Gamblers and dreamers : women, men, and community in the Klondike

The popular image of the Klondike is of a rush of adventurers who overcame great physical and geographical obstacles in their quest for gold. Young, white, single American men carried forward the ideals and structures of the western frontier. It was a man’s world made respectable only after the arrival of middle-class women, who miraculously swept out the corners of dirt and vice and ‘civilized’ the society. Like many stereotypes, this picture is only partly true. Gamblers and Dreamers tackles some of the myths about the history of the North in the era of the gold rush. Though many inhabitants came and went, Charlene Porsild shows that many put down roots. The picture she presents of Dawson City at the turn of the century reveals that it had a cosmopolitan character, a stratified society, and a definite permanenc. Porsild begins by looking at how First Nations peoples were affected by the hordes who arrived on their doorstep. She then explores the lives of miners and other labourers, professionals, merchants, dance hall performers, and prostitutes, providing fascinating detail about those who left homes and jobs to strike it rich in the last great gold rush of the nineteenth century. In the process, Gamblers and Dreamers puts a human face on this compelling period of history. MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict Contents 8 Illustrations, Maps, and Tables 9 Preface 11 Acknowledgments 13 1 Gamblers of a Hundred Hells and Dreamers from the Seven Seas 18 2 The Original Yukoners and the Klondike Gold Rush 39 3 The Thrill of the Chase: Miners and Other Labouring People in Dawson 75 4 The Scarlet Ladder: Work and Social Life in Dawson's Underworld 114 5 'Like Flocks of Migrating Geese': Social Work and Religious Life in the Klondike 152 6 Sterling Reputations and Golden Opportunities: The Professional and Business Sectors of Dawson 179 7 Women, Men, and Community in the Klondike 206 Appendix: Quantifying the Klondike 216 Notes 225 Bibliography 242 Index 259 A 259 B 259 C 259 D 260 E 260 F 260 G 261 H 261 I 261 J 262 K 262 L 262 M 262 N 263 O 263 P 263 Q 264 R 264 S 264 T 264 U 265 V 265 W 265 Y 265 Z 265 Gamblers And Dreamers Tackles Some Of The Myths About The History Of The North In The Era Of The Gold Rush. Though Many Inhabitants Came And Went, Charlene Porsild Shows That Many Put Down Roots. The Picture She Presents Of Dawson City At The Turn Of The Century Reveals That It Had A Cosmopolitan Character, A Stratified Society, And A Definite Permanence.--jacket. 1. Gamblers Of A Hundred Hells And Dreamers From The Seven Seas -- 2. Original Yukoners And The Klondike Gold Rush -- 3. Thrill Of The Chase: Miners And Other Labouring People In Dawson -- 4. Scarlet Ladder: Work And Social Life In Dawson's Underworld -- 5. 'like Flocks Of Migrating Geese': Social Work And Religious Life In The Klondike -- 6. Sterling Reputations And Golden Opportunities: The Professional And Business Sectors Of Dawson -- 7. Women, Men, And Community In The Klondike -- App. Quantifying The Klondike. Charlene L. Porsild. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The popular image of the Klondike is of a rush of adventurers who overcame great physical and geographical obstacles in their quest for gold. Young, white, single American men carried forward the ideals and structures of the western frontier. It was a man’s world made respectable only after the arrival of middle-class women, who miraculously swept out the corners of dirt and vice and ‘civilized’ the society. Like many stereotypes, this picture is only partly true.__Gamblers and Dreamers____Gamblers and Dreamers__