STOWES OF THE 98’ers.
How They Came to Alaska and
What They Brought Here.
THEY WERE UP AGAINST IT.
(The llr*t of* **rta«nf article* relation to
thu*e who came to Ala-ka in the bl* rank.)
Among the pioneers to t)iis
part of Alaska, there were all
kinds anti conditions of i>eoplc,
from the “four corners of the earth.”
anil they came in every imaginable
kind of water craft known to man
kind. They brought with them
every conceivable device that the
human mind could devise for the
purpose of helping them to find the
precious metal, and in most eases I
the inspiration for making them |
must have come from the devil
as they were a liinderanee rather
than a help to the prospector.
All manner, styles, species, sorts
and descriptions of edibles, wearing
apparel, modes of conveyance, gold
finding and gold saving devices and
other paraphernalia that the cun
ning and crafty merchant of Han
Francisco anil Seattle could unload
on the unsuspecting elieeaelio, was
twilight and shipped to Alaska
at exhorhitant freight rates, ami
the Iwiats were crowded and over
loaded in defiance of law. The
jwwir “land luhlwrs” were crowded '
into ill smelling, filthy, unsafe
and unsound vessels, and all
kinds of indignities were heaped
upon them.
1 lit* people were man. Reports of'
the wonderful richness of the Klon-!
dike, the Copper river and Alaska j
in general, were in every news
paper in the world and in most
cases the reports were exaggerated.
It meant fortunes for the transpor
tation companies, merchants and*
outfitters, and they helped to boom
the country in glaring ad vert is
ments and in many other ways.
Expeditions of all kinds were or
ganized for the new El Dorado.
Cloud jH)sitions were given up.
Businesses were closed out, homes
mortgaged, families broken up or
deserted by husband and father in
order to go to Alaska and gain
wealth.
In San Francisco there was the
greatest rush of business since the
fifties, and the crafty merchant
brought out his moldy goods that
had l»een stored away for a decade,
brushed and cleaned them up, put
on new lahles. and sold them to
the unsuspecting tenderfoot who
they never expected to either see
again or do any further business
with. It was difficult to find an
honest firm in that great city where
a hill of goods could lie bought, and
the purchaser get what he paid for.
Even if he stood over the clerks
and watched them, some article
would either l>e left out or an infer
ior one substituted. For this reason
more than any other San Francisco
lost the Alaska trade.
Beattie was dead when the Alas
ka gold excitement broke out, but
she soon awoke from her lethargy
and put on new life anil energy.
Not la*ing as layie as Ban Fran
cisco, Beattie soon got rid of the
old moth eaten clothing, musty
and stale provisions and other old
trash that hail l>ecn hiving around
since the great tire in 1881). Then
she licgan to awaken to the fact
that the new mining industry in
the far North was to be a perma
nent thing, and if she desired to
hold and control the Alaska trade,
her merchants must handle the
last of goods and deal fairly with
the Alaska people. This she soon
liegan to do and today docs the hulk
of the Alaska business.
Tacoma sold but few goods in
the early days, and generally gave
satisfaction. Portland, not lieing
in the direct line of ocean truvel to
Alaska and not seeming to care for
the trade, sold less.
Bo, with few exceptions, the first
rush of gold seekers came laden
down with a lot of “stuff,” and were
not to blame. The merchant had'
lieen to Alaska and knew just what
was needed and wanted. The poor
sucker was loaded Mown with furs,
and flannels, oil skins anil macki
COOK INLET.
PROSPECTING and
HUNTING PARTIES
(an Ih* supplied with necessary
SUPPLIES
By H. N. WETHERBEE, at
Kenai and Kussiloff
At the MOST REASONABLE
PRICES in ALASKA thereby
Saving Freight and Trouble of
Landing Supplies.
Geo. S* MearnS’ Agent
KENAI ALASKA.
naws, every known kind of gold
pan. patent rocker,and gold saving
machines, all sixes of sleds and
toboggans, snow shoes of various
patterns, portable saw mills, knock
ed down furniture and wagons,
folding lionts and houses, stoves of
all kinds from a jiocket heater to a
hotel range; cooking utensils of in
genious patterns and good-for-noth
ing devices of cranky inventors.
