Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-06
WOMEN AT KI.ONDIKE
MRS. wiLlis OF TACOMA MAKES A FORTUNE OF OVER s3oo,oco.

s,arted Without Money and Is Now
 Prospective Millionaire women Wild to
 Join In the Mad Rush to the RIoadike
 For Gold.
 Ten weeks ago Mrs. Willis of Tacoma was as poor as the proyerbial church mouse. Today she is worth $500, 900, and all on account of the Klondike.
 Two years ago Mrs Willis, whose husband is blacksmith and a great sufferer from rheumatism, decided to try her luck among the goldfelds 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 re- port to Dawson City of big placer strike on the Klendil1e. Joining party of eattlemen, Mrs Willis hurried to the new EI Dorado, staked claim, and she has realized more than $500, 900 from 1t.
 Not satisfied with this, however, she established a laundry at Dawson City and was the first to introduce the "boiled shirt" among the miners. It made a 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 ill the laundry receives s4 day and expenses, and the log cabin ill which the work is done rented for $35 a month Wood for fuel costs nearly $500 a year.
 Before the turn of fortunes wheel made Mrs. Willis wealthy she worked as cook for the mess of the Alaska Com meroial company at Dawson.
 Efforts havo been made to steal the woman's claim, but to friend, Mrs. Frank P. Hicks, she writes:
 II have gone through death, and Q fight is now being made to take pos- session of my claim, but l will stand by my right if i5 takes five years. '
 An interesting phase of the KIondike craze is the frantic determination of many young women to go All the ex- petitions are besieged by women app1i- eants. Here Is what q woman who has roughed 1t on the Klondike says:
 A woman actually needs little in the 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 good physician, two pairs of extra heavy all wool blankets, one small 1 pillow, one fur robe, one warm shawl, one fur coat, easy fitting; three warm woolen 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 the feet and bandages; Q sewing kit, such toilet articles as are absolutely neces- sary, including some skin unguent to protect the face from tho icy cold, two light blouses or shirt waists for summer wear, one oilskin blanket to wrap heR effects in, to Do secured at Juneau oE St. Miohael's; one fur cape two pairs cR fur gloves, two pairs of fur seal mocca- sins, two pairs of muclucs-wet weather moeeasins,
 She wears what she pleases en rouSs to Juneau or St. Miehael's, and when sEe makes her start for the diggings she 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 "parki, but 1t is clumsy for a white woman to weax who has been accustomed to fitted gar ments. Leggings and shoes are not so safe or desirable as the moccasins A trunk is not the thing to transport bag gage in It is much better in pack, with the oilskin cover we'll tied on. The things to add that are usoful, bus not absolutely necessary, are ehocoiar@. Goffee and the smaller light iuxurte= ---. New York Journal