Middletown transcript., 1897-08-14
HIS KLoNDIKE MILLIONS.


who says he is going to make millions
out of the Klondike treasures without
going to Klondike-in fact. by stay
ing right where he Is. This man has
Q long head, and he says that the gen.
ius who solves the food problem will be
richer than the man who strikes the
richest find in the gold fields. He be-
lieves that be is that genius.
"Why, man." he says, =" in an ordi-
nary valise l can put enough food to
last healthy man year and give him
a menue just as varied as he could fad
in a first-cIass hotel. He can easily
take another one of these valises, and
when he reaches Dawson City he can
sell it for $4,000. That's what a years
supply Of good food is worth there. If
be wants to load himself down W Ith a
goOd-sized burden he can take four or
FIVE supplies, and he will be a compare
lively rich man the moment he reaches
his destination. Why, one of those
valises will buy half interest in q
claim panuing $500 day. am selling
them for $3.50 each and they cost me
$50. l make 400 per cent. profit, and
the man who takes them makes at least
700 or 300 per cent. That's a pretty
big scheme, isn't it ?"
Two years ago the speaker was one
Of party that interested the United
States Government in q condensed food
scheme to be adopted in case of war.
A commission, appointed by the Secre-
tary of War, and composed Of exper-
fenced army officers, made thorough
Investigations, and their subsequent
reports were largely favorable 1t was
shown that 1t would be possible for a
large army to move considerable dis
tance from its base of supplies without
the usual attendant wagon tram and
beef "in the hoot" by supplying each
soldier with packet of condensed
foods. 1t was, however, reported that
while foods of this kind could safely be
used in event of emergency, it was not
advisable TO furnish them when fresh
foods Were 0btainable.
In the Chino-Japanese war the SOL
diers of the Mikado executed several
long marches with anusual dispatc ch by
the use of Condensed foods. Each
soldier, in addition to cartridge belt,
carried what was called dinner belt,
This was filled with large assortment
Of capsules, pills, bu tons and small
packages, none of Them larger than
medium-sized pocketbook. The dinner
belt weighed but ten pounds, but it
contained enough nutriment to sustain
the soldier for thirty days.
The present scheme is to furnish
Klondike voyagers with an assortment
of condensed foods somewhat similar
to that carried by the japanese, but
adapted TO The peculiar needs of the
men in the diggings.
THE great beauty of this food,"
said the genius, tiles In the facs that
The miner .doesn't have to waste any
time for meals, and every minute
counts in that district, when the min
ing can only be done three months of
the year. The ground cannot be thaw-
ed out until June 1, and after Septem.
Der it is useless to attempt anything.
In those three months ne has to crowd
in enough labor to make up for the
nine idle months. and il can save
him an hour each day Of the working &
season it is an item Of considerable
Importance"
Anything In the eating line can now
be put up In condensed form, from q |
canvas back duck to corned beef and |
cabbage, and In such light shape that |
either dish could be sent through the
mails for two cents. Even boned tur.
key is put into tablets. to say nothing |
of Boston baked beans, oysters, fruit |
and vegetables.
A good cup of coffee or tea is crow. |
ded into mass as thin and as small as
q medium-sized button. 1t is already |
sweetened with sacchariDe product Of |
coal tar which is 200 times sweeter |
than sugar. and accordingly requires
but . very small amount. One Of these
buttons dropped into cup Of hot |
water becomes Immediately cup Of |
good coffee or tea.
All kinds Of soups are prepared In the |
same way. The buttons contain 81
mixture Of meat and vegetables. fully