The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-01
Portus B. Weare, Of Chicago, Dis
cusses Exodus to Alaska.
AN AUTHORITY ON THE SUBJECT
Present War Has Injured the Trade
Hundreds Who Intended to seek
Their Fortunes in the North Have
Delayed the Journey-keturn OF
tho Efrst Gold Boat Will Cause
Excitement tn break Out Anew.

Portus B. weare, chairman Of the exc
cutive board Of the North American
Transportation and Trading Company, has
lust arrived in Seattle from Chicago, ana
vii, leave on the next trip OF the steamer
Queen for Skagway. From Skagway ne
I'll make a quick trip through 10 Dawson
to Join his brother, E. 4. Weare, presi-
dent OF the company, who Is Stationed
there. Mr. Weare viii make the trip 10
the interior over the pass. in order TO De
in Dawson upon the arrival OF the fi'ef
boats. bringing the first passengers from
ST Michael. In an interview with POST
Inteiligencer reporter at the Hotel Butter
yesterday Mr.. Weare sad:
Il came 10 Seattle from Chicago. but
returned from business trip 10 New
York, Washington and other prominent
Eastern cities. a. short time before starr
ed for the Queen City. L observed while
in the Eastern states that interest IN Alas
ka has 10 a large extent Deen supeTseo@1
by the H:spano-American war. L Know
personally OF many instances where large
parties had organized and originally n
tended to go TO the gold fields and pros
II
ties gradually disorganzed and their at
tention was diverted TO the struggle now
In progress between the United States and
Spain. Many of these men have since en-
listed and have started for the scene or
hosulities TO assist in suppressns Spanish
rule in Cuba. Many people. who intended
10 90 TO Alaska, are OF decidedly adven-
turesome spirit, and the same spirit WHICH
prompted them in deciding 10 go 20 the
kloniike prompted them 10 change their
minds after war was declared. a number
of people who were morally certain or
gong 10 Alaska 10 seek a fortune IN
formed me that they dslked TO go so far
away from civilization until the result OF
TIE war was finally known
Il presume that in arriving a; this decis-
ion they were also largely governed by
spirit of patriotism, and. again. many OF
them would have left behind loved ones
If they had carried out their original in
;entions. They would have been uneasy,
restless and dissatisfied had they gone
when the present situation, as Tar as the
war is concerned. is so radically uncer-
tain and unsettled. I look, however. for
an unusually large exodus 10 Alaska after
the clean up takes place in the interior.
and the amount of gold brought down by
way OF ST. Michael is certified 10 by the
government. / have just received advises
from my brother, now at Dawson, and
while he did not make any estimate OF the
amount of the clean up. he seemed 10 be
very hopeful. and was OF the opinion that
all expectations would be fulfilled.
I'VE expect to bring the first shipment
of gold from St, Michael on the Roanoke
which will leave this port for the North
on the morning Of June II. at IL O'Clock.
The Roanoke will make the trip TO s..
Michael in either eight or nine days II
- impossible TO say when she Will arrive
here on the return trip. 1t viii depend
entirely upon the time that the ice breaks
IL the Bering sea. She should be able 10
arrive in Seattle with the first ship load
CT gold about July 10. or shortly after.
hut as / have already stated all will
depend upon the ice Between three
fourths and nine-tenths of the gold will
be brought down on two boats, the Roam
cke and one other operated by the Alaska
Commercial Company, Of San Francisco,
possibly the Portland. which the North
American Transportation ard Trading
Company formerly owned.
Notwithstanding the effects the war
has had on the kloadike rush, We have
Obtained nearly all OF the passengers we
care 10 carry. We have only one steamer,
the Roanoke, which will be thrown open
20 the inspection Of the pubic today, four
sailing vessels. which are 70 be reserved
exclusively FOR freight and seven river
boats. The Roanoke will make four trips
to s. Michael, leaving Seattle June H.
July -. August - and September -, Seat
tie vii! Re the first place that the Roanoke
@iil stop after leaving ST. Michael with
the first cargo of gold"
Mr.. Wsare is a thorough business man
and since MS arrival in Seattle. has been
constantly az work attending 10 affairs
which pertain 20 the executive head OF the
company.