The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-06

The eyes Of the whole country are On
Seattle and the Northwest. There is no
question that thousands Of people-how
many II would be impossible 20 estimate
viii 90 West and North next year The
next great immigration movement win be
in this direction
So spoke John Sebastian, general pas
senger and ticket agent OF the Chicago.
Rock Island 6 Pacific. in conversation
with a representative OF the Post-IntelA-
geucer yesterday. Mr. SebasSians pres
enes IN Seattle was due 70 his desire 10
become acquainted with this city and 10
gam information relative TO the Alaska
and Klondike gold discoveries. and the
probable amount Of travel westward next
year He arrived in Seattle on the Great
Northern overland al l o'clock yesterday.
accompanied by 5. X. Hooper. general
passenger and ticket agent OF the Denver
& Rio Granda. and f. A. Wadleigh, gem
eral passenger and ticket agent OF the
Rio Grande Western.
Mr. Sebastian was in Seattle last in 1892.
He commented favorabiy on the substan-
tial growth Of the city IN that time. and
did not hesitate TO say that in his opinion
Seattle was destined 70 become a great
and noarishing city within the next few
years. Mr.. Wadieigh has visited the
Sound three times since the opening Of the
Ogden gateway and this is not Mr..
Hooper's first trip 10 Seattle. All three
spoke encouragingly of the outlook and
agreed that the travel westward, induced
by the desire Of people in the East to
better their fortunes would be large.
at is for the very purpose of looking
over the ground and gaining information
concerning the Klondike gold fields and
rs1+- Frx. L.
led me to undertake this trip" said Mr..
Sebastian. THAT must be the excuse for
ali Of us. The Rock Island is preparing
large amount OF printed matter for dis
tribution in pamphlet form. giving infor-
nation concerning Alaska and the North
west territory. with particular reference
TO the gold discoveries. The bulk of the
pamphlets are now in the hands OF the
printer. and the various publications viii
be given a wide circulation by the traffic
department of the road. All over the
country tributary to the Rock Island.
from Chicago to Texas and from Chicago
TO Colorado. the greatest interest prevails
concerning the gold fields of the North.
and particularly 80 concerning Seattle and
the North Pacific coast. This section will
not only reap a great advantage from the
travel TO the klondike which has already
set in. but it will gain in wealth and pop
ulation from countless thousands who viii
learn of the advantages possessed by
Washington and viii fill up your vacant
farm areas
Mr.. Sebastian said that he had recently
made a trip throughout the East and
learned from personal investigation that
great numbers OF men were already pre-
pairing 10 leave the states for the gold
fields of Alaska. Especially was this true
Of New England. where the people had
eagerly sought every bit of information
obtainable concerning the gold mines and
the best route by which TO reach them.
II believe there VIII be a greater immi-
grafton from New England than from any
other section of the country in proportion
TO its size" said Mr.. Sebastian.
Il know of my own personal know ledge
OF hundreds who Will leave that section
Of the country for Alaska. The same in
terest in the hlondike prevails 10 great
CT or less extent throughout the entire
territory tributary TO the Rock Island.
We expect 10 have all we can do in the
way of passenger business next year. and
are making arrangements accordingly. In
this belief. we are making every prepar-
alton possible for the handling of a tre-
mendous business.
"A great demand for correct Informal
ton regarding the gold fields exists among
the people living along the Rock Island
system. To supply this demand the en-
ergies and resources of the traffic depart
ment Of our road are just now being de-
voted, and We viii give wide circulation
10 all matter issued BY the department"
In conclusion, Mr.. Sebastian said that
throughout the East aud Middle West
times were on the mend, and the busi-
ness done by the railroads of that section
was much larger and more profitable than
for years past. Through Illinois, Iowa,
Nebraska Kansas and Texas the farmers
had reaped abundant harvests. In Iowa
and Nebraska the cereal crops had been
extremely heavy ard were being marketed
al good figures. These agencies COM
bined to make the entire Mississippi val
ley prosperous TO degree not equaled in
years. and serve to make the business OF
operating railroads correspondingly prof.
liable.
The Ogden Gateway.
Mr. wadleigh and Mr. Hooper stood by
and heard al that Mr.. Sebastian said
Regarding the outlook for travel west
ward, both gentlemen agreed entirely with