THE COAST TERMI
NUS OF THE ALAS
KA RAILROAD.
Seward Dai!y Gateway
the terminus of
T II R E E OCEANIC
STEAMSHIP LINES.
MEMBER ASSOCIATED PRESS
VOLUME XV. NUMBER 54.
SEWARD, ALASKA, MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1930.
PRICE TEN CENTS
... »
PILOT DORBANDT
MAKES FIRST HOP,
INTERIOR, SEWARD
Down like a giant hawk came
the roaring Travelair plane of
Pilot Frank Dorbandt, at dusk
last evening, to land just above
the shore-line near the radio
station, on the glare-ice; a “pip”
of a landing considering handi
caps. And three figures laboriously
crawled over the cockpit, of the
three-place job, Boris Magid,
Pilot Dorbandt and Mechanician
Alonzo Cope.
To Dorbandt goes the distinc
tion of being the first pilot to
come here direct from Fairbanks
the actual flying time being four
hours.
It marked the end of a race
with Death the Grim Reaper win
ningk by a wide margin. Mr.
Magid is one of the foremost and
best known business men of
Deering and Kotzebue, where he
•and his brother Sam have been
engaged in the trading and light
erage business for many years.
Last week he received a tele
gram from Mrs. Sam Magid, who,
with her husband had been so
journing at Miami, Florida, to
come at once; that Sam was dy
ing. Boris was at Deering at the
time; he dispatched word to Tel
ler for a plane to come and take
him he Fairbanks but four days
were lost owing to delay in com
munication, and bad flying wea
ther. In the meantime he had re
ceived another message informing
him of the death of his beloved
brother. Upon his arrival at Fair
banks. while awaiting the depart
ure of the next train which was
late to make connections here
with the steamer Northwestern,
he met Dorbandt who had just
returned from the lower river
country.
Dorbandt. upon learning from
Boris of his sorrow and anxiety
to get to the states as quickly as
possible, offered to fly his friend
to Seward and make connections
with the S. S. Northwestern: and if
thrv missed the ship here, con
tinue on to Valdez or Cordova.
Tiie offer was accented and
vo'iu heir. - te.’d. bv vi-e. that
t,ht r arri-'al they to-, k-off; :>tm< s
rh-- ric rr carts alone i:ie railroad
l3Cit ver given them through
courtesy of the Alaska Railroad.
The first difficulty was faced
in the stormy Broad Pass region
where soark plugs became fouled,
the engine getting hot and finally
"conking” out which left no alter
native but to land. Dorbandt
came down in the soft snow at
a flying speed of about 40 miles
an hour. He found the seat of
the trouble but in the meantime
the engine had become cold and
try as he might he could not start
up. Having landed facing the
freezing wind, there was but one
thing to do which was to turn
the plane arounTT, cover the moter
with its canvas hood and warm it
up with a torch.
This was a tremendous task
for Boris and F^ank but in three
hours and a half it was accom
plished but onlv at the cost of
wrenched muscles and dozens of
falls in the snow. So many times
did they tumble that each time
they gave a shove on the tail
and in this way finally worked
Inc plane about. Practically ex
hausted thev clambered aboard,
Dorbandt taking off beautifully.
Arriving at Anchorage, Cope,
gassed them up and came to Sew
ard with them. Leaving Anchor
age Dorbandt headed up Turna
gain Arm then climbed up and
over the mountains coming down
at Sunrise, landing here 55 min- j
utes after takingoff from An
chorage. Magid hopped into Bill
Patterson’s taxi and in a few
minutes was safe aboard the j
awaiting steamer which imme-;
lately cast off its lines and steam
! WHY NOT A CUTTER?
I JUNEAU, March 10, (/P)—Gover
Jnor Parks has been informed that
funeral services for Eielson and
iBorland will be held in Fairbanks
March 12. The bodies will leave on
the 13th by train for Seward to
connect with the steamer Alaska
j sailing south on the loth.
RUSSIAN FLIERS
REMAIN INTERIOR
ONLY FEW DAYS
START BACK FOR MOSCOW
AFTER FUNERAL SERVICE
FOR AMERICAN FLIERS
FAIRBANKS, March 10, (^P)—
American money was the first con
jsideration of Pilot Slipenov and
Fahreg, the Soviet fliers, after their
! Junkers plane was stowed away.
They then purchased a complete
outfit of clothes and emerged on
the street in business suits.
Eielson's father was limited to a
few words with the Hussions and
on their arrival clasped the Rus
sian hands. Later, a more lengthy
conversation tok place when intei
prefers became available.
