$ailg
OFFICIAL CITY PAPER.
Admitted as secoud class mall matter
July 8, 1S3S, at the Postofflce
at Skarway, Alaska.
L. S. Keller, Publisher.
Subscription Rates.
One mouth by carrier.
One month by mail...
Throe months by mail
Six months by mall...
One year by mail
1.00
O
4.50
9.00
AN EDITORIAL CHANGE,
The editorial charge of The Alas
kau. which has been so ably and
faithfully conducted by Sam Wall,
upon his resignation has devolved
upon Walter W. Liggett, who be
came editor December 31.
Mr. Liggett is a nwecomer to Al
aska, but he is an experienced news
paperman who has worked on some
of the big metropolitan dailies in the
states. Mr. Liggett served his news
paper apprenticeship on the St. Paul
Dispatch, then went to St. Joseph
iMo.) Gazette. He afterwards re
turned to the Dispatch and subse
quently was employed on the Minne
apolis Daily News, Duluth News
Tribune and the Fargo (N. D.J For
um. Before coming west Mr. Liggett
was proprietor and editor of
The Fargo Independent, a paper ac
tively eugaged in fighting the cur
rupt and corporate boss, Alex McKen
zle. "The Alaskan Looter." in North
Dakota politics.
Coming to the coast eight months
ago Mr. Liggett has worken with
the Seattle Star and Post-Intelligen
cer. He was tendered an offer to be
come editor of The Alaskan, and hav
ing a firm faith in the future of Skag
way and Alaska accepted the offer.
He arrived Wednesday evening on
the Jefferson.
A TOUCH OF PITY MAKES THE
WHOLE WORLD KIN.
Less than half a week ago. when
every Christian uation on the globe
was celebrating the birth of The
Prince of Peace, the world was dazed
by the news of the terrific earth
quakes on the Isle of Sicily, which
resulted in the destruction of the
large and prosperous cities of Mes
sina and Reggio with a loss of life
aud attendant horrors that staggers
the imagination.
Before the earth had ceased to
quiver reports of the disaster were
flashed to every part of the globe to
be met by a world wide instantane
ous response of aid and sympathy.
No racial feuds then, no remem
brance of the petty bickerings of the
affairs of state. North and South
America, from every government of
Europe, from Asia and even Africa
came heartfelt offers of assistance to
stricken Italy. Nor did those in
power content themselves with words
British and Russian war vessels were
dispatched to the scene and even now
our own splendid American battle
ship fleet is forging under forced
draught through the Mediterranean
sea to Sicily to succor the wounded
and dying, heedless of the danger it
may incur.
Four thousand years ago the Sicil
ian disaster would have been attrib
uted to the wrath of God. Other
cities and other nations would have
shut pity from their hearts and be
lieved that Messina and Reggio were
wiped out because of their wicked
ness as Sodom was said to have
been.
We are saner and nobler now. We
do not attribute motives of ven
geance to our Diety which we our
selves would be ashamed of. We
know that purely natural conditions
caused the catastrophe.
It is little enough to palliate the
awfulness of the disaster; but there
is a crumb of comfort to see the spot*
taneous offerings of every nation
poured out to suffering Italy, to hear
sincere and heartfelt commiseration
for the fate of the doomed people ex
pressed here in our own city, to see
soldiers and sailors rescuing the
wounded and burying the dead In
stead of sacking villages auild slaugh
ter ? in short, to have It conclusively
proveu that "peace on earth anil good
will to men" is more than empty
axiom. For a touch of pity makes
the whole world kin.
MESSINA'S HEROINE:
Methinks I see thee, Italia's mother
Queen,
Standing bravely on Sicily's strick
en lands,
While weeping peasants press to
kiss thy hands, *
And crave protection from ".he awful
scene; ?
Thy heart faint with terror, thy face
serene,
Directing calmly all the rescuing
bands
At their work of pity by Messina's
strands,
Thou wert the foremost and all did
demean
Themselves better by thee ? Future
years
Will often hear the horrors of those
days,
Horrors no tongue can tell, no pen
repeat;
Yet despite the sorrow and the bitter
tears
All will halt to name thee and to
praise.
Noblest and gentlest sovereign, Mar
guerite.
(Note) ? History supplies no finer
example of heroic devotion than the
conduct of Queen .Marguerita of Italy
during the terrible scenes after the
destruction of Messina and Reggio.
She and King Emmanuel left for Sic
ily as soon as the reports wore re
ceived in Rome.
