TOWN IS EXPECTED TO BE DIS
TRIBUTING POINT FOR SUR
ROUNDING TERRITORY.
LAID OUT BY GOVERNMENT
Neighobring District Is Noted for its
Coal Resources and it Also Offers
"Many Inducemnts to Persons Desir
ing to Farm.
By JOHN C. MURPHY.
NENANA, .Alaska, Sept. 8.—Here '
nm in the so-called Nenana coal fields
about 364 miles from Seward, fiftj
miles north of Boad Pass, fifty-thret
miles south of the town cf Nenana am
about 107 miles south of Fairbanks
Large beds of high grade lignite ooa1
occur on Healy creek, an eastern tri
butary of the Nenana liver, and is op
posite Mile 358 or. the vmt side o
the Nenana river. Opposie Mile 364 n
Lignite, sometimes called Hoseaim;
creek which is an eastern tiibutary o.
Nenana river and about eight miles
north of Healy creek. We have beer,
told by the Alaskan Engineering com
mission “that the opening of cca1
fields to furnish an economical and
satisfactory fuel for the interior of
Alaska is one of the vital needs and
that the Nenana fields are the best of
the known lignite fields, carrying ev
ery requisite for local and heating de
mands."
The U. S. Geological Survey tells us,
“that as a fuel, one ton of Nenana lig
nite coal should be equal to at least
two cords of native spruce.”
Underlying Coal.
It further tells us there seem
ingly an underlying coal extending
east to the Delta and west from here
beyond Lake Minchumina, sufficient to
last for 500 years. Coal croppings and
well-defined veins can be seen on a
number of tributaries of the Tatlinika
river, as well as at the head of the
Totalanika, sections of country east
and northeast of Lignite creek, but all
.included in what is known as the
Bonnifield mining district.
I am reliably informed that Mr.
Martin of the United States Geologi
cal Survey who investigated the .w
nana coal fields in 1016. speaks in l.igl
terms for this coal, both as to heat
ing and steaming qualities. He goe.
further and advises that this Nenam
coal be used by the government for ail
purposes, on lccomtives and otherwise,
throughout Alaska. This would permit
the exporting of the higher grade bitu
minous coal of the Chickaloon district.
But this Nenana coal must first of all
be dried by a process now in vogue,en
tailing very little expense. Coal crop
prings and large veins running into
feet are seen in this field.
West Side of River.
The government railroad is now
permanently located on the west side
of Nenana river at a point fifty-three
miles south from the town of Nenana.
From this point a railroad bridge will
be built across the Nenana, striking
Lignite creek and up this creek in an
easterly direction about eight miles a
branch railroad will be built to tap
these great coal beds. By the middle
of May 1918, if not sooner, there is
every expectation of this coal being
placed upon the market.
Continuing from mile Fifty-three to
a point ten miles north on the west
side of the Nenana, the railroad will
cross on a bridge to the east bank of
Hie river at Mile 43, south from Ne
nana. By the middle of October, 1917,
trains will be in operation from Nena
r.a to this first crossing, a distance of
forty-three miles. This would have
been possible much sooner except for
extremelv high water in the Nenana,
making in part a new channel, and
washing away large stretches of the
road bed. This was unfortunate, but
no human foresight could have fore
seen and provided against it.
Conditions Excel Sent.
I have gone over the grade fron
Mile 43 to Mile 20, and everything,
work, grade, camp and men bespoke
business methods, sanitary camps. Ap
petizing and wholesome meals are
found everywhere. Kenneth Case is
resident engineer at Mile 43.He receiv
ed his first i*ailroad experience in the
service of the Chicago, Milwaukee and
St. Paul Railway and is here making
a fine record.
George B. Richardson is resident en
gineer of the next division. He is a
graduate of the Great Northern Rail
way. His work here shows high order.
The town of Nenana lies on the south
bank of the. Tanana river and the rail
road will cross the river over a splen
did modern steel bridge and thence
run northeasterly to Fairbanks, dis
tance about fifty-seven miles.
Over this stretch the right-of-way
has been cleared and about eight miles
from Fairbanks ot Happy station, it
•will be ready for trains by October 1
this year. There will then remain to
be built, something like forty ode
miles from Nenana to Fairbanks, com
paratively easy construction. The
bridge to span the Tanana river at Ne
nana, is to be 3600 feet long. This
will include all approach trestles. 11
will be of four spans of concrete anc
i steel.
