The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-10
STRUCK 1T RICH.
Wonderful Luck of a San Francis
can in the klondike-ArriValo OF
a Pigeon From Dyea.


PORTLAND, ORE, Aug. "a wonder
full Klondike story was told yesterday in
one of the hotels by Frank Juston, San
Francisco railroad agent and brother-in-
law OF the hero. It seems almost lncred-
ble, but coming from the new gold fields,
1t is no more an exaggeration than many
other stories of fortunes made in short
time and which have been corroborated
Juston stated that Louis Gerston passed
through here Friday night with the equiv
alent of $3.50, 900 in gold in his pocketbook
for San Francisco where his family now
lives. Possessed of a somewhat romantic
nature, this Croesus Gerston had been
employed in the railroad shops OF Port
land, but had been thrown out OF work a
year prior and in the interim all his saw
ings were exhausted. This was IN the
winter of 1885, Juston, who is brother
of Mrs. Gerston, wrote to her sband 10
send his family to San Francisco, and at
the same time he furnished him money to
60 to Alaska. There he has been ever
since till his recent return to the realms
of civilization.
Mr.. Juston says that his relative had
been in the mines just making both ends
meet--that is to say, earning enough for
the support of him self and family, when
as the last winter was breaking up, SO to
speak, he and an East Portlander ven
tured to the kIondike. Gerston's partner
is Peter Bruner, well known on the east
side as having for years been a confirmed
drunkard He went north at the same
time that Gerston did, and from the day
he LETT here to now he has been a total alb
stainer. Long before any intelligence of
the Klondike district reached civilization
Gerston and Bruner had thawed out
ground to yield them more than $100 900.
They then, considering the transporta-
ton of the treasure unsafe, left their little
fortune hidden in their hut. Bruner,
whom Gerston left, stated that he in
tended sending his gold, amounting to as
much as the latter to the San Francisco
Mint direct, the proceeds OF which were
to be deposited TO his credit in Dank
there.
''Gerston told me-" he continued, "that
he was certain of getting million or two
out of his claim which Bruner is now
guarding pending his return next spring.
He intends erecting a palatial residence
with ample grounds somewhere across the
bay and will give his three children all
the advantages procurable with money"
In addition Mr.. Juston remarked that
his brother-in-Iaw will pass but one more
season in the north, as he says that Tor a
man possessed of an independent fortune
it is no country to live in. Gerston said
that knowing what he does OF the Alaskan
winters he would not venture to Klondike
at this season for $4,000, even were he
poor man.
The steamer George W. Elder with its
load of KlonoIke- bound gold-seekers, has
arrived safely at Dyea. Friends OF the
venturesome miners can rest with the
assurance that the first part OF the perl
lous journey has been safely passed over.
Early this morning a pigeon was seen
to strike telephone-wire on Washington
street, between Third and Fourth, and fail
TO the ground, where it lay for few mo-
ments futtering A man stepped out into
the street and, picking up the bird. con-
veyed it into Mish's cigar store. 1t was a
homing pigeon, and lis contact with the
wire had broken one of its wings. 1t was
while those who had gathered there were
examining the birds injuries that small
roll of paper was noticed attached to one
OF the birds legs with silk string. Amid
much excitement the paper was removed
and opened, while visions OF a message
from Andree with news regarding affairs
at the north pole foated before the eyes
of the eager spectators. But this was not
one of Andree's pigeons. 1t was Port
land bird arrived home from long jour
ney to bear good tidings from adventur-
Gus Webfooters. The mess age on the paper
read: "Dyea, August Z. Arrived safely
here last night. All well on board. t.
Caine.'
Tom Caine was one of the Elders pas
sengers, and he took with him a number
OF carrier pigeons, which he proposed let
ting loose at different points along the
route with messages TO friends here in
Portland. 1t is expected that the party
will again be heard from when the diff
culties OF Chilkoot Pass have been over
come