USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 13
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A great deal of the early history of discovery in Alaska is veiled in mystery, which in part, probably, accounts for the popular hazy impression of romance rela- tive to that section. ' In many ways this carly history is entwined with that of the United States, in a manner but little understood. For instance, the first re- corded proposal to import cheap Chinese labor, was made by Count Razanof in
1806, with the idea of raising agricultural products in the Russian colonies of Cal- ifornia, for the support of fur hunters in Alaska. At this time Russia claimed the entire coast, from the Arctic ocean to a point immediately north of San Fran- cisco bay. Baranof, the first and great- est manager of the Russian American Company, not only pushed the claims of his country into California. but sent an agent to the Sandwich islands, to secure their annexation to the Russian empire. Under Baranof's management, Sitka became a town of importance, pos- sessing one of the best-equipped ship- yards in the Russian empire, containing all sorts of workshops and magazines, brass and iron foundries, machine shops and nautical instrument-makers. Exper- iments were made in the manufacture of brick, woodenware and woolen stuffs, from materials imported from California. For this work, skilled labor was brought from Russia. Vast sums of money were wasted in an effort to extract iron from an inferior grade of ore. Agricultural implements were manufactured here for the Russian colonists in California, who were too lazy to use them. Plowshares were not only shipped to California, but to Mexico. Axes, hatchets, spades and hoes were turned out by these industri- ous mechanics, and bells were cast for the missions of the Pacific coast, some of which are said to be still in existence. After Baranof's time, activity lagged and warehouses were filled to overflowing with unsalable goods. The gold excite- ment in California caused a sudden re- vival of business, and these accumulated goods were sold in San Francisco at an enormous profit, besides which a lucra- tive trade was inaugurated in lumber and salt fish, and a little later, ice was shipped
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in large quantities. In 1865 a telegraph line was built to within 350 miles of Sitka, on its way to Europe, via Bering strait and Siberia. This work was being ac- tively prosecuted when the Atlantic ca- ble was finished and declared a success. At the time of the transfer of the country to the United States, all the employes of the Russian American Company were gathered at Sitka, and from that time to 1869 they received in salaries from $40,- 000 to $50,000 per month, which was quickly circulated in the community. There were also two companies of sol- diers, a few hundred American and other traders, while a man-of-war and a rev- enue cutter were always in the harbor. From September, 1867, to August, 1869, 71 vessels arrived, aggregating 13,339 tons.
The southeastern portion of Alaska is a narrow strip of coast, running north from Portland canal, along which are thousands of islands, between which and the coast is what is known as the inside passage, through which ocean steamers pass continually. Sitka is located on one of the outer islands. whereas the other towns are on the inside passage. The northern extremity of this passage is known as Lynn canal, at the ex- treme northern point of which Dyea is located, while Skagway is several miles below. Dyea is an old Indian trading post, but Skagway was called into exist- ence by the great rush of 1897. For sev- eral years preceding this, the specter of hard times had oppressed the world gen- erally, causing millions of men to become dissatisfied with their lot, and ready to answer any call. This was the condition of affairs in July, 1897. when the steamer Portland arrived in Seattle with a ton of gold, from the dim and distant north. The ice-locked, mystic, far-away land of romance and story. Within a few hours the news had penetrated the uttermost
parts of the earth, and the whole world was preparing for a grand rush to this new Eldorado. Railroads were puzzled to handle the business; steamers were crowded to their utmost capacity, with passengers and freight, but were unable to carry all that offered. Steamers car- ried more passengers than the law al- lowed, while harbors were filled with ev- ery conceivable craft, from all lands and seas. Some were queens of the deep, and others floating coffins. Some went down on rocks, and others foundered at sea. Human life was cheap in this wild rush for gold. Names unheard of before be- came household words-"Klondike," "Dyea," "Dawson," "Skagway."
