CHITIXA, ALASKA, SATURUAY, JANUARY 27, 1!?12.
LOCALJfllEFS
The contract for building the Chit
ina schoolhouse was let on Monday
evening to P. T. Shaw who was the
lowest bidder, his bid being $200
for the work. The lumber is all on
the ground and the work of erection
will be pushed to completion and
school will begin not later than Feb.
1st. Mrs. Schaupp who was engaged ‘
to teach the first school has resigned
and negotiations are under way to
bring a teacher from Cordova.
Word received from P. R. New
house at San Diego, Cal., indicates
that the weather there is very cold
and disagreeable and that Mr. New
house is likely to return to Chitina
in a short time.
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Solomon have
moved into the Reider cabin on Chit
ina heights.
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Gage entertain
ed Mrs. Wallace and Dr. Thom to
dinner Tuesday evening.
Get it of John or Dee at the Fair
banks Saloon and it will be right.
For ladie’s and cuildren's goods
see Mrs. J. L. Gage.
Letters received in town indicate
that our former townsman, James
Hartney, has taken up his residence
on Dome creek near Fairbanks,
where he will spend the remainder
of the winter.
Bob McIntosh went down to Tiekel
with six horses and a double ender
on a special train to haul coal to the
snow plow which was stranded for
Kenneth Holden, pilot of the
wrecked rotary left the hospital for
want of fuel at mile 93.
Where you are always ’treated
right—Fairbanks Saloon.
Cordova on Tuesday’s train, while
fireman Albright was not considered
able to undertake the trip, which
might consume several days.
E. F. Gray, of Copper Mountain,
returned from a three months trip
to New York and will resume active
management of the properties of the
Great Northern Development com
pany.
The break in the train service
caused a beer famine in Chitina, and
many of the thirsty—did they drink
tea?—well, hardly.
The Fairbanks saloon sells the
best t..at money can buy. .
Many mushers are arriving daily
over the trail enroute to the outside.
They report the trails in excellent
condition.
The indications that there is to be
a rush to the Bremner river coun
try seems to be verified as many of
the boys are planning the trip al
ready.
Your friends all go to the Fair
banks saloon. Came around and
chat with them.
There was a social dance at the
Red Dragon Saturday night which
was well attended.
,Watt Griffiths is on the sick list.
Many old time prospectors hearing
of recent rich strikes in South Amer
ica are contemplating a trip there
next fall and a few are seriously con
sidering going at once.
An hour spent in the Fairbanks
Saloon is not wasted for it will be
worth your while.
Barney Clement left for Sixty-Mile
last week. A host of friends wish
ney.
The kind that made the Fairbanks
famous—Golden wedding rye.
The body of engineer Reed was
recovered 'iuesday from the wreck
at Mile 75 and taken to Cordova
from where it will be shipped to
Seattle. Much credit i3 due Jess
Forrester ana tne men under him
who worked so faithfully against
great odds until the task was ac
complisbed. The wrecked rotary
..ad to be thawed loose before it
could be lifted from the body wnich
was pinneu underneath in about 3
feet of water.
A1 Church was in town this week
buying a stock of groceries for his
place at fticCarthy’s. He will carry
a full line of grocer'es and trail
supplies. He says that the outlook
for a large business in that section
Is s bright that -e feels warranted
in putting in a considerable stock.
A1 Brimner has given up going
out this winter and will go into busi
ness at McCarthy s.
Mrs. Dandon and children went
out to Fairbanks on Friday’s stage.
Messrs. Cappell and Radclyffe, of
the firm of Cappell, Rayclyffe &
Co., passed tnrough ^...iina Wednes
day on their way to their properties
in tue Dan creek country. It is un
derstood that this company is about
to consummate another large copper
deal which will give them the lar
gest holdings of any one concern in
this section.
Mr. Seagraves the new superin
tendent of the Kennicott mines went
up 'iuesday. He will be welcomed
by every one who works there or has
any cbnnectlon with the mines, as
the uppopulartty of the retiring sup
erintendent was the subject of gener
al comment. ^
Positive information is at hand to warrant the belief that
the Japan current has changed its course in a more easterly
direction, accounting for the unprecedented warm weather this
winter along the coast of Alaska, and the colder weather along
the coast of California.
Certain it is that there has been a marked and sensational
change of some ocean current along the coast of Alaska. On
the former trip of the Noi’th western from Seattle to Cordova
the log book of the steamer showed her to be fifty-seven miles
ahead of her log on reaching Cape St. Elias. This puzzled
Captain Hunter, bixt did not fully convince him. Southbound,
however, his log showed him to be forty miles behind, between
Cape St. Elias and Cape Flattery.