Ole Eielson said: “I wish I could
speak your language”. The Rus
sians did not have any money but
expected some by cable. Arthur
Johnson, manager of the Alaskan
Airways helped them by buying
j clothing for them.
I The Russians will remain here
until after the funeral when they
| will start back for Moscow.
i __ _
Senate Celebrates
39th Birthday Of
Justice Holmes
WASHINGTON. March 10. UP)—
The 89th birthday of Justice
Holmes was celebrated by the
Smote which listened to a trib
ute delivered a short time before
the members of the Supreme
Court gathered for conference
in the chambers of the highest
fibunal to extend personal greet
ings in the n-'-r^n jurist.
Senator Walsh, of Massachu-'
salts, interrupted the tariff de
bate to call the attention to the
birthday of Justice Holmes re
eding the 27 years of service by
the Justice which has set a re
cord in the Supreme Court.
Senator Walsh referred to the
Justice as “one of the noblest
and patriotic members of the
American judiciary.”
ed down the bay.
Mr. Magid said Sam died from 1
Bright’s disease; he had suffered ;
from high blood pressure for
years and had gone south for ,
his health. Death was not entire- :
ly unexpected.
Sgt. Campbell, of the Signal
Corps, had started a fire on the
field adjoining the radio station ,
but, at that time, did not know,
round rules for landing flares so -
was more or less reluctant start
ing a second fire, to guide Dor- ;
bandt down, thinking it might
confuse the pilot. His judgement
was excellent, Dorbandt said, who |
came down near by.
Dorbandt and Cope took a well- J
earned rest at the Van Gilder
Hotel last night and will hopoff for j
Anchorage when weather permits.
From there Pilot Matt Neimenim
will fly both Dorbandt and Cope to
Fairbanks for the funeral ser
vice of Eielson and Borland.
Both Dorbandt and Cope ex
pressed their thanks and apprecia
tion of the cooperation extended
them by all and especially the Al
aska Railroad and the Alaska
Steamship Co., which permitted its
vessel, the S. S. Northwestern to
lay here seven hours waiting for
Mr. Magid.
Clerk Of Court
Frank Kappelman
Dies In Seattle
Special to The Gateway—
VALDEZ, March 10, —Frank
G. Kappelman, Clerk of the Dis
trict Court, Third Division, with
headquarters here, died in Seat
tle Friday night, in Providence
Hospital, following an operation
for goitre.
• • •
Mr. Kappelman wras an oldtimer
of Alaska having come North in
the early days of the gold rush
locating at both Dawson and
Nome following his vocation as
a printer and newspaperman.
For many years past, however,
he had resided in Yakima where
he was engaged in business until
his appointment as clerk of the
court for this division, about one
year ago. His last visit here was
but a few weeks ago, at the dura
tion of the Anchorage term of
court.
To a few friends here he made
it known that he expected to go
to Seattle for an operation but
he was not complaining of any
particular ill effects.
Besides his widow he is survived
by three lovely children, the fam
ily having only joined him last
fall. Prior to their arrival from
their home at Yakima he had
purchased a home in Valdez and
had, accordingly, everything in!
readiness for his loved ones of
whom he unceasingly centered
his conversation. Needless to say.
the report of his death was to
tally unexpected here, and has,
caused great sorrow among his i
legion of friends; and the deep
est sympathy is extended to his
grieving ones.
Mrs. Frank u. Kappelman oi
Valdez leave for Seattle on the
S. S Northwestern, arrivals op
the vessel said. It is not thought1
that Mr. Kappelman, clerk of the
district court, who passed away
at Seattle Friday night, will be
buried in Seattle, but probably
at Yakima. It was also said that |
he died on the operating table.!
not from the effects of the goitre '
operation, but his heart failed
him.
?? . p i
hcnconer
Lileriy Savzd From
Reef Kodiak Isle
KODIAK, March 10, (£>)—'The j
Halibut schooner Liberty, Ben Car- j
tielieusen, captain and part own
3r, and a crew of nine of Ketchi
kan, were towed here by the
schooner Resolute, Captain Ram
in.
She went on a reef March 5, on j
me of the Trinity Islands off the !
south end of Kodiak in a snow
storm. She lost her rudder and
ler keel was damaged. She got off !
n an hour and made a jury rud- ;
ler.
