Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-09-11
A WOMAN IN ALASKA.
Her Life in a Cabin in the Klondike
Region.

woman in an Alaskan mining camp.
says Emma j. Kelley in the Boston
Transcript. There are no drawing
room receptions. no enforced hypocrisy
growing out of the courtesies of civil
izatiOn Here the rough miner is lust
what he appears-plain, rugged and
honest, with a chivalry and respect for
woman unknown to a more refined
civilization.
The mines Of the Birch Creek dis
trict are not worked as generally as
they were, few years ago. The camp
IS not SO extensive, the present number
of miners on the creek not exceeding
possibly one hundred, the camp hav-
ing dwindled from 400 or 500 engaged
here. few years ago, to this number
by reason Of the new discoveries in va
rious sections that have attracted those
who had the less desirable class of
claims. Then too. the grounds on this
creek have been pretty well worked
though there are number OF very rich
mines that will yield handsome profits
for years to come.
with my female companion, having
reached Dawson in June, we came on
to this camp, where we have been most
lof the time since, having made our home
In a snug little cabin where we have
been comfortable during the coolest
weather indicated by the mercury for
short time at 50 degrees below zero
and standing for several days at 60
My companion and myself each have
claim in this district, l having won
mine at the end Of a contest. as two
miners attempted to take it from me.
The matter was settled by submitting
| our claims respectively to a jury con
slStlng or all the miners in the district
took charge Of my own case and was
given verdict by a majority vote.
having been sustained by all except
seven of those voting.
Our cabin is 10 by II feet, has one
door and two windows and is warmed
by the regulation sheet-iron stove Of
this country. which answers for both
heating and cooking. The bedstead.
| cupboard. table and shelves are made
| 3f Whipsawed lumber, our stools being
made Of huge logs and covered with
| fur. The bed-cOvering consists of furs
and skins. including a large robe made
Of the skins of 80 red foxes. lined with
q heavy wOollen blanket. On our floor
we have large moOseskin and two
| caribou skins for carpet. The walls of
| our cabin, which have been hewn until
| reasonably smooth. are decorated with
/ caribou antlers ana wings from various
wild birds Of this region. together with
the leaves Of ferns in endless variety.
| gathered after having become beauti-
| fully tinted with the first SHOWS OF
! September. the hues Of these ferns be
| ing most delicately blended. The win
| ter following summer without the
| period Of autumnal preparation. the
emerald green OF the foliage takes on
a most beautiful appearance when COW
| cred with the pure white that an
| shrouds all nature for almost nine
months in this latitude The mountain
| scenery, deep gorges with the green
| foliage Of the trees wrapped in mantle
| Of snow. presents q beautiful and fasci-
! mating picture.
WE are now in the midst OF the long
winter where daylight last not more
| than three hours; that portion Of the
year when the nightly displays OF the
| aurora are most fascinating and en-
| chanting. This wonderful exhibition
| Df nature to be seen in all its grandeur
| 1nly in this far northern latitude sur
passes the power of words to describe.
| Often | sit for hours in the silence Of
! the night. and through the little win
| dow in my cabin watch the wonderful
| display Of the aurora. until my soul
| seems to fathom the infinite, so grand
| and so inspiring is the appearance OF
| this celestial visitant Of the polar reg
| ions. The isolation and the dreariness
| OF the long night is more wildly i'm
pressed upon the mind by the bowling
and sCreeching II great packs Of wolves
| that, coming out Of their hiding places
| in the mountains. visit the valley at
night in quest Of food With the near
| "St neighbor a mile distant. the loneIi-
ness Of a night in this bleak, cold dark
| country ~ ice and snow. with the
storm roaring and hungry wolves
bowling without. produces a feeling Of
total separation and isolation from the
| world.
Our wearing apparel while in our cabin
| Is about the same as that worn in the
| states. save only in the matter Of foot
wear, which Is always III this latitude
| moCCasinS with heavy stockings; leather
| footwear being entirely out Of the ques-
| ton When Dut for sometime 1t is nee
| esary q keep the hands and face well
| III N''4. tllt ADlE DtluB kept warm with
rapid walking. In fact there is danger N
dressing too warmly for the trail as
when this is done. the exertiOn causing
perspiratiOn. a moments quiet Is suffi-
cient Ia freeze the garments and thus en-
velOp the body i'm ice. When travelling
with dog teams. however. riding great
| er part Of the time II becomes necessary
| 70 dress warmly wrapping the body well
| In fur robes. The travelling dress III
women in Alaska is usually a short ekirt
and fur cap covering the head entirely
| the same as worn by men with an extra
| piece buttOned across the face To protect
| the nose and cheeks. The gloves and
mittens worn, are made nv the natives.
| Of heavy moose skins with blanket lin
| ing. The feet are dressed with two or
three pairs of heavy wOOllen stockings
and over these socks made of blankets
these covered with socks made of caribou
fur and over all the moccasins The men
do not wear overCOats. but dress in heavy
sack coats made of blankets, some pre-
ferring sweaters. and in very cold wealth
er wearing a parka made Of heavy drill
cotton. OcCa sionally Of fur. The parkd re-
SemblcS a Chinaman's shirt. worn On the
outside, but generally reaching to the
knees. The trousers worn by men at
work IN the mines are made OF heavy
hanketlng and with socks reaching to
The knees on the outside Of these trouser
legs. the appearance Is that Of a knicker-
booker suit.
We think but little Of distance here.
and, in fact we think no more Of the
mile between cabins than we would Of a
block between residences in town. After
the morning work of adjusting alters in