Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-12
HOW FULDA REACHED DAWSON.
Shipped as n Fireman, With 200
in His Pockets.
San francisco Chronicle.l

| CSan FRANCISCO CnronlcleI
| OF all the stories that have been pub
lished about adventures Of gold-seekers
who attempted to reach the Klondike
since the discovery of untold wealth in
! that region, the narrative OF the adven-
| lures OF l.. r. Fulda. one OF the best
known manufacturers and businessmen
Of San Francisco. as he relates 1t now,
when seated in the cabin built by him
self on the mob hill OF Dawson. Is per-
haps the most interesting, without the
spice OF danger and narrow escapes.
Fulda started from San Francisco Au-
gust IL. 1897. on forty-eight hours notice.
He went on the steamer Humboldt with
the party OF ex-Mayor Woods, Of Seattle.
Fulda and Mining Expert Bowie went
together in the interest OF the Alaska
Exploration Company but kept their
mission secret. At ST. Michael they dis
covered that the river boats they took
with them could never go up the river,
and consequently found themselves fur
Their away from their destination than
before they had started from San Fran
cisco. They applied In vain for passage
to the transportation companies. No
amount of money or persuasion would
avail them anything. Every berth was
filed and the rest of space crowded be-
yond the limits OF safety. FAllda re-
sorted 10 strategy to reach his destina-
ton. He donned overalls and jumper
and went to the wharf seeking work, and
was put at carrying wood for one or the
transportation companies.
He soon gained the favor OF the en-
Of ha 81 n W
fided that he had ample means TO pay his
passage, but was unable to purchase 1t
from the company, and that he was will
ing to pay we'll for the chance OF getting
to Dawson. The opportunity came soon
er than he expected. The steamer need
ed a fireman, and the engineer recon-
mended Fulda for the place. His stature,
physique, and the record for work in car
rying wood on the boat caused the agent
to engage him at once. Fulda went TO
work with a will. happy that his plan
had so we'll succeeded.
In his rough working clothes he car
red a letter Of credit for $4,000 and about
$1,000 in currency and coin. His outfit, in
GLIDING provisions for two years, he was
forced to abandon. But he took account
Of everything he saw and what transpired
on the trip, and made ample notes, keep
ing a complete diary and gathering all
the information he needed for locating
trading posts and stations for his COM
pany. At the Yukon Flats the boat stuck
fast and could go no further. At last he
was transferred TO another boat going up
the river and was the only one of 1856
passengers who had gone on the same
journey to reach Dawson. Bowie, who
had managed to steal on board a river
uyft mt no
some time later.
In Dawson Fulda met many old Cali
fornians. who offered TO share their little
store with him. Food was very scarce.
-four selling at 500 a sack, and other food
staples in proportion. while money had
little value. Fulda was compelled to &C
cept of their hospitality, but ate very |
sparingly. losing 40 pounds of weight |
during the winter. His familiarity with |
carpenters and millermen's tools stood |
him in good stead. He secured a choice |
lot In the best residence portion OF |
Dawson, built snug cabin. which now |
serves him as a dwelling and office until |
the company's structures shall be ready
for occupancy. Being an experienced ma
chinist, his neighbors frequently consulted !
him on mining and building enterprises,
and he readily assisted them In every way
no could. He has secured many valuable
properties for the Alaska Exploration
Company although he claims he could
have purchased the same properties for
a fraction Of what he paid II he had been
-eady TO buy soon after his arrival in
Dawson and before he had an opportu-
nifty to test the value of the claims. Full
da is now on his way down the Yukon TO
meet the company's steamers at St.
where he will direct the move
ments of the river boats. the distribution
Of freight, and look after the warehouses
md other buildings OF the company that
ne contracted for at the various stations
along the river