The south span on the Nenana side
is to be of the vertical lift type with
a high water clearance of some sixtj
feet. It is estimated to cost $611,000,
The town of Nenana is quite level
with a subsoil of sandy loam and will
always have good drainage.
Head of Navigation.
To a disintersted observer, Nenana,
I if not. now, ultimately will be, the head
of navigation and the distributing
i point for many developing sections of
| Alaska for an area of hundreds of
I miles. Even now during the open sea
j son, ten good size river boats, and as
| nany barges, call at her port. AVhite
I horse, Dawson and St. Michaels
; steamers are callers. Even now it
I has quite a respectable mosquito fleet.
Take a vision, what this and more
means when the great government
’ailroad is in operation and has had
lime to devlop industries along the
line.
The town is hardly over a year old,
and yet, while in the embryo, it dis
plays on every hand a commendable
spirit of progress. It is here that the
'ngineering commission made its base
or the construction of the- railroad
from the summit of Broad Pass north
:o Nenana and thence on to Fairbanks.
Wisdom was shown in its selection for
it is now, and ever must be the logical
terminal of a great railroad, here,
where rail and ocean traffic can sal
ite. Like the coming great and en
erprising town of Anchorage, a town
site was laid out at Nenana, follow
ing the same general plan as employed
there.
There has been built a large and
commodious dock, with two large
warehouses, one 71 by 202 feet, an
other 52 by 112 feet, for handling sup
plies, materials and equipment and
height coming to Nenana, for use of
'he Alaskan Engineering Commission
tv fl-in
Warehouses and Docks.
\\ alehouses and dock are nicely
orved by two spurs and by this means
ars may be loaded or unloaded on
teamers and barges. A locomotive
rane and derrick is used for unloading
■ud loading. The commission, on its
erminal reserve, has built a two-story
ffice building 42 by 80 feet, a Iwo
dory bachelor home 36 by 42 feet, a
wo -story mess house 40 by 08 feet,
i tv.o-story hospital 36 by 60 feet,
ith a new two-story addition 36 by
0 feet, two commodious and sanitary
mnkhouses, one 42 by 80 feet with the
ther 20 by 22 feet, eightm odern cot
age family residences for manned
mployes, two lodging cottages, an en
due round-house, 00 by 70 feet, iron
ind extra repair house, two-story
’.orse barn for live stock, modern rna
hine shop, 34 by 166 feet, boiler shop,
blacksmith and carpenter buildings,
■ainter and plumbing plant buildings,
a commissary 36 by 100 feet with sev
eral additions, a sawmill with a daily
output of 10,000 feet, electric light
>lant house and telephone plant, one
tory oil building 30 by 50 feet, an
dequate powder house and a one
tory refrigerator plant.
Water and Sewerage System.
The commission is also on the eve
>f putting in a town water and sewer
age system. It has let a contract for
•obstructing a $10,000 public school
milding, modern in every respect,
•■'his mater is being rushed with all
possible speed.
The monthly payroll here runs from
60,000 to $80,000 per month. It has
Iso erected a townsite office building,
’hroughout the town it has built elec
ric and telephone lines, with which
he people are served. Several street
ave been graded in the business sec
ions of the town, in addition to many
f not all residence streets cleared,
i-il the foregoing structures, improve
ments and expenditures, speak perm
.nency icr JNenana.
Commercially situated'as it is — it
as a bright future. And all these
meat works begun, directed and corn
leted, besides the construction of the
. ailread, by Thomas Riggs, jr., with
:'.e untiring zeal, efficiency and faith
ul; ess. His chief enginer is F. H.
Jailcy, a man of wide experience and
onsoicuous ability. S
On the south bank of the Tanana.
ast of the town, is an Indian settle
ent. The settlement consists e
ouse.-, church and hoarding school
nder the immediate direction and
anagement of the Episcopal church,
the misionairies and teachers are do
ng a great work with these Indians.
One building is given over to church
and school purposes, with modern
desks, and school equipment. Another
large building contains the mess room,
dormitory, laundry, sewing rooms.
Another building contains the hospital
and is the residence of the overseer
his family and teacher. Then there is
an acre or more devoted to raising po
tatoes and all kinds of vegetables.
Verily, we need more Bishop Rowes
throughout our land.
