New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26
4 WOMAN MINER OF '49.
AS FAR TO THE CoMsTOCK THEN AS 10
THE KLONDIKE NOW.
ONE woMANs JOURNEY TO THE MINES THROUGH
THE FOREST AND RETURN AROUND
THE HORN.

THE HORN.
Apropos OF the KlonGlke craze, the adventures Of
an old lady now living In Burlington Iowa. may
not be without interest to those who have already
caught the fever Of '07. The story tod by hcr
daughter, who Is now resident OF this city.
Mother was one OF those first famous forty.
Miners. though not by any means OF her plan
ming or election. A New Yorker by birth. the
daughter Of an Episcopal clergyman. a series Of
most unfortunate circumstances found her strand
ed. In the fall Of '4S. in a small town near the
Mississippi with q tiny baby and In great financial
straits A party OF gold-seekers came through
about that time. on their way TO the new Edo
RADIO Mother begged to be allowed to Join their
train. as alone and penniess as she was, she
could never expect to find her way across the VII
derhess that then separated the seaboard States
from the present great highway of commerce.
AS Is the case now with parties bound for Alaska.
these travellers had little II anything to spare from
their meagre stores for any outsider; but rather
than be left behind in her extremity Mother I'M
dertook the hazardous Journey westward with
this certainty OF prvatlon before her and the
possibility OF starvation, should the journey prove
longer than the provisions lasted.
For many weeks she eked out a bare existence
upon roots. twigs and anything which came to
hand that could be utilized to keep body and soul
together But the dlggngs once reached there
was plenty to do. Unlike the KlondIke find the
gold fields Of 10 were in kindly and where
Nature not niggardy.
making shirts for the miners at S. and SO apiece.
baking bread for them. and between times wash.
Ing out sand on her own account. Sometimes,
with the help of little Indian boy who had be-
come attached to the camp, this pucky little
woman would make up half barrel OF -four at
time Such days. however. poor in gold dust.
as may imaglne but, the whole. she was
not the loser. for where this unlimited money II
plentiful people grow more generous In spite
Of themselves and the only woman in the camp
by means treated ILL.,
"One day when Wah-Kee. the little Indian boy.
and one OF the miners a hunting ex.
petition great grizzly suddenly appeared In the
trai, Just before them The man started back and
took aim but before he could fire the huge
beast had sprung at the boy. tearing ear and
half the scalp from his head. Rescued. but In q
frightful condition. he was carried back to camp
and to mother. who sewed up his wounds with one
many blueteans and with silk raveed IRON one Of
the dainty stockings that had been part OF her
Despite the best care they could give him. the
poor boy pinned and grew worse. Even the baby'e
proved source Of endless delight. failed to arouse
his interest, and III desperation one Of the camp
the child belonged. and who were known to be in
the neishborhoo;d at the Tine That night the
dusky warriors. grim and determined In some
way the message had been msu n and they
he assured them OF the kindness shown him and
Of his love for the palefSSsss and most Of all for
and though they carried him off with them, 1t was
with earnest protestations OF gratitude and good.
will.
THESE sachems buried the half scalped boy in
earth up 70 his chin, for several days. Oddly
enough. he began to mend, and In n few weeks was
himself again. pining only for his paeface baby.
and his people were forced to let him return to the
miners camp
When at last the thirst for wealth with some
OF the little band for time appeased. and they
decided TO come home 10 enjoy their gains. mother
was the first 10 board the old ship that was to
round Cape Horn It's way to New York-the
longest way round being considered by far the
shortest way home by those who had once known
the horrors of the overland route. Storms blew
and beat day after day. and weary weeks length
ened into drearier months. Rations were short,
clothing scarce, and though they carried fortunes,
they had scant comfort. IL proved more than tho
wee girl who had known little else than the mild
climate OF California could endure. and when her
eyes closed for the last time the Indian boy (who
had begged so piteously not to be separated from
his little charge that mother at last consented to
bring him with herr lay at the cabin door. day and
night. like faithful dog, moaning and crying for
the little payfellow he had lost
Mother brought about $4,000 with her In gold
which she had gathered betweenwhes.' as she
presses II. And yet the whole. though she loves
to tell OF that wild. rough fe to her children and
grandchildren clustered about her. she thinks, had
she her life TO live at option. she would forego
the gold rather than pay It's price a second time"