VOL. I
PETERSBURG, ALASKA MAY 13, 1927
NO. 44
\
U.s. Marshal Albert White was a
recipient of a congratulatory lettei
from the Department of Justice for
ihe satisfactory conduction of his
office. Assistant Attorney General
John Marshall upon reecipt of the
recent report of the grand jury,
wrote a complimentary letter tc
Marshal White. A second letter
was received from Assistant Attor
ney-General Mabel Willibrandt, al
so extending felicitations upon the
efficient showing made by the Mar
shal’s office.
Marshal White stated that any
praise due his office should be pro
perly laid at the door of his appoint
ees as “both myself and employees
have tried to serve the public in
this Division, and feel that we have
had the kindhearted support of the
people.
Mr. White now completing his
hrst year in office i squoted as fol
lows: “the support of the Depart
ment of Justice and co-operation of
Judge Reed has mad it possible to
spend many thousand dollars in the
various towns of the First Division
m improving Feedral buildings.”
Under the plans of the Depart
ment, the local jail and courthouse
will receive much needed paint and
other improvements.
GIRL SEVERELY
INJURED BY FALL
THROUGH WINDOW
Mamie Martiu, twelve-year old |
native girl fell through the sidej
window of the Variety Theatre and
landed on a stump fifteen feet be
low on the beach. A broken collar
bone, dislocated arm, a gash on her
right cheek which required nine
stitches and another gash on top
of her head requiring six stitches
and any number of other bruises on
face and body resulted from the
fall.
The little girl had gone to the
window alongside the balcony and
was leaning out when the upper
section dropped suddenly throwing
her off her balance and out the win
dow. A half of the window being
above the balcony and a half be
low without grating of any sort to
prevent any such an accident.
Margaret McGiltin, who was with
Mamie at the time immediately told
William Mills and others near by of
the accident. Mills went out of
the theatre, jumped from the walk
to the ground and picked her up.
The girl was unconscious when she
was picked up and showed no signs
of life until she had been carried
almost a hundred feet. Mills ear
ned the girl to the office of Doctor
Jones but he was busy on another
case and could not render first aid
so one of the boys returned to the
theatre for Doctor Standard. Anes
thetics had to be given before Drs.
Standard could put the dislocated
arm in place and set the broken
collar bone. The little one was un
conscious for over fifteen hours and
at the present time is reported as
suffering intensely. It was feared
that concussion of the brain might
result from the accident. At any
event, chances of recovery are very
poor as the girl is well advanced in
the stages of tuberculosis. Had she
unimpaired vitality her chances of
recovery would be much greater.
The parents of the little girl,
‘Scotty” Martin of Juneau and her
mother were divorced a couple of
years ago so she was living with a
grandmother here.
The wonderful vitality of the lit
tie girl is pulling her through at
this wrting and It Is reported sh-.
has a fine chance of recovery from
the accident.
RUSTGARD FILES
DEMURRER
RESTRAINT SUIT
Attorney General John Rustgard
this week filed a demurrer to the
complaint in the injunction suu
slarted last week by Judge James
Wickersham to prevent the Treat;
urer from disbursing certain funds
appropriated by the recent legis
lature. The reply filed by the At
torney General alleges that the com
plaint does not state sufficient
for a cause of action.
The hearing for the order for the
injunction was to have been held
Thursday afternoon. t is thot lo
cally that teh time set for the hear
ing would be taken up in arguing
points raised under demurrer.
The suit filed by Judge Wicker
eham involves about $50 000 appro
priated for the expense of the office
of the Secretary of Alaska, Govern
ors of Alaska and monies made
available for the expense of said of
fices and to prevent the expendi
ture of any of the money appropri
ated for the conduct of the office
f Secretary, including his salary.
WICKERSHAM INJUNCTION
Judge Reed of the District Court
of the First Division heard the ar
guments on the injunction suit fil
ed by James Wckersham against
various officials using appropria
tions made by this sesson of the
Legislature. After hearing the ar
guments, Judge Reed stated that
owing to the importance of the mat
ter, he would take it under advise
ment. Pending his decision all of
the items involved wll remain tied
up under the restraining order.
It is possible that criminal ac
tion could be instituted against the
Secretary if he accepted any of the
moneys appropriated to his use by
the legislautre. The argument be
ing that as a Federal employee he
is precluded from receiving or ac
eepting salary other than paid him
by the Federal Government.