In order to make sure there could be no error in the reck
oning, upon the arrival of the frieghter Edith in Cox-dova,
Agent Barry checked up her log and found that she was twen
ty-five miles ahead of her log between Cape Omaney and Cape
St. Elias.
This removed all further doubt of a marked change in the
ocean curi-ent, and Agent Barry at once notified the Seattle
office so that vessels on the Alaska run could be warned, and
also the United States wireless station in Cordova in order that
the Bei-tha and other vessels could guard against the change.
As most steamboat men know, boats operating on the Alas
ka run are governed by dead reckoning and land triangulation,
because the sun does not get high enough for taking observa
tions. Therefore any distinct change of an ocean current is
a very serious matter, unless warned in advance. For instance
upon reaching Cape St. Elias the Northwestern, by reason of
the change, was fifty-seven miles out of her course. In other
words, if the weather had been thick so that Cape St. Elias
could not be picked up readily, the Northwestern would now
probably be pounding on the rocks and another marine wreck
would have been added to the Alaska boneyard. The vessels
lay their course for I linch inbrook. If the weather is thick,
when their log book shows them that they are in the vicinity
of Cape St. Elias, they lay to until they can pick up this prom
otory, and then proceed. Fortunately for the Northwestern,
the look-out discovered the cape when the steamer’s log book
indicated they were still fifty-seven miles distant.
To account for the change in the Japan current, providing
that great ocean stream is at fault, will require time and a lot
of scientific checking and marine observations. But the pres
ent theory is supported by the marked climatic change ex
perienced this winter in Cordova and other coast towns. As
every school boy knows, the climate of the west coast of Alaska
is tempered by the Japan current and any very sharp change
of the current would naturally be followed by a change in
climate. The record of the Copper River & Northwestern rail
way shows that this winter so far has been fifteen degrees
warmer than was true of the winter three years ago. This
winter, moreover, a great deal of snow fell in the early part
of December, when it is usually too cold for much snow, our
greatest snowfall coming during the warm spring months.
The subsequent warm rains and mists have melted all of the
loose snow in the low-lying hills and valleys. Our average
temperature has been about thirty degrees above zero and the
weather has been milder than the usual winter weather on
Puget Sound.
Another theory is that the bottom of the Pacific ocean may
have been changed by volcanic action to such an extent as to
turn the ocean current from its natural course. There is al
ways more or less volcano and earthquake activity from the
.Alaska coast to the Japan and China coast. It is known that
many changes are constantly going on under the surface of
the ocean which become a matter for general comment only
when volcanoes protrude above the surface or when marine
soundings indicate some unusual change.
Scientific men all over the world will be interested in de
termining the cause of the change, whether it is really due to
the japan current, and what will be the effect upon the lands
where is plays such a leading role.
I
Washington, January *27.—President Taft expressed him
self as pleased that Alaskans and the commercial interests of
the Pacific Coast are becoming a unit in respect to the primary
needs of the territory. ,
He told the members of the associated chambers of com
merce this forenoon that the administration would soon ask
for special congressional legislation for Alaska and above
everything else urges the building of a government railroad to
the Matanuska coal fields. Other important matters to be in
cluded in the administrative program, he said, were a revision
of the homestead laws, so that these could be utilized and
lighthouses and other aids of navigation. He believed the
administration would be able to carry out its program.
Secretary Fisher tliis afternoon addressed the Pacific
coast Alaska delegation. Among other things he said:
“I consider the opening of the coal fields incidental in im
portance to the building of railroads in Alaska. To my mind,
a government owned and operated railroad from Seward to
the Tanana river, and perhaps to the Yukon, would be the
greatest thing that could be done for Alaska. I earnestly hope
you will use your influence to help secure legislation on this
subject. ’ ’
The secretary freely discussed the Alaska situation with
members of the delegation and answered a number of ques
tions. He thought the cost of transporting supplies to dif
ferent sections of Alaska was one of the greatest handicaps
at the present time and that transportation would solve this
as well as other questions which were now considered active
agents in keeping hack the development of the country.
Commissioner Dennett, of the land department, announced
'to the members of the committee today that plans were al
ready under way for extensive survey work in Alaska relating
to homestead laws and mineral claims, if Congress would sup
ply the funds.
The delegates have received many assurances from both
Democrats and Republicans that the Alaska program will be
put through, and it is felt certain this session will see Alaska
given at least the important part of the legislation of which
' it stands so much in need.
