Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-01-27
Let.er Broom the Pncific CONS.

Seattle, Washington, January 7th, 1898.
Mr.. EDITOR is now Is years since /
left the hills of Vermont, and especially
the dear retreats l loved so well that clus
ter round the lovely village of Chelsea; so
thought some OF the old acuuaintances
might like to hear a word or two concern-
ing the much talked of city of Seattle as
seen by me every day, as / walk to and
fro between my home and the office where
| am employed as stenogTapher.
As my mind reverts to Chelsea, can 10
cate every rivulet, dace hole or berry patch
in the community, and have always
thought that | would rather be laid TO rest
in the cemetery in dear old Chelsea,
where the western sun lingers so lovingly
on the graves of the many dear ones
whom loved so well in my young days,
than III any other spot on earth.
For some years have been living In { be
busy city of SEATTLE, and such hustle and
hustle AS she is experiencing Dowl The
docks present the most lively appearance
As gaze from the office window, | can
see the big Japan steamer unloading her
immense cargo OF tea, silks, mating, etc
Close to her, al the same wharf, lie the
FRralion, Resale and City OF Seattle, that
have Just arrived from Skagway and Dyea
and are reloading with passengers, out
fits, horses, dogs ana lumber for other
trips. A little way from here is yard
containing more than 200 dogs, that are
being trained to carry outfits over the
rough passes leading from Dyea. Every
afternoon teams OF dogs, with their tlain
ers, go by carrying heavy loads, all pull
ing iheir best, and seemingly wondering
why their play days have been cut of 50
suddenly. AS | write, see an elk going
by harnessed to a. large sled and pulling a
heavy load.
Everybody and everything are breath
ing Klondyke. Strangers are arriving by
the thousands and buying outfits and
supplies TO take with them to the lane
e. ntaining the "pot o. goldo
Every person seems to breathe good
times, ana the warm balmy weather seems
TO lend an enchanted air to everything.
NV Office window is open this afternoon,
and roses can be seen in many dooryards,
and pansies still linger on the lawns. But
still long for a real bona tide sleigh ride
over the sparkling snow through the val
leys OF Orange county. Though j have
wandered over the mountains and valleys
of Alabama and Georgia, and visited ana
dWelt in the splendid state of Washing
ton, yet just long and wish most ear
nestly to walk once more over the blessed
hills and dales OF Vermont and talk with
;he dear ones left so long ago.
But | am diverging from my subject
Crowds are clustering just now round the
bulletin boards issued oy the Post Intel
ligencer to read the latest advices regard.
ing Durrant's execution, which | suppose
is right now taking place. As far as my
personal feeling goes, believe human
brute is being disposed Of in an altogether
too humane way. People here, for the
most part, have little sympathy for him.
But so much talk is going on around me
steamers for Klondvke, beds
for Kiondyke, and "Ma.suyma Maru"
sleeping bags for Klondyke, that must
necessarily keep to my subject. ALI va
cant rooms are being eLgaged by the
Seattle Chamber of Commerce from pri-
vate families in advance, so as to be able
as far as they can 10 accommodate the
great influx OF travellers, who are expected
in a month or six weeks. Restaurants
and hotels are overlooking with guests,
and every other person on the street has
grip in his hand, steering for some hotel
or lodging house. All steamers coming
now from Alaska are bringing from $780,
600 TO $500, 900 in gold dust, and also par
ties of liners who have come TO convert
their gold into coin and to replenish their
outfits, and then wsnd their way back to
their claims, in February or March, TO
gain greater riches. II takes q steamer
about seven days to go from here To Skag-
wav and Dvea. 1 know men here. whu
wear ago had not an extra dollar in the
~orld, who have come home with $780,
600 and 100000 in clean cash. But lest
weary you, i will stop my enthusiastic
taIk on Seattle, queen city OF the mighty
West.
write of later developments soon.
Yours respectfully,
MRS. FANNIE WINsLow MosHER.
$500 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, Wash.