The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-22

is John Langlais, a lone sailor. He may
be seen any day working on the craft on
a temporary ways on the beach at Point
Hudson. a few yards beyond the mill wharf.
He has done all the work single-handed
and has made rapid progress thus far. He
has been hampered with many obstacles.
but has oyerridden them all. and now ne
believes that his future sailing Will be
smoother than the past. Ten weeks nave
been spent in the construction, and at least
four more will be consumed before the
cauking begins. The rigging comes after
This will be done by John Locust. mate
of coasting vessels. who will be his part
ner on the northern voyage. Inc Vessei
will have two masts, schooner rugged.
The trip to the Mackenzie river IS not
to be a voyage for pleasure Inc perlis
are too great and the journey by sea too
frigid to undertake amy such thing.
Nothing but the prospect of "a return
cargo of gold would induce them 10 navi-
gate the Arctic waters, and II Is the
bright hopes that Langlais entertains that
accounts for the building OF special
boat for the long voyage that he Will soon
start on. Langlais has been in that
country before. Some sixteen years ago
at the time of the Cassiar excitement he,
with John Sheehan. of this city. and a
numser of others started for the Mac
kenZe river via Fort WranseL At Fort
Simpson Mr.. Sheehan and many others
returned, but Langiais proceeded onward
until the head of the river was reached
There some prospecting was done. About
forty prospectors travelled northward
along the river until camp was pitched at
a place which was neither a town, a VII
lage nor a city. II was there that rich
groupings Of gold were found that caused
happy dreams 10 course their minds.
They delved hard and fast into the
bowels Of the arth and averaged about
u ba Mo hpH
but the gold seekers called it the poor
mans paradise" Bedrock was not reached
until scurvy broke out in the camp. and
those who were not taken down with the
disease were obliged to nurse and care
for their less fortunate companions. In
five weeks time thirty-seven men had
passed away. leaving Langlais and two
others. whom he has not seen since he
parted company with them on the way
ont at the head Of the Stickeen river. At
this place they separated. Langlais COM
ing 10 the Sound by easy stages. The
remains Of the thirty-seven men were
buried on the banks Of gulch at poor
mans paradise.
Ever since the return 20 civilization with
his sack Of gold. amounting 10 5000
which represented his fortune for the
three years that no had spent in the new
gold fields OF the frozen north, IangIas
has always had hankering TO visit the
pace once more he trlp ny ldnd. now
ever. was a trying one. ne reasoned, but
nevertheless his determination TO return
was strong. and for his part he was will
ing 10 brave the Journey and risk his life
He tried in vain 70 find a partner to ac-
company him. bat all attempts In that
direction proved futile. Upon the launch
ing Of the Klondike gold excitement his
conviction became stronger than ever i'm
the richness 81 the Mackenzie river dis
trict and finally he succeeded I'm securing
John Locust As partner TO make the Jour
rey by sea.
Langlais and Locust win outfit for a
three years stay. and this time will be
spent IN loading the craft with the yellow
stun that they hope 70 pan but IN ab,tn-
dant quantities n the poor mans para
disc Of the frigii north