Probably, for picturesqueness of scene, no point compared to Dyea. Located on an island at the head of Lynn canal, it contained, in February, 1898, about 3,000 to 4,000 people, and was nearly two miles long. For half a mile north of the tide flats, it was four streets in width, whereas the remainder of the town was mostly confined to a long, very narrow and crooked roadway, known as Trail street, or the Midway, along the sides of which were crowded low, rambling, dirty Indian huts, log cabins, tents, combination houses, dirt houses, snow houses, frames, and every conceivable species of habita- : tion, including a piece of open ground, used as a dog hotel, where hundreds of pccr brutes were chained in the cold, howling for a living. Here and there were great halls, filled to overflowing with eager throngs of men, elbowing their various ways through the crowd, while every device for gambling was run in full blast. The sing-song notes of. Honest John, joined with the click of glasses and dice, the muffled rush of shuffling cards. the low tread of many feet, the quick step of dancers, the cracked notes of music and the langh of women, combined to add variety to an already animated scene. The
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weather was clear and cold. while a fierce ' high boots. Some had hats and some north wind blew by day and by night. This narrow, tortuous street was crowded by every conveyance and nationality. Chicago's Midway was tams beside this jostling mass of dogs, goats, horses and humanity, all in deadly earnest, rushing on headlong, regardless of consequences, men thinking only of gold, gold, gold. Like mortal enemies, goats and dogs rush upon each other now and then, scattering freight over the ice and snow, while men, and women, too, curse and fight like the other brutes. in the midst of this stirring scene, I watched an Indian boy, with a face wreathed in smiles, dragging a sled, on which was built a tiny house, in the form of a Sedan chair, with little windows in front, on the sides and in the rear. Peering in I saw an Indian baby's bright eyes, sparkling in a mass of furs and wraps, while the child crowed with de- light. On all sides, rushing like mad, were old men and boys, dapper clerks and hardy miners, saintly mothers and abandoned women, sanctified parsons and keen confidence men, mothers' darling boys and escaped convicts, gamblers and Y. M. C. A. young men, sure thing men and peddlers of tracts, the Salvation Army and the army of the unemployed, dead beats and business men, lackeys and bankers, brilliant intellects and stupidity personified, artists and artizans, Ameri- cans, Japanese and Hottentots. All rush- ing to the land of gold and cold.
Many men of many minds. Many maids of many kinds. Hottentots and Japanese. Spanish dons and donsenese.
Yellow mackintoshes, blue mackin- · toshes and caps of curious workmanship. Blankets, furs and other clothes of every name and color .· Women dressed like men, rigged up as women were never rigged before. Some wore close-fitting pants and some wore short skirts and
wore caps, but nowhere were bonnets seen. Some drove dogs and some wore packs, but all were busy as the men. Dog teams, goat teams, horse teams, man teams, and queer combinations of all these motive powers, rushing hither and thither, blocking the street, colliding with each other, fighting, tearing, shouting, swear- ing, madly insane on gold. Everybody in a hurry, selfish to the last degree, afraid the other fellow would get there first. Un- mindful of the rights of others, out for the almighty dollar and determined to get it. Away from home and kindred ties, and willing to resort to any swindle, any deception to gain a point. Restless, sleepless, working night and day, with a desperate determination to make money, and make it quick. In deadly earnest to catch a will-o'-the-wisp. In this motley crowd were men who had held up their hands and solemnly sworn to discharge their duties as officials of the government. Scarcely were the oaths taken when they began devising ways and means to use their official positions for private gain. Offices were sought and bartered away, merely as a means of illegitimate profit. Grafting was reduced to a science, and the profits divided in a manner best calculated to protect the trade. A law prohibiting the importation of intoxicating liquors made the smuggling of whisky the lead- ing industry. Hundreds of saloons were run with wide open doors, and patronized by officials whom the government paid to enforce the laws. Every liquor-dealer contributed hush money or took the con- sequences, which consisted in being raided, having his stock confiscated and himself fined for violating the law. Let- ters were sold by postmasters, and a snug revenue derived. The postmaster at Dyea sent thousands of letters to Lake Tagish, in British territory, and left them
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with anagent tobe dealtout on the shares, over the mountains. To return, a man at 50 cents a letter. Government offi- sits on an icy slide, raises his feet, there is a sudden "swish"-and with a glass you "see him picking himself up at the bottom. One hour up and one min- ute down. cials were looked upon with suspicion, for complaints about such shameful pro- ceedings were sure to be ignored, thus creating the impression that higher offi- cials were sharing in the profits. Com- plaints at Washington had no effect, and the graft remained defiant, protected at the eastern end of the line. Senators and congressmen used their influence to re- tain corrupt officials and law became a mockery.
