Yukon who is who

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Lena Huson (1863 - 1942)
	
Lena Huson was born in Omaha and moved with her parents to Snohomish, Washington Where they operated the Penobscott Hotel for many years. She married William "Billy" Huson in 1893 in Everett, Washington and they moved to Juneau the next year.(("Sourdough: One of Life's Real Companions." //Alaska Weekly// (Seattle), 27 February 1942; "Mrs. Huson of Klondike Fame Dies in Tacoma." //The Times// (Seattle), 13 February 1942.)) They arrived in Juneau in 1894 to operate a hotel.("Mrs. Huson of Klondike Fame Dies in Tacoma." //The Times// (Seattle), 13 February 1942.))

In the spring of 1897, when the Husons heard news of the Klondike strike, they left for Dawson with the first piano to arrive in Dawson.(("Mrs. Huson of Klondike Fame Dies in Tacoma." //The Times// (Seattle), 13 February 1942.)) The sounding board was protected by wool yarn that Mrs. Huson used later to knit petticoats and sweaters which she sold at fabulous prices.(("Sourdough: One of Life's Real Companions." //Alaska Weekly// (Seattle), 27 February 1942.)) The piano was sold to Harry Ash of the Northern Saloon for $1,200. Lena staked out gold claims and later sold them.(("Mrs. Huson of Klondike Fame Dies in Tacoma." //The Times// (Seattle), 13 February 1942.))

During the fire of 1897, Lena appeared with a huge kerosene can full of coffee for the firemen. They made her an honorary member and presented her with a medal made of Klondike gold. She later operated restaurants in Dawson and Nome. She returned to the States in 1909. She was known to her many friends as Ma, and the sweetheart of the Yukon. At the end of her life Lena lived in Sumner and she died in a Tacoma hospital.(("Mrs. Huson of Klondike Fame Dies in Tacoma." //The Times// (Seattle), 13 February 1942.))