The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-11

George 4. Bracket. the contractor and
railroad builder who is engaged In the
construction OF e roadway over the White
pass, returned yesterday from a trip to
Minneapolis. MINI. Interested with Mr.
Bracket are a number OF well-kEown Sc
attic men. The company which they have
incorporated mas erected seven hotels on
the road from Skaguay 10 the lakes. and
is engaged in other enterprises in connec-
ton with handling the rush Of people to
the gold fields.
Mr. Bracket said last night that the
people throughout the Mississippi valley
are aroused 10 white heat by the stories
OF gold that are told of the Klondlke, that
able-bodied men in every town and ham
let in Minnesota are organizing for the
march to the gold fields and that the esti-
mates made by close observers Of the num-
Der that will come 10 Seattle is rather too
low than too high.
From the time arrived In Mlnneapo-
lis was besieged with inquiries about the
gold fields" said Mr.. Bracket last night
Men whom have known for years and
up with the all-pervading excitement came
10 me in all hours OF the day and night
begging me for information concerning
the best route TO take and beseeching me
TO show them how they could get to the
gold fields the quickest. Men who repre-
sentcd squads OF ten, fifteen, thirty and
forty. told me that they wanted me to
show them how TO get over the mountain
passes when they came out. and that they
were then preparing TO start for the klon-
dixie. II is difficult for me to tell you how
deeply the people of that section are af-
fecied by this excitement. II the people of
Seattle had experienced what did in that
short stay in the East they would realize
az do, that their most sanguine expecta-
tf0ns a. 10 the extent of the movement to-
ward the north will be overwhelmingly
surpassed.
NOW as to the Skaguay roadway YOU
can say that the lire Is now practically
open TO the lakes and on my return. the
last touches will be given TO the work We
are amply equipped with funds to carry
out all of our plans. I am not booming the
Skagu1y route as better than any other
although | have my opinion. You should
understand that We are expecting TO have
all mat we can do. So with Dyea The
tramways over the pass Will have all the
business they can handle So with Seattle
This city will be filled with gold hunters
They will crowd it's hotels to their fullest
capacity and the steamers will be loaded
10 the last berth and the last pound Of
freight. There is business enough for ALI
AS To the Quitting, | can frankly saw
that Seattle Is by long odds best known
in this connection. No matter what adj
vantages other cities may possess. ID is
known everywhere in the East and Mid
die West that Seattle is the starting
point for the Yukon. That is settled. and
there is no questioning the fact there
This is the reason why you hear little
or nothing said Of the other Coast cities
This is why ii is known there that the
Quitting establishments of Seattle under
stand the trade and car handle it,
But there is one thing I wish you
would say. and that Is that ali of the
Coast towns that are I'm q position to
cater to this klondike trade viii have
all the business they can attend TO.
There will be such rush TO the Pacific.
coast as WAS never before seen or dream
cd If. am not given TO specializing on
what may possibly happen. say that
this movement. now crystaiIlzing in the
East. viii astonish the people Of the
Pacific coast. and that all efforts should
now be directed toward finding a way
to care for the crowds that will swarm
to seattle"
The company OF which Mr. Bracket Is
manager viii have expended when the
road * finished. about $50 go Two steel
bridges have been erected over the river
ana q wagon road viii be open clear from
: t,de water ,o tAe lakes when the con
tract is flushed, The company has
Quilt sever hotels along the route