From Dyea the trail runs north, through a small valley that soon narrows to a deep canyon,. Then comes a desper- ate winter climb, through regions of per- petual snow. Here were thousands of excited argonauts, crowding and jostling each other on that memorable Sunday morning in April, when fifty men and two women were caught in the great ava- lanche and swept into eternity. Over the ice, over the summit, defying the fearful Arctic blasts, pressing on to Lake Lin- dermann, where the first waters drain off to the Yukon. Here thousands stopped to build boats and prepare for the journey to Dawson. Like a cyclone the crowd swept by the new-born city of Dyca; up the canyon, past Sheep Camp to the foot of the great climb. Here every face is raised to the summit and solemnly the throng moves in single file, rising pain- fully, step by step, each man watching his neighbor in front and crowding into his tracks. On every upturned face is a fixed expression of an indefinable vision, a looking into the beyond as it were, a far away glamour of men treading the border of spirit land. Slowly they move up that wall of ice, bearing burdens they could not have borne at home. At last the summit is reached and packs placed on the snow. Some there are who must re- turn for other goods, for, you know. these men are beasts of burden. freighting
Night and day the work of building continued, through the bitter cold of win- ter. A dreary wilderness was suddenly transformed into a busy, bustling city, teeming with humanity. Whole blocks of- ground, without buildings or tents, were used to store thousands of tons of freight, while multitudes of restless men and women thronged about, clamoring for their property. Real estate climbed up from nothing to London prices; then a steamer touched the dock with thirty-five passengers instead of 600. Instantly the boom was off. It was too late to stand from under. Princely fortunes disap- peared and men of means found them- selves penniless. In the morning a lot was valued at a thousand dollars, but at night a thousand cents measured its value. Paralyzed and stupefied, men ceased their scramble, and glared at each other in breathless astonishment; then for the first time in the history of the Klondike rush, ceased labor altogether, gathered in little groups and inquired of each other, "What does it mean?" Quickly this great multi- tude melted away, and could it have grown, grass would have covered the streets. The ring of hammers ceased, and buildings were vacated, deserted. Quaint signs superseded signs of pros- perity. Nailed to the door of a deserted saloon were soon displayed these words: "The fool and his money are soon parted, and God's country twelve hundred miles away." On an old gambling hall, where excitement had run high, was this notice: "It was all a dream. Busted and gone to hell." At the crossroads a finger-board was erected with this inscription:
To Sheep Camp. 15 miles.
To Canyon City .9 miles.
To Skagway 6 miles.
To God's Country miles.
To Hell 6 inches.
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The process of occupation by Indians soon began. A great wooden hotel and lot were bought by them for $60. They moved in, occupied the second story and amused themselves by pulling the win- dow shades down to see them rush to the top. When broken they made good kindling. Old bucks and klootchmen swung out of the upper windows like chil- dren, used the partitions and bedsteads for firewood and chased each other up and down stairs. After a time the nov- elty of living upstairs wore off, and all hands moved below. Desolation fol- lowed quickly on the heels of mush- room prosperity, and "the deserted vil- lage" took the place of "a celebrated city."
While thieves and cutthroats flourished in these wild and troublous times, still it is true that many a rich cache remained untouched, although unguarded. Sev -. eral times a correspondent passed over the summit, and each time noticed a tent, around which lingered six dogs, but there was no other sign of habitation. Finally he made inquiry, and found that three weeks before a stranger set the tent over his outfit and disappeared, since which time nothing had been heard or seen of him. The correspondent went to Juneau, visited a friend in the hospital, and told him of his trip to the lakes. At this point a stranger asked if he had noticed a tent and six dogs on the summit.
“Yes."
"That is my outfit. I came to Skag- way, intending to return next day, but took the spinal meningitis and here I am."
After several weeks of illness, he re- turned to the summit, to find the neigh- bors had fed his dogs and his goods were undisturbed.