ALIEN HUNTERS ARRESTED
The Juneau office of the Alas-j
ka Game Commission has recently j
received reports of the termination
of eight additional cases under the
Alaska Gam,e Law. Warden Du
iresne reports five cases against
aliens for hunting and possession of
li rearms.
Joseph Belfountaine ,an alien, of
near Mile 451 on the Alaska Rail
road, on December 15 killed a moose
near Fortune Creek. The case was
filed in the U. S. Commissioner’s
Court at Fairbanks on April 12. A
plea of guilty was entered and a
fine of one hundred dollars was Im
posed.
Four additional cases were filed,
against Obrad Zizich, Red Boich,
Dan Hanoff and Buto Lacevich,
aliens, of Cache Creek, who were
in possession of firearms. Pleas of
guilty were entered in each case,
and fines of twenty-five dollars each
were imposed together with for
feiture of one gun in each instance.
Warden Hallson also reports a
case against Ora Barnhart of Tatla
wicksuk, Alaska, for possession of
three illegally taken marten skins.
The case was filed at Napamute,
where a plea of guilty was entered
and a fine of twenty-five dollars
imposed and the sknis were for
feited.
Warden Hallson also filed another
rtase against Ora Barnhart, for buy
ing furs without a fur-dealer li
cense and for possessing unprime
furs. A plea of guilty was enter
ed in this case. A fine of twenty
five dolalrs was assessed, and the
Court directed that the 49 mink,
32 lynx, 21 red fox, 5 cross fox ,1
silver fox, 38 muskrat, 13 weasel
and 8 land otter skins (two of
which were unprime) be sent to the
U. S. District Court at Faiirbanks.
NUNAN EXPLAINS FISH
PRICES AND MARKETS
The local Chamber of Commerce
held its weekly dinner on Wednes
day evening of this week. The two
guests of the evening were Mr.
White of the Alaska Magazine, from
Juneau and Mr. Nunan of the New
England Fish Company, Ketchikan.
Mr. Nunan is president of the
Ketchikan Commercial Club, extend
ed its greetings to the local club.
He set forth facts relative to how
the prices of fish fares are determ
ined, which applies to the West Ca
nadian as well as the Alaska catch.
Perhaps no member of the Club and
very few fishermen realize just how
much the price paid for fish in
southeastern Alaska and Prince Ru
pert is effected by fish markets of
p.oston and other northeastern l>.
S. ports. For instance he pointed
out that for the last three years the
catch of halibut off the northeast
ern coast has gradually increased
and is decidedly more than has oc
curred for many years previously.
He also mentioned that exceptional
ly large catches of coastwise edible
fish has flooded the markets of
Boston and other cities at a remark
ably low price which has materially
effected the prices of frozen as well
as fresh halibut. He stated that
jver 1,000,000 lbs. of Alaska frozen
halibut from last season is still un
t,old. This is more than the aver
age amount carried over. In his
opinion the fact is well established j
that the going price for halibut,
fares to be frozen will be from 12
to 13tf this season, while those for
direct shipping may range 5 or
higher.
Ho discussed the matter relative
to his and other fish companies buy
ing here at Petersburg having urg
ed men of the halibut fleet to sell
at Petersburg rather than to run
to Ketchikan or Prince Rupert. He
lighted some individual cases where
men had thought it profitable not
to sell here, but after running to
Ketchikan and learning the going
"A Poor Married Man”
A Big Success
One of the hugest successes on
the Petersburg social calendar was
the comedy drama, “ A Poor Mar
ried Man” presented in the Vraiety
Theatre on Friday evening of last
week, under the auspices of the Pe
tersburg Parent-Teacher Associa
tion. Miss Ermina Neuert, one of,
the local teachers produced and di-j
iected the play. The theatre was
packed to capacity and then extra
seats were placed in the front row
lor the overflow.
The cast included Mr. John
Schoettler as professor Wise inveig
led by a shrewish widow into mar
riage with her charming daughter
Zoie, played by Miss Agnes Vick.
Complicatons arose when one of tte
college boys, Trygve Strom, who
had formerly loved the charming
daughter, and college reporter, Miss
Caroline McKecknie. called and re
ef gnized the Professor’s Mo.her-ln
law as the widow of severs < previ
ous husbands who had each iu turn
eaten shrimp salad and mysta’io il
ly disappeared.
