■4
NUMBER 13
NENANA. ALASKA. DECEMBER 16. 1916.
VOLUME 1
New Structures Will Be
Erected By The
Commission
A large amount of building is being
planned by Hie Alaskan Engineering
Commission for Nenana tins year—build
ings to accommodate the increased vol
ume of business that will be handled by
the commission and the additional em
ployes who will be engaged as soon as
work opens up in the spring.
There will be constructed a large dock
landing shed, 300 feet in length, and
three storage warehouses 60 by 104 feet.
The warehouses will be two stories high
and will be equipped with elevators. Ad
ditional mess and bunk houses will be
built, and there will be a large club
house, with dance hall, reading rooms,
gymnasium and baths, for the use of the
employes of the commission free of cost.
Several additional cottages also will be
needed, and tlie hospital building will be
considerably enlarged.
Then there will be a roundhouse, with
five engine stalls, and a new machine
shop, equipped with tools suitable for
making any repairs to. or new parts for,
any of the equipment or rolling stock that
^ may become necessary. The commission
will also have a sawmill of its own, the
equipment for which is already here.
The plant will be operated by electric
ity and the mill waste, slabs, sawdust,
etc., will be used as fuel at the power
plant. The sites of the proposed build
ings have not been selected as yet.
The number of employes on the com
mission payroll in this division at the
present time is approximately the same
as it was on November 3u. At that time
there were 193 regular employes and 141
contractors, making a total of 334.
In last week’s issue of the News a tvpo
T graphical error made it appear that only
60 miles of clearing had been completed,
whereas the right of way at the time the
report was rendered had been cleared for
a distance of 87 miles. Thisis important
since the additional 27 miles reduces the
cost per mile very materially.
BUTLER DOG TEAM
MAKES FAST TIME
While there has been much talk of cut
ting down the time between Fairbanks
and Nenana to a day, it remained for
Billy Butler, sourdough heavyweight
muslier and politician of Fairbanks, to
cover the distance in eleven hours, the
fastest time made thus far this season.
Butler left Fairbanks early Wednesday
morning and wasin Nenana before night.
He carried one passenger and came by
way of the Hot Springs trail as far as
the Ohio roadhouse.
Nenana Trading Co.
In New Store Now
The Nenana Trading company resumed
business during the week in their new
two-storv building on A street, adjoining
the New York block. The new place is
the largest in town and is very attractive
in appearance, with ample room for pool
and card tables and a large space in front
for the display of goods. A complete
line of cigars and tobaccos is carried in
stock, as well as shelf hardware and gen
eral merchandise.
JJJRY SAYS WOMAN
COMMITED SUICIDE
The coroner’s jury, summoned by Com
missioner Weiss of Chatanika to inquire
into the death of Georgia Phillips, re
turned a verdict of suicide. The woman,
who came to Fairbanks last summer,
smothered herself with a pillow saturated
with chloroform. The inquest was held
at Olnes.
Washington, D. C.: Tli# passage of
the Alaska fisheries bill will be a gift of
$99,000 annually to the bi'canning com
panies operating in Alaskan waters, ac
cording to a statement made on the flooi
ot the house bv Delegate Wickersliam,
The delegate declares that the lull will
relieve the canneries of that amount ii
taxes. The provision most objeciionabh
is that which proposes a license fee o:
$50 for each cannerv and provides tha'
Alaska shall not pass any law taxing tilt
companies or forcing them to pay addi
tional licenses to the territory.
Ottawa: The Canadian torpedo l>oai
Grilse, commanded by Lieut. Wingate,
is reported to have been lost at sea with
all hands.
DIVER IS WRECKED
Members of U. S. Subma
rine Crew Have
Close Cali
Eureka, Cal.: The members of tin
crew of the submarine H-3 were rescue*
from that craft yesterday by life saver:
'after the submarine bad been caught or
the rocks during a heavy blow. Tin
breeches buoy was used to haul the met
to shore. The heavv diver was left it
the surf, where she is breaking up on tin
rocks. Most of the members of the creu
were injured by the rolling of the sub
marine before they were rescued.
i
Stage Man Reports
Happy Trail Rough
j L. V. Stanley, who drove the Palme;
stage through from Fairbanks by way o
the new Happy trail, reports that liton
snow is needed to make that route prac
ticable for teaming. He was advised tc
take the Happv trail by a freighter 01
the up trip, but he found it so rougl
that it was almost impossible to ge
' through with his load. He broke one o
the U-bolts oil his sleigh before lie hat
gone ten miles. He declares that it wil
take more than a toot more of snow t<
put the trail in proper condition fo;
freighting.
—
Neal of the Navy Closes
Tomorrow Night
The management of the Coliseum ha:
I decided to show the two final episode:
i of “Neal of the Navy’’ on Sunday night
j “White Gods’’ and “The Great Goal’
the titles of these, the two most thrill
ing episodes in this great serial of love
and intrigue, show the long-looked-foi
Lost Island, see a scheming villain mad*
the victim of his own his own covetous
ness, reveal the identity of the Bruteman,
| and settle the future of the hero and hero
j ine in an altogether satisfying manner.