Sleeping hags and lieds made from
every species of animal and fowl
that is known to mankind, and
many other “things” too numerous
to mention.
'ri... _* ..a t i . *s .1
i'um in ivwii ."itiur nnu mr
greatest hardshshiji that the poor
prosjieetor had to endure in the
early days. Dried, evaporated,
pulverized, sterilized, condensed,
genuine, adulterated, unadulterated
canned, Untied, boxed, ready
made, cooked and uncooked, desic
cated and “desecrated” provisions
of all kinds were sold to the unsus
pecting, and brought into the
country. They were all experi
mental products and the poor
checacho experimented with them,
often to his sorrow. Every office,
store, depot, and all “Guides to
Alaska,” contained a list of provis
ions for the prosjieetor, estimated
by “exjieriencod” miners and they
varied as much as the climate of
San Francisco docs.
On every {imminent street corner
in San Francisco and especially in
Scat tie,were one or more fakirs with
just what you needed and could
not get along without, and between
blocks were more fakirs that sold
something that you were comjielled
to have. Then there were Mining
Schools, Prosjiecting Academics,
mid special courses in the univer
sities, and colleges for those who
wanted to mine “scientifically.”
After the would lie miner
had sized up his jiile of jilunder,
not one pound of which he
■ould possibly do without, he was
informed, and rightly so, that he
must have dogs or horses to help
him pull his outfit into the interior.
So they hrougt dogs of every known
and unknown breed, mustangs,
ponies, draft horses, buggy horses,
wind broke horses, horses with the
spavin, balky horses and many
ather sjiecies of that quadrujied;
mules, burros, goats, and cattle.
[>f all kinds. When all these were
landed on the beach then the fun
commenced.
i here was enough ammunition
irought into this country to have
shipped the Spaniards with. Ri
fles and shotguns of every descrip
ion, revolvers and pistols, homhs
md explosives of all kinds, and
ftlmost every article of self de
fence known to modern warfare.
Dne vessel actually brought a gat
ling gun to defend themselves from
the indinns. Imagine their sur
prise when they saw the first in
lians to find them more peaceable
than themselves.
It was ail amusing sight to see the
•hecaclios in Seattle with their
heavy furs and mackinaws on, with
•artridge belt and six shooters
strapped to their sides. In realitv
the greatest need they had for those
implements of warfare was to scare
the pickpockets and confidence men
nway, and if one of them had made
ft jump at one of those would lie had
men it is hard to tell which would I
have I teen the most frightened. Af
ter the vessels reached the hrinv
Jeep however, and the boat com
menced to roll from side to side, the
dress parade was squelched and
many of them prayed to lie saved
from a watery grave.
I
GOOD GOOD/. GOOD SERVICE.
“RCCCPTioH”'
CLUB "ROOMS IM COMM ECTIOM
j-. t- *■ * * * ■* * * *
Market Price List.
Klmir . t2.an jH*r lim
Corn Meal . $3.25 •• Km
Butter . 36c M lb
Lgg* .3iH* 44 do*
Sugar $7.IM « KM
Rit e.fl.fM to $7 10 •• km
I'otatta** :K»e “ lb
Bacon and Ham .$KV<M to $17.00 •• KM
Coffee JUto.lOc " lb
Milk 12’.. to jo •• t an
Granulated I’otatoc* 20 to i.’W* 44 lb
Pried Fruit M to IV •• lb
Syrup $1 to $l ..mi 44 ga|
Bean*, “mall white. ffl.tM 44 Km
Beans, Lima $1‘2.ft0 44 KM
Rolled Oats 5c 44 lb
Tea . .7(1 ft* 75 44 lb
Tobacco, smoking fill to 7«»c 44 lb
Tobaeeo, ehewing 50 to 75c 44 lb
K. Wash, double cond. timothy hay >42.50 ton
Best Whitman Oats $42.50 ton
Coal . $!•*>. tM ton
Wo«hI f •. m cord
Alaska’s Official Directory.
Governor—John G. Brady.
C. S, Judges—Melville C. Brown. Plst. No. 1,
seat at Juneau: James Wiekersham. Pist. No. 3.
seat at Nome
t*. S. Attorneys—R. A. Friedrich. Pist. No. 1;
Joseph K. Wtaal, J. Harlan.
