Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-08-27
WIVES FOR KLONDIKE
1T is ANNOUNCED THAT SPRING
CROP WILL BE HARVESTED.

1T is ANNOUNCED THAT A SPRING
CROP WILL BE HARVESTED.
New Field for acknowledgement
Dakota Mans Scheme Mercer
Outrivalled-Wives Sold From the
Block.
Had not our ancestors brought " mai
dens fair" from beyond the sea, in the
early days of colonization and vended
them for certain weight of tobacco,
and in our early Territorial history
had not A. S. Mercer shipped a cargo
of Boston girls to Puget Sound, by the
good steamship Continental, it would
be difficult to believe that Dakota
man seriously contemplated shipping
q similar cargo to the wilds of the Yu-
kon. 1t may be that the idea broached
a short time ago by Mrs. Holes, of
Ohio, has inspired this man whose
business it has been for many years to
ship livestock to profitable marts,
and he may have some knowledge of
these precedents to inspire his zeal !;
hut it must be remarked that he looks
ct the matter from a cold business
point of view which chills all that sem
timent which is supposed to light the
nuptial flame. The idea of this cold
blooded bull-puncher alluding to the
climax of his scheme in such language
as this: "Nice Is or 2O-year-old girls,
respectable, good-looking and willing
to work, will go like hot-cakes'
and medium grades should bring
from $1,000 to 5000 a 'head'"; "Ill
have to stop often [on the Journey to
feed and water"
But read what an Ola, S. d., dispatch
says of the coldly speculative PROPOSE
tiOn:
L. NJ. Keenan, will send consign-
ment OF manageable young women to
Alaska, in the spring. He is in earn
est. He intends spending the winter
securing the matrimonial ranges in
the States in search of material for
the venture. The first steamboat up
the Yukon in 1898 will carry his stock
to market. Personable damsels-thus
he reasOns-are worth their weight in
gold to the miners. Many respectable
spinsters would gladly avail them
selves of the opportunity. But they
lack the means to reach the diggings.
Those who can pay their passage have
no desire to seek husbands under such
conditions.
Mr.. keenan, is an old cattleman.
For years he shipped stock from the
South Dakota and Montana ranges to
the Eastern market. Last spring the
stories of gold strikes on the Yukon
lured him from his home at Melville,
Mont, to Fort Cudahy, Alaska. He
soon reached the conclusion that more
money was to be made in trade with
the miners than by actual work in the
gold fields. But, without the backing
of millions of capital, he saw it would
be useless to enter into competition
with the transportation companies
already in business. Women were
scarce. Why not supply the miners
with wives?
At first he laughed over the idea.
Then he resolved to put it into execu-
ton. 1t was already too late to ac-
complish anything during the season
Of 1897, so he returned to the States
to look for volunteers. By spring he
expects to have 800 ready. He will
pay their fares to the Klondike. There
the entire stock will be auctioned off
to the miners. Mr.. Keenen is a strict
Presbyterian. He countenances moth
ing that smacks of improperly. So a
clergyman will accompany the outfit.
Each maiden will be pledged, before
her departure, not to leave the steam
boat until she and her would-be part
ner have been married in due and pro-
per form. On his way East, Mr.. Keen
an stopped off at Ola for brief visit
with friends. In an interview con-
cerning his remarkable scheme, he
said:
"Some people think l can't make
my speculation succeed. ] know bet
ter. I've been at the klondike and
seen the situation. I've talked with
the miners and l know what they
want. Nice Is or 20-year-old girls,
respectable, good-looking and willing
to work, will 60 like hot cakes. Me-
dunn grades should bring $1,000 or
$4,000 head. 1hat'll cover the cost
of transportation and leave hand
some profit. expect it'll take some
thing to get 'em out. / can't rush
'em through. I'll have to stop often
to feed and water. The best l can do,
I expect there'll be considerable loss.
Some'll be sick. Perhaps some'll die.
Probly few'll kick over at the last
and have to be fetched back. Mebbe
some won't sell, and I'll have 'em left
on my hands. should call $1,000 a
head conservative estimate OF their
value on the market. ship 300. l
market $50. My expense is $24O,OOo'
My receipts are $5oO,OOo. Gross pro-
fit, $$26O,OOO. Likely I'll have to
bring a few back. Put that and in
| c;Jo,tols of S05 O00- that leaves n mar