There will be no Patlie News or com
edy. Come early to insure getting goof
seats. Regular prices prevail: general
admission 25 cents, chair seats in bal
cony 50 ^nts, box seats 75 cents.
The following persons were registered
at the Coonev House during the week:
Charles Christiansen, Wm. Sborgie: Rob
! ert Swe, C. B. Nelson, Kantislina; Wm.
j Gerrie, Tofty: M. Coffer, Hot Springs;
Wm. Fluder, Woodchopper: Andy And
erson, Wood River; J. R. Fowle, Bill}
Butler, Roy Lund, L. V. Stanley, Fair
banks; L. J. Finke, Frank Weisel, Bill
Betoff, Bob Mitchell, George Bunnell,
George Taylor, Henry Halger, J. A
Street, Harry Noufon, Dan Teheuff, al
of Nenana; Harry Luckie, Toklat.
Washington, D. C.—Economy and in
creased production instead of prosecu
tions probably will result from the feder
al investigation which is now in progress
throughout the country with the objeci
of ascertaining the cause of the high cos;
of living.
NOTICE.
The Nenana Steam Laundry will b«
closed from December 21 to December 28,
Market Demoralized As
Result Of Peace
Overtures
I New York: The greatest excitement
prevails on Wall street in consequence of
the peace overtures which have been
made by Germany. For three days the
stock exchange has been the scene of tur
bulent sessions, the chief feature of which
has been the sharp decline in the values
of stocks. Leading specu'ative shares
have dropped from five to t/ n points at a
session, and Bethlehem st el, the most
distinguished of the war brides, has de
j clin <1 forty-seven and one-half points,
j The most extreme reverses represented
! losses of from 20 to 50 points from the
J high levels of last month, United States
i Steel being the chief objective of the pro
fessionals. May delivery wheat has also
declined sharply.
It is estimated that 5100,000,000, in-so
far as represented by price quotations,
has evaporated into thin air since the re
ceipt of the first peace reports. United
States Steel alone showed a shrinkage of
166,000,000 on common stock, as com
pared with last week’s values.
The quiet absorption of numerous
stocks throughout the Upheaval indicates
the presence of bargain hunters.
NOTICE TO THE KIDS_
OF NENANA TOWN!
The Riggs Kids would like to have all
the other Kids in the town of Nenana
l. come to their Christmas Tree in the En
gineering office of the Alaskan Engineer
ing Commission, second floor, at 5:30 p.
m., Christmas Kve., December 24th.
Please be prompt because Santa Claus
is very busy and has a long way to go.
Kids will please bring their parents with
t them so they wont feel homesick and so
. that the mothers can all talk babies.
None too young to come. The Riggs
Kids will be very much disappointed if
any other Kids stay away.
Barrow Unconcerned
In Election Results
Nome: Advices just received from
Point Barrow stale that the voters of that
precinct did not hold aii election in No
vember because they did not know any
thing about the candidates. An official
canvass of all other precincts in this div
ision, except Utica and Deering, shows
that Wickersliam received 886 votes, Sul
zer 673 and Lewis 131. The returns from
Utica and Deering were lost.
Electrical Supplies
Coming From Seattle
A shipment of wire, lamps and other
electrical supplies, which were ordered
by the Alaskan Engineering Commission,
is reported to have left Seattle and will
reach Nenana at an early date. The
shipment includes sufficient material to
complete the wiring of those buildings in
which lights have not yet been installed.
BIDS ARE REJECTD;
COST TOO MUCH NOW
All the proposals for grading between
Station 19503 and Station 19533, which
were received by the Alaskan Engineer
ing Commission in response to a call is
sued last week, have been rejected be
cause of the excessive cost of doing the
' work while the ground is frozen. Anoth
er call will be issued later in the season.
FAIRBANKS PLAYERS
PRACTICE FOR GAME
Fairbanks: The basketball players of
this city are practicing hard for a series
I of patties which they hope to arrange
j with the Nettana team during the winter.
The play this winter is arousinp more
titan the usual amount of enthusiasm, ami
considerable new talent is lieinp devel
oped.
Manager Jim Month and the members
of the Xenatta basketball team are pre
paring to go to Fairbanks for the ltoli*
days to play the up river aggregation a
series of games The boys have heen
practicing diligently at the Coliseum and
have an exceptionally strong lineup.
FRENMMIM
Germans Lose Heavily In
Violent Encounter
Near Verduu
Paris: While the German Chancellor
was occupied with his peace proposals
forty thousand German soldiers were try
ing to break through the French lines at
Lassignv, the nearest point in iront of
Paris. One of the enemy columns was
practically annihilated,
i At the same time the French started a
counter offensive along both banks of the
i Meuse, in the Verdun sector, and ad
j vanced their positions several lines of
trenches. The advantage was followed
todav with further gains, the enemy lines
being penetrated a distance of two miles
along a six mile front. Three villages
were taken, together with 7500 prisoners.
