The Pioneer’s Last Gold Rush
A 59-year-old bachelor leaves his farm near Pendleton to gamble on the Klondike, heading out from Colfax with a massive pack train.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A large pack train has left Colfax for Dawson City via the Spokane overland route. The train is owned by G. W. Cole who, assisted by two hired men, is in charge of the outfit. Mr. Cole is a pioneer of the Pacific coast, is 59 years old and a bachelor. He recently sold a farm near Pendleton, Oregon, where he has lived for 21 years and is well supplied with money and a complete outfit. One of his friends here made the statement that besides his outfit Mr. Cole will take $6,000 in gold with him to the Klondike country. Mr. Cole has been in and around Colfax for three weeks buying and breaking pack horses for the trip. So quietly has he been at work that few knew of his intention until today when he left with 21 pack horses and six saddle horses for Spokane, where he will push forward at once. Leaving Spokane the party will take the overland route and travel by easy stages until the grass gets good. They will prospect along the route; if good ground is discovered this side of Dawson they will stop and locate claims. If not, they will go to Dawson, where Mr. Cole will probably buy a claim. Mr. Cole, whose hair and beard are as white as snow, is still strong, hearty, determined and ambitious, and is confident he will meet with success in his undertaking. As the train left Colfax this morning with Mr. Cole at the head, it formed a pretty picture and reminded the old settlers of the early days when all provisions used in this country were brought in by pack train.
“As the train left Colfax this morning with Mr. Cole at the head it formed a pretty picture and reminded the old settlers of the early days.”
The Klondike Gold Rush acted as a powerful magnetic force on the Pacific Northwest, drawing dreamers from every corner of the Inland Empire. Today, similar (if less perilous) migrations occur as people move for new industries, but the image of an aging, determined pioneer setting out on horseback to seek his fortune remains an enduring piece of regional folklore.
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