Omaha daily bee., 1897-08-24
WIVES FOR KLONDIKERS.
big Scheme Developing in the Mind
of q, DalSOtn Man,


of ~ DakOtn Man.
L. M. Keenan, lives and thrives in South
Dakota town bearing the abbreviated name
of Ola Mr.. Keenan, has q matrimonial
scheme of a phianthropc nature. He wants
to carry little sunshine into the gold fields
of Alaska and pocket a few shekels for the
labor involved. His plan is to send a con-
signment of marriageabe young women to
tho arctic circle next spring. He intends
spending the winter securing the matrimonial
ranges in the states in search of material for
the venture. The first steamboat up the Yu-
kon in 1898 will carry his stock to market.
Personable damsels-thus he reasons-arc
worth their weight in gold to the miners.
Many respectable spnsters would gladly
avail themselves of the opportunity. but
they lack the means to reach the diggngs.
Those who can pay their passage have nc
desire to seek husbands under such condi-
tons.
Mr. Keenan, is an OLD .attleman. For
years he shipped stock from the South Da-
kota and Montana ranges to the eastern
market. Last spring the stories of gold
strikes on the Yukon lured him from his
home at Melville, Mont, to Fort Cuddy,
Alaska. He soon reached the conclusion
that more money was to be made In trade
with the miners than by actual work in the
gold fields. But, without the backing %
millions OF capital, he saw 1t would be
less to enter into competition with the trans
portation companies already in business.
Women were scarce. Why not supply the
miners with wives?
At first he laughed over the idea Then
he resolved to put it into execution. II
was already too late to accomplish anything
during the season of 1897, so he returned
to the states to look for volunteers. BY
spring ne expects to have 300 ready. He
will Pay their fares, to the Klondike. The
the entire stock will be auctioned off to the
miners Mr.. keenan, Is strict preSbV-
terien. He countenances nothing that
smacks Of impropriety So clergyman will
accompany the outfit. Each maiden will be
pledged, before her departure, not to leave
the steamboat until she and her would-be
partner have been married in due and
proper form On his way east, Mr. Keenan,
stopped off at Ola for a brief visit with
friends, In an interview concerning his re
markable scheme, he said:
Some people think l can't make my
speculation succeed. | know better, I've
been at the Klpndike and seen the situation.
I've talked with the miners and know what
they want Nice Is or 20-year-od girls, re-
spectacle, good looking and willing to work,
will go like hot cakes, Medium grades
should bring $4,000 or So, 900 head. Thatll
cover the cost OF transportation and leave
handsome profit. l expect it'll take some
thing to get 'em out. / can't rush 'em
water. The best can do, l expect therell
be considerable loss. Somell be sick, Per-
haps somell die. Prob'ly few'll kick over
at the last and have to be fetched back.
Mebbe some won't sell, and I'll have 'em
left on my hands. ! should call $4,000
head a conservative estimate OF their value
on the market. ! ship 300. / market $50.
My expense is $24O,OOO. My receipts are
$500 600 Gross profit, 100000. Likely I'll
have TO bring few back. Put that and in
cidentals at $4,000, That leaves margin
of $685. 900. That's pretty fair for one
seasons business. Better'n freezing and
starving over placer and mebbe making
less'n your keep at that"