Vol. 1, No. 26
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY AT KNIK, ALASKA.
April 10, 1015
Homesteaders Hold
Enthusiastic Session
As indicating the enthusiasm
with which the homesteaders are
entering into the matter, fifty-three
settlers attended the second meet
ing of the Matanuska Farmers’ As
sociation, held Sunday last at the
home of George Nylen. The
meeting proved a fine success, as it
brought the homesteaders togeiher
for a discussion of things of mutual
aid and benefit.
In the absence ot President
Krueger, who was in Knik, Neco
laus Nakleson presided.
Possibly the most important mat
ter that came up for discussion and
definite action was that of roads, so
necessary to facilitate the opening
of the vrv'-’pus parts of the Mata
uuska valley. The discussion led
to the unanimous adoption of reso
lutions, telling of the urgent need
of means of transportation, to be
sent to the Alaska Road-, Com
if
mission. •
With reference to the govern
ment agricultural experiment sta
tion to be established in these
parts, a motion prevailed respect
fully requesting Prof. Georgeson,
or his accredited representative, to
investigate the Matanuska valley
before deciding definatelv on a
site for the proposed work.
Dae to the large attendance at
the meetings, the growing interest
in the association and th - indica
tions that point to a permanent and
influential organization, the need of
a commodious hall for business and
social purposes was discussed, cul
minating in a motion, which car
ried, directing the chair to appoint
a committee of three to taKe charge
of the matter. Messrs. Leekvoid,
Blake and Sloan were named.
Many of the farmers are now em
ployed in planting, or preparing to
plant, the various root crops. More
recent settlers are building homes or
clearing land. The big valley, as
far as settlement extends, is a veri
table hive of industry, and it
augurs well for the future prosper
ity of this region that the settlers
have unbounded faith, and are ap
plying zeal and enterprise, in their
work of home building.
Almost daily intending or pros
pective settlers are arriving, to taKe
a iooic over the situation. Letters
by the score are being received
asKing for information. Or.e day
this week eight prospective home
steaders arrived here, and they
were piloted up the Matatiuska by
^resident Krueger of the Farmers’
Association
The News takes the view that
the determining factor in the selec
tion, by the government, of the
Susitna valley railway route, is the
agricultural possibilities of the
Matanuska and Susitna valleys.
Superintendent Emery, of the
Martin mine, increased his force
this week, the following having
been employed: Ben Pitcher,
machinist; Mrs. Pitcher, cook, and
Joe Mannion, Paddy Hanley, Nels
Larson, John Bjoruberg and Andy
Stuvanant, miners.
A sailing ship, laden with can
nery supplies, reached Kenai this
weeic, seven days enroute from
Seattle.
Dan McLeod, D. McGilvray and
Geo. Mathison passed through here
this week, enroute to the Iditarod.
Fred Parsons, an old timer in the
uorthland, arrived this weeK from
Dawson.
Newt. Plfger’s Policy
To put good goods on his shelves
and then MOVE E’M. He don’t!
“keep things;’’ he sells ’em.
The preliminary crew of the
Crow Creek Mining Co., operating
an extensive hydraulic plant on
Crow creeic, reached here from
Seldovia on the Traveler and de
parted for their destination on the
same boat. In the party were J.
\V. Dawson, Jas. Bennett, Henry
Harkuess, A. L. Long, j. McDon
ald, A Meehan and Geo. Crnthers.
Mrs. Fitch of Knik, who has been
engaged as camp cook, went from
here. _
William Howard has accepted a
position on the launch Traveler.
Albert Atrain of the Eagle River
roadhouse is in town
Mrs. Ben H. Gilmore announces
that she lias opened a iPro
cess Eland Laundry in
Knik, and is prepared to do first
class work at reasonable prices.
She will also do rough dry laundry.
Laundry on hill east of main street.
MANY OUTFITS IN
THE BROAD PASS
Practically all of the jjarties that
departed from Knik at various
times throughout the winter, have
reached the Broad Pass country
with their summer outfits of sup
plies, etc. John Dawson, the last
prospector to depart from here,
will not make it in over the snow,
but he is the only belated musher,
with the possible exception of An
thony Zimmerman, who went in
via the Nelehina country to pick up
a prospecting drill.
Lon Wells, in a letter to Thos.
McLaughlin under date of March
26, says the snow is four feet deep
at his camp, but that it is fast dis
appearing. He says the season
will be much earlier than usual
Mushers returning from there this
weeic confirm this report and de
vlare that the Susitna river will be
navigable early in May, permitting
water transportation to within 40
miles of the district.
There is a frieudty rivalry in an
effort to locate a ledge found last
fall by Ben Thrasher. Thrasher
discovered a big lode, too it sam
ples, but did not locate any claims.
He told friends of his find, although
did not reveal the exact location,
as he intended to stake it himself
should the assays show values.
The outcrop showed a yellowish
stain, caused by arsenic. As is
well known, the chief values in the
Broad Pass ores are in the arse
nides.
Thrasher, while enroute to the
states, was stricken, and died at
Valdez. An assay from one of
the samples, gave a return of $2S
in gold per ton. Hence, the eager
ness to find the lost lode. The
News’ information is to the effect
that it is somewhere on Ohio creek.
The following persons, with out
fits, are in the Broad Pass country
W. E. Dunkle, mining engineer
representing the Guggenheims,
and several men.
The Wells brothers and Coffey,
original discoverers.
Bowker brothers.
, P. C. O’Donnell.
Tarilman & Haley.
Dr. J. H. McCallie.
Eenfors & Peterson.
Don S. Rae.
A. J. Sampson.
Smith & Benson.
Martindale & Denny.
Frisbie & Murray.
Fourchier & Hicks.
William Stewart.
Laugel & Miller.
Patou & Grant.
Kenyon & Spaulding.
Nei.^on &. Wilson.
George Wolf.
Gus Johnson.
Kelly & Lydell.
Stroubstradter party.
Returning here this week from
the Broad Pass were Al. Vausc
and John Reichart, who assisted by
Charles Harper, conveyed the
Guggenheim outfit from the Kash
witna to its destination, concluding
a splendid job, aided by dog teams
Mr. Dunkle took occasion to ex
press his satisfaction at their ex
peditious worn.
Jack Cronin, who is recognized
as among the best dog team mash
ers in the north land, returned
Tuesday, after convoying W. E.
Dunkle to the Broad Pass. Jack
says Mr. Dunkle is an A i trail man
and an indefatigable worker.
M. R. Hussay and John Camp
bell returned Thursday from a fly
ing trip to the Pass, going as far
as Ohio creek.
I A. F. Davis returned from a visit
jto Seward on the Traveler this
'week. Mrs. Davis and child will
(join him when the first large
steamer arrives.
Chas. S. Black, the genial agent
of the Ajlasita Coast Co., arrived on
the Traveler, to matte his head
quarters here.
Fred Laubner, who passed the
winter in the states, is in Seward,
on his way to Knit:.
Bungalow for rent. Inquire at
this office.
Apples, per box, $2. Brown &
Hawkins. “Quality First.”
Fulton & Hirshey, the popular
proprietors of the local billiard and
pool room, are building a substan
tia addition to their comfortable
quarters so that another billiard and
pool table may be put in.
it Iliamna; located on the west
shore of Cook inlet, was smoking
quite freely the fore part of this
ween.
“Chicken'' Lilwell, an old timer
in the interior, is here from Ruby.
Think of it. ten delicious Roman
Beauty apples for two bits at Fil
ler’s, while they last.