VOLCANOES TO WESTWARD
WORKING OVERTIME
Those returning from trips to the
extreme westward report that the
.olcanoes are working overtime and
:hat the residents of Kodiak, Unga
ind other points especially on the
Alaska peninsula report a number of
heavy earthquakes during December.
The heaviest shock was felt Dec.
10th., beginning at 9:3j and lasting
en seconds. Something like three
hours later a still more severe shock
followed and badly scared the peo
ple. At Unga the residents rushed
jutside and the effect was still fur
ther heightened by the howling of
the wolf dogs and bellowing of
cattle. During the month there was
recorded eighteen distinct shocks.
These are a reminder of the fact
that Uncle Sam has nature’s forces
working for nim in creating new
land to the westward. The only
trouble is that sometimes after a
new island is pushed up through the
sea, before it becomes cool enough
so that the birds can roost upon it,
it disappears from sight again.
There is one distinct advantage, how
ever, due to the fact that Pinchot
is not enabled to create a forest re
serve on them. A resident from the
westward suggests that there are a
number of real stationary islands to
the westward along the Alaskan
coast that snould be included in tue
eserve. True there is no timber or
some of them at the present time,
out a little thing like that should
not to be aiiowed to stand in the way
of making reservations for future
generations.
That the Aniak will make a min
ing camp is the avowed opinion of re
turning stampeders who appear con
fident that it will ultimately make a
big camp, owing to the widespread
discovery of gold-bearing gravel
bodies says an Iditarod paper. On
nearly ten creeks pay and good pros
pects have been discovered, while ac
tive prospecting is being prosecuted
on many times that number of
streams.
In speaking of the outlook for
the new region, one of the local
mining men is credited with having
said that the diggings will yet
prove the best poor man’s camp In
ihe north. The depth to bed rock
cn the different creeks averages be
tween six and twelve feet, and so
can be prospected without a great
deal of trouble. Considerable stak
ing is still being done.
Many stampeders have returned
because the new diggings are said
to be devoid of the necessary sup
plies to support a large population
such as has been precipitated upon
it during the past month. The men.
however, declare that they will re
turn with grub before spring and try
their luck again in the new coun
try. __
The townsite company at Chitina lias been re-organized
and will hereafter be known as the Chitina Townsite com
pany.
The officers are J. II. Young, president; George Geiger,
vice president; W. T. Ford, secretary and treasurer. The
trustees are J. H. Young, W. T. Ford and C. A. Me.Masters.
It will be the purpose of the company to sell the lots on easy
terms. Application will be made to William Lawson, the sta
tion agent at Chitina, and he will forward the same to George
Geiger at Cordova, who will issue the deed. Those in Cor
dova wishing to purchase can apply to Mr. Geiger.
The company intends to sell lots on terms easy enough for
anyone to secure a lot. From $25, 50 or $100 down according to j
the value of the lot and from $5 to $20 per month, will form a
basis for the terms to be arranged.
While plans as to all the details have not as yet fully ma
tured, it can be stated in advance that the one aim of the com
pany will be to assist the property owners of Chitina in mak
ing that place a town. Unfortunately, in the past there has
not been a spirit of harmony and co-operation between the
resients and the townsite company.
The officers of the re-organized company believe that Chit
ina has a future; that it will become an important supply point
for interior trade, and they want to see it grow into a modern
and enterprising municipality.
%
Seattle, January 27.—Marine advices received today state
that the steamer Santa Ana, returning from Dutch Harbor, is
ashore in Karta bay. The passengers were safely landed. The
scene of the wreck is just north of Ketchikan on the inside of
Prince of Wales island. Karta bay is a small arm of Kasaan
bay. No details have been received as to the cause of the
wreck.
News from the Canadian wireless station at Triangle is
land was received by the government wireless last night that
the steamer Santa Ana, operated by the Alaska Steamship Co.,
was ashore in Karta bay near Kasaan, about one half mile
from the “It” Mine.
The nine passengers, six from the westward and throe steer
age from Cordova, were taken ashore in a motor boat. Xo de
tails were received to indicate how badly the vessel was dam
aged or the cause of the wreck.
The Santa Ana has been operating to the westward in the
place of the Dora, which was being repaired. Recently the
Dora resumed her run and the Santa Ana was on her way south
to take her old run between Seattle and Southeastern Alaska.
Captain Bullene, who was in command, is considered a care
: ful and experienced navigator.
