Conspicuous Consumption
Despite these challenges, the large shipments gold coming through Dawson City encouraged a lavish lifestyle amongst the richer prospectors, lifestyle, hospitalities, entertainment, etc. Saloons were typically open 24 hours a day, and whiskey was served as a standard drink. Gambling was popular at the time, with the major saloons each running their own rooms. A culture of high stakes evolved, with rich prospectors typically and usually betting $1,000 ($27,000) at dice or playing for a $5,000 ($140,000) poker pot. The dance halls in Dawson City were particularly prestigious and major status symbols, both for the owners, and their customers. Rich prospectors were expected by the owners to drink champagne at $60 ($1,600) a bottle. Elaborate opera houses were built, bringing singers and specialty acts to Dawson. Tales abounded of prospectors spending huge sums of money on entertainment. Especially Jimmy McMahon spent $28,000 ($760,000) in a single evening, for example. Most payments were made in gold dust and in places like saloons, there was so much spilled gold that a profit could be made just by sweeping the floor. Some of the richest prospectors lived flamboyantly in Dawson. Swiftwater Bill Gates, a gambler and ladies man who rarely went anywhere without wearing silk and diamonds, was one of them. The wealthiest dance-hall girls followed suit. Daisy D'Avara had a belt made for herself from $340 ($9,200) in gold dollar coins, another lady named Gertie Lovejoy, had a real diamond inserted between her two front teeth. The miner and businessman, Alex McDonald was the "King of the Klondike", and was unusually accused of grandiose spending along with his peers.