Russians Reject
Peace Proposals
London: The Russian dutna last night
! rejected the German peace pioposals.
bat notwithstanding this action it ts l>e
lieved that they will not answer the
kaiser with a blunt refusal to consider
his offer.
Farm Crop Values
Reach High Mark
Washington, I). C.: All records for
values of improved farm products of the
United States have heen broken this year
despite the fact that smaller crops were
raised. The total value is $7,641,609,000
which is $1,750,000,000 more than last
year.
—
Caplan Convicted
On Murder Charge
Los Angeles: David Caplan was sent
tenc^d last night on the charge of niurd- j
er, in connection with" the dynamiting of
the Times building six years ago.
MOB KILLS LUNATIC
IN NEW YORK CITY
New York: For the first time in 53
years lynch law holds sway in this city as
the result of the attempt of an insane
man to shoot a number of children. When
the fellow ran amuck a mob quickly gath
ered and trampled him to death before
the police could interfere. Several little
girls in the neighborhood narrow ly es
caped death at ths hands of the lunatic.
J. H. O'Connor, the well-known Fair
banksan who catne to Nenana to undergo
an operation, returned to his home in the
upper town last Sunday, fully recovered.
He made the trip up the river with the
Calhoun mail team.
Seattle—Cvrus C. Bloucli, night man
ager of the Stokes Ice Cream company,
was found dead in a chair in his apart
ments Monday night.
Fairbanks—J. P. Sherman, father of
the two children who were burned here
two weeks ago, will submit to an opera
tion in order that skin may he grafted to
the neck and arms of the little girl who
survived.
FLYWHEEL
Tatiana Wood saw Em
ployee Killed By
Flying Steel
Tatiana: W. J. Lloyd, a young man
employed on the John Pitt wood saw. was
instantly killed yesterday afternoon as
the result of the bursting of the flywheel
while he was engaged in adjusting a belt.
One of the pieces of the flywheel liit
Lloyd in the forehead and plowed a fur
row three inches deep to the back of his
head. The fingers of his right hand were
also cut away, either by coming in con
tact with the wheel, causing it to burst,
or by being struck by one of the pieces.
A large piece of the flywheel was buried
a distance of 100 yards.
Harry Luckie was in town from the
Toklat country during the week.
The Hungry Kid arrived from Fair
banks this week with a team of four dogs.
Billy Shaw, who went to Fairbanksou
business some time ago, returned early in
the week.
The Misses Jane Anderson and Laura
Lewis expect to sptnd the holidays in
Fairbanks.
Mrs. Maud Bishop, who went to Fair
banks early in the week, isexpected home
sometime today.
Louis Golden, the old-time Fairbanks
grocer, has gone Outside on a brief busi
ness trip. This is his first trip out in 19
■5 ears
W. W. Cooker, formerly of the office
force of the Alaskan Engineering Com
mission, left for the Outside last Sunday
morning.
Mrs. Tlios. Dickinson, mother of Mrs.
M. V. Tyler, expects to leave for her home
in tbs Tvdovaim country during the com
ing week.
John Scharle, Fairbanks strawberry
gardtier who has been up the Nenana
on a hunting trip, was in town during
the week.
Ernest I. Foster, of the Commissary
department, was confined to his home
several days this week as the result of ail
attack of rheumatism.
Operator Roy Tvler left this morning
for the upper river to meet Lineman Bell
who went through to Fairbanks recently
on an inspection trip.
Harry Hadley and wife, who were
married at Fairbanks on Thanksgiving,
have gone to Circle, accompanied by Mr.
and Mrs. Oswald Anderson.
The Palmer stage arrived from FaiiJ
banks Thursday afternoon, three days
from the upper town. The trip was made
by way of the new Plappy trail.
Theodore Thompson and Harry C.
Davis went to Fairbanks on Thursday,
travelling with the Thompson dog team.
They expect to return immediately.
Mrs. Baer has resigned her position as
matron at the Commission hospital and
expects to leave tor the Outside within a
few days. Mrs. Leon Kellutn has suc
ceeded her.
F. X. Andres arrived at Fairbanks
from Juneau on the Sheldon stage during
the week. He is to take the place of
Ralph Gilliland, who was drowned in the
Tauana river last summer.
Los Angeles—Caplan, who is 011 trial
in this city on the charge of assisting in
the wreck of the Times building, denies
that he was connected with that affair,
and declares that lie was not associated
in any way with the union leaders. Cap
lan was placed on the stand this week in
liis own defense.
Washington, D. C.—It is now consid
ered certain that every member of the
cabinet will hold over, with the possibh
exception of Gregory. Should lie insist
upon retiring, it is likely that Secretary
Baker will he shifted to the department
of justice and Vance McCormick made
seen, t ry ot war.