TRYING TO FORCE A ROOStVtLT I
' ' -
i
New York, Jan. 27.—Governor Glasscock, of West Virginis
before leaving for home today was interviewed regarding the
outlook for presidential candidates, and more especially if
in his opinion, Roosevelt would run. He replied:
“In my opinion Mr Roosevelt will be nominated without
becoming a candidate, and it is my further opinion that he will
accept the nomination if the American people ask for it.”
Chicago, Jan. 27—A national Roosevelt committee has been
formed to use its best endeavors to secure the Republican
nomination of President for Theodore Roosevelt. Those who
have accepted membership on this committee are Governor
Iladlev, of Missouri, Governor Stubbs, of Kansas; Governor
Osborne, of Michigan, and former governor Fort, of Xew Jer
sey.
State organizations will be formed with a view of still
further aiding the Roosevelt boom,
NOTICE.
Notice Is hereby iven that th?
partnership heretofore existing be
tween Dan McMillen and Swan Elm
green at Copper Mountain, is this
day dissolved and tnat Lucy Grimm
has taken the interest of Swan Elm
green. All debts of the former part
nership and all accounts due them
are assumed by the new partnership.
SWAN ELMGREEN.
Dated, January 1st, i912.
It is reported that Frank Iverson
has struck a very rich vein on his
property near McCarty.
Ole Itrrg Beal Smith mil Hart
wig Berg expect to go to Fairbanks
tne last of the week.
LIBERALS ARE IN CONTROL
Berlin, January 27.—Thirty-three ■ ballots taken in the
newly organized Reichstag shows that the National Liberals
are still in control, despite the heavy vote recently polled by
the Social-Democrats and the sfeats gained by them. The lib
erals elected Ernest Basserman leader.
San Francisco, Jan. 27.—Cablegrams received here state
that 100,000 soldiers of the Republican army are marching to
attack the royal stronghold in Pekin. The Sun prints an ul
timatum from the President that unless the Manchu dynasty
abdicates by 8 o’clock of the morning of January 29th the city
will be stormed and the members of the royal party will have
to take tlinir »« i.risi.nor, »f ---
In the December Outlook is an
article entitled: “What is really go
ing on in Alaska ' There is noth
ing doing in Alaska. In the sum
mer we fish and fool around. In
the winter there is no fishing nor
is the population of Alaska increas
ing. No there’s nothing doing In
Alaska just now.—Valdes t rospec
tor.
Washington, Jan. 25.—George W.
Fairchild, of New York, has been
selected as a member of the Repub
lican congressional committee. Con
gressman Fairchild started life as a
printer on the Oneonta Herald;
worked himself up until he became a
newspaper proprietor and then vice
The Yakutat cannery plant, one of
the best known in Alaska, has been
sold by the Yakutar and Southern
railway to T. J. German, of Seattle.
Capt. E. O. Anues, formerly superin-1
tendent of the Dundas bay cannery,
will go north this spring to take
charge. The cannery was established
eight years ago, has a capacity of
75,000 cases, and puts up a large
pack annually of red salmon. Most
of the fish are caught in the Alsek
liver and hauled by rail to the can
nery.
A recent arrival from Fairbanks
states that out of the 80 tons of
meat condemned at Fairbanks by
the government in the first instance,
nine and a half tons were finally
excluded from local consumption
and cooked into deg meat this
month
The seizure was made last fall
and included refrigerated meats be
longing to the Fairbanks Meat Mar
ket. Because of the remoteness of
the scene from Washington, Chief
Harvey B. Wiley, of tiie bureau of
Chemistry, commissioned two local
men, Paul Hopkins, assayer and
chemist, and Dr. W. B. Cassels, a
physician, to make t ie necessary
tests. These men repotted that all
but nine and a half tens of the meat
was fit for food.
The market company was then al
lowed to put up a bond of $3,000 to
faithfully destroy the meat by cook
ing it into do" feed and this was
done under *.ie supervision of the
United States marshals office.
In the first instance, the meat was
intended to supply soldiers at Fort
Egbert. Liut meantime the fort was
abandoned and the shipment remain
ed on the snipper’s hands. After
several months wait and negatia
tions the meat was finally shipped
to Fairbanks. A complaint was
lodged with Dr. Wiley through cor
respondence, and the seizure follow
ed, all of wmch shows that even is
Alaska the pure food law can be
made effective.
The steamship Latouche is being
remodeled for the Alaska run.
At present she has what Is known
as a well deck, deslgne i for carrying
large deck cargoes, but reducing her
capacity for covered cargoes. This
will be changed entirely and a ne^
deck, flush with the forecastle and
the high sides of the vessel, will be
constructed, giving large additional
space for cargoes of ore, salmon and
other products such as the big Alas
ka freighter handles.