Clerk—Pistrlet No. 1, W. J. Hills, Pist. No. 3,
A. R. Ilellig.
I*. S. Marshals—James M. Shoup, Pist. No. 1;
Cornelius I.. Vawter, Pist. No. 2; G. G. IVrfjr,
Pist. No. 3.
Commissioners— Kdward de Groff, Sitka: II.
II. Folsom. Juneau: F. F. Tu*tin. Ft. Wrangell;
L. It. Woodward, Cnalaska; F. Gallagher, Ko
diak; J. J. Rolicrt*.Skagway; W. J. Jones,Circle
City; L. B. Shepard. St. Michael; Sol Kipinsky.
Maine* Mission: J. I*. Smith, Keteliikan; G. M.
Irwin, lH»ugla«; C. T. Brooks, Hiinrsie; John
Lyons, Valdez, Freseott Sawyer, Kagle.
C. S. Land officers—Surveyor General—W. S.
Pist in.
Register—John W. Piulley.
Receiver—A. I'. Apperson.
Clerks— Geo. Stow ell, W. F. Jefferys,
Deputy C. S. Marshals - Pist. No. 1, special.
W j. McNair, J. W. Snook, Skagway; J. F.
Campbell, Sitka; K. F. Kelly, Juneau; Win. I>.
Grant. Wrangcl; W. Ililig, Pougla* Island;
Kdward C. Ha.-ev, Valdez; la'Wis L. Bowers,
Kialiak;l'eter Nisson, Foreupine; W. G. Thom
a*. Keteliikan; J. I*. Rcyuoldson, Kagle. J.
Zubotf. Kiillsuoo.
Alaska Views.
Views taken to order. DE
VELOPING and PRINTING.
Films, Plates, etc. Received,
Developed and Stored for nnv
Persons in the Interior. Send
all orders to J. G. Snyder’s.
P. S. HUNT, Photographer
VALDEZ, ALASKA.
CHURCHES SOCIETIES ETC.
Endeavor Com;. Church—Cor.
Glacier Avenue and Hobart
Street. Rev. D. \V. Cram, Pastor.
Services every Sunday at 10:80 a.
in. and 8 p. m. Prayer meeting
Wednesday night. Christian En
deavor Society meets Sunday even
ing at 7 o'clock. Melvin Demnsev.
President.
Church of the Epiphany—Cor.
Glacier Avenue and Hobart
Street. Services on Sunday at 4
p. m. Jas. Fish, Senior Warden.
Order ok Alaska Moose, Pioneer
Tent No. 1. Meet in their own
Hull on Reser
. ration Avenue,
every Thursday
evening at S
•Yloek. John
«inode]], Ruling
Spirit; A. J. Ad
ams, Keeper of
Wa Wa.(See)
\ urri«' Bkotiieruood—
Valde2 L'ump No. 10.
Meets at Moose
Hall every Tues
day evening.
A. M. Edwards,
Arctic Chief. J.
ti. Snyder, Sec
retary.
Brotherhood of Alaska Pioneers
Arthur Bohual, Chief, N. J.
McDonnell, Secretary.
Headquarters, Afognak, Alaska.
Yai.dezCiiamhek of Commerce—
Meet on the first and third
Friday night of each month. J.
(ioodcll, Pres. A. \V. Rochford,
Sec’y.
L R. CAMPBELL,
Assqcf ami faisl.
ReliableReturns
easonble Prices.
ELLAMAR - - ALASKA
F. W. Rosenthal
Artist of Alaska Scenery
in Pencil nml Water Color.
Dealer in all kinds of
Indian Curios.
Tlu* only true picture of
VOLCANO WRANOEL
in existence is from his
brush.
Hotel Holman Coppek'Cextem
GRAND HOTEL
A. SWAN, Proprietor
Corner Keystone Avenue and
McKinley Street.
WHERE
ft ? Who?
STOP
Everyone From Valdez.
AT THE
FRANKLIN
OF COURSE.
Only First (Mass European Hotel in
JUNEAU.
