Will Marcus Daley Answer?
That Marcus Daly, the copper mag
nate, and Max Fleishmann, the yeast
magnate, had an experience which dif
fered widely from that of other non-res
ident hunters on the Kenai peninsula,
is pretty conclusively shown by a
number of letters which have been re
ceived at the governor’s otliee in the
last week or two.
Dalv and Pleischman, it. will be re
membered, had much to say after they
left Alaska, about the character of the
guides licensed by the government on
the recommendation of Game Warden
8hea. In an intervier in the Seattle
Ppdt Intelligencer, Marcus Daly be
came really eloquent in the rehearsal of
his woes. Marcus says he had to get a
guide to guide his guide, and much more
just as emphatic, if not so alliterative.
Fleischmann left with sweeping de
nunciation of the whoile crew of guides
on the Kenai peninsula. They’ were a
bad lot in every way, and he talked
like a man who was sore indeed. He ev
en intimated that the whole system was
permeated with graft.
As soon as these complaints drifed
into the office of Governor Clark, he
caused an investigation to be institut
ed. Secreary Shorthill wrote to every
one of the twenty-five or thirty hunters
from 1 lie outside who visited Kenai
peninsula this summer, and asked for
Tlteir experience with the guides, whom
these hunters had employed.
A number ot replies have been re
ceived, among them from Captain Mai
colm McNeil ot Scotland, James xoru
Bell, Young Elkins, son of the late U.
8. Senator Elkins, the German Consul
at San Francisco, and Jim Jeffries. In
every instance these replies have been
favorable to the guides, and in some in
stances they have been fulsome in their
praises of the men who escorted them
over the trails to the hunting grounds.
Governor Clark himself wrote a let
ter to Marcus Daly for more details
and definite facts, but as yet there has
been no reply. Both to Daly and to
Fleischman the explanation was made
that the purpose of writing the letters
was to improve the service by obtain
ing precise and particular information
in regard to the subject of the com
plaints. “1 have not made up my
mind,“ said the governor in his letter
to Fleischman. ‘‘It is only fair to
state, however, that there has been lit
tle complaint from visiting hunters, and
this leads me to hope that your criti
cism has been caused by instances of in
competence which are rare.' ’
“May 1 ask also,” cncluded the gov
ernor, “for the good of the service
and for the benefit of the hunters who
will visit, Alaska in the future, upon
what you base your statement that the
guides are incompetent? The statement
would imply that you are in possession
of a good deal of information which
would be valuable to this office.”
The letters to Daly and Fleischman
were written on Nov. 3., but as yet no
reply has been received at the govern
or’s office.
Opening Big Mine at Auk Bay
Moving along without blare of trum
pets or blasts of hot air, Charles Pearce,
who Opened up the Perseverance, is op
ening up a much larger mining enter
prise at Auk Bay. Already a bunk
house, which will house twenty-five men
has been completed, the finishing
touches have been put on a boarding
house, an eight-foot road has been cut
through the woods, and work will be
begun next week on a six hundred foot
cross-cut tunnel which will tap the
ledge. As soon as this tunnel is com
pleted, another tunnel will be driven
fur 3000 teet along the ledge. \\ hen
the mine is in operation it will be one
of the largest mining properties in Al
aska. C. J. Pearce will arrive in a few
days and will take charge of the work
on the tunnel as superintendent.
Among the improvements to be start
ed soon is a large wharf at which the
largest steamers which trade in South
eastern Alaska can land. Auk Bay is
one of the finest harbors in Alaska. "
Pierce, Bratnober and Lukas, the Lon- ■
don capitalist, are the owners of the I
property.
AFTER HIDDEN LEDGE
Once upon a time, a British Coluin
lin Indian walknig on Chicagoff island
near Icy Straits discovered a ledge of
surpassing rL’h joss. There was free
gold and miur, of it.
The Indian was comparatively a
stranger in Alaska, and being unable
to take up the ciaim himself, aud not
knowing nv white man he felt that he
could trust, lie not only '.cent his find
a secret, but with earth and fallen
timber he carefully -.once-led the ledge
from the view of possible passers-by.
This at least is a legend that has
been odd b- prospectors in southeast
ern Ala Ice. IV' Douglas prospeetois
have received a straight tip as to
where the ledge is located, and intenn.
to leave in a week or two for Chica
goff island, and search 'for this rich
find. The Indian, probably, is still
looking for ar. honest white man.
RED MEN’S MASQUERADE
The advance sale of tickets for the
Red Men's masquerade indicate that
that function is to be more popular
than ever this year.
IN NEW OFFICES
Governor Clark and his staff have
moved into their new offices in the old
Mission building. The new offices are
much more commodious than the old.
Governor Clark demonstrated dur
ing the moving that he was much of a
craftsman, and along with the new fur
niture is some golden oak furniture
which has become mission through the
executive touch.
Due to the exposure in moving, per
haps, the governor has spent over a
week confined to his home with la
grippe, most of the time being con
fined to his bed. He is now able to re
sume his duties, but is not well.
STOEM AT WRANGELL
So far, the worst gale of the winter
struck Wrangell Friday evening, says
the Sentinel, doing much damage to
waterfront property. The 40-ft. gas
boat, “Fearless,” owned by F. Brock
man, of Shakan, broke loose from her
lines and rammed through the ap
proach of the new wharf, receiving
damages to her hull and house so that
she afterwards sank. In going under
the dock two lines of piles were dis
placed. and the planking sagged dan
gerously, but neld.
The steamer Humboldt came in from
the north about 11:00 o’clock but was
unable to land for four hours.
Anxious boat owners spent a rest
less night and many were up the while
night caring for their property.
We have the largest and best assort
ment of Christmas goods on the Island
—see us before you buy. Alaska Drug
Company.
HOME RULE FAILS AGAIN
Alaskans and Yukoners at the meet
ing of the Arctic Brotherhood at Port
land endeavored to have a resolution
passed prohibiting the holding of a
grand camp outside of Alaska and Yu
kon, but were unable to carry their
point, though a resolution was passed
prohibiting non-residents of Alaska
and Yukon to grand camp offices. The
next grand camp will be held at North
Vancouver.
PROSPERITY FOR CIRCLE
"With plenty of rains next season,
the Circle district will produce a
lot of money,” says Captain Bowman
of Eagle Creek, who has just arrived
in Fairbanks. "The number of large
plants already in the district will be
increased before the end of next sea
son, and those on the ground are in a
position to work most advantageous
ly. ’ ’—News Miner.
CHRISTMAS PRESENT EXPERT
The ladies of both sides of the Gas
tineau will undoubtedly hear with
pleasure of the arrival of Miss Kath
eryn B. Sullivan in those communities.
Miss Sullivan fills a long felt want in
LET US
supply your drug wants. We make a
specialty of prescription work. Accu
racy and purity guaranteed. We also
cany a complete line of sundries, rufi
ber goods, cut glass, stationery, toilet
articles. We guarantee everything we
sell, no matter who makes them.
Your Credit Is Good
Alaska DrugCo.
FOR
BLOCKS
Telephone 3-6
Douglas Island
Concrete Works