The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-12
BACK FROM ALASKA.
MRS. GAGE GIVES A GLOWING AC-
COUNT OF THE YUKON GoLDFIELDs.

Wonderful Stories of the Klondike Re-
gion's Wealth Confirmed-A Fine Glass
of People There and No Danger of
Starving Next Winter.
One Chicago woman has visited the
Klondike region since it's great goldfelds
were found and has returned home She
makes the best reports regarding the won
derful wealth of the Yukon valley in
Alaska, and also praises the people who
are there now seeking fortunes as pros
pectors and miners of the precious metal.
That woman is Mrs. Eli Gage, daughter of
Portus B. Weare of the North American
Trading and Transportation company.
Her husband, the son of Secretary Lyman
J. Gage, is representing the company at
Dawson and has been busy night and day
lately.
We're it not for her relatives and her baby,
which she cannot take north, Mrs. Gage
probably would not have returned to Chi
oago before next spring. All her expert
ences in Alaska were pleasant, and the
rigor of the climate would have proved no
great draw back to her in the winter.
In the fist place, Mrs. Gage says there is
an immense amount of gold in the Yukon
field. Any man who has pocket money and
about $500 for grub stalking q claim can
safely go to the Klondike region and ex
poet to reap liberal reward for his efforts.
If he goes poorly equipped and supplied,
he may be compelled to suffer for his lack
of wisdom, but he will not find himself
among hard hearted people. who will not
help him if he deserves assistance
The second point emphasized by Mrs.
Gage is that the present population of the
portions of Alaska she saw is composed of
honest and peaceable miners, class of
xrJI,x To h, tod and
a desirable community. The valley of the
Yukon is not populated by such men as
constitute large part of the mining camps
in western states.
There is one other point especially to be
impressed upon people who have read I'M
true stories from the Klondike. It is that
no danger of famine exists. 1t has been
said that starvation would overtake many
who went to Alaska this fall; but, accord
ing to Mrs. Gage, the supplies that are be-
ing taken from Seattle and San Francisco
by the two trading companies in Alaska
would be sufficient to prevent suffering.
Preparations for the long period of ex
treme GOLD weather are being made by
those in charge of the business of these
trading concerns. They fear no famine,
and all the individual miners are also sup
plying themselves as a result of the advice
given them.
''The reports of the rich harvest of gold
in Alaska are not exaggerated, said Mrs.
Gage to reporter, E'but that country is
not the place for women or children. I
did not dare to take my baby there. There
were children in Alaska and aboard the
ship, but pitied them. Women can safe
ly go there if they are willing to conform
to the way of living compulsory there and
if they are willing to forget they ever had
any luxuries. Otherwise they should not
venture to make the trip.
81 have been away just three months
May SO left Seattle for Alaska. July 8
the Portland, one of the three ocean steam
ers of the North American Trading and
Transportation company, left st. Michael's
on the return to Seattle. For two weeks
I was aboard the Portland, and July II
Seattle was reached. There and along the
entire route to Chicago every body was
greatly interested in the region from which
came, and was compelled actually to
hide in a drawing room on the train when
it became known from where I had come.
In Seattle people were almost wild, so
great was the gold excitement. The Port
land was the first boat to reach that city
from the scene of the great discoveries, al
though the Alaska Commercial oompanys
boat had reached San Francisco, it's port,
before that date, but the men who had ao-
cumulated the greatest wealth in the
Yukon valley were on the Portland, and
their arrival was eagerly expected by the
people who had heard so much about the
wealth of the region and the easy access to
it.
"The four greatest Alaskan miners came
down with us, and it was an interesting
sight to go into the great safe on the ship
and see the bags of gold dust. There is
enough gold in Alaska for every one, and
a numbe of fortunes have been taken out
already. Persons going there must make
a sensible start They must not go half
Glad and poorly supplied. In Seattle mat
tiers look very bad The population is sim
ply insane, and men leave their homes and
families and everything else simply to get
making mistake. The men in Alaska
must work for gold. It can't be picked
up without those seeking it having any
sense or having made any preparation.
'Mr. Gage is at Dawson and will not
return until next spring. He is kept very
busy. In fact, no one has time to rest on
the Yukon. Since leaving him I have
learned that man he had CRU bstaked'
has dug up gold worth So 5000 in three
months on small claim. The wa es paid
even for common labor in all the region
range from $15 to SIT day. Any man who
goes out there with willing hand can
obtain work. If he has no money, he can
soop earn it. There have been reports of
great fear of famine next winter, but I
don't believe any such thing is probable
Both the North American Transportation
and Trading company and the Alaska Com
rneroial company are taking up all the
freight they can. Thus, with good sup
ply of provisions and judioious manage
ment, famine can be ayerted easily. ANY
man VI no has $500 and some expense money
is well enough supplied now to go to
Alaska and CRU bstake.'
Perhaps shall return to spend the
winter in the Yukon valley. The last boat
sails from Seattle Aug. %. I have little
fear of the cold, but can't take the baby
along with me. The average temperature
during the winter months is So degrees be-
low zero, but the atmosphere is dry and
you do not feel the cold SO much.
people on the Yukon are honest These
stories of lawlessness in the Klondike re-
gion are untrue. Although much wine
and hear were sold on the hnRt coming