The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-29
The Argonauts OF 1900.

WorHiHs cdieiuHy pitPoisu Suhii1sy
OF the proportions Of the exodus Of
gold-seekers to Cape Nome. As It has
always covered this field exclusively.
and Its special edition has been circu-
lated by tens of thousands from ocean
to ocean. so IL 1t the first to take an
accurate census Of the business that has
been gathering at this port for weeks
and months. and ia now preparing to
cover the ocean with one OF the most
noteworthy armadas Of peace.
Many ridiculous and highly covered
stories have been set in circulation. pro-
Tossing to give statistics OF the expect
ed rush to Nome. They are all the
products OF imaginations excited by the
hope of getting . good price for SEN
sationai article. The resume which we
give today 10 neither exaggerated nor
toned down. 1t gives the figures that
are supplied by an investigation at FIRST
hand Of all reliable sources Of informa-
ton. 1t carries, therefore, practically
the force of an Official document.
The story Of the descent upon Nome
ID sufiiciently vivid and exciting in de-
tail to need no ARTIFICIAL colorIng. There
are planned seventy mine trips to the
land OF fortune from Seattle by steam
ship alone. with the addition Of one
bark and one barge that are included
because OF their large carrying capac-
Wy. The tonnage Of these vessels, all
OF which will begin the race for for
tune within the next thirty days. il
2a6ss. They have engaged to carry
nearly e,oOo passengers and over $1,000
tons Of freight on their first voyage. 1.
tho rush should continue in the same
proportion throughout the season. be-
tween 1900 and 10000 people would
leave Seattle for Nome. and nearly
1900 tens OF freight would be trans.
rorted to the North. This is private
business. exclusive OF the immense bus.
mess required for the accommodation
OF the army department at Alaskan
stations.
II to these figures are added the to-
tails Of a host OF smaller craft, some OF
which are already scurrying under all
sail toward the pole. an idea will be
had of the tremendous hold that The
news OF the gold discoveries has taken
upon the minds OF the people. There IL
also small accretion in the business
done from San Francisco. Portland and
Tacoma direct. but It's total is not con-
siderable. Seattle Is as 1t has been and
win be. the outfitting depot and The
port OF departure and return for all
the Alaska trade. As our estimates
show. the advantage to our merchants
has been very great, and the doubling
Of the Alaska business is one Of the
important items In the seasons pros.
perits.
fact to remember Ia that the search
Of these adyenturers Is no wild goose
chase. and that there will he no re-
turn wave of any notable proportions
from Alaska. II is new territory that
Is being opened up permanently. as
surely rs was the case In California af-
ter lus. That the treasure exists In
Alaska we all know Not every man
who goes there viii win riches To
many Il will be a costly experiment; but
since more than 70 per cent OF those
who engage In ordinary business occu-
pations fail sooner or later. the folly az
these gold-seekers is not signal aft.-
ell. There Is little doubt now IN the
minds Of the wel-informed that the
geld stores OF Alaska are incaleulabie.
People Will be discovering them ami
drawing upon them nifty years from 20.
dav.
But Alaska Is also. through immense
areas along and near the seaeoast. a
hststaele country. II Is a region cspa-
Die of supporting large population and
doing a profitable business II needs
lbs, this insiax Of people to furnish a
market ana draw naen there 10 axrI.
culture and to trading The seeds Of All
shs Industries win be carried with these
noFih-eaand oargoes. and the Alaskan
trade s,r years TO come VIII be one %
the many wonders OF our growing coga
MERGE
II Is a mighty movement that Is be-
ginning II IS lsss imposing bur scarce
~ less significant than those stately ma
val professions that celebrate victory
Nh OF hero's return. These are our
hardy sons who so forth as Of old 20
brave hardship and face danger in their
search for the golden fleece. May wiaA
and wave favor them. and earth eur
render freely the treasure she has stored