The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-31
KLONDIKEs OUTFITS.
What the Puget sound Dealers Have
Prepared fer Alaskan Tourists.
Tacoma Ledger.

Tacoma manufacturers are making a
speciality of the Yukon stove-a compact
affair of No. 90 sheet steel. 1t has a fire
box and oven, the latter protected by as
bestos paper on the side next to the fire
box and on top! fourn Fetfgths of pipe to
shield the tent, a nest of three pals, a
bean pot and dripping pan complete the
| outfit. The whole weighs about forty
pounds and sells at $3.50 We have had all
we could do ever since they went crazy
over the Klondike, and have had to turn
away some orders. We think of putting on
another man to work in the shop.
Some of the harness makers in Tacoma
are having a great rush in several special
ties of their business for the Alaska trade.
Pack saddles are in great demand, and
one dealer is making them fast as he
can turn them out. He makes three grades,
selling at S.. Sc and 81. He has sent up
169 pack saddles and on the 3lst of July
was still forty-nine saddles behind on
orders. He filed large order for Seattle.
He has put on several additional men and
more machinery. A large number of men
are employed making saddletrees. and they
are used up as fast as the men can supply
them.
The same man is also making the genuine
fits like a skull cap over the head. This
is made to sell for $1.50. The demand is
not so great, however, as it is for the old
fashioned pack strap which is used over
the shoulders.
Dog collars, too. have been in great de-
mand. I'VE didn't expect they would take
up dogs at this time of the year." said one
manufacturer, but all started in for it,
and the demand has been great. We have
been working night and day, and shall have
to work Sunday to get through. The dog
collar Dut up sells for 81. 1T Is made
like a horse collar stuffed with a steel rim
inside. Buckles are put on the steel rim
on which to attach the traces and an extra
ring is put on the collar for the lead dog"
This manufactures is making extra prepa-
rations for next year. lie has ordered ma
chinery for making SaddletreeS He has
had calls for moccasns and snow shoes,
but does nothing in that line, and has had
to refuse a great deal of work.
Sleeping bags that this manufacturer is
turning out are st decided novelty They
are made of lambs wool six by twelve feet
These sleeping bags are sold at 81, and
are proof against the rigors of arctic
frosts. Care must be taken to keep them
dry, as 1t is very difficult TO dry them out
if once thoroughly wet. The harness max
ers are certainly doing their share in pro-
viding suitable Tacoma outfits for the
miners.
The Tacoma taiors are making sheep
skin clothes for the Klondike miners. Or
olnarlly a PAIR OF trousers requires thfee
sheepskins at 81 each. The cost of making
is from $3.50 to SO per pair. The seams are
sewed with tongue between SO that they
will not rip. For solid comfort they are all
right.
Tacoma boatbuilders are making the right
kind of boats for the Yukon. They are
scOW-shaped. eighteen feet long, four feet
and three inches wide at the center and
four feet ten inches on top. They will car
ry two men and their outfits weighing ton
and a half, and drawing seven inches of
water. These Tacoma-Y Yukon boats are
made of kiln-dried cedar with bolts and
screws, and when put together with white
lead will need litflp CaIilIinU ANY,
body can put them together. They are all
rugged for mast and sail if wanted. They
weigh 375 pounds packed and ready for
shipment and cost from 500 to so. There is
a big demand for them. BY putting pole
runners under the boats they can be used
Miners and prospectors will find smoked
glasses needful to protect the eyes from
trying light caused by reflection of the sun
from the snow. These glasses are to be
found in Tacoma.
Ice creepers for the boots or shoes are
also great help in pulling heavy sleds on
the ice.
old Yukoners. to save their faces from
blistering and their eyes from suffering
blacken the face and sometimes blacken
a little piece Of board. cutting two little
Sits for the eyes, and then fasten the board
over the face as a shield. A magnfying
glass is also Indispensable.
Tacoma WOODEN mills have purchased
three hundred Thousand pounds OF wool
especially for the heavy Alaska woOlens
such as blankets mackinaws. shirts. caps
underwear, mitts, gloves and socks. These
mills can turn out four thousand pairs of
blankets per month.
People who do not understand how much
care is given to the goods for the severe
climate of Alaska will be surprised to learn
that a great deal of attention is given by
the Tacoma mills to the manufacture of
fabrics for mackinaw suits. The cloth IS
woven one hundred inches wide and thirty
yards long. 1t is shrunken thirty inches in
width and ten yards in length, rendering it
absolutely water proof
Alaska blankets very wide and thorough
! ~ shrunken. Llama underwear and sleeping