Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-02-10
WOMEN AT KLONDIKE
MRS. WILLIS OF TACOMA MAkEs A
 FORTUNE OF OVER $500, ,oco.

Started Without Money and IA Now A
 Prospective Women Wild to
 Join In the Mad Rush to the Klondiks
 For Gold.
 Ten weeks ago Mrs. Willis of Tacoma was as poor as the proverbial church mouse Today she is worth $500, 000, and all on account of the Klondike.
 Two years ago Mrs. Willis, whose husband is blacksmith and great sufferer from rheumatism, decided to try her luck among the goldfelds of the frozen north. She set out alone and vowed that she would not return until she could bring a fortune with her. She has kept her word.
 After two years of prospecting and just when her spirit and her fortune were at the lowest ebb there came re- port to Dawson City of a big placer strike on the Klondike. Joining party of cattlemen, Mrs. Willis hurried to the new Fl Dorado, staked a claim, and she has realized more than $500, 900 from it.
 Not satisfied with this, however, she established laundry at Dawson City and was the first to introduce the "boiled shirt" among the miners. It made a great hit, and notwithstanding Ehe fact that Mrs Willis is compelled to pay $250 for a box of starch her en- terprise is prospering greatly. An 1n- dian squaw who works i'll the laundry receives S4 day and expenses, and the log cabin i'll which the work is done rented for $35 month. Wood for fuel costs nearly $500 year.
 Before the turn of fortune's wheel made Mrs. Willis wealthy she worked ss cook for the mess of the Alaska Com- meroial company at Dawson.
 Efforts have been made to steal the woman's claim, but to friend, Mrs. Frank P Hicks, she writes:
 'sI have gone through death, and a fight is now being made to take pos- session of my claim, but I will stand by my right if it takes five years. '
 An interesting phase of the Klondike craze is the frantic determination of many young women to go. All the ex- petitions are besieged by women appli- cants. Here is what a woman who has roughed it on the Klondike says:
 A woman actually needs little in the way of an outfit, presupposing, of course, that she goes with a man who takes the necessary camping outfit and food along This is what she requires for her personal comfort:
 One medicine case filled on the ad- vice of good physician, two pairs of extra heavy all wool blankets, one small pillow, one fur robe, one warm shawl, one fur coat, easy fitting; three warm woolen dresses, with comfortable bodi- ees and skirts knee length, flannel lined preferable; three pairs of kniokers or boomers to match the dresses, three suits of heavy all wool underwear, three warm flannel nightdresses, four pairs of knitted woolen stockings, one pair of rubber boots, three gingham aprons that reach from neck to knees, small roll of flannel for insoles, wrapping the feet and bandages; & sewing kit, such toilet articles as are absolutely neoes- sary, including some skin unguent to protect the face from the icy cold, two light blouses or shirt waists for summer weax, one oilskin blanket to wrap heR effects i'll, to be secured at Juneau or St. Michael's; one fur cape, two pairs ca fur gloves, two pairs of fur seal mocca- sins, two pairs of muolues-wet weather mooeasinR
 She wears what she pleases en route to Juneau or St. Miehael's, and when she makes her start for the diggings shs lays aside all civilized travelling garb, including shoes and stays. until she comes out Instead of carrying the fur robe, fur coat and rubber boots along she can get them on entering Alaska. but the experienced ones say take them along.
 The natives mako fur coat, with hood attached. called "parki, but it is clumsy for white woman to wear who has been accustomed to fitted gar ments. I.eggings and shoes are not so safe or desirable as the moccasins. A trunk is not the thing to transport bag. gage in. It is much better iM pack, with tho oilskin cover we'll tied on. The things to add that are useful. but not absolutely necessary, are chocolate. coffee and the smaller light luxnriea. --- | 4dszxr XorIr IouruaI