The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-20
He IS A YUKON VETERAN.
GEO. r.. ADAMS THE FIRST AMERI-
CAN TO PENETRATE ITS VALLEY.
He Was q Member of the Russian-
American Telegraph Expedition
in 1868, and Recognizes Seattle's
Prestige In the Northern Trade.

Nearly thirty-three years ago Maj. Rob-
ert Kennicott, of Cleveland, Ohio, sailed
from San Francisco for st. Michael, at the
mouth OF the mighty Yukon. in command
of an expedition for the purpose or explor-
ing the coast OF Alaska for the Russian
American telegraph line. With him was
a youth of twenty summers. strong, hardy
and energetic-George r. Adams. The
party of thirteen sailed for the North on
the bark Golden Gate and late in Septem-
Der established winter quarters at Una
iaklk, at the mouth Of the river OF that
name.
Lieut.. Adams, for that was his title In
the service in which he had enlisted. was
placed in charge Of the first expedition to
penetrate the Yukon valley. He was the
first American to set foot in the Yukon
basin. With half breed Russian and an
Indian guide, he penetrated the interior
during the winter of 1906 as far as Nu-
lato. making a portage from the head
waters of the Unalaklik river to the Yu-
kon.
Mr.. Adams lived in Alaska for twelve
years following this. He Is In Seattle to-
day purchasing a stock OF merchandise
with which he will engage In business in
Dyea. c. c. Grow. a large property owner
and stockman. Of Crows Landing. Cal. Is
interested with him In the venture. Mr..
Adams. white as to his hair and mustaehe,
but still a very vigorous and energetic
man, will have charge Of the business at
Dyea this winter and next spring. As soon
as the horde OF gold hunters moves toward
the interior. Mr.. Adams will Join the van
guard for the Klondike.
Mr.. Adams experiences In Alaska and
his knowledge OF the Yukon country would
make several volumes Of very interesting
reading matter Back of the plain story
or hardship and danger which Mr.. Adams
can tell when he feels like INDUCING In
"reminiscences. is a story of romance
which is part OF the history OF Alaska.
To tell this story. one would have to de-
scribe the death by his own hand OF Maj.
hennicott, who was In charge Of the
party. and whose failure to reach Fort
Yukon. where he expected to meet an
other party from the Fraser river. so
preyed on his mind that he took a dose of
strychnine. Another incident In that men,
oraple campaign was a long, mind-killjug
wait at ST. Michael for the steamers which
were to bring supplies to the little party.
and the rawlings of two men who. when rho
steamers arrived after ell hope had van
ished, succrmbed 10 the terrible mental
strain and were put in irons and sent back
TO the states. both total wrecks.
But all these things are not often
thought OF by Mr. Adams, whose present
mission Is one of a money-making nature
and whose belief ~ the superiority OF Sc
st'ie as the starting and Quitting point
tor AiasKa ied him TO come here to pur-
chase his stock OF merchandise
lille 1 am loyal TO San Francisco IN
which city have lived for many wears 7
I'm thoroughly convinced that Seattle wi,,
10 iuIy :" per cent. OF the Alaska b,,s,-
ness. ne said last night at the pu,Ior
VI course, the railroads entering Car
pa aa,elseo. the santa Fe and the Southern
q rel L
,.rs aS Wen as the tributaries OF these
mes VIII pun for San Francisco ana rnors
or Jess business VIII 20 that wav. s,ui a.
great majority OF those who viii mali
f$ az fortune in Alaska will come n G.
-" 20 start and naturally they will nro-
c!oe themselves with provisions and o,,t-
l., "heh l determined to engage In Alas
s'.i cllahdising, I thought that n 7
cams 10 Seattle about the first ne 81.
year would arrive in annie $500 81. Aew
IN shape for business and stjII he ro,, - a.
.SIce IN advance OF the rush 7, e. 49,
WIS mistaken. for the eurtgrati o,.
roftn mas already begun. syaca o.. 90.
=. sht on 'he vessels plying 70 Alaska -
-. 1teat cemand and can see that ,a,g.
- or prospective Klondikor. az
as - "e GROUND shaping their affairs so
=. ST. an early start into the co,,n,r,,
IL Is my belief that This cgty ii, y
81 great prosperity Arnp,a n,,,1,a..1 81.
" ne prestige she entovs az .ba nr,o---
slaI metropolis Of the North pac,ec az :.
n ma a- nas they Only family indicate IN
H's opinion. that which ia 70 cnron tn =.
HIsFchants and ontfttlng men y, So
s VIZ nave All OF the business thew can
nahaie and while 1t IL evlden, TIA. 81
-. - a DOZEN steamship lines will NAV.
'E,s city the starting point. All n, 81.
VIZ have plenty Of business >.
.. ar. ADAMS said that ahortag. n. ,oos
~ an old story in Alaska VIII, ha ~
= s@-Azed MS expedition TO explore the yu-
hofi basin from Unalaklik. food wa. -
cFedsngiy scarce at ST Nichae, s,a~
wa1 "orta - per pound. and thev w.
most willing 20 pay that unusual 80.
sc &c was beginning 70 form in the una-
.~ xix river when with the Russian 49,
.hd.an he startst n d skin cano. To- a..
neA1"aters. He found an easy nnr,ags
from N. source OF the river To Snis -
estanhsniag base OF Operations
al tAis point, he returned TO UnaialIIk far