Chester Holm as Jup. the negro
servant brought forth many laughs
from the audience by his well act
ed characterization. Too much
Mother-in-law portrayed vividly by
Miss Ellen Hill, resulted Df course
in a speedy divorce. But the P »or
Married Man soon happily consoled
price there and at Prince Rupert
had sold at Ketchikan. In the in
stances they cleared about $2o
more than offered at Petersburg
which of course shows a loss of
both time and money. So Mr. Nunan
said it was the policy of his com
pany and his own personal recom
mendation that it would be advant
ageous for the Petrsburg fleet to
sell fares here. He also spoke con
cerning the plans of dredging what
is known as Dry Pass. This would
make a short cut particularly for
gas boats (and transportation of
booms of logs. He informed the
members that the Ketchikan Com
mercial Club has recently acquired
membership in the U. S. Chamber
of Commerce and spoke of the ad
vantages to be derived therefrom.
The Petersburg Club took action
puisuant to acquiring i* iike mem
bership for the local Club.
In his address Mr. Whu.3 ex
plained the plans for the growth
and development, scope and purpose
of the new Alaska Magazine. He
told the Club of the rapid develop
ment nad steady increase iu sub
scriptions, and the demand fi ora j
many sources all over the United
States. If the ratio of increase iu
issues is maintained in the fu ure
there will be 20,000 issued of the
August number. Salaried men are
on the staff now who are putting
in whole time investigations and ex
plorations for the magazine, so ti e
already high grade set forth in the
previous numbers will no*, only be
maintained, but improved upon. Mr.
White stated that many people had
v. ritten the publishers in iauditory
terms of appreciation and that cuite
a number compared them with the
National Geographic Magazine, for
which comparison they felt justly
proud. He also stated that he coiud
could promise the readers of the
magazine some wonderful revela
tions in the field of National Science
and Geographical strata being in
vestigated and explored in Alaska.
himself with a charmng Freshman
Hedvig Mjorud, the daughter nf 5*
country physician, played by Hen
ry Hasbrouck. Later the Profes
sor’s Father-in-law was caught in
the matrimonial net and increased
the comedy by presenting itv P;m
Married Man with none o'.ner than;
his former Mother-in-law. 1 iowev-1
ever, all ended happily as it was dis'
covered that the widow’s “one and
only love, Socrates.” was sv.ill alive
and wanting her. Each clmracter
was well protrayed and even Rex,
who played the part of ths “darling
little Socrates,” the dog named af
ter the widow’s former nushund
supported the cast nobly.
FISHERMAN BURIED AT JUNEAU
John B. Jackson, Juneau fisher
man who died in St. Ann’s Hospital
last week of pneumonia, was laid
to rest in the Evergreen Cemetery
rn the afternoon of the 11th of thi3
month. The services were under
the auspices of the Moose Lodge of
which he was a member.
The Ladies of the American Le
gion Auxiliary met at the home of
Mrs. Fred Nelson on Thursday ev
ening and started the box that is
to be sent to the War Orphans at
the Otter Lake Billet. They plan
to meet and sew every Thursday
evening and expect soon to have a
goodly supply of garments ready
for shipment.
IN THE INTEREST
OF PETERSBURG
WELFARE
OPEN LETTER TO BUSINESS
MEN OF PETERSBURG
To Businessmen of Petersburg:
Gentlemen:
The trade and the money spent
locally is the staff of life of the
community. The more spent here, i
the better schools, streets and va-J
ried improvements. Every dollar!
earned here and spent elsewhere
is just so much strength taken from'
our district, and hurts each and ev
eryone of us in many ways.
Now it so happens that because
a certain local hsh buyer sees fit to
save all the fox feed, halibut heads
etc., for a certan fox rancher, who
spends ninety percent of his expense
money below and through mail or
der houses, we other ranchers, to tht
number of least twenty hnd it
necessary to go to Wrangell and
Ketchikan for at least a part of our
hsh. And quite naturally, while
there, spend for our other necessi
ties.
This buyer thinks nothing of of
fending any and all of us for the
rancher who apparently hypnotized
or bribed him as the case may be.
Cannot certain wires be pulled by
our businessmen to straighten out
this friction causing trouble? There
ere plenty of heads coming in at
present, if shared up properly, to
carry all of the ranchers through
tnis vital period when the nursing
Coxes need fresh food ter keep from
losing pups. Later when the feed
becomes more plentiful is the time
to cure and supply dry feed for the
winter. Why should the business
men of Petersburg sit back and let
a rich man hog and dry the stuff
tor the future while the less well
financially fixed rancher starves out
Ihrough the loss of his pups? Many
unfortunate fox ranchers had to
give up the fight last fall. Such un
just treatment will cause more to
go to the wall.
