Series: Fred W. Dewey's Trip to the Klondike

Fred W. Dewey, age 26, left Jamestown in February 1898 to go to the Klondike in search of gold. He represented a group of friends who financed the venture. His letters home give a vivid picture of the almost unbelievable hardships and grueling hard work men endured in the elusive search for great wealth.

• Article 1: You Bloated Mine Owners

  

  Stampeder Fred W. Dewey travels by train in 1898 from New York State to Seattle, Washington on his way to the Klondike Gold Rush. Read more

• Article 2: Gang of Gams and Cut Throats

  

  In Seattle Fred W. Dewey had to purchase gear for his trip north. He needed his camp gear plus a year's supply of food. He encountered shell-game-men and other bunco artists during his Seattle visit. Read more

• Article 3: It Was Grand: Inside Passage

  

  Fred Dewey boards a steamship to go up the Inside Passage from Seattle to Dyea, Alaska. He encounters bad weather, sick dogs and seasick people. Read more

• Article 4: My Back Is Lame, My Feet Are Sore

  

  The hard works begins for Fred Dewey as he takes his outfit to Sheep Camp up though the frozen canyon of the Taiya River. Read more

• Article 5: Avalanche!

  

  In this section Fred tells about the avalanche that killed almost 100 people near Sheep Camp. He also tells about his final push to the Summit of Chilkoot Pass. Read more

• Article 6: But There Is Some Pleasure, too.

  

  Here in Bennett Fred and his friends build their boats, watch stampeders fall through the ice, enjoy each others company and wait for the Yukon River to melt so they can float to the Klondike. Read more