The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-10-16


Klondyke district, Mrs. Berry told her
husband that the best thing he could
do was to start at once for the new
fields and leave her behind. He was
reluctant to do this, but she persisted
in her counsel, and fortunately for
both he finally acted upon it.
What Her Husband Says.
This was the turning point in their
fortunes, and it is well told in Clar-
enee Berry's own words. He says: 81
was becoming much discouraged over
the outlook, when the news came OF
the rich find on the Klondyke. At first
was undecided as to what to do, be-
cause there had been so many false
alarms that l was unwilling to risk
the. expense of such a trip. At length
concluded that there was certainly
nothing to lose in such venture, and
there might be great deal gained. It
was late when reached Dawson City,
but was lucky enough to locate what
believe to be one of the richest, il not
the very richest claim ON Bonanza
Greek. My claim is No. 40, below Dis
covery, and has yielded in nuggets
alone more than $4,000, the major
portion of which were picked out by
my wife. I think / may say it with
pardonable pride that she is a nervy
little woman, and I was more than
fortunate in having such helpmeet.
l question seriously whether would
have done so well if it had not been
for the excellent advice and aid of my
wife. l want to give her all the credit
that is due to her, and 1 can assure
you that it is a great deal"
On to the KIondyl1e.
So the husband went on to Klondyke
and the wife remained at the old camp
to break it up and come on as soon as
she could, bringing the stores and pro-
was already beginning to show signs of
toll. The river, which must be crossed
| before she could reach the Klondyke,
was already beginning to show signs of
floating ice, and she knew it would be
only short time before it would be
completely frozen over. So she worked
with a will, and soon got everything
| packed and started on the steamer
| Arctic for the new land of gold. Her
husband and his party Joined her on
the way up the river.
1t was Dec. 6, 1896, when this devoted
and daring couple struck their first
| gold of any consequence. Then it came
! in, a torrent. All through the winter
| Clarence Berry was piling up wealth
His wife was at the mines every day,
and as the great chunks of frozen earth
were dumped on the ground her fair
fingers were busily at work picking
out the nuggets. During the season she
picked up in this way about $4,000
worth of golden pebbles.
With a sharp stick she would dig
into the frozen clods until they broke
! apart and gave up their treasure. The
largest nugget Mrs. Berry found in this
way was worth 1921, and it turned out
to be the best individual prize found in
the diggings.
Mrs. Berry enjoyed good health
| through all her experiences in the
frozen northwest and weighs twenty
| two pounds more than when she left
Fresno on her wedding day in March,
1896. Undaunted by her hard and per-
ilous journey, she says she is ready to
return to Alaska with her husband
next spring if he decides to go back
there, But Clarence Berry is many
times a millionaire now, and it is not
probable that he and his plucky wife
will ever repeat their romantic, pic
| turesque, but perilous bridal tour.