CHAPTER I. THE KLONDIKE WAVE-OFF FOR THE PACIFIC COAST 1 "Man hath a weary pilgrimage As through the world he wends." THE story of the phenomenal discovery of gold on the Yukon, as told by the few returning miners in the spring of '97, electrified the world. That euphonious dissyllable "Klondike" was on every tongue, and how to reach the wonderful elysium fields, where fortunes were picked up in a single day, was the burning question of the hour. The time was opportune for a big stampede. For three or four years prior to '97 hard times pre vailed throughout the Union, and thousands who had met with business reverses during the awful panic of '93-4 now turned their eyes toward the new gold fields with the hope of repairing their shattered fortunes. To provide loved ones and those dependent upon one with the necessaries and comforts of life that is the greatest incentive to effort in this world. It was on the 26th of April, 1898, that I made up my mind to go to Alaska, and at 8 o'clock on the evening of the 29th I kissed my wife and children good-by at the Erie railway station in Bradford, Pennsylvania, and, forcing back the tears, leaped aboard the moving train and was off for the Mecca of the North. Our point of destination was Kotzebue Sound, "near the pole," where fabulously rich placer mines were reported to have been found. We arrived in San Francisco at 9 o'clock on the morning of May 4th, covering a distance by rail of nearly three thousand miles in one hundred and nine hours a notable contrast to fifty years before, when the "49ers" made their long and wearisome marches across the continent. The beautiful harbor of San Francisco presented an animated scene during our three weeks' stay in that city. A large number of sailing ships were being refitted for the Alaskan trade, others were taking on cargo for the north, and the excitement was at fever heat. Three government transports and two battle. ships were lined up in the harbor ready to sail on their mission to Manila. Huge merchant ships, plying between the coast cities and the Oriental countries, were coming and going at every hour of the day and night. A lively and patriotic air pervaded the city. The streets were crowded. The business places were profusely decorated with bunting, the Stars and Stripes. |