The Gold Rush Comes to Town: Klondikers Unload Millions in Seattle

The first Klondikers to come down from Dawson this season arrived last morning on the steamer City of Seattle. They had with them a large supply of the yellow treasure, which was contained in bags and grip-sacks.

The exact amount of the gold is difficult to ascertain. Purser V. T. Pope estimates it at $350,000 while E. C. Allen, proprietor of the Dawson Nugget, who came down on the Seattle, fixes the amount at $285,000.

The Klondikers came out from 'Dawson on the river steamers Flora, Canadian and Columbian. The Flora was the first vessel to make a voyage, arriving at White Horse Junction June 3. The other two steamers followed in the Flora's wake, and arrived in port a day later. Each of the boats carried a big crowd of 'Klondikers' with a large amount of gold.

According to persons returning from the north, the Flora carried fully $150,000, the Canadian nearly twice that amount, and the Columbian a similar sum.

The majority of the Klondikers have been working on Eldorado Creek, one of the most famous streams at the Klondike. All the claims located on this stream are producing large amounts of gold.

Purser Pope's office aboard the Seattle was a veritable treasure vault. Forty-six passengers deposited in his safe leather sacks and hand satchels containing gold dust, nuggets, and slabs. $215,000 was stored in his department. In many of the staterooms large amounts of gold were also stowed.

P. W. Wood, of Newcastle, Wash., who was among the Klondikers, has been working on Tonsina Creek. He states that little work is being done below Discovery, but that above that place there is great activity, and the claims are making fine developments.

At 5 o'clock this afternoon there had been 51 deposits made at the Dawson Nugget. The sum aggregated $285,000.