From the December 26, 1898 New York Times:

“San Francisco–Frank Burton, an Oregon farmer, traded wives with Frank Hall, a neighbor, a year ago, in order to get a big, strong companion to assist him in a trip to the Klondike. Now his new spouse has left him, taking with her the proceeds of the Alaska trip. Hall and Burton lived near Sylvan, Oregon.

Mrs. Hall was a tall, athletic woman capable of digging a well or baling hay. Mrs. Burton was a tall, athletic woman, capable of digging a well or baling hay. Mrs. Burton was a comely little woman, an ideal housewife, but not very strong. Burton caught the Kiondike fever in 1897. One day when he and his wife were visiting the Halls, Burton suggested that they trade wives. The women made no objection, and after some dickering Hall agreed to trade, Burton giving his wife and ‘four acres of prime onions’ for Mrs. Hall.

Soon afterward Burton and his new wife went to Alaska. Mrs. Burton No. 2 proved an efficient packhorse and carried most of the goods. The couple reached Dawson and prospered.

A few months ago Mrs. Hall told Burton that she had become weary of th slave business and had decided to leave him. She gave him $500 in gold and decamped with with the rest, about $4,500.

Burton is now back on the farm alone, while Hall and the former Mr. Burton are apparently happy. No one knows where Mrs. Hall is.”