By the way, Nenana’s good people
began work today looking towards the
erection of three churches, Catholic
Episcopal and Presbyterian. All Ne
nana feels proud and well it may .with
its modem equipped two-story fortj
bed hospital, superintended and server
, by such able physicians and surgeons
as Dr. Malcolm E. Smith, chief sur
geon and Dr. D. Moore, assistant. Dr
Smith is a graduate of Columbia Uni
versity of New York as is Dr. Moore
Dr. Smith was formerly chief surgeor
for the Cordova and Northwestern
Railroad.
Possible Agriculture.
From the west bank of the Nenana
| river opposite Healy and Lignite
: creeks, southwest and north is to be
found thousands of good acres, suit
| able either for cultivation or grazing
Then west and east of Nenana rivei
and especially on the east side of the
river, running north into the town oi
Nenana, are other thousands and
thousands of acres of splendid soil
suitable for the cultivation of hay and
grazing. This land is contiguous tc
the railroad.
The commission has built a fairly
good wagon road, except a few miles
stretches from Nenana to Mile 43 or
the east bank of the river, and this in
the nature of things will be taken ovei
by the Territory. In the mean time
it will be an additional inducement tc
take up homesteads along ar.d neu,
the railroad. .
; Along this stretch of country, be
fore many years pass, will be seer
many well to do dairy farms, hog and
cattle raising. I can foresee the day
1 when it will assume an unbelievable
growth. If Norway, Sweden, Den
mark, Finland and Siberia have such
phenominal agricultural success, who
cannot we in Alaska with a simil3‘
soil and climate? We can, if we onh
make a start.
Should Quit Talking.
Let us quit, everlastingly quit talk
ing about it pro and con. Let thi
governments, both territory and fed
eral, take the initiatory steps,, provid
ing the cows and hogs to worthy
, farmers, to be paid for in installments
Homesteaders, home builders, farm
ers, should and must be given ever}
encouragement, especially in Alaska,
by a generous and sympathetic gov
ernment. The government must build
wagon roads—roads and again roads
even if we sell bonds to do so.
It is iair and just to place some
burden on coming generations. They
will be enjoying the fruits of our la
bor. I can see the day, when the
Alaska farmer, will market thousands
of tons of barley, oats, hay, and this
taking the place of timothy or <lo\ei
hay.
Another Source of Revenue.
There is another big source of reve
nue, that I have given much thought
and that is reindeer raising in Alaska.
When a few enterprising Anchorage
citizens formed a company last win
ter looking in this direction, they were
laughed at. I have traveled over many
hundreds of miles of Alaska and I
have seen countless acres of reindeei
pastures.
Along the route of the railroad from
Indian river north to Lignite creek
and then west to the Kantishna river
and south westward to Lake Man
chumina, are thousands upon thous
ands of acres. Similar pasturage
doubtless is found over many other
parts of Alaska. As a rule, I notice
that many plateaus were covered with
this caribou-reindeer moss or pastur
age. For it must be remembered that
this domesticated reindeer is but a
caribou. In Alaska there are two
kinds of caribou, woodland and bar
ren-ground.
Cl IVCIHUl-tl •
This woodland caribou, while tall
er and heavier than our reindeer, it'
really a reindeer. The barren-ground
caribou is almost precisely the coun
terpart of the reindeer. They tell me
all along the Alaska range is found
this moss. Winter or summer the ani
mals make their living—rustle their
own feed—on this moss.Dogs ai'e used
to protect them from wolves and
wolverines. They will dress at matur
ity about 250 pounds. They also piul
tiply very fast. They have been and
are used for transportation, for thei:
! milk, for their meat and their pelt;
for leather. Millions of them, some
near day, will be raised in Alaska.
Homesteaders should not entertain
i the idea, that Alaska land can be die
i veloped as rapidly as the prairie lan(
of our states. The first development
in every new country, has been live
stock, then grain. But to develop :
livestock industry in Alaska, nv
judgment is, entirely different meth
ods must be used, than were used b}
the states.
Slowly, step by step, must the Al
askan farmer feel his way along liner
and methods to insure profits. Many
problems he will meet, which must be
solved, namely, rains, frost, the grow
ing months, seasons of planting, and
kind to plant. I am not a believer in
larger farms than eighty acres, forty
acres would be better for all concern
ed, especially so in Alaska. In the face
of all perplexing problems that will
be encountered by the Alaska farmer,
I can see for him and his success,
comforts and a happy American home.
The people at large, cannot realize
(Continued on Page 10.)
with what great and commendable
zeal the engineering commission has
moved on the construction of the gov
ernment railroad.
