The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-04-27
GO TO SEEK FORTUNES
Wisesnsia People 10 Try Their
Luck at Cape Nome.
JOHN LIEDELJERGs SUCCESS.

Reindeer and Struck the Rich Find at
Cape Noms-Chicagoans Organize the
Teacher Country Club and VIII Have
Outiags at Lake Monona-Birth of Wis
consin Historical Society.
Madison, Wis.,, April 24.-Nadison
has been harboring this week John
Lindeljerg, the original discoverer OF
gold at Cape Nome, Alaska, and in
consequence great interest is taken in
that auriferous region here just now.
A party Of fifteen will leave Stoughton
for the new Ell Dorado in month and
several Madison men have already
gone with Mr.. Lindeljerg to the Pa
citic coast, where supplies and pros
pecting outfits will be bought prior to
the sailing from Seattle of the party
May "a. 1t is interesting to reflect on
the curious turns of fortune that come
to some men, how they achieve wealth
or prominence sometimes by the sheer
est accident and in this connection
Madison furnishes a case not far from
the point. Some years ago William
Kjellman was conducting a small fish
and game store in Madison at rather
meagre profits. Today he holds fifty
one claims at Cape Nome and est-
mates his wealth from 100000 up to
almost anywhere near the half million
mark. Kjellman came from northern
Norway and was familiar with the
habits and raising of reindeer and
when the government decided to make
an experiment with a colony Of these
animals in Alaska Kjellman, in some
manner, was appointed to take charge
of it. He made a trip to the Scandi-
navian peninsula, obtained cargo of
animals, and took a friend, Lindeljerg,
along to help take care Of them. The
reindeer experiment proved a success,
and the field of operations of the ami
mails was extended to Cape Nome.
%
In the meantime gold had been dis
covered in the Klondike region and
elsewhere and Lindeljerg, doing a lit
tie prospecting in addition to his du-
ties, struck the Colchian strand Of the
present day. He is now wealthy and
has been visiting his old Norwegian
nome the past summer, but is now on
his way back to his auriferOuS hold
ingS. Another man to strike it in the
Cape Nome region was DR.. A. n. Kit
telson of Stougbton, young man, who
returned after a couple of years and
found it convenient to make his father
a Christmas present of $4,000 in gold
on his return some months ago. Meth
er Mr.. Kjellman nor DR.. Kittelson will
return to Alaska this year. They pre-
diet a tremendous rush to this new
gold region the coming summer, but
say there is treasure for all who have
the courage strength and endurance
to set about the getting of it right.
It is estimated at least $4,000 min
ers will be In camp at Cape Nome the
coming summer. There would be more
were the transportation facilities 'ade-
uuate to the demand. About fifty YES
sells will be pressed into service, but
as the prospect season only lasts be-
tween June and October, but "a few
Of the vessels will be able to make
more than one trip. It is said there
will be no danger OF starvation with
the big food supplies there already,
and the large stores coming. First
cabin passage from Seattle will be
500, with other beI-thS corresponding.
It lis expected about $500 miners will
come down the Yukon valley to swell
the treasure seekers that come to Cape
Nome by ship. Mr.. hickman pays a
high tribute to the American soldier
In Alaska. He says 1T is hard to re-
ceive but SIG to $40 a month for severe
service and stand by and see your fell
lows make that much a day. The
temptation is strong to desert the flag
and go into the prospecting business,
but he had not heard OF a single in
stance in which that had been done.
Mr.. Kjellman says the reindeer indus
try is thriving and that there are now
3, 400 animals in our northern posses
sions. II greater vigilance could be
exercised in preventing the killing Of
these animals for food and in enforc-
ing better care OF them the focks
would increase in 6 gratifying manner.
A new and interesting venture was
launched at Madison last week when
came up and organized the Teachers
Country club. For some years Chi
cago teachers have been casting about
IOE d pidC6 HHcIC lHCEC IuISul tUC cS-
tablished comfortable summer home
or outing place for teachers Of Chicago
and other parts OF Illinois, and it is
now altogether likely that this home
will be located on the shores OF Lake
and built the coming summer.
"A hotel and cottage will be built. these
20 be conducted by a steward, or rented
to suit the convenience of the visitors.
Tennis and ball grounds will be Laid
oEt, boating and bathing facilities sup
Piled and an altogether delightful pro-
gramme is planned. Several delega-
tioKs Of Chicago pedagogues have Wis
tied Madison at various times the past
year on this mission and the home Is
now practically assured. It will be
built ON the farm owned by the late
Judge s.. o. Pinney. on the south side
Of Lake Monona and adjoining the
Monona assembly grounds AS the Uni
yersity Of Wisconsin now holds prac-
tically a continuous session all the |
gear round and az students, whether |
enrolled or not. can carry on |
work here at the summer session, this |
will be an inducement added to the |
charm of a quiet life on tho lake