Vol. 1 August 19, 1897. No. 41
The stories from the Klondike fields seem to grow more wonderful day by day.
The first accounts have not only been verified, but surpassed by the later news. Four million dollars' worth of gold is said to be waiting shipment at St. Michael's, Alaska, and miners at the Klondike say that fifty millions more will be taken out next season.
Men who went out poor a year ago are now returning with fortunes. Two miners found $10,000 worth of gold in twenty days.
One man who has just come back bringing $180,000 worth with him gave a reception at his hotel in San Francisco, and invited all who cared for the sight to come and see the nuggets he had brought.
It is said to have been the largest exhibit of gold since the famous times of '49. He had scores of nuggets as large as a man's thumb, but the feature of the collection was one about the shape and size of a full-grown potato. This nugget was said to be worth $250. Those who have seen the Alaska gold say it is very bright, and brassy in color, but not as fine in quality as the California gold.