The cutter Chelan is coming here j
-onight from Portlock Banks to in- J
/estigate and lend every possible j
issistance. i
BODY BORLAND
TO BE INTERRED
\ CHOICEST CRYPT
|UP0N ARRIVAL AT SEATTLE
BODIES MET BY ESCORT
BE MET BY ESCORT
SEATTLE, March 10, (/P)—Earl
Borland’s body will be interred in
the choicest crypt in the violet cor
ridor of the new $1,000,000 mauso
leum at Acacia Memorial Park, his
parents announced after the man
agement of the park freely offered
the crypt for the remains.
Detailed plans have not been
worked out but it is believed civic
and patriotic organizations of
Seattle will assist with appropri
ate ceremonies when the bodies ar
rive and which will be met by an
escort of World War veterans and
members of the American Legion
posts of Seattle, vicinity and state.
Adjutant Jesse Drain said the bod
ies will be carried on artillery
caissons from the dock to the fu
neral parlors.
Unable To Find
Rock Antarctic;
Thought Was Ice
OSLO, March 10, (A3)—The
whaling and exploring ship Nor
wegia, conmmanded by Captain
Riser Larsen, left the Antarctic
for Capetown, it was reported
here
Captain Larsen sought unsuc
cessfully fur a rock reported to
have been sighted lap—Captain
Hendrickson, of the Steamer
Trills, in region 59.9 south, 23.39
east. Captain Larsen is of the
opinion that the reported cliff
must have been one of the many
overturned ice mountains which,
being covered with black earth,
are easily mistaken for rocks.
LOSES FOR THIRD TIME
LOS ANGELES, March 10, (AP)—
Alexander Pantages lest his
third attempt to obtain a release
on bail from the county jail on
the plea of poor health, in the
district court of appeals to whom
he had gone for overruling on
two refusals of the superior
court to release him which denied
him an appeal.
JUSTICE SANFORD DIES
WASHINGTON, March 10, (JP)—
J ust-ice Sanford died suddenly
from uremic poisoning. He col
lapsed in a dentist chair. He was
rushed home where he passed
away.
DIST. ATTY. VISITS
U. S. District Attorney Warren
N. Cuddy arrived on the S. S.
Northwestern from his Valdez
headquarters on matters concern
ing the trip Westward of Assis
tant U. S. District Attorney E. P.
Harwood who departs on the S.
S. Starr this evening. Mr. Cuddy
returned to Valdez on the North
western.
MORE POWER TO THEM
Two more “Aces” of Alaska skies are in Seward
today. Pilot Frank Dorbandt and Mechanician Cope, of i
the Alaska Airways. Two of those magnificent fellows j
who daily are carving the airways over the Territory.'
The indefatigable efforts of Alaska’s little group of air-1
men is attracting the attention of the world by their
courage and fortitude, their skill and spirit of comradie.
Time today does not permit writing an editorial which
we would consider more fitting but we want Dorbandt
and Cope to know they measure big in the regard
the citizens of this community hold for them.
TAFT PASSES AWAY
WASHINGTON, March 10, (A*)—
William Howard Taft, former pres
ident of the United States and
until recently Chief Justice, died
Saturday at 5:15 p. m. from an
| illness lasting three months.
| __
TAFT PASSED
\ AWAY WRAPPED
I UNCONSCIOUSNESS
STROKE, HARDENING OF AR
TERIES, PRECEDED DEATH
BY HALF AN HOUR
| _
WASHINGTON, March 10, (/P)—
Wm. Howard Taft passed peace
fully from life, wrapped in merciful
unconsciousness, a stroke from har
dening of the arteries preceded
death by half an hour.
By his own request he wih rest
in Arlington Cemetery: the funeral
will probably be held Tuesday at
All Souls Unitarian Church.
President Hoover was foremost
among the many who sorrowfully
went to the residence where Taft
lay dead. He announced a 30-day
period of official mourning.
At 4:45 Sunday afternoon the
sudden stroke came while alone,
except for a nurse, which heralded
the end and 15 minutes later, when
Dr. Fuller reached the room, he
turned away and shook his head.
Mrs. Taft, summoned from the next
room, took up her station for the
last virgil and he died at 5:15 p. m
His daughter, Helen Taft Manning,
™as on an auto ride at the t:me.
Both sons, Charles and Robert,
were at Cincinnati enroute to
Washington.
RENEWAL OF
OLD FRIENDSHIP
AT FAIRBANKS
MAYOR OF INTERIOR CITY AND
RUSSIAN AVIATOR MET BE
FORE IN RUSSIA
FAIRBANKS, March 10. (/P)—
Pilot Fahreg, Soviet flier unexpect
edly entered upon a renewal of an
old friendship with Mayor DeLa
Vergne when he and S'ipenov made
a formal courtesy call up n the
mayor.
