The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-15

thing anout his appearance which created
question as TO his genuinensss was an
enormous diamond. which he insisted upon
wearing In very conspicuous place In his
shirt bosom. Gates was one OF the few
men who seemed to take pleasure in dis
cussing his family affairs. Nothing seemed
to please him more than TO relate the story
OF how he married his wife, quarreled with
her. and finally involved himself in a suit
for divorce, and the rather outre picture
OF the twain In n prominent advertisement
! went the rounds Of the daily papers. While
In this city, early in April, he stated that
as soon as his wife secured the divorce
which she was at that time prosecuting hs
would marry her sister and take her north
with him. A few days later he went to
san Francisco. and it is said he came to
an understanding with his wife whereby
the suit for divorce was dropped.
Gates was the owner OF a one-fourth in
terest In No. Is, on Eldorado, considered
the richest claim in the Klondike. His ac-
quirement of his interest Is a story that
while II shows him up as shrewd also
exhibits one side OF the mans nature
No. Is was owned by q couple OF men who
were not claSsed in Dawson among the
bright ones, and Gates wen. in on the
claim, taking from them two lays OF fifty
feet each in width. He sunk two holes
and struck rich pay dirt. Instead OF COM
munIcat!ng the find TO the owners. swift
water BIZ filled up the holes, and in DIS
cussing the matter with them said that
the claim was no good. He then informed
TWO OF his friends who had some money
OF the value OF the property, and they
made the owners an offer. finally securing
the entire claim for s. 800 Last year the
claim yielded in three lays SOS 600. There
are seven more lays unworked. presumably
as rich, Dawson estimate making the
value OF the dirt remaining 100000.
Gates was a great gambler. One night
when he was plunging at the Opera House
faro bank he lost 800 in half an hour
To show that he was biooded he invited
the house up 10 have drink and a cigar
with him, each costing a dollar. The
treat cost him $500.
Another time he saw a man with a
couple OF ducks. He asked what they
we're worth. He was answered that they
were not for saie-that they were for a
sick man. That's not what asked" said
Gates, I'm not fin the habit OF being
talked 20 In that way; what / want to
know Is what they are WORTH" The man
with the ducks said 81 each. I'm take
them" said BILL and he did. paying the
price named.
Everybody who has kept track Of Daw-
son events remembers that Gates Is the
man who paid dollar each for eggs, so
that he could starvs a variety actress into
loving him. He bought ali there were In
Dawson. and 1. is related that the dancer
was subdued. As she was married see
could not marry him. but he compromised
bv marrying her sister. His wife is now
getting a divorce from him in San Fran
cisco
His Last Interview
Gates gave 10 Post-Intelligencer re-
porter on the 18th CO April what was proc
ably his last Interview. He and his parry
Of seven. in which were De Wolf Swift
water Bits associate and hacker; I. L.
Marks, his private secretary; Miss Mime
han. his stenczrapher. and several friends
They stayed as the Batter. AZ that time
Gates outlined % the Post-Enteliigencer re-
porter the elaborate plans be intended 10
carry cut II was his purpose as prcsi-
dent Of the Alaska Transportation, Trad
Ing & Mining Company. TO establish a
big store at Dawson. Twenty tons o.
provisions and general stock had been pur-
chased. shipped north and stored az the
mouth cf she Yukon. TIE object OF The
party Ras 20 get over the trail lust A.
click'T as possible after TIE spring travel
had teeoGae Ieas.hle. - as TO De ready
I. handle The goods upon their delivery
al Dassea by the first up-going river
steamer. Gates had another reason Ter