Below Lake Lindermann come, the rap- ids leading to Lake Bennett. These rap- ids are dangerous, and lives have paid the forfeit of running them. On a little
plat of ground overlooking them, rises a knoll, upon which is a rude wooden cross, marking a lonely grave. During all the winter months, rough-clad goldseekers reverently attended this home of the dead, and kept it free from snow. Seek an ex- planation, and this is the story you would get: Early in the Klondike rush a hard-working man sold his little home in the East and started out to get his for- tune, leaving wife and children behind. He arrived in Dyea with over half a ton of provisions and a good outfit, but with no money to pay for transporting his goods over the summit. With true American grit he started in to do the work himself. The rainy season was on in the valley, and snow storms raged over the summit, but encouraged by visions of a happy home and a reunited family, he waded through mud, defied the snow and cold, climbing to the summit and descending to the foot of Lindermann, thirty miles distant, where his goods were cached. Back and forth he passed, cheered by dreams of the waiting ones at home. At last his task was finished, the outfit was at the foot of the lake, and he began the construction of a cabin in which to live while the lumber for a boat was sawed by hand. After this slow and laborious process, the boat was completed and loaded with his worldly possessions. Lightly he pulled into the stream and started over the rapids, but in a moment the wild waters dashed him upon a rock, wrecked his boat, and all was lost. Sadly he retraced his steps to the summit, where many weary days were spent in the drudg- ery of packing for pay, until sufficient funds were accumulated to buy a new out- fit, which he again carried on his back to the lakes. Profiting by bitter experience he made his cache at the foot of the rap- ids, where all his goods were finally stored. Again the lumber was sawed by hand, and a new boat constructed to carry
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1
him to Dawson. A day came when the long task was finished, the boat was com- plete and the outfit snugly stored upon it. Everything was in readiness for an early start on the morrow. Brightly the day broke, and with a light heart he ap- proached his boat to begin the last long pull for Dawson. Alas, for his cherished hopes, every pound of goods had been
stolen in the night, and he was again left destitute, this time with winter close upon him. Slowly he climbed to the top of the little knoll, took one parting look at the rising sun, then sent a bullet crashing through his brain.
That is why the goldseekers reverently approach this lonely grave and keep it free from snow.
W. G. STEEL.
AN EFFECTIVE IMMIGRATION ASSOCIATION.
For many years an immigration board has been maintained in Portland, the pur- pose of which was to advertise, not Port- land, but the state of Oregon, its re- sources, climate and general advantages. That the purpose has been well served goes without saying. Every inch of Oregon's broad domain has been bene- fited, because the advertising done in the past has brought new people into the state with new money, new energy and new enterprise, who have invested in va- rious ways and have contributed in no small degree to our progress and devel- opment. That advertising our resources has brought men of means into the state who have become permanently located has been demonstrated over and over again. The same is true of capital. Therefore, that advertising pays, all doubt has been removed from the minds of those who have cared to investigate. Two factors are pre-eminently essential to the development of our resources and the establishment of new enterprises- people and capital. If we create a de- mand for our products and a market for our vacant lands, we must increase our population, and capital follows-invaria- bly follows. The most densely popu- lated states, of the Union are the wealth- iest, and; there you will find manufactur- ing industries the most prosperous. But
the past for advertising our resources has been paid to immigration bureaus by the citizens of Portland. Interior cities and districts have been urged to contribute at intervals, but have never done so.
The money which Portland expended brought her a good return, but the state at large received the lion's share. It is a source for regret that our recent legis- lature did not give this important matter consideration. A state board has been, by law, appointed, but a ship tied up, while an ornament, perhaps, is of no value. The funds needed for the work would not be felt as a tax upon our tax- payers, and the results accruing would, if computed as interest on the appropria- tion, soon make the principal look like a mole-hill pushed up to obscure a view of Mount Hood. The people of Washing- ton are never laggards in this respect. Three important cities of that state and many towns have contributed their pro rata of expense for the purpose of attract- ing capital and increasing the population, and that they have succeeded and are suc- ceeding every one knows. The point has been reached now where it is absolutely necessary for the entire people of Oregon to join hands and co-operate in this work if the supremacy of the state's manifold advantages is to be maintained. What are you going to do about it?
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CURIO FLOTSAM.
LIFE.
A lady occupied a whole year in searching for and fitting the following 38 lines from American and English poets, the whole reading as if it was by one author:
Why all this toil for triumphs of an hour ?- (Young.
Life's short summer-man is but a flower ;- (Dr. Johnson.
