J.W. Weaver in the Klondike: Part 1
Historians tell us that soon after the Klondike gold rush began in July 1897, approximately 100,000 gold seekers set off for the Yukon, although only 30,000 of them would complete the hazardous trip. A number of adventurous Wacoans followed the lure of riches to the Klondike, one of those being a man named J.W. Weaver, who left town in mid-February 1898. The following three letters from Weaver, coupled with three news accounts following his return home, describe both the hardships and the rewards of his journey.
The first of Weaver's letters in the Times-Herald was printed in August 1898. In it, he describes some of the challenges he is facing in Canada's Northwest Territory while trying to get to the gold fields.
Waco Times-Herald
August 7, 1898
INTERESTING LETTER FROM THE KLONDYKE
PERILS OF THE HUNT FOR THE YELLOW METAL GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED BY A WACOITE
MANY COMMIT SUICIDE
Others Seeing Their Sustenance Torn From Them Submit to the Elements and Give Up Their Lives
The following interesting letter from Mr. J.W. Weaver, who is a gold hunter in the Klondike country, will be read by his friends here with a great deal of pleasure. Those who know Mr. Weaver will have a better idea of the great and frigid region than is given them by the newspaper reports, as they know he does not embellish to make an interesting item, nor does he mis-state facts. He says:
"Fort Selkirk, Northwest Territory, June 26, 1898 -- It is a long time since I have had an opportunity to write and mail a letter, but now that we have passed all of the dangers without accident, I feel that I can write more explicitly and tell of the many advertures I have had.
I have passed through many dangers, have seen boats and men wrecked and drowned before my eyes, have had the sad experience of attending a number of funerals under distressing circumstances, and yet I have not had a day's inconvenience from sickness, in fact not even a cold since I left Texas. I am now about twenty pounds heavier than when I left home, and am still gaining. We have been prospecting all of the way down, and will probably reach Dawson early in July, where I hope to find mail from home.
This is a magnificent country, full of wild flowers and small fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries, and various others of that variety. The streams abound in fish, and game is quite plentiful, considering of course the large number of people going in. I ran every rapid with our scow, asking no assistance from anyone, and was highly complimented for my judgement and common sense in the matter.
Not a day passed that we did not come upon parties in distress, on rocks, on sandbars or other dangerous places. Sometimes their boats would go to places, and the occupants would escape with only their lives, while in many instances their lives were lost as well. I suppose that as many as 500 or 600 boats have gone to pieces, and went down with all supplies, to the bottom of a raging torrent.
Some become discouraged and commit suicide, while others seeing their sustenance for the future torn from them, give up their lives by submitting to the elements without any apparent effort to save themselves. After going through the whole matter I do not consider it at all serious, or any of the dangers unavoidable, as long as a man keeps cool.
For instance, while in the middle of 'Five Finger' rapids, my partner at the steering oar became excited and was driving the boat on a rock. He saw it in time, reversed and went hard astern, and turned the craft off the rock and averted a fatal accident. During the time he was perfectly cool, but as soon as danger was passed he collapsed completely.
I feel thankful that we have passed through all sfely without any inconvenience or annoyance, other than a mosquito bite or two. There is no doubt that there is gold here, and in large quantities, and I hope to bring some of it home with me, if I ever return.
J.W. WEAVER"
It will be remembered that Mr. Weaver left Waco in February last with Ed Blocker, formerly a Wacoite, but who at that time was living in the Indian Territory.
The first of Weaver's letters in the Times-Herald was printed in August 1898. In it, he describes some of the challenges he is facing in Canada's Northwest Territory while trying to get to the gold fields.
Waco Times-Herald
August 7, 1898
INTERESTING LETTER FROM THE KLONDYKE
PERILS OF THE HUNT FOR THE YELLOW METAL GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED BY A WACOITE
MANY COMMIT SUICIDE
Others Seeing Their Sustenance Torn From Them Submit to the Elements and Give Up Their Lives
The following interesting letter from Mr. J.W. Weaver, who is a gold hunter in the Klondike country, will be read by his friends here with a great deal of pleasure. Those who know Mr. Weaver will have a better idea of the great and frigid region than is given them by the newspaper reports, as they know he does not embellish to make an interesting item, nor does he mis-state facts. He says:
"Fort Selkirk, Northwest Territory, June 26, 1898 -- It is a long time since I have had an opportunity to write and mail a letter, but now that we have passed all of the dangers without accident, I feel that I can write more explicitly and tell of the many advertures I have had.
I have passed through many dangers, have seen boats and men wrecked and drowned before my eyes, have had the sad experience of attending a number of funerals under distressing circumstances, and yet I have not had a day's inconvenience from sickness, in fact not even a cold since I left Texas. I am now about twenty pounds heavier than when I left home, and am still gaining. We have been prospecting all of the way down, and will probably reach Dawson early in July, where I hope to find mail from home.
This is a magnificent country, full of wild flowers and small fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries, and various others of that variety. The streams abound in fish, and game is quite plentiful, considering of course the large number of people going in. I ran every rapid with our scow, asking no assistance from anyone, and was highly complimented for my judgement and common sense in the matter.
Not a day passed that we did not come upon parties in distress, on rocks, on sandbars or other dangerous places. Sometimes their boats would go to places, and the occupants would escape with only their lives, while in many instances their lives were lost as well. I suppose that as many as 500 or 600 boats have gone to pieces, and went down with all supplies, to the bottom of a raging torrent.
Some become discouraged and commit suicide, while others seeing their sustenance for the future torn from them, give up their lives by submitting to the elements without any apparent effort to save themselves. After going through the whole matter I do not consider it at all serious, or any of the dangers unavoidable, as long as a man keeps cool.
For instance, while in the middle of 'Five Finger' rapids, my partner at the steering oar became excited and was driving the boat on a rock. He saw it in time, reversed and went hard astern, and turned the craft off the rock and averted a fatal accident. During the time he was perfectly cool, but as soon as danger was passed he collapsed completely.
I feel thankful that we have passed through all sfely without any inconvenience or annoyance, other than a mosquito bite or two. There is no doubt that there is gold here, and in large quantities, and I hope to bring some of it home with me, if I ever return.
J.W. WEAVER"
It will be remembered that Mr. Weaver left Waco in February last with Ed Blocker, formerly a Wacoite, but who at that time was living in the Indian Territory.
posted by Muley at 5:27 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home