Two Women in the Klondike: The Story of a Journey to the Gold-Fields of Alaska

[tenting in the Klondike, August 8th 1898] No fear felt we though surrounded on all sides by unknown men. One has but to know the honest miner to recognize that he is ever ready to assist women, and that sad would be the fate and speedy the death of one who should offer her an insult. As the bonfire died out, we watched the new moon rising over the mountains opposite, and lighting the valley below, and felt that the wonderful and beautiful works of the dear Lord are everywhere present. . . . [the next day] we reached Bonanza, where we “panned out” and shouted with joy as the stones and gravel disappeared and we saw the rich gold gathering in the bottom.

We were promised another pan on our return, so, as the miners were just about to blast, we went on to Skookum Creek, in which M____ had also a half-interest. Here we were filled with excitement and joy as our pans came to seven and ten dollars each, and we picked up a few nuggets besides. Then came the worst trip of all, to Grand Forks Hotel, which we reached about midday, ready to drop into the first seat that offered itself. A fee to the cook secured a tub of hot water, which was most soothing to my poor blistered foot. Here we met a large party of miners, owners of several mines. An agent from the Alaska Commercial Company, soliciting orders, had an excellent luncheon cooked by a Japanese, who confided to us that he had been nine years in the country and was now “going out” and that almost every customer had given him a nugget.