By turns we catch the fatal death and die -(Pope.
The cradle and the tomb, alas! so nigh. -(Prior.
To be is better far than not to be .- (Sew- ell.
Though all man's life may seem a trag- edy ;- (Spencer.
But light cares speak when mighty griefs are dumb,-(Daniel.
The bottom is but shallow whence they come .- (Sir Walter Raleigh.
Your fate is but the common fate of all; -(Longfellow.
Unmingled joys here no man befall ;- (Southwell.
Nature to each allots his proper sphere. -(Cosgrove.
Fortune makes folly her peculiar care; -(Churchill.
Custom does often reason overrule- (Rochester.
And throw a cruel sunshine on a fool. -(Armstrong.
Live well-how long or short permit to heaven .- (Milton.
They who forgive best shall be most for- given .- (Bailey.
Sin may be clasped so close we cannot see his face .- (French.
Vile intercourse where virtue has not place .- (Somerville.
Then keep each passion down, however dear .- (Thompson.
Thou pendulum betwixt a smile and tear .- (Byron.
Her sensual snares let faithless pleasures lay .- (Smollet.
With craft and skill to ruin and betray. -(Crabbe.
Soar not too high to fall, but stoop to rise ;- (Massinger. ,
We masters grow of all that we despise. -(Crowley.
Oh, then, renounce that impious self-es- teem ;- (Beattie.
Riches have wings, and grandeur is a dream .- (Cowper.
Think not ambition wise because 'tis brave-(Sir Walter Davenant.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -(Gray.
What is ambition? 'Tis a glorious cheat .- (Willis.
Only destructive to the brave and great -(Addison.
What's all the gaudy glitter of a crown: -(Dryden.
The way to bliss lies not on beds of down. -(Francis Quarles.
How long we live, not years but actions tell ;- (Watkins.
That man lives twice who lives the first life well .- (Herrick.
Make then, while yet ye may, your God your friend .- (William Mason.
Whom Christians worship, yet not com- prehend .- (Hill.
The trust that's given guard, and to your- self be just .- (Dana.
For live how we may, yet die we must .-- (Shakespeare.
NATIVE DAUGHTERS.
MRS. ELIZABETH WEATHERRED.
On Tuesday afternoon of May 16, one of the objects of the organization of Na- tive Daughters was very feelingly as well as patriotically carried out, and that is to praise and commend all worthy or heroic deeds of Native Sons and Daughters of Oregon. This being the anniversary of the departure of our soldier boys to Ma- nila, the following resolutions were read:
Whereas, The existing condition of affairs between the United States and a foreign ele- ment during the past few months made it necessary to appeal to American patriotism and American honor; and,
Whereas, Among the first to arise in the strength of their noble manhood, and to offer themselves as a sacrifice in defense of the flag of their country, and among the first to fall in line equipped and ready for battle, were native sons of Oregon; and,
Whereas, We recognize the laurels they have won for themselves, their state and their country; therefore,
Resolved, That we, as Native Daughters, on this anniversary of the departure of our sol- dier boys. show on the records of today's session. that we remember sacredly the time when they marched away: that we have never ceased to possess a deep interest in their wel- fare: that we have heartily applauded in the time. of victory. sorrowed in the hour of their sickness and distress, and mourned with those who mourned.
These resolutions were carried bv a rising vote. All remained standing while Miss Kathleene Lawler, with a vio- lin and piano accompaniment, plaved by .Misses Bessie Wemple and Lola Hawler, sang the "Star Spangled Banner."
The Native Daughters of Portland ex- tend to all ladies born in this state a hearty invitation to come to the reunion of pioneers of June 15 and participate in the parade. Headquarters will be at the Tabernacle, Twelfth and Morrison
streets, where all pioneers and native daughters will be welcome.
Mrs. Edyth Weatherred is secretary of the Portland preliminary organization. and will furnish information to any native daughters residing in outside towns who will write her, care Native Sons' Magazine.
Abernethy's Cabin has shown the Na- tive Daughters many courtesies, all of which are duly appreciated.
Committees on reception and enter- tainment of the pioneers at the Taber- nacle have been selected, to act in con- junction with those of the Native Sons, and every care will be taken that no one is overlooked, but all done to make the time pass as pleasant as possible for them.
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