Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-23
WOMEN AT KLONDIKE
MRS. WILLIS OF TACOMA MAKES A
 FORTUNE OF OVER $500, ,oco.


 FORTUNE OF OVER S3oo.oco. Started Without Money and Is Now 6 Prospective AfiIIionaire-woraen Wild t.
 Join In the Mad Rush to the Klondiks
 For Gold.
 Ten weeks ago Mrs. Willis of Tacomf was as poor as tho proverbial churci mouse. Today she is worth $500. GOO, and all on account of the Klondike.
 Two years ago Mrs. Willis, whose husband is blacksmith and great sufferer from rheumatism, decided tC try her luck among the goldfields of the frozen north. She set out alone and vowed that she would not return until she could bring fortune with her. She has kept her word
 After two years of prospecting and just when her spirit and her fortune were at the lowest ebb there came q re- port to Dawson City of big plaeex strike on the Klondike. Joining party of cattlemen, Mrs. Willis hurried to ths new Fl Dorado, staked a claim, and she has realized more than $500, 900 from it.
 Not satisfied with this, however, she established laundry at Dawson City and was tho first to introduce the "boiled shirt'2 among the miners It made great hit, and notwithstanding the fact that Mrs. Willis is compelled to pay $250 for box of starch her en- terprise IS prospering greatly. An h. dian squaw who works in the laundry receives S4 a day and expenses, and tho rented for $35 month. Wood for fuel costs nearly $500 a year.
 Before the turn of fortune's wheel made Mrs. Willis wealthy she worked ss cook for the mess of the Alaska Cem- lnercial company at Dawson.
 Efforts have been made to steal the woman's claim, but to friend, Mrs Frank P. Hicks, she writes:
 ''I have gone through death, and a fight is now being made to take pos session of my claim, but will stand by my right if it takes five years. "
 An interesting phase of the klondike craze is tho frantic determination of many young women to go. All the ex- petitions are besieged by women appli- cants. Here is what woman who has roughed it on the Klondike says:
 A woman actually needs little In tho way of an outfit, presupposing, of course, that she goes with man who takes the necessary camping outfit and food along. This is what she requires for her personal comfort:
 One medicine case filled on the ad- vice of a good physician, two pairs of extra heavy all wool blankets, one small pillow, one fur robe, one warm shawl, one fur coat, easy fitting; three warm wooden dresses, with comfortable bodi- ces and skirts knee length, flannel lined preferable; three pairs of kniekers or bloomers to match the dresses, three suits of heavy all wool underwear, three warm flannel nightdresses, four pairs of knitted woolen stockings, one pair of rubber boots, three gingham aprons that reach from neck to knees, small roll of flannel for insoles, wrapping tho feet and bandages; sewing kit, such toilet articles as are absolutely neces. sary, including some skin unguent to protect the face from the icy cold, two light blouses or shirt waists for summer wear, one oilskin blanket to wrap heR effects i'll, to be secured at Juneau CT St. Miehael's; one fur cape. two pairs oa fur gloves, two pairs of fur seal rnocca- sins, two pairs of muclucs-wet weather moceasinS
 She wears what she pleases en rouca to Juneau or St Michael's, and when sls makes her start for the diggings ahe lays aside all civilized travelling garb, including shoes and stays, until she comes out. Instead of carrying the fur robe. fur coat and rubber boots along she can get them on entering Alaska. but the experienced ones say take them along
 The natives make a fur coat, with hood attached, called sparki, . but it is clumsy for white woman to wear who has been accustomed to fitted gar ments. I4eggings and shoes arc not so safe or desirable as the moccasins. A trunk is not the thing to transport bag. gage in. It is much better il pack, with the eilskin cover well tied on. The things to add that arc useful, hus not absolutely necessary, are chocolate, roffee and the smaller light iuxuziee. --- New York Journal
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