“Do you, by any chance, know of
Bruno Fahreg of St. Petersburg’’,
the mayor asked. “He’s my father”,
replied Fahreg.
It then developed that some 25
years ago DeLavergne had been a
guest at the Fahreg home in the
former Russian capital while he
was employed at a Russian branch
of the New York Life Insurance Co.
The flier was then a small child
and heard his first accounts of
America while perched on DeLa
vergne’s knee. The elder Fahreg,
the mayor learned, moved to Mos
cow after the revolution and is now
head of a Russian life insurrance
company.
Chas. Hancock was a Sunday
arrival in the city from Cordova,
previously having come there from
tfampa, Idaho. He spent last
summer working at the Eklutna ;
power project, near Anchorage.,
At present his future move is un- |
certain, though he is anticipating ;
on going to the Westward on the 1
mail boat Starr tonight.
A delegation from the Volun
teer Fire Department will at
tend the Chamber of Commerce
meeting tomorrow, at the Seward
Grill, to d’scuss the matter of
an improved fire alarm system, j
The schooner Vansee, Capt. C j
Peterson, shipped a fair cargo of!
fish out on the S. S. Northwestern !
as also did the schooners Venus,!
Capt, B. Muller, and the Atlantic,!
Capt. John Gjerde. 1
NEW SEWARD
FIELD IS BAD;
S47S DORBANDT
I
I
GIVES BRIEF OUTLINE LAST
FLIGHT WITH EIELSON
AND BORLAND
“Personally speaking, if my in
formation is correct about the
length of the Seward landing field,
1,200 feet long, I will never land
on it.” Thus asserted Pilot Frank
Dorbandt when asked what he
thought about the local field
"which is expected to be completed -
this spring.
Upon being questioned he said:
i “With any kind of a plane,
and especially so with a load on
board, a plane should have at
least a 600 foot runaway before
soaring; then the last 600 feet, on
this field, providing the wind was
from the north, would be head
ing straight toward a forest of
35 to 50-foot trees. The clearance’
for this 600 feet is estimated at
35 foot altitude but, if the pilot
takes off over the 600 foot run,
he takes the chance of flying in
to the trees. It seems to me that
Seward has at least a couple of
other almost natural landing
fields and why they were not se
lected instead of the present one
in the making is beyond me.”
Dorbandt added that he wish
ed he could remain over and so
inform the Seward Chamber of
Commerce.
Referring to landing flares he
said the regulation flare, or a
ground fire for landing signals,
consisted of three fires one at
each point of a triangle. The
point of the triangle should always
be built and set ablaze with the
wind as the piolt comes down di
rectly over it and against the wind,
settling to earth and using the oth
er two flaming signals, at the end
of the field as side guides. Flag
signals are arranged by the sam*
method.
Dorbandt is acknowledegd as
one of Alaska’s leading “acesT
and was the man selected by Co!
F; Ison to assist in bringing the
furs from the S. S. Nanuk, froz
en at Nor- a Cape. Siberia. He had"
flown to Siberia long before the
Colonel and was his companion,
in his own ship, on Sidson's fate
ful flight on November 9.
From their base at Teller It
was customary for Dorbandt to
take-off about a half-hour before
Colonel Eielson the reason being
that Dorbandt’s plane was not
as speedy as the Colonel’s. Col.
Eielson had previously been pass
ing him enroute to Siberia but
on that fateful day, with storm
clouds ahead and but eight hours
of daylight, he failed to pick up
his flying pal. There was an
agreement between them that
should they run into what look
ed like dirty weather, they would
turn about and go back to the
base. This Dorbandt did after hav
ing flown 75 miles out. He was
certain that Col. Eielson had not
taken off as he was not seen and
that he, Dorbandt, would find
Eielson at the base. He was as
tonished to find him gone.
The world knows the following
developments
Dorbandt, who came to Alaska
a year ago, is from Detroit and
is the daring pilot who flew Dr.
Smith, who was seriously ill, from
Nome direct to Anchorage in 6:15
hours, thereby, as it was learned
later, saving Dr. Smith’s life.
His flying record for last month
probably sets an Alaskan record
for in three weeks he was in the
air 74 hours. Inclement weather
kept him aground the othef
week. Thus far this past week, he
lias flown four hours daily.
SHRINE CARD PARTY
On Wednesay, March 19, the
Seward Shrine Club will give a
card party only in the Masonic
ige rooms. Admission will be 50c.
“PODUNK LIMITED” TOMORROW