It is strange learning the history of another state and city. Waukesha's early economy was stimulated by the belief that our water had healing properties. Beloit College was founded 40 years before Seattle really got going.
In any event, only 300 of the 100,000 who set out to make their fortune in gold actually did. The most money made was by those who stayed in Seattle selling supplies and running inns and such to those traveling north to try to make it big. A lot of people who left for Klondike never made it there, and only about half of those who did panned for gold.
Ranger Del gave us a gold panning demonstration. He found about an ounce, which would have been worth $15 then which is equivalent to $1300 now. Good job, ranger Del!
Ethel Anderson was young when her family tried to press their luck. They didn't strike it rich, but her memoir of being a little girl in Klondike became quite well known. This quote makes me want to read her book, to hear more about what else was won besides gold. I wonder what kinds of lessons they all learned on their journey.
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