The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-01
HAPPI,P PROSPEROUS JUNEAU
A-0IIvER ~ ANTICIPATION OF A
GLORIOUS HARVEST.
subscription Raised to Advertise
Aiaska'x Chief City-Passtng by
No Opportunitiex-A Possible New
Route Ia the Yukon Gold Fields.
Special correspondence.

special fs3EiucsaSc&
JUNEAU. Alaska, Nov. fi.-Juneau IS
Joyous with prosperity. This years vel
une OF business VIII exceed by nearly
threefold that OF any previous year in the
history Of the delightful little city. But
Iuneau's attention IS bent on making ready
for greater prosperity than that. Like
every other town on the Coast Juneau is
a-auiver in anticipation OF a glorious har-
vest OF business next year. especially from
the Yukon mining excitement. And there
IS no reason 10 suppose the town viii Do
diss ppointed.
Al recent meeting of the juneau Cham
Der of Commerce a subscription was raised
for the purpose of advertising this city as
a supply center OF Alaska, and a plan OF
campaign was adopted which includes the
proposition 10 locate a Juneau agency. or
information bureau. at Seattle.
Juneau is alive TO the situation and is
passing by no opportunities. The mer-
chants have reached out with energy and
established branch stores and other enter
prfses at both Dsea and Skaguay, and
backed these with local transportation ia
ctilties tn addition TO those afforded by the
regular through steamers in the Alaskan
trade. all of which stop at Juneau. both 20
and from Dyea and Skaguay. There are
five small steamers on tho local run be-
tween juneau and the Pass cities. and
these. With the big boats. make practically
daily communication in ordinary weather.
Juneau has almost equally good fscili-
ties for communicative With Sum Dunn.
Berner's Bay. Ketehikan. Fort wrangel
and other Coast places. 1t has daily com
mun'cation with Sheep camp. and regular
ferry service with Douglas island. where
rapidly Increasing volume of business Is
transacted.
New Route From Jpneau.
Besides the advantage of Its position
practically midway between the four prin-
clpal known routes TO the interior. Dyea.
SkaGuay. Taku and Stickeen--Juneau may
achieve further fame within another year
by reason OF the discovery of a route 10
the interior starting from this city itself by
way of the celebrated Mendenhail glacier.
which ends within seven or eight miles
from town A survey party was sent out
10 explore this route some weeks ago. but
returned recently on account of the late
ness of the season making 1t inadvisahe
to proceed further But a similar expedi-
ton will start as early as possible in the
spring and it will soon he known TO
certainty whether this route is as feasible
as rumors describe IL
Scores Waiting for Spring.
Scores of people are coming to Juneau in
anticipation OF the spring rush. and will
wait here until the conditions permit in
gress TO the interior. The hotels are fun
Of people and the merchants are rushing
ing an extra warehouse expressly for
Alaska outfits. While the town is lively
and fun of strangers, Il Is a Singuarly
peaceful place. One reason for Its COM
paratiye freedom from law breaking Is
doubtless the fact that criminal would
find escape very difficult where he must
depend upon the only means of leaving
the steamers. There are two or three re-
sorts where free variety entertainments
with drinking and gambling accessories
can be found. but they are conducted with
really remarkable decorum for such places.
Nesting at the foot OF stately mountain
over $500 feet high. juneau looks tiny, but
IL contains population of over 1900 now,
not counting the 10o0 or SO miners OF Sheep
creek and Silver Bow basin, which places
are directly tributary. Everybody knows
that the mountains of the vicinity. and In
fact al. along the coast region OF Alaska.
are full of gold bearing quartz Under the
stimulus of the advertisement Alaska IL
now receiving all over the world. capital
from all quarters is looking this way. and
IT is predicted by many that within few
years juneau will become one of the trade
centers OF one of the greatest quartz min
ing regions on the globe. And however
prosperous Aiaska's future may become.
the state OF Washington Is bound to share
almost equally therein.
Juneau and the sound.
IT appears that, unfortunately growing
ont of the excitement during the past sea
son. a feeling has arisen among many OF
the Alaskan merchants that they have not
been treated quite fairly by the lower
Coast cities. especially by the Sound. with
which they have been wont TO do their
main business. A decided effort IL being
made by interested parties TO foster this
feeling and turn trade away from the
Sound.
Said a prominent Juneau merchant 70
me today:
In the past, when successive seasons or
dullness have tried the courage and pa
thence and financial standing of the coast
cities. Juneau was no mean factor In help
ing Seattle TO maintain her position Now.
while Juneau recognizes the supremacy
Of SeattIe's position with respect tn hand
ing the bulk of the iooked-for Alaska out
fitting and transportation business. the
people here feel that Seattle can well at
ford TO shake al least the crumbs OF that
business this way from her table which II
bound 20 be nearly overwhelmed.
Nobody doubts Juneau's position a. the
chief commercial and financial center OF
Alaska. In five years time. at the pres
ent rate of mine development in this re-
gfon. Juneau viii have 1000 population
business this way from her tables. which IL
iegitimately seattie's. and which that city
can hold IL II chooses. as all know the ad-
yantages Of it's position.
"A feature of this Alaska excitement 10
the stimulus II has given to the selfish In
sfincts Of people. On the trails men exhib-
tied II IN their utter disregard OF all but
themselves: in business. merchants are bel
igerent and cities glare at ore another
with equal jealousy. Each seems 10 fear
that he or she viii not be able 10 hog
the opportunity. as II there could not 10
business for all. Seattle should net have
this attitude toward Juneau. and probably
viii not have. But early this past season
people 81 San Francisco. Portland, Taco
ma and even Seattle. which we have had
reason 30 look upon az an ally. were at
pairs 10 inform people that juneau. which
has been FIJI the Alaska Quitting business
for years, was ail sold out, that the mer-
chants here had deserted their stores, ard
with the rest Of the citizens Joined In the
rush Ia the Yukon. Such absurdisies az
these may have had for foundation false
and grossly exaggerated r8uiors bar they
had the effect OF thoroughly exasperating
the Juneau people"