When Queen .Marguerita saw de
stroyed .Messina from the vessel in
the harbor she fainted at the horrible
sights that met her gaze. As soon
as she had recovered consciousness
she hastened to the very midst of the
death and suffering and directed the
work of relief. Everywhere she went
the people crowded about to kiss her
hands and to call down the blessing
on heaven on her.
King Emmanuel returned to Rome
to direct the sessions of parliment
and his queen remained in .Messina.
During the fresh shocks of December
30 her life was several times endan
gered, but she refused to leave her
subjects. For two days she was
without sleep and finally her over
taxed nerves gave way. She is now
reported to be 011 the verge of a col
lapse.
Her conduct was the inspiration of
the above sonnet by a local poet, who
prefers "to blush unseen."
BROTHER CHARLEY RETIRES.
At the eleventh hour Charles Taft
has withdrawn as a candidate for the
/
United States senate from Ohio, leav
ing a clear field for Theodore Bur
ton, who now represents his state in
the lower house of congress. Taft.
himself, in an interview that is fairly
alive with self-abnegation and a desira
for "harmony," states that he with
drew for the good of the party.
The millionaire newspaper owner
has never been noted for his retiring
disposition and the truth of the mat
tes Is that he saw that he had no
chance of election and withdrew after
making a dicker with the Ohio politi
cal leaders to succeed Senator Dick
two years hence. It is also rumored
that Presldwnt-Elect Taft found his
brother's senatorial aspirations some
what embarrasing and requested him
to step out of- the contest.
Whatever motives inspired his act
ions. it is indubitable that he has re
tired and there will be no widespread
' 111 minr
| GROWING COLDER
The result of the observation taken
?t Moore wharf at midnight, Jah. l=t
1003, Is as follows:
Temperature time observat'n. 25 above
Max. temp. preceding 24 hours. 27??bovo
Mln. " " " " . 10 above
Mean " . 16 \ above
Barometer 30.10.
Clear, lltrht north wind
INTERIOR WEATHER
Whitehoise, ... 8 helow
Ta^lsh -
Atlin, .... 0
Hootallnqua ... 22 "
Bljj Salmon - - - - 24 "
Yukon Crominc - - . 32 "
Selkirk - - 36 "
Coffee Creek, ... 4? "
Stewart, .... 3f? ?
Ogilvie 44 "
Dawson, .... ?'
grief in the country at large. Brother
Charley is a keen financial and good
i "spender" in politics; but his talents
for statesmanship are purely negative.
Burton, on the other hand, is an
able and conscinetious legislator and
considered at Washington of the
strongest men in the house of repre
sentatives.
.
Reading John I). Rockefeller's tes
timony in the government proceed
ings against the Standard Oil Co.,
one is prone to believe that the oil
king is losing hts memory, yet at
times he lets fall bits of wisdom
that are almost uncanny. "We must
take care of our teeth," he told a
reporter recently.
A cable from Berlin announces that
the German royal family are sadly in
need of money. Why not hock dor
Kaiser?
Reading Roosevelt's last message
one would almost be convinced that
the dollar-a-word rate had already
gone into effect.
No more leap year until 1912. A
good many bachelors are glad that
1908 is a thing of the past and they
are safe for four years more.
THE
Pack Train Restaurant
Will Serve Sunday
trench Dinner
Fromjnoon 12 to 8 p. m.
EVERYTHING THE BEST
IN THE MARKET
Regular Dinner 50c
TEA, COFFEE or WINE anc,
ICE CKF.AM
Established 1897
Phil Abrahams
Real Estate
BROKER
Collections
NOTARY PUBLIC
K 2 svimtTH AVE,, SKAGWAY
RAW PUR
TRAPPERS AND COLLECTORS
arereq nested to correspond with us about this"] sea
son's catch of FURS. We want the early catch as
well as the latk catch. We will pay full market
value at all times. Price list and tags can be had for
the asking at any time.
Herman Schmerl & Co.
28 West Thirty-First Street
NEW YORK CITY
IF YOU only:
KNEW
How much real satisfac
tion there is in a bottle of*
Cucumber and A'niond
Cream
You would never be without
it. It is not eticky, contains
no grease, never soiles the
most dainty fabric, and is
the most soothing, healing
balm for chaps, cracks and.
wind roughened skin, we J
know of. Try a bottle of it. j
We garantee satisfaction.
WM. BRUT
The Druggist
BETTER PREPARED THAN EVER'
Having put In a steam boiler and j
other machinery we aro better pre
pared than ever to do first-class work|
011 short notice.
SKAGWAY LAUNDRY.