Undertaking a project like this, was
a new departure, in an unknown field
of governmental supervision. But the
project was launched and from the
day of the first stroke of the axe to
wards its construction, down to the
present, when the work is approxi
mately two thirds completed, it has
given new life, and a new impetus to
every Alaskan’s aspirations.
Even now it 1*“', made possible the
building of hundreds of permanent
homes and increased the growth of a
number of villages and towns with
newspapers, churches and scores of
public schools.
To an observer, there seems to pre
vail in portions of this interior, unset
tled conditions, arising from the war.
The mining districts are feeling it. I
And yet, this retarding of Alaska’s j
development is only temporary. It is j
not very bad, when one remembers, i
that Alaska’s trade with the United j
States for the fiscal year ending June j
30, 1917, was something like $100,000,- I
000. Not a bad showing.
i POLITICIANS AT
ODDS IN HONOLULU
SUPERVISORS REJECT MAYOR S
APPOINTMENTS AND ISSUE
GOES TO COURT.
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HONOLULU, T. H., Sept. 20.—
Honolulu is facing a political situation
unique in its annals. With a demo
cratic mayor and a republican board
of supervisors, both at loggerheads
over appointments, the taxpayers are
wondering who is who.
For two months the mayor’s list of
appointments to municipal berths,
numbering 100 have been lying on the
table as a result of the action of the
supervisors while the mayor’s clamors
for recognition of his perorgatives are
given scant attention. The outcome of
it all is that the republican holdovers
from the past administration are still
in office and jubilant while the demo
cratic office seekers are still out in the
cold and crying for their rights.
All efforts at compromise having
failed the democrats have sought re
lief in the courts and what is regarded
as the forerunner of other suits to
oust the holdovers was filed today by
democratic leaders applying for an in
junction to hold up the salary of the
superintendent of parks and play
grounds and praying the court to set
aside an ordinance enacted by the re
publican board taking away from the
mayor the power of appointments.
Other suits contemplated aim to
hold up the salary of the fire chief,
water works superintendent, building
inspector and manager of the lighting
department.
K!
WOMEN BELONG TO
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Di
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! FAIR RESIDENTS OF EDGEWAT
1 ER, COLO., “MAN” HOSE REELS
AND CLIMB LADDERS.
EDGEWATER, Colo., Sept. 19.—
When the fire bell rings in Edgewat-1
1 er these days, the baby is turned ovei
| to a neighbor for safe-keeping, the i
bread is snatched from the oven, sew
i ing is left where it falls and the fire
women run for their apparatus In
I Edgewater, the women “man” the :
I hose-reels and climb the ladders.
| The reason is that many of the
i regular firemen, all of whom are vol
unteers, are in training at national
army encampments, national guard
.raining camps, or elsewhere in the
service cf the government. The wom
en decided that it was their duty to
see that insurance rates did not in
rease. They drafted all female re
latives of the firemen into their gen
eral department, to answer alarms
when needed, and the wives of the
firemen formal a special particular
band cf “fire-ladies” to do the work
their husbands were not there to do.
So far they have answered four al
arms and have make quick time
reaching the scene of the fire in each
case. Observers say they have prov
ed that the female of the fire-fight
ing species is just as deadly anc.
much more graceful than the male.
The last mail brings a $30,000 sur
prise for the fifteen saloon dealers of
| Juneau. Collector of Internal Reve
i nue Williams has notified the dealers
the Gore amendment calls for $2 a
gallon extra on all distilled spirits
over fifty gallons. It is estimated
that every dealer in Juneau will av
erage about a thousand gallons of bar
rel and case whiskey. At $2 a gallon
they will be forced to immediately pay
to the revenue department $30,000.
The price of whiskey will advance ma
terially to consumers.
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§
1
Bank of Alaska
ALASKA’S BRANCH BANKING SYSTEM jjj
An Institution of Strengtli and Character |j
Capital $85,000 Surplus $20,500 jjj
FOUR BANKS: *
SKAGWAY, ANCHORAGE, CORDOVA, WRANGELL jjj
President
Vice President
Andrew Stevenson
Andrew A. Benton
Pesident A ice President, Anchorage J. T. Westermann SFi
Resident Vice President, Cordova
Resident Vice President, Wrangell
Cashier, AY. L. Landsborongh
Auditor, 13. A. Ross
Ass’t. Cashier, M. McA'ean
AV. R„ Hillery g
AAr. 11. Warren §jj
I
I
Skagwav
Anchorage
Cordova
Although an integral part of the one system, each branch has
had assigned to it the full amount of Capital required bv the
Territorial Banking Board for the establishment of a Bank in such
a location. Each branch is therefore equipped to serve its cus
tomers as fully as any independent bank, but with the added
strength and resources of the entire institution to draw upon.
