Thomas Kay diaries : holographs, 1894-[1900].

ArchivalResource

Kay, Thomas. Thomas Kay diaries : holographs, 1894-[1900].

Thomas Kay diaries : holographs, 1894-[1900].

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/51067435

Kay's first diary starts with his departure from Liverpool, in Apr. 1894, on the steamer Labrador, to Halifax, and via rail across Canada to B.C. Kay traveled with friends, Johnnie Holt, Charles Shepherd, Abraham Stott, and their wives. Kay joined friend Jimmy Shephard, at Horsefly to help work a mining claim. At Horsfly, Kay describes the gold mining operations, living and working conditions, gold fever, the Horsefly Hydraulic Mining Company, and the Chinese and Japanese workers. The claim is jumped, so Kay seek's work in the mines, as a ditch digger, miner, etc. He then seeks work at farms and ranches in the areas of Quesnel, Beaver Lake Valley, Soda Creek, Fort Alexander, Hancewille and Alexis Creek. He describes these early settlements, the scenery, Siwash (Salishan) Indians and living conditions. The second diary starts on July 1, [1899] in Dawson, where Kay is working in a bank. Soon he joins 21 other men in a "stampede" up the Yukon River, to prospect for gold on and near Mendocino Creek. Kay describes travel up the trail to the creek, prospecting efforts, and the return trip on foot and boat back down the Yukon. In Dawson, Kay resumes his duties at the bank and comments on everyday life in Dawson. In Sept., Kay makes another trip up the Yukon, working as a waiter, pantryman, etc. bound for Victoria to get supplies for the winter. During the winter Kay writes of gold discoveries at Nome.

1 box (.1 linear ft.)

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