Don’t let one of the geese that
lays golden eggs for Petersburg’s
welfare be killed. Lord knows it
is ill enough now.
Yours truly,
G. F. HILDEBRAND
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
The first Commencement exercise
ever held in Petersburg were ob
served last Monday evening in the
Variety Theatre loaned to the schooi
tor this purpose by Rasmus Enge.
Miss Alma Cornstad and Miss Ruby
Rayner received their diplomas at
this time.
The stage was tastily decorated
in the class colors and the program
was well arranged. Alma Cornstad
delivered the Validictory having
been conceeded that honor by virtue
of her scholastic standing. The Sa
lutatory address was rendered by
Ruby Rayner.
In behalf of the class Miss Corn
siad presented the high school witn
two large photogravures, one of
Washington and one of Lincoln;the
gift was accepted on behalf of the
school by Julia Wasvick. Fred Nel
son gave the commencement address.
JUNEAU AFTER FIRE TRUCK.
A petition was being circulated in
Juneau this week among the pro
perty owners advocating a new Arc
truck for that city. The question
of purchasing a new truck was be
fore the City Council at a recent
rreeting and had the endorsement
of Dolly Gray, fire chief, and As
sistant fire chief O. E. Schombel.
Every incorporated town in the
first Division save Petersburg now
has standard fire equipment.
LEGISLATORS i J
Honorable Hartley Howard and
Honorable lieu oner dropped into
Hie olbce ol He Aiaakau and paid
i< brief viail and ibeir respects,
air. Howard, president ol Hie Se
nate uoeda no lutroducUon to tbe
f irm uivisiou by vrtue of bia apol
ogy miscalled JUjgaiative lie view in
an "organ ol tbe uiorybodile poli
tical machine, yuuliabed at Juneau.
Air. Oner in discussing tbe Grad
uated utx bill defeated n tbe House
said The aituation that exists in
tbe ibid Division was aucb that a
bardabiy would bave been created
on tbe native yoyuiation o£ that divi
sion. Tbe extreme high and swft
udea oi tbe Oook inlet country doea
not permit oi seine or gillnet oper
ation. These traps are operated by
canneries and it prohibitive taxes
were imposed it would throw tbe en
tire population out o {employment.
(So said also Mr. Scboenwaid but
no one cognisant with the babery
condition and operation of tbe local
canery believed bim nor do records
in bis divorce proceedings bear
out tbe statement.) Naturally there
are two sides to tbe situation and
conditions that exist in this secton
are different from those in another
district; consequently there can be
no panacea. (Except tbe complete
destruction of the fisheries but what
rare tbe reindeer kings.
Hood Area Meeds Aid
Secretary of - Commerce Herbert
Hoover iu summarizing the situa
tion in the Mississippi hood area
is qouted as saying that more than
*10,000,000 will be required to
lake care of refugees in that section *
He further states that 338,000 :
people must be cared for in the do
vasted area. Three thousand four
hundred square miles of the low
land sof Louisana are covered and
Lhe crest of the flood has now pass
ed Vicksburg.
In a statement to the press Sec
retary is quoted as saying:
“There is about 6,000 square
miles of Louisiana kept dry by le
vees but these levees, upon which
thousands of men are working,
have not felt the full power of the
flood.
Various Alaskan towns are re
sponding to the urgent call for fi
nancial aid for the sufferers In the
flood area. Juneau is reported as
having exceeded her quota and yet
the drive for more funds is contin
ued. It is to be hoped that the
good citizens of Petersburg will
contribute their mite for the relief
of flood victims.
ADDITIONAL FISHERY
. REGULATIONS
. . Salmon Fishery.—Regulation No.
j is amended to read as follows:
In Port Frederick, northern shore
of Chicagoff Island, commercial
Ashing for salmon is prohibited in
all "waters south of 58 degrees 4
minutes north latitude, except that
trolling will be permitted from No
vember 1 to June 1, both dates In
clusive. A portion of the waters
closed is in the central district.
Stephen Davie,
Acting Secretary of Commerce.
“
The dregig crew which will work
on the Narrows this year are re
ported as having left Seattle on the
7th of this month and should be doe
In Petersburg about the 15th.