Furthermore each is responsible to the Territorial Banking Board!
is examined and supervised independently and renders its state
mnt direct to the Board. The Bank of Alaska is therefore, be
cause of its double supervision and safeguards, peculiarly “An
Institution of Strength and Character.”
i m
^®*5XsX5<?!®<2X£)SX5>$<sX5Xi<sx5XsXi)(sXjX4X^®0®®®®@®®®(S)0®®®®0®®®(iX*)®®®'•j;
Polley Brothers
THE FOURTH ST. GROCERS
-FOR
Matanuska Products
CABBAGE TURNIPS
CAULIFLOWER HEAD LETTUCE
RADISHES NEW POTATOES
Fresh from the Ranch Three
Times a Week
The Style Shop
MAUD D. CATTLE & CO.
EVERYTHING IN LADIES’
READY-TO-WEAR GOODS.
essmaking and Manicuring Parlors
Now Open.
Masonic Building.
I
BAXTER’S
MAGAZINES
CIGARS
TOBACCO |
NORTH POLE
BAKERY
AND COFFEE HOUSE
4th Ace., Bet. C and D.
Try O 'r Wholesome and
Tasty Meals.
A GOOD MEAL FOR
ONE HALF DOLLAR.
WORK MEN EAT |
AT THE » I!
D: D: 1
FRED WRIGHT |
HAPPY MEALS* |
sX*xS)ta)®®®<5XS>@€)®<S)®<SX5)®®®®®®(SXgXS) '
wmssassssgBsm
ECKMANN’S
FURNITURE STORE
Has Just What You Want
at Right Prices.
4th and K St.
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ALIAS SUMMONS.
NO. A.
[N THE DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
TERRITORY OF ALASKA, THIRD
DIVISION.
Leigh Hill French, Plaintiff. vs.
Blanche Culbertson French, Defendant.
TuE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES OF A-UERIA,
To the above named defendant, Greet
ng: You are hereby required to ap
pear in the District Court for the Ter
ritory of Alaska, Third Division, with
in thirty days from the date of the ser
vice of this summons upon you and an
uvt) the complaint of the plaintiff, a
:opy of which is herewith delivered to
rou, and if you fail to answer the said
complaint. the plaintiff will apply to
the court for the relief demanded there
in, to-wit: for a decree of divorce dis
solving tiie bonds of matrimony exist
ing between plaintiff and defendant.
The. ser\ ice of this summons by pub
lication is made by virtue of an order
if the court dated August 20, 1917, di
recting publication for a period or not
iess than six weeks, and the defendant
must answer within thirty days after
the expiration of said period.
WITNESS, the HON. FRED M.
BROWN, Judge of sam Court, and the
?eal of said court hereto affixed this
.’1st day of August, in the year of our
Lord one thousand nine hundred and
seventeen and of our Indpendenee the
>ne hundred and for y-seeond.
ARTHUR LANG, Clerk.
1 SEAL) By M. J. CONROY,
Deputy C?erk.
First publication, August 22, 1917.
Last publication, October 3, 1917.
471
NOTICE TO CRT.DITOKS
IN THE COMMISSIONER’S COURT,
TERR IT )RY OF ALASKA, THIRD
JUDICIAL DIVISION, KNIK PRE
CINCT. BEFORE LEOPOLD DAVIT».
COMMISSIONER AND EX-OFFICIO
PROBATE JUDGE.
in the Matter of the Estate of Benjamin
Be nson, Deceased.
All persons having claims against
'.he estate of the late Benjamin Ben
-on, deceased, are hereby notified that
:he undesigned has been duly appoint
ed executor under the last will and
;estament of said deceased, and are re
paired to present their claims, with the
■ roper vouchers, to tiie undersigned ex
ecutor at his office in the Anchorage
Daily Times building, at Anchorage, Al
iska, within six months from the elate
>f this notice.
Dated at Anchorage, Alaska, this 4th
lay of September, 1917.
JOHN W. FRAME,
Executor of the Estate of Benjamin
Benson, Deceased.
Date of nrst jjuolication, September
5, 1917.
Date of last publication, October 3,
L917. 321
Furrer and Taxidermist
W. D. WANDLING
Fifth St., Bet. C and D
Anchorage.
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