Juneau, Jan. 27.—Territorial
Chairman Z. R. Cheney, has issued a
call for the Democrats of Alaska to
meet in convention at Valdez on
March 29 to nominate a candidate
for Delegate to Congress. Each Ju
diclal division is allotted fifty dele
gates, the same apportionment as
TEEBRAPHBRIEFS
Washington, Jan. 26.—A resolu
tion has passed the House calling
upon President Taft to furnish a re
port of the cost of military occupa
tion of t..e Puilippine islands. This
is a prei.uiinary step to increasing
the stanoing army in the American
island possessions in the Pacific
New Orleans, Jan. 2rt.—At the
Democratic primaries Murphy .1,
Foster, tne present incumbent, has
been defeated for reelection to the
U. S. Senate by .1 E. Ransdi 11, con
gressman.
Pekin, Jan. 26.—The generals of
the Imperial troops have been or
dered to await the attack of the reb
els in Pekin. The situation is sonn
what quieter today, but there is an
element of danger in the air and
the foreign legal ions are trying to
guard against every possible emerg
ency.
Guayaquil^ Ecuador Jan. 26.
Sixty soldiers were killed and a
number wounded by an explosion in
the military barracks at this pla<
It is said the accident was due to
carelessness.
Washington, Jan. 26.—The bill
providing sweeping reductions in
steel and iron, as prepared and
fathered as a Democratic measut .
has been favorably reported to the
House by the committee. It will
be opposed by the Republicans, ac
cording to Senator I’ayne.
Oakland. Jan. 26.—Billy Delaney,
the well known trainer known
throughout tne sportihg circles or
the world, is dead.
San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 26.—In
a signed statement published in the
Express, President Madero, of Mex
ico, says Gen. Reyes will not be ex
ecuted but imprisoned for life.
Shanghai, Jan. 26.—The three im
portant cities on the Tientsi n & Pu
kow Railway have been taken over
peaceably by the rebels, thus cutting
off the retreat of the Imperial ar
my. It is expected the rebels will
soon assemble for an attack upon
Pekin.
Buenos Ayres, Jan. 26.—Diplo
matic relations between Argentina
and Paraguay have been broken.
Each country has recalled Its min
isters and is actively carrying for
ward preparations for war.
Washington, Jan. 26.—President
Taft has created two new national
bird reserves in Alaska. One is on
Forester island and the other is for
a place to be yet named. The pur
pose it to protect the bleeding
ground of water fowl and birds use
ful for food.
Honolulu, Jan. 25.—The cruiser
Colorado and the steamship Cleve
land collided today. The warship
was badly damaged. Tne accident
was caused from the fact that Pilot
Sanders dropped dead on the bridge
while on duty.
Paris, Jan. 27.—The Turkish Red
Cross prisoners taken by the Italian
naval destroyers from the French
steamship Manouba, were today
turned over to the French consul
at Calgari, for verification and iden
tification. The question in the seiz
ure will be referred to the Hague.
Salt Lake City, Jan. 27.—Among
equipment left in a storage house
by the McNamara brothers today
was found a suitcase containing 15
pounds of dynamite, caps and 150
feet of fuse.
Washington, Jan. 27.—The per
sonal appeal of President Taft for
funds for starving Chinese is meet
ing with a ready response. Addl
tional reports only confirm the news
that the situation is appaling in the
many districts.
Washington, Jan. 27.—President
Taft left at noon today to be at
banquets given by societies of
Ohio and West Virginia. Beginning
Monday he will make a three days
campaign trip through Ohio.
Manila, Jan. 27.—Reports from
the different districts in the Philip
pine islands shows the rice crop is
discouraging. The crop is not more
than half what is usually picked.
Pekin Jan. 27.—Advices received
her© state that the police of Muk
den and the government troops of
Southern Manchuria have revolted,
in sympathy with the rebel cause.
Vancouver, B. C., Jan. 27.—The
Bank of Royal Canada was held up
at an early hour and all of the cash
in sight taken. The employes were
completely surprised and obeyed the
order backed with guns, to hand out
the cash.
Walla Wblla, Jan. 27.—Robert
Wolfe, assistant chief of the fire
department, perished in a fire which
destroyed the Jones Block. He was
a general favorite.
Washington, Jan. 27.—Samuel
Unteneyer today In the house urged
that the committee on rules make a
searching Ibvmii***1"