Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-01
SUPPLIES FOR THEKLONDIKE
William q, Lewis of Seattle on the Effect
of Gold Finds.
Increased Prosperity of Outhttfng
Scnports-The Yukon River Route
"A Novel Industry.

Mr. William II. Lewis, formerly of Wash
ington. but now practicing law in Seattle,
where he is one of the directors of the
Seattle-Alaska Miners and Investors
Agency is at the Portner, where he was
seen last night by a representative of The
Star
Nj Lewis is well known in Washington,
having lived here several years, during
which time he was secretary of Mr.. Justice
Harlan, whom he accompanied to Paris
on the occasion of the Boring sea tribunal
of arbitration He graduated from Column
bian University Law School in 1892 and
was prominent among the local Christian
Endeavor and Y. NJ. C. a. workers, as well
as in athletic circles.
Seattle said Mr.. Lewis, lis just now
enjoying the most prosperous times in its
history This means actual prosperity. 1t
is not boom. We do not want any more
booms. Our wheat, lumber, shingles, coal,
fish and fruit in great demand at
good prices. However, our business has re-
ceived its greatest impetus by the Klon-
dixie and other gold discoveries in Alaska
From the time OF the arrival Of the steam
er Portland in Seattle harbor on July 10.
every business house, factory and hotel in
Seattle has been rushed night and day to
handle the business brought in. Fully
2o,UD people have have been added to our
population during that time. Merchants
from Tacoma, Portland. San Francisco and
Chicago have moved to Seattle. New con-
Germs have sprung up on all sides. The
city is now full of people, though the rush
to the gold fields should not commence IN
til February. March and April. Store ho-
tel and residence buildings are in great
demand. and. although rents have increas-
ed from 70 TO 100 per cent. 1t is impossible
to supply the demand for vacant buildings
Already a number Of additional store Of
flee and hotel buildings are contracted for
and will be erected at once.
Seattle merchants m
ciate the importance of the Alaska trade
and have left no stone unturned to supply
Its demands. From the large number of re-
turning Seattle men who have made rich
Klondike strikes they have learned what
articles and commodities are most useful
In that country. Nire-tenths of the lists
published In guide books misleading as
they are out Of date. The requirements are
continually changing. Fasteners who
passed through Seattle on their way to
Alaska this fall had loaded themselves
down with articles absolutely useless, which
many OF them discarded at Seattle, having
10 buy complete outfits there. Several o:
them. who were personal friends OF mine,
reported 10 me that they could buy TO much
greater advantage in Seattle than in Chi
caSo and fully as cheap.
Novel Industry.
The best time to go to the Yukon is
the spring of the year, when there is a
thick, hard crust over the snow on the
passes and supplies can be taken over with
small delay and expense on sleds drawn
by dogs. 1t has been found that the best
dogs for this purpose are certain breeds
which can be picked up in any large city
Each year there is a great demand for
such dogs In Seattle. and this year one com.
pany has arranged to ship from the east
as large o number as can be used and fur
fish them TO miners. Last week the first
shipment, ~ dogs, was made Such ship
ments will be made every two or three
weeks from now until March. The COM
pany has kennels ard yards in Seattle tc
accommodate not less than 1900 dogs a,
one time. IL also manufactures dog har.
ness and has large force Of men en-.
gagged in drying salmon for dog food tina,
being the only food that can be used on
the trail.
Il do not believe there will be so much
danger Of starvation on the Klondike this