The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-03
THE WHDSOF ALASKA
Mr.. EASTWOOD Describes His
Travels With Mr.. Wilson.
HARDsHIps or 4 MINERS LIFE.


Through the Heart OF Alaska" by
J. o. Hestwood. at the Seattle thsafer
last evening proved 10 be an interesting
discourse. and was listened 60 by a
nedium-sized audience The lecture
was treat in itself. but It's enjoyment
was greatly enhanced by numerous
views OF the route taken by the late ex-
plorer v. Wilson and Mr. Hestwood ana
other comrades IN penetrating into the
American land Of the midnight sun.
The lecturer. while he Brought out the
fact that Alaska was q country where
the soil Is almost fabuiousiy rich with
treasure. made no attempt TO picture
the Hfe OF the miner as anything but
q series OF haraships inoonceivable 10
any except those who have made the
artuons Journey 20 the far north. and
one requiring some capital before en-
tering on Sc Thrown in with the mar
rative and INTERVIEWING it like little
bits OF sunshine are flashes of wit and
unexpected rays OF hurnor that call for
q responsive laugh from the audience.
Despite its vast extent of territory and
untold mineral wealth, Alaska is shown
to have cost less than half q cent an
acre at the original price paid by the
tremendous empire stretching southwark
from the frozen polar sea is the Yukon.
second in size only to the largest rives
in the world. sixty miles wide at its
mouth. with its two branches. the Pelley
and the Lewis. uniting at Fort Seikirk.
The lecturer graphically traced the out
line Of the two routes into the region. de-
failing the perils OF navigation on the
YAK Shn .hasn ~ lak he
monntin gorges connecting them. One Of
these Is the Grand Canyon. where the
immense chain OF mountains. the lecturer
said, seemed to have been cleft In twain
to let the food of water through. Down
this gorge the river plunges with race
horse speed. but notwithstanding its dan
gers Wilson. the explorer, guided safely
through II loaded boat, being the first
man to make the attempt. In two min
utes and twenty seconds he went three
quarters OF mile as IL the fragile vessel
with its cargo and adventurous passenger
had been shot from gun. Once safely
past the rapids. the travellers entered
beautiful place lighted up with bright
sunshine where 1t seemed summer reigned
supreme.
Other views were thrown upon the
SCEcSus uOtAoiy tIS 0iitc I1oIb0 IdpiAS,
Forty Mile creek, canyon on Miller
creek and q scene on Boundary creek at
the 141st meridian. showing a mountain
of lime. One Of the most interesting
pictures was one taken from q high
peak and designed to give an idea of the
country to the stranger unfamiliar with
the stupendous work of nature In the
region Of the great mountain chains. The
view was intended to command a section
of 400 miles where there was scarcely an
acre on which the wayfarer could pitch
tent.
In the course OF his address Mr.. Hest
wood paid a high tribute to the honesty,
steadfastness OF purpose and courage Of
Mr.. Wilson. whose life had been the PEN
atty of his travels into the center of
Alaska. A portrait of the explorer showed
handsome young fellow, with determi-
nation stamped all over his features.
Tomorrow Mr.. EASTWOOD VIII 60 to Ia
coma. and Tuesday he will appear in
Olympia. after which he will visit other
towns In Washington. 1t is the inten-
ton then to 60 tato Oregon. The lee
turer is being managed by H. A. Fred
erick. who Is well known to all the peo-
pie OF this city from his connection with
the Seattle theater.