Volume 42- No. 28 By Frank C. Lorey III


The discovery of gold in the Klondike in August 1896 brought a rush that became a bonanza for a few, and hardship and disaster for many.


The


remoteness of the discovery site and the extremely harsh cli- mate made the effort to recover gold foolhardy for all but the most prepared. Even though many people traveled to the dis- tant bonanza, only a few left complete records of their jour- neys. Here is the description of one such journey.


Daniel G. Fraser was born February 28, 1853, the son of James Fraser and Jane Agnes McPherson. He was one of five children, and grew up where he was born— Franklinville, in Cattaraugus County, New York.


Little is


known about him until around the age of 44, when he decided to go to Alaska.


When news of the discovery of gold hit the papers in the United States, Fraser was one of many who saw the chance for a dream to come true.


made plans to leave as soon as possible, not even waiting long enough for the weather to improve along the route.


If


there was a fortune to be made, he had to get there as quickly as possible.


THE TRIP WEST


Selling all that he could liqui- date in order to finance the trip, in January 1897 Fraser made his way from Franklinville by horse and buggy until he reached Buffalo, where the journey would commence. This was to be the first of at least four jour- neys to Alaska for Fraser. From Buffalo, regular train service brought him to the great city of Chicago. The Northern Pacific ran between Chicago and Seattle, with the trip taking over three days.


Upon reaching Seattle, the next The Paper - 760.747.7119


website:wwww.thecommunitypaper.com email: thepaper@cox.net


Alaska Gold Rush Continued on Page 2


Fraser


Top left: Dyea Trail, departure point from Dyea Bay, which was not much more than a tidewater flat. Above, a photo taken by a newspaper reporter and labeled “Fraser Alaska.’ Daniel G. Fraser is the second man in from the left.


Bottom left, the legendary and dangeous Chilcoot Trail;


Once you’ve surpassed the Chilcoot Trail, you still had to sled into the gold fields, once there, you filed a claim(s), worked them, and if suc- cessful, built a working mine such as shown at left. Daniel G. Fraser owned a number of mines. To withstand the severe weather, you would build a cabin; below is Daniel Frasers.


July 21, 2011


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