to him
9 said at ! once: very heartily. It's good
He gave me the entree to his office at all
ours. and stated that owing to the pressure OF
ublic business he could not give the personal
i'd the Governor Will give ss you a. letter. to
friend Of mine who will help you
hev shfd 81
lterest himself in the mattor. Mr.. Hale gave
le pleasant reception. and we spent the
8 various phases. The result was that he
lodged himself to cooperate with me. which
da In yer yt PECULIAR WAY the next Sunday
ces had begun and took a seat in the central
art OF the !, audience room. One Of the ushers
Anp ss dAt the K' asd mr. Il 'f Hse
, ,na down dow the steps, grasped me BY the
FspdS on at TIL ts ms and The
It and ia! ked together until the opening ex.
. :. iss when found myseli corralled;
Genes 'HR 1isa 81 tbs
nth and subdue it, and occupied about
teen ,o MINUTES ni0snd in an ELOQUENT discourse
rye audience that gentleman from the Pa
tic coast was present who would address
g 1t is needless to say that l was about para
zed gathered myself together as we'll as
uld. my knees shaking. and the audience as.
as angry. too. Probably that fact saved me.
I'd talked over an hour. but knew from the
o meeting that had awakened enthusiasm
cultivated. classic Boston In favor OF my
,dertaking At this pontI considered the
: Leaving i'osson took a letter from Gov.
ldrew to President Johnson. spending many
seks in Washington for the purpose OF pro,
ring Government aid In trans portation.
eslIeht Johnson was involved in bitter guar.
tie success in ga lining his attention.
=, visited and talked with all the Cabinet
icers and IMPRESSED the majority OF them {
the person Of Gen. Grant. He had boen
.toned In the Puget Sound country in early
Us. and was thoroughly familiar with The {
nditions that existed there: He promised to
me in every way possible. personally and n
icially | stopped around his head1 uarters r
good deal. and one day the General said to s
): have been invited to a Cabinet mi Getting a
u wait here till come back /
IN less Than an hour Grant came back and I
ordersd cant Bowers Fave his 5sa m Then
iw up an order on the, Quartermast er Gem
u for a steamship. Goa ed and manned hav-
sufficient accommodations for the trans
ration Of 500 women from New York to Sc 4
lie. to be in my charge. l waited there till
order was drawn up and signed and then
rted for New England.