Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-03-08


That rested long ago
On weak and weary sufferers.
And eyes too dim 10 see,
And he doth make the sprtugtime
A miracle 10 me.
JULIA 4. ABBOTT.
SEATTLE AND kLoNolkE.
A FORMER OXFORD COUNTY MAN TELLS
HOW SEATTLE HAS GONE "KLoNDikE
CRAZY"
The following extracts are made from .
private letter to one of the editors OF the Demo
crat. written by native OF Buckhcli, VINO u
travelling In the Northwest
We found that every train on tn
Northern Pacific and Great Northern
was crowded with passengers bound for
the Klondike region. The roads have
more than they can attend To, and the
train on which we reached Tacoma was
30 hours late. OF course you realize
that the train facilities in this country
are not as rapid as they are in New Eng.
land.
The trip over the Rocky and Cascade
Mountains was great treat TO US; IL
fact, we have enjoyed every minute since
we left Iowa.
We stayed two days 10 Tacoms, the
head Of navigation on Puget Sound, and
then took the "Flyer" for Seattle. II
Was very pretty ride.
On arrival here at Seattle, We found
all the hotels crowded, aud only secured
a double room In the Butler after going
to three or four others. The crowds in
town are simply wonderful, and the way
the merchants are doing business Is
something phenomenal. Every shop
keeper has q Klondike outfitting estab-
lishment, and the business streets arr
jsmmed every hour OF the twenty-four
with strangers who make this point their
railroad terminus. II is this point wher-
most Of them from the East and South
and middle West are purchasing their
outfits, and will leave this city BY boat
for Skagusy, Junes and Dyea. Boats
are leaving daily, and yet am told that
the railroads are bringing 10 more peo-
pie than the steamers can care for at
present. On the first Of March, how
ever, the transportation facilities from
this port alone will be sufficient 10 carry
"a, 900 people month to the gold fields,
and | assure you that | believe, II things
continue as indicated at present, that will
be inadequate for the occasion.
This Is Sesttle-the only place on
earth to-day! Gambling houses are wide
open. We were into several last even
ing, and ia one place l should estimate
that there were 400 people. believe
there are more confidence men and
bunko-steerers here to-day than therr
are in Chicago. You can see all classes
Of young men, middle-aged men and old
men In the ou'fitting Embellishments,
getting their supplies for the Klondike
The side walks 10 front Of the business
houses are hesped high with outfits
Nearly all are tightly j,mmed 10 . water
proof sack. They do this In order ."
transport their goods over the Chilcoo'
Pass.
The '.City Of Seattle" left last evening
with GOO passengers, crowded down {"
the ster's edge with freight. II was =
sight that | wouldn't have missed for
nearly all Of Oxford County.
On the train, on which we left 81
Paul, were three baggage cars, which
contained nothing but dogs, and | sm
Informed, on the best OF authority, that
there are at present on Puget Sound
over 1000 dogs, and more coming. Part
of these are offered on the market for
sale 10 the Klondikers, while others are
part Of the outfit which parties take,
going into the Northern regions. I sup.
pose you know they train these dogs SO
that they can haul their baggage when
they once cross the pass. II you have
any dogs that are worthless, as most OF
the dogs are, advertise in the Seattle pa.
pers, and | sm sure you will readily hud
buyer. st. Bernard dogs seem TO have
have the preference on this market, AZ
they will stand more and howl less.
Last evening l met friend OF mine
from Iowa, = lawyer Of prominence, and
mau Of influence, Charles A. Walsh,
who heads n party from that state and
South Dakota. They will sail on the
18th. He told me that they have e4O, ,0OC
capital, and 90 into the country with the
fixed liberalization Of making money,
but will not be disappointed II they
have the experience minus the capital
You will remember him, as he was Sec
retary Of the National Democratic Com.
mittee, during the last campaign, as 4
member from Iowa to the National Con
vention.
In my opinion, Tacoma Is . far pret.
tier place than Seattle. While Seattle
has It's hundred hills, 1t is all covered
with mud. The water front Of this city
is indeed very beautiful, and have
never, outside of one point that now
have in view, seen anything to beat It
The shipping facilities here are on q
grand scale, and number Of steamship
lines run boats between this point and
Japan and China.
We shsll 90 from here to Victoria and
Vancouver, and you can rest assured
that we shall let nothing escape our eyes
which will 10 any way give US = better
idea of the Klondike country.
You understand, we consider this
pleasure trip, although we are making
many good contracts for our houses
From there, we shall take the boat tc
Portland, aud remain there probably two
or three days; then 60 by Fall, via Noun
Shasta, to San Francisco. We have mo-
decided how long we shall stay 10 Sal
Francisco, but probably q week, a
least; then 90 South to Los Angeles, re.
turning to Denver via Salt Lake. Afte'
that, our trip is indefiulte, but we MAJ
possibly take . run down into Ole
Mexico.
We are just having touch Of thi
klOpdike fever, but can assure You U
will not terminate seriously, as We want
to get South before We are entirely over
come. without snv fOOling, no Sever
there Is no doubt that that country l.
rich with gold, and . great many vii
come back millionsires, while thousands
of course, will be no better Oh than the!
were when they went.
This is grand country. 1t look
somewhat like New Eogiand, and ye
the buildings are much nicer and large
than anything we have 10 Portland o
Lewiston. Everything ID on the rush
and there never was town 10 its palm
lest days that can show 70 . strange
coming into It's limits such push and
rush In the mercantile line. This, o
course, will not continue always, bu'
simply during the rush Of visitors oI
their way to the Klondike region.
Little Boy-(pointing 70 the shoI
window)-"What's themT Mother
'srhose are diving suits, made oil o.
rubber, 20 that the divers shall not Sc
vet" Little Boy-ssl wish l had one.'
Nother-"Why-whAt for, my dear Z
Little Boy-ato wear when you wasl