Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1909-10-29
F. B. SMITH HOME.

F.B. SMITH HOME.
Returns From Extended Trip Thru
Western States and to Alaska.
The following article il short dos.
criptive write-up by Mr.. F. B. Smith
Of his summer trip thru the western
states and to Alaska, contributed to
the SrAs in the hope that 1t might
prove interesting to his many friends
aud to the STAR readers:
II left Hot Springs last June about
the 10th with the intention of spending
the summer with my daughter, Mrs.
Henry Maillard and family at Seattle
and also for the purpose of visiting the
Alaska-Yukon Exposition. After
leaving Edgemont took the northern
route over the Burlington and North
cru Pacific. AS large number Of tho
residents Of the Springs visited tho
exposition during the summer It will
not be necessary for me to 60 into de-
tail in regard to 1t.
After quite an extended visit in this
beautiful western city l decided to
visit relatives had not seen for some
time at Valdez, Alaska, and on August
10th, boarded the north bound boat
the "Northwestern" with that city: my
destination. The boat is one of the
many which mako regular trips up
the coast for the convenience Of pas-
sengers and also freight traffic.
Our first stop was at Nanaimo, Bril-
tish Columbia, Vancouver Islands, Q
city of some 1000 people. Large coal
mines furnish employment for . good
share of the people. Here we took on
board about 700 tons of GOALS for
northern consumption. The weather
was very favorable during the north.
ward passage but weather conditions
have little effect on the shipping as ell
coast vessels travel almost the entire
distance, with the exception Of about
300 miles, in the largest inland sea in
the world. After leaving Nanaimo we
passed through Queen O. arlotte
Sound and numerous bays until We
reached Dixon Entrance. At this
point we crossed the Canadian bounda-
~ into Alaska. Several large whale
we're sighted here spouting at q short
distance from the ship. They were
close enough to be plainly seen, one
large fellow appearing just at the side
of the boat.
Our first stop in Alaska was at Iu-
neau, on the 2lst Of August. This city
is the capital Of the territory and has
population of about $500 people.
Directly across the bay is located the
famous Tredwell gold mine which is
second only to the Homestake at Lead
in our own country. After few hours
stay here we departed to get our first
ocean travel. About three hundred
miles on the Pacific has to be travelled
before reaching Prince William Sound
and from there to Valdez is but
short distance. We reached our des-
tination August Oath, at about 8 p. m.
The difference in time here and at
Seattle is about two hours. Valdez is
little city of 1900 with electric lights
and all modern conveniences. The
business houses are up-to date aud
doing a good business. It is about
lGO miles from Seward the next
town north further in the interior. At
Valdez fresh water is obtained at q
depth of forty feet below sea level and
seems as pure as any water we had
ever drank. The city is protected on
three sides by towering mountains
covered with snow the year round.
A largesglacier comes to within four
and one-half miles of the city. In COM
pany with party we visited it and it
was certainly grand sight. The peo.
pie in this country are very enterpris-
ing and are fast developing the unlim-
tied mining wealth, for which it Is
famed. Besides gold, there are large
mines of copper and coal. Two seper-
ate lines of railroad are being built to
handle the ore and coal. Fifty.three
miles has already been built up the
Copper river, and at another point
nearly seventy miles has been con-