John T. Spickett Proprietor
HOTEL DILLER.
Headquarters for VALDEZ People
1*20 Rooms. Rates 50c, ♦ l.(X) and
♦1.50 per day. First class res
taurant in connection. Free
l>us. Opposite U. S. Postottice.
W. (1. POTTS, Manager.
Cor. 1st Avc. and
University St. SEATTLE
|
wUklik# 60 YEARS'
EXPERIENCE
H W I Y -
■szsRM
Trade Marks
^HHRT Design*
rrTm' Copyrights Ac.
An rone sending a sketch and description may
quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an
invention is probably patentable. Communlca
tions strictly confidential. Handbook on Patents
sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents.
Patents taken through Mutm A Co. receive
tpecial notice, without charge, in the
Scientific American.
A handsomely illustrated weekly. largest cir
culation of any scientific Journal. Terms. |3 a
year: four months, f L Sold by all newsdealers.
MUNN & Co.36,B~*ta»- New York
Branch Office. 625 V St* Washington. D C.
Cameron Golden
s
IH PioneerTonsorialParlor in
Tin* Oldest and Most
Reliable in Town.
Ladies’ Sluimjiooing
a Specialty.
Ladies* and Gents* Baths
Porcelain Tut is. Fresh
and Salt Water
Paths. Rooms Sep
arate from the Shop.
All Modern Improvements
Pacifk Padiin; I! Hari?afion (o.
Successor* to PACIFIC STKAM WHALING CO.
EXCELSIOR
Z. S. MOORK. Mastkh.
A/ND
N EWPORT.
K. S. MOORK, Master.
EXCELSIOR Sails from Seattle almut 25th of Each Month for
Yakutat, Ellaninr. VALDEZ, Illiumna anil Cook* Inlet Point*.
Sails from \ ALDKZ almut 12th of each month for Juneau and
Seattle.
NEWPORTsails from Juneau about 1st of eau-h month for Yuldciand
Western Points.
Sails from \ ALDKZ almut 25th of each month for Sitka and Juneau.
For Information anil Rates Apply at Ofliec of
Pacific Packing & Nav. Co.
Globe Htiihliii}!, Seattle, NVasli.
30 California Street, San Francisco.
J. C. Martin, Act
Fi.«li Bros* Store, Valdez.
\VM. WORKMAN P. MAGNESOM
Workman’s Road House
First roadhouse built on Government
Trail. Can aeeomodate 50 people. has lar^e
warm barn for 20 horses and <r»*«»d »|uarters
for dojts. Good meals and everything tl*
musher desires.
Twenty Miles Frm Valdez.
Roberts' Road House.
Before crossing the Summit on the wav to
the interior stop for rest and shelter at Mrs.
Roliert’s. BEST and ONLY plaee for he l
and water on the road. 21 Mile* From Val
dez.
MBS. H. ROBERTS, - . PROPRIETY*.
Donalson Roadhouse.
TONJIM BRIDQE.
Outfits Cached Free of Charge Free Horse and D«*g Stables.
Avista nee brom \ aide/., 771 Miles, via Government Trail. Best
Accomodations for Travelers.
CHAS. C. \ AGER, Phoi*. • 77 Milks Fkok Valdes
When on the Way to the Interior, Stop at tlie
Loomis Roadhouse,
Tonsina Bridge.
Good Meals. Good Beds.
Complete Line of Merchandise tend Miners Supplies at
Valdes Prices with Freight Added.
I. II. LOOMIS, Prop. 77 Mine* From Valbc
Hakhy C. Mi'hphy Will Davis
HOTEL HOLHAH
Best roadhouse on the All American Route to the
Yukon. Fresh vegetable* during season from our
own garden. Good feed for stock near by. Best of
accomodations, winter or summer.
COPPER CENTER, ALASKA. 103 Mare From Valdes
C. E. BOQARDUS,
Assayer and Chemist.
Gold and Silver $1.00 Gold Silver and Copper $2.50
t>0 Colombia Sr., Skath.k, Wash.
Dr. L. 5. (mm.
Dentist and Optician.
A Full Lino of Sjieetacleson Hand. Clods
and Watches Rejiaired on
Short Notice.
McKinley St.