The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-06
HEROIC MISS KELLY.
Topeka Girl Will Brave the
Cold and Dangers of the
KlOndike.

Miss Emma Kelly, the daughter of ex-
Senator H. B. Kelly is on her way to
Klondike and is stopping with her parents
at 222 East Tenth street. Miss Kelly said
"I going in the interests of a Chi
cago syndicate and expect to stake out
claims and do not intend to return with
less than 100000 in gold; that is at least
my ambition. Our party of sixteen is to
meet at Seattle, September 16, and start
at once for the gold fields. We expect to
reach Dawson City in time for Christmas.
We choose this time of the year as every
thing will be frozen and we can 'sled'' it
most of the way and can cross the rap
ids by travelling a mile over the frozen
water instead of taking the risk of rum
ming the rapids in boat and going three
miles, we would have to do in the
spring. My cousin, Miss Mildred Hurl-
burt of Kansas City goes with me and
will be in Topeka Thursday. I will meet
her at the train and go at once to Seattle.
We will take along so cob pipes and about
200 pounds of tobacco and a guitar. When
we reach Dawson City we will build log
cabin, build it ourselves I mean, and will
invite the miners to come in and smoke
our tobacco and tell us what they know
about gold mining, while we play and
sing, and in this way I expect to get
some good stories for the papers and also
learn how to prospect. My outfit consists
of a large sleeping bag made of water
proof canvas and a rubber blanket and
air pillow. I wrap up in two or three
blankets and crawl into the bag feet first
and cover up head and all and 1 don't
think 1 can get very cold.''
Miss Kelly had her Klondike wardrobe
spread out on the chairs and commenced
to explain the different pieces to the re-
porter. This said Miss Kelly, sis my
jacket. 1t is made of coon skins. The
hood and skirt are of the same material.
This skin is used as it is the wormets and
wears the best. These high top boots are
waterproof. Under my fur hood 1 wear
one made of heavy cloth that covers the
face all but the eyes and 1 wear Using
glass spectacles bound in fur, you see
not a part of my face is exposed. wear
knit mittens and over them heavy buck
skin mits. 1 wear heavy silk union suits
for underwear and buckskin knickerbock-
ers. 1 have a heavy blue shirt such as
firemen wear and sweater. 1 will have
a waterproof tent 9x12 feet. I have belt
and carry a bowie knife and revolver. 1
will have shotgun and rifle and ko-
dak and expect to make all kinds of shots.
When we leave Seattle we go to Dyea,
and from there to Chilkoot pass. We have
to walk over the pass and will make about
two miles a day. From the pass to Daw>
son City is about 450 miles and we make
that on foot and with sledges and dogs.
This is the best time of the year to go as
in the spring everything is sloppy and
wet and there is great danger of malaria.
By going in the winter one gets acclim>
ated and avoids at least great deal of
sickness. We take by say of precautfon
a chest of medicine 1t costs about 20
cents pound to have our luggage car
ried over the pass and so we try to take
the least amount possible. We leave all
our civilized clothing at Seattle and will
get it when we return in the spring. We
will come back by way of the Yukon
river and of course will have some thrill
ing stories to tell"
Miss Kelly wears a silver Identifying
tag about the size of a dollar that reads.
I'm case of accident notify H. B. Kelly,
Topeka, Kansas"