The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-06-07


ASll===zz===ssf4 tor of the Roxbury New
Jerusalem Church, preach
er, author, philosopher, moralist, Presi-
dent of the Feredation of Religions, has
been needless of the injunction to a
degree which makes the priestly vow
of poverty seem like jeu desprit or
the baseless fabric of theological
dream.
But the Rev. Mr.. Vrooman, though
he be just back from the Klondike,
where within a few months he has
added to his worldly possessions in gold
dust and staked claims about 100000,
is not after riches as an end solely; he
would, he says, make it means large
ly to further the work of the Fedora
tion of Religions, about which he has
thought and written much.
A Boston Herald reporter called upon
him in his studio in Clarendon street
the other day. YES" said Mr.. Vroo-
man, Il have recently returned from
the Klondike, whittier l went last
spring, after resigning my pastorate
in RoXbury. That l have done well
l cannot deny, and certainly expect
to do vastly better next season. My
properties are on the HoOtalinqua
River, Yukon Territory, which is part
of the gold bearing district commonly
called the Klondike country. get to
the place by going from Seattle on a
steamer 1000 miles north to Skagway,
and thence by railroad across White
Pass 10 miles to White Horse, which
is on the headwaters of the Yukon
River. Steamers leave there for Daw-
son and other points. My rich find is
about $50 miles from White Horse"
Mr.. Vrooman talked interestingly of
his travels and adventures, in which
there was considerable of suffering.
If the "tenderfoot" from this time
hence doesn't rank higher in the esti-
nation of the strenuous world, then it
will not be this minister's fault.
I'VE consumed" he said, zone month
at White Horse in making preparations
and getting my equipment together.
| arrived there on June 10 and left on
July I. l purchased from the railroad
and steamship the front or bow end of
the river steamer Sibyl, which had
been cut in two for purposes OF their
own. This made a satisfactory scow
for floating my mining machinery. 1t
was sixty feet long, and at the stern
twenty seven feet wide, coming to
point at the bow.
"From White Horse to the mouth of
the Hootalinqua River l had distance
of ninety miles to go down stream.
With equipment and provisions and
six men aboard the scow we were
taken this distance by the current and
the wind"
Mr.. Vrooman here described the trip
in detail, telling about the passage of
Lake La Barge in high wind, and
said:
"The anxiety of the three days con-
sumed in going down these ninety
miles caused utter exhaustion. I shall
never forget the sense of thankfulness
and relief experienced when we were
safely tied to in an eddy at the mouth
of the Hootalinqua River.
while the work Of lining the scow
up the river was in progress two old
time prospectors appeared on the scene.
They We're profoundly impressed at
the sight Of my machinery, and said
that they had made discoveries where
gold was sufficiently rich to yield great
returns. One point in particular was
little river about 175 miles up from
where we We're. ] decided to accom-
pany these men. Upon reaching the
little river they mentioned l found that
the gold was there as they had de-
scribed it, but l also found that the
powders were so large as to prevent
any dredging machinery doing sue
cessful work.
"In going with the two prospectors
up the river I carried nothing but a
roll Of blankets, supply of food and
a few cooking utensils to use on my
return trip. 1t was understood that
they would build me raft upon which
to come back. Fortunately, however,
for returning l secured from them a
rowboat. In the arduous work of talk
ing the canoe up ! started the first day
to do my share. My part was to use
the oars wherever it was necessary
to cross the river, and to pull the canoe,
with n rope overmy shoulder, wherever
the conditions permitted walking along
the shore Many miles did this pull
ing, while wading knee deep in the
swift water over slippery gravel with
gum boots.
"On my return trip, which bad to
make alone, there was distance of
forty miles on Lake Teslin that l was
obliged to row. About noon of the first
day l reached an Indian camp. These
Indians Immediately began begging for
some of the moose meat l had in my
boat, which l was taking back to my
crew of men. l felt obliged TO accept
the urgent invitation of one Of their
number 10 accompany him into his wig
wan. He introduced me TO his two
squaws, and with much pride handed
me some documents. They were what
we call letters Of recommendation,
written by Canadian officers who had
had dealings with him.
.Irha fnnt thnt NIGHT woI1ld so0n he