The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1898-01-12
INTERESTING FACTS
About the Klondike and the
way to Get There.

Written by Greene County Boy to
Morgantewn man-What Chance a
Man has In Seattle to get Work-The
Rush to the Gold Fields not Warrant
ed BY the Results Attained--rhe ven
ture full of Certain Hardships and
Uncertain Returns.
The following letter was written
by young man who has been in the
Klondike to friend in Morgan
town. The correspondents had been
boyhood friends and the letter is a
conservative opinion of the prospect
for any one starting for the a,luring
gold fields without many advantages
which money can buy. The writer
was born and reared near the mouth
of Dunkard in Greene county and
his name will doubtless be familiar
to many of our readers.
His letter does not offer much en-
couragement to people who are Klon-
dixie mad. There is as yet very lit
tie return for the enormous hard
ships which have to be endured by
the gold hunters and very little re
ward. However he sees enough in it
to risk the thing again so it will be
seen that he is reasonably certain of
some return. The letter is as fol
lows:
SEATTLE, Wash, Jan. /, ls9s.-Dear
Playford: Yours of December 3rd, at
ha,,1 and mas ufaI 10 kaor fra,r, x,or
shall endeayor to write you few lines
been having vacation this week but
have to go to work again on Monday.
am principal OF one Of the ward schools
in this city. have eight teachers with
about $40 pupils, 80 you see l have
about all can do.
So you have the western fever. Well
that seems quite natural, especially at
this time. Your line of work is so diff
ferent from anything with which | am
acquainted that Ilscarcely know what to
say. | do not know what persons in
that line of work get per month here.
However, there are great many per-
sons coming here on account of gold
discoveries in Alaska, and | believe it
is impossible to get employment in any
line without being here. If you were
here and could stay around for awhile
think perhaps you could drop into
something after awhile, but just what,
and when, and where, could not say.
Now, 'Playford, | believe there is only
one way to come west, and that is to
drop everything back there and come
out with the full intention OF staying and
taking what you caught; il not big
thing, then little one. That might not
be very pleasant but perhaps in the end
would win out.
You spoke about having friend with
some money who would like to come out
here and invest. Well, the only way to
do that is to come out here and study
the situation thoroughly, then go into
something and make 1t go. ! think
there are going to he various ways to
make money here ii you have some to
begin with, but there is sure to be a
great deal of chance mixed with it, and
that fellow must take, then make OF
lose.
| think the Klondike will prove a
great thing although not enough gold
has come out to warrant such a rush as
has been already and will be this sum-
mer. | was in Alaska myself last sum-
mer, and was fortunate enough to make
little money. | expect 20 60 again
in about month. With us, however,
it is chance aud we do not know
whether we shall win or not, but are
willing to take the risk.
There is only one way to go into that
country and that is to gather up your
traps and go, carrying all the nerve, en-
ergy, and determination with you that
you possess. 1t is all hardship from the
time you leave this place until you get
back here again.
If can help you In any way at all
am at your service always. l feel sure,
however, the only way even to get a
good position here is to be right ON the
ground and make application in person,
1t has got to that point where men
would rather risk man whom they
can see thanone not here.
l am glad to know that you have a
good place, and also glad to learn that so
many of your sisters are in school at
Morgantown. That | think is very
excellent school, came very nearly
going there once myself.
II there is any further information you
desire and that l can give just let me
know.
Remember me most kindly to all of
your folks.
AS ever your friend,
A. M. Ross,
325 Columbia St. Seattle, Wash