All whiskies and wines served at
the Pack Train Bar is purchased by
Mr. Grim direct from the Oistlllers
and win ries. tf
If you have something you don't
need, why not advertise it for sale)
or exchange in The Alaskan?
Why not put a few crisp readers*
in The Alaskan, advertising your]
long stock, and get rid of it?
JUNEAU 8. S. GO'S. |
ELECTRIC LIGHTED STEAM
HEATED STEAMER
Georgia
Carrying U. S. Mall
For Haines, Corners Bay, Junoau,
Hoonn, Tf nakee, Sitka and Wayports J
SAILS
December 6, 12, 18, 21, 30.
WILLIS NOWELL, Mgr., Jnneau
W. W. BOUGHTON, Agent
Broadway and Fifth Avo. phone 90
U. S- Mail Steamer
Hegg
Carrying Passengers and Mail will
leave Skagway for Haines
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Satur
day at 9 A. M.
Returning leaves Haines for Skag
way at 2 P. M. same day.
Fare one way $1-50
Round trro $2.50
Coast S. 5. Co.
T ;ONEER ALASKA LINE:
SPEED, SAFETY COMFORT,
Si sttli , nrd other Pufjet Sound Pons
r. ARRY1NG U.S. M All.
Steamers of Vbis Company Leave
HUMBOLDT
COTTAGE CITY
Jan.
Dec.
24
ConnecUnjr with t o C'omoft^y,J t' iin is at Settle for San Francisco,
n Sot rui i-N' Caui'Oknia, Coki. ca (II unbuldt Bay) ar d Mrxico
tts~ Above Subject, to Change Without Notice.
FRANK H. STUART, Agent
Second and Broadway, Skagway
Seattle Ticket Office, 113 James St.
CX D. DUNANN, General Passenger Agent,
112 M.i.-Kct ft. r-.ei-, ?%?> J-rt?noieoo, Oil
Canadian Pacific Railway
i B. C. COAST SERVICE )
SCHEDULE OF SAILINGS FROM SKAGWAY
Subject 10 chalice without notico
TsTlEAmsmpv PRINCESS MAY
December 5=19 January 2=16-30
For Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, via Prince Rupert
Spacious Observation and Smoking Rooma
'lickets to any part of '.he world aud all Information from
Phone 87. * F. F. W. LOWLE, Agent
Alaska Steamship Co,
Carrying U. S. Mail and Alaska Pacific Exprew
Next Sailing of the Fast Passenger Steamers
Jefferson Dec. -6-18-30
Company reserves rlghl to obtuse sailing date without notice
t,o . Am1 '"ancouvcr Without Additional Charge
Through Tickets to San Francisoo
R. A. CARROLL, Agent. Phone 66
The White Pass &Yukon Route
riMK "T>\ JRI.1EC No. 18
(Daily KToent Sunday.)
No. 1. N. Bound No. 2, 6. Boons
1st c!at . 1st clats
8 30 a.m. Leaves SF .ttu/.Y Arrives 3 2D p.
10 CO p. in. " WHJ i lC PASS " 1 45 "
11 00 " " LOO CABIN " 12 42 ?'
11 30 " " SENtKL'i " 12 10 "
13) ?. tn. " CA^fBOU " I0 25 a.ro.
3 45 Arrivns Whit*" Uorsk Leaves 8 15 11
Passeatrers must be at depots !c th.no to have Baggage Inspected and
cheeked. Inspection is stopped 30 1 r;"te-3 he fori leaving time of train.
150 pounds of baggage will be ehcccr free with oaoh full fare tloket
and 75 pounds with each half faro tlck*>*.
Through. Line Prom
Skagway to Atlin, White Horse, Big Salmon, Unwson and Intermediate Yukon River 'Po'nts.
Tne new placer camps in the Alsekand Kluane Mining Districts are r< .iched only via White Horso
Winter Route Stage Service
During the winter season, when navigation is closed, daily trains will continue running between
Skajway and White Hors.>. A through Mail, Pa-sender and Freight Service will be maintained
by a Thoroughly Equipped Stage Line between White Horsn and Dawsoo.
Regular stages, carrying mail, express and passengers, leave White Horse for Dawson, and
intermediate points.
For Conrad City, located in the heart of the nev.iy discovered and fabulously rich quattz camp
of tho Windy Arm District, take our daily trains to Caribou. ^
For Information relative to passeugei, freight and teletrrnphic rites, apply
to any agent of the Company, or to:
TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT A. L. BEItDOE, Gen. Mngr. P. B. WURZRACHUR Gen. Agent
Vancouver, B, C. V*ri"ouvor. r. rj. an* A'vV'n SVncuov. Ait-t-ks