The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-10


lures about the Alaska expedition headed
by DR.. Otto Nordenskjold. which win out
at for two years in Seattle ard make .
start for the gold fields OF the Yukon
about April Ia. DIR. Noraenskjold is an
Arctic traveller Of no little fame in Sxe-
den. his native country. Besides. ne is the
son OF Pref. ~ Nordsnsijold. the famous
Arctic explorer who has made several at
teznpss to ind the North pole and who is
regarded in Sweden az one OF the greatest
scientists Of the country.
DR.. Nordensksoad will DO accompanied.
by three highly educated men of his native
country and four practical mining men.
who have already penetrated the Yukon
country. The expedition will aim TO ex-
ploge a great part OF the Yukon basin. and
the country tributary TO the Tanana and
Stewart rivers. An assay plant will be
taken along and permanent station es-
tabiished at soma suitable place in Alas
ka. where the ores from the lodges OF the
country can be thoroughly and scsentiacal-
iy tested.
Mr. Goltfriea Sundeen. OF yes:ergotlsnd
Sweden Is q member OF the party and was
the first To reach the Pacific coast. He
came directly 10 Seattle and registered
yesterday at the Butler hotel, The other
members of the party, DR.. Nordensktold.
DIR. Anderson and Lieut. Ekenman. OF the
Swedish army. and the four employees. who
are miners, were expected 10 arrive ysster-
day in Victoria. where Mr.. Sundeen is 10
join them today. Mr.. Sundeen said yes
terday:
I'VE were advised TO go to one OF the
British Columbia cities to purchase our
L.
West and became Informed OF the true
conditions existing as 10 Alaska QUILTING.
/ Immediately determined that we had
been misnformed and that we had made
a mistake in choosing Victoria as our
Quitting point. Happily. it was not too
late to correct the error and l have de-
termined to bring DIR. Nordenskjold and
our party to Seattle to do our buying.
My establishment In observing on my
arrival here that Seattle In a cosmopoli-
tan city, with handsome brick and stone
business blocks, paved streets and every
convenience OF life in the capitals OF Eu-
rope can only bes compared to the dense
Ignorance and misunderstanding concern
ing this section of the United States that
prevails in Northern Europe. The people
there believe that this section OF your
great republic is wilderness. where the
people are frontiersmen and where no
cities of any size exist. On the other hand.
British Columbia has been widely adver-
tised throughout the Swedish press as be-
ing close to the gold fields and as possess
ing QUILTING advantages to be found no.
where else.
Statements OF this kind are frequently
made. but I have found on examination
that they are no more reliable than the
stories frequently printed in the Scandi-
navian papers and circulated among the
people concerning the hardships and dan
gers TO be encountered In travelling to the
gold mines. I shall make it my duty TO
see that as far as Seattle Is concerned.
the people of my country shall be inform
ed as to the truth OF the matter.
Mr.. Sundeen outlined some OF the plans
of his party. He said that DIR. Nor
denskjold. who is a scientific man, would
conduct thorough exploration OF the Yu-
kon basin, with particular regard to the
discovery of quartz hedges. The party
Will establish a permanent camp along the
valley of the Yukon, at some desirable
point, and from there will direct Its opera
lions. Parties Of two and three win be
sent in different directions 10 make mans
and to ascertain the geological formation
Of the country and It's mineral and other
resources
The expedition Is backed by. men Of large
means. Mr.. Sundeen explained. The sum
of $4,000 has been provided sor their out
iits and expenses In travelling to and from
the gold fields and in prosecuting their ex-
plorations Provisions and clothing suffi-
Client 20 last the entire party two years
will be purchased Everything will be of
the best design and most durable material
Every possible provision VIII he made to
enable the expedition to carry 10 a success
full end its mission. When this is accom-
plshed the members Of the party will re-
turn to Sweden and will make full re-
port 10 those interested In the matter
Mr.. Sun3een while member of the
party. Is going IN ION his own hook. 10
use d common expression He is seeking
investments. but wishes TO obtain a prac-
teal knowledge of the country
Carl Barkman. the weli-known mining
man. met Mr.. Sundeen on his arrival here
and was largely instrumental In showing
him that mistake would be made II the
party went TO Victoria to secure their our
fits Mr.. Sgndeen thoroughly agreed with
Mr. Barkmsn that the party should he
brought 10 Seattle and II was SO de;er-
mined.