The Republican., 1897-12-09
BEWARE OF FAKES!
For they are Many just Now in tho KIon-
dixie.
TACOMA, WASH, Dec. 3, 1897.

ing HlllIuS COil pdIiIcS. DcMdIS VI
floating coffins and-well, look out for
pick-pockets, as it were.
Col. Pat Donan told the truth few
days ago somewhere in the middle
west when he said there were @lot of
gOld-brick sharpers scattered about
the Pacific Coast seeking to BAN
boOzle the klondikers who has money
burning in their pockets as well as
money to burn
They say there's fool born every
minute or two and it would seem that
the fake KlOndike schemes that are
being swallowed, hook line and sinker,
proves this saying to be quite true.
Two months ago my attention was
first called to the wiles of London,
England, promoters in Offering ''lim-
tied number of shares" of stock in
Klondi<e companies. They announ-
ced their wares in double column ads.
in the leading dailies of London but |
could see no merit in their PROPOSE
ton and did not suppose conservative
Englishmen could either. later
noted the extensive crop of similar
Klondike mining schemes growing
mushroom like, in this country, and,
still later | was assured that the peo-
pie were actually buying a few of the
limited number of shares, Offered
for few days
Surprising as it may seem, ,spinsters,
bouse maids and penny wise and
pound foolish men here and there
over the country were investing their
savings in grubstaking and mining
schemes about the practical working
of which they know no more than
many of the promoters of these pro-
jects. Most of the people who throw
their money away on a few of the
Limited number of shares offered
will soon be denouncing Klondike and
the Alaska gold-felds as swindling
propositions
Specific instructions for investigat-
ing in Alaska propositions cannot be
given, but in a general way the Wis
dom Of investigating any scheme be
fore investing may be suggested. For
instance, if decision has been made
to invest in klOndike or Alaska let all
propositions be inquired into. A bust
ness man can secure authentic infOr-
nation through the commercial agen-
cies; a fraternity man can inquire
through a lodge or clan, and at least
any individual can ask for informa-
ton through the United States post
master with fair assurance of getting
the truth.
Monday the steamer, City of Seat
tie" which is owned here and which
authentic information is obtafnable
from her managers at this port, ar
rived from Alaska with miners and
cattle-menaboard. Immediately word
was flashed over the wires from Seat
tie that she brought $1,000, COO in gold
deposit checks and 100000 in actual
dust and nuggets. This was q "hot
STUFF for the dailies and many long
special dispatches were ordered wired
for Mondays papers The Associated
Press youth" also fell into the trap
of the Seattle strong friends and
anntB or. ciro in 70 L I, u, n II =,
launched. Some :, 800 words were sent
out by Associated Press on the 81, 300
000 gold cargo Of the City of Seattle. -
Later in the day-Or night, to be more
eNact-the Associated Press spoiled
the romance in the brief missive:
In the item sent out about returning miners
make it read: "They are reported to have
between them $4,000 in drafts and gold dust, -
Instead Of 81 $4,000 il drafts and 320OO OO0 in
dust"
All told, however, the City of Seat
tie" party brought down less than
$50 ,00O in nuggets and about that
amount in checks.
Beware of fakes,
** <
j. f. Baker arrived here to-day on
his way home from an extended trip
through Central Illinois. During his
trip, which was taken in the interest
of Washington investments Mr. Baker
was brought into scontact with the
class of people most interested in min
ing matters, T,and especially in the
Klondike. His opinion therefore, is
based on a solid foundation, and his
story is as follows:
From about the 1st of June to the
2Sth of September | Travelled through
Central Illinois where | am well ac-
quainted with the country and people,
numbering among my acquaintance S
many prominent men.
Everyone there is talking of the
hlOndike. In one city 500 people are
preparing to go to the new gold fields
in the early part of the year. In an
other city five parties are already or
ganized with thenty-five men in each
no. ar{xv Tboy- will oDno uoc+ ,,,;tI +ho