The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-23
WOMAN At care NOME.
Miss Courtney of south Carolina
Tells of Her Experiences.


Columbia, S. c.. March 22.-Miss Ella
Courtney, a young lady of adventurous
spirit. the daughter of DR.. J. b. Court
ney of Edgehed county, has written
letter to friends here from cane Nome,
Alask 1t is dated November of last
year and gives some insight into the
troubles of pioneers. SO far as known
Miss Courtney is the only Southern wo-
man who has braved those experiences.
She went with her family from Chicago.
She writes
ITO the comfort loving American of
modern type this sort of siwash ex stence
has its drawbacks. Life in a wigwam I'M
der some conditions might seem novel aud
interesting but on this bleak shore of
Bering sea we would gladly dispense
with all the novelty for a few of the
home comforts In sleet snow. rain and
wind the weather of Cape Nome cannot
he excelled. However, we have deter
mined to take our medicine cheerfully.
I'VE have no time for prospecting
work; we are kept fully occupied with
such petty details as fire building, re-
plenishing etc, to say nothing of time
spent hanging around the stores, like
poor vagabonds, trying to obtain outfits
of provisions, lumber, etc, for the win
Ter. Two members of the family started
out on our arrival to secure lumber,
most scarce article, but finally gave up
the pursuit, deciding to await the return
of the Roanoke which was to bring um-
Der from st. Michaels. Then began the
chase for business quarters. Clinching
business arrangements in Nome is some
what like catching an eel-as soon as you
have made up your mind the ether man
has changed his. At last everything was
settled with us; the lease signed and the
owner of the premises speeded on board
a southbound vessel. The villain in this
case was a partner who had gone %
Cape York, presumably for the winter
In genuine villain style he came upon the
scene and we were ousted-and are still
searching for Quarters.
You wonder when prospecting is to be
done Our order was given ten days ago
and the goods have been promised from
day to day. One has not even the salts
faction of delivering a piece of his mind
since It is only through the most diplo-
matte and deferential methods that one
can hope to command attention. You are
given to understand that great favor
is being conferred upon you when these
high and mighty moguls sell you
wares You eXpend much of your
valuable time making yourself solid
by way Of being social, while the
uppermost thought in your mind is grub
This is not merely a personal experience;
it Is general, l do not doubt but there
are sufficient provisions to meet the needs
of the people, but owing TO the scare,
prices have bounded up and the conse-
quent rush on the stores will keep the
excitement alive
Wages have likewise leaped to 81 80
per hour. l suppose many of our griev-
ances are but lima ginary and incidents in
the lives of all pioneers. but what is the
odds since the soil is rich in gold
Il have never been eulogstic on the sub
ject OF the Yukon stove. which pest has
found its way even to Cape Nome. 1t is
a friend at best but when forced into
use on Boring sea. with brny soaked
driftwood as the only available fuel, the
result is that state of mind which is in
deed eloquent.
ITO add to the penetrating dampness of
the atmosphere we have been endeavoring
to dry out some briny soaked goods ever
since our arrival. A bundle containing
some fur rugs, an eiderdown robe, lot
of pillows blankets, etc, had been pre-
cipitated into the sea in transit from
steamer to shore, and were consequently
thoroughly soaked. We draped these ar
tlcles all around the walls of the cabin
hoping they would dry by next day; lit
tie pools of salt water formed on the floor
but the goods remained wet Then we
hung them out in the air during the one
day of sunshine. but all to no purpose.
We have tried to wash the salt out in
fresh water but can't"
Litigation regns in Nome. According 20
Miss Courtney the lawyers have a busy
time. A case Is cited where "A " out of
sympathy allowed "B" to pitch tent on
his lot. In short time b offered 10 sell
A his tent and AS lot for $500 Two
preachers in the town held services twice
on Sundays.
"Stampeding to Cape York continues
ana the most skeptical are convinced.
Many claims have been staked there bv
power of attorney. A mad rush to ST.
IBERIA mny be the next move. as much in
tcrest is being manifested in that coun-
try already. Enthusiasm over the vast
wealth of this region has not diminished
one iota. As high as 500 to the pan is re-
ported-on good authority-to have been
found in the timber adjacent to Nome
There is not doubt but that the extent
and richness of the district viii bring a
greet influx of people next spring which
we nope, however. with the Klondike dis
appointment as an example of booms. will
be more conserVa tive"