LOOKING BACKWARDS
MANY YEARS HENCE
A washout on the railroad, sev
eral slides-ahead, a number of miles
to the nearest restaurant, nothing
to eat aboard the train, two hours
past dinner time and a steady down
pour of rain, is not what a hungry
bunch of passengers would call a
pleasant prospect in these modern
times, yet it is remarkable and amus
ing to note the spirit of good fellow
ship and optimism which prevails
anting travelers in Alaska, when it
is realized that “what can't be cured
must be endured.”
On Monday of last week during
the heavy rain storm, the train was
delayed several hours by a few small
slides in Abercrombie canyon. Ma
jor Richardson, Deputy Marshal
Goshaw, Engineer Fred Butterworth,
O. E. Bennett, Charles Gaby, Jim
my MacCormac, James Kimball, Fred
Hartigan and a few other passengers
were trying to look cheerful about
two hours after “hungry time,”
when Mr. Hartigan suggested that
a few eatables might be obtained at
Camp 52, some distance back of the
train. It was up to him to go, af
ter making that awful break, as it
wasn’t safe for him to remain in the
car, and he returned with a few bis
cuits, a can of lobsters, one salmon
and a jar of preserves. A large jack
knife was produced and everyone
took turns at a mouthful of the
forage.
The spirits of the party arose to
effervescing after the replenishing
of the “inner man,” and
all agreed that the “Rocky Cliff
Banquet,” as Major Richardson call
ed it, should go on record, and the
many sparkling suggestions as to the
menu, most of which were in the
vernacular as well as the geological
and prehistoric phrases, appear in
the following "extract,” published
thousands of years hence in the “fly
ing age,” upon which our imagina
tion has drawn:
New York, July 1st, 12137 A. D.—
Information has been received here
by the head of the museum of this
city, that a remarkable discovery has
just been made in the richest and
fairest land of all our government
possessions—Alaska. While exca
vations were being made for an aux
iliary aeroplane station, at the re
nowned copper belt winter resort,
the workmen ran across the steel
box in which the uncivilized natives,
as far back as 1910, kept their rec
ords and valuables. On opening the
box, several letters in a perfect state
of preservation were found. It seems
preposterous, of course, but even in
those barbarous days, social func
tions must have been known, and
dinners served on railroad trains,
which, according to our professors
of ancient history, were at one time
used in transportation. Unlike our
guaranteed air and germ proof din
ing planes of today, the meals were
then evidently served outside, where
nil the germs and baccili of dread
disease were able to endanger the
food. This ancient race of people
also lived on what was caught in
the streams, which seems incred
ible to us in these days of the guar
anteed germ-proof, anti-fat, non
corruptible pure foods now in use.
We reproduce a copy of this won
derful letter which will no doubt
prove of interest to all our enlight
ened people, as well as our profes
sors of dead languages and students
of ancient lore:
Chitina, Sept. 20, 1910.
Dear Old Sourdough Bill:
“There sure was somethin’ doin’
on our run up the Copper last week.
It was on the regular, which pulled
out behind the governor’s special
thta carried sll the moguls, with
“His Nibs,” and, believe me, it was
rainin’ some that day. When we got
to the big bridge the “con” told us
we’d have to wait for the special,
which bad to pass us at the glacier
station on its return to Cordova, as
it had bumped into a little slide up
the canyon, and couldn't wait to go
on through. Well, we pulls out ar
ter the “main squeeze” had passed
and were “hittin’ the pike” O. K.
when the “hog head” sticks his
“block” out the window and locates
a slide. Down goes his “mitt” on
the “juice lever” and throws the air
on, which took so mighty sudden, we
was all thro wed off our “pins.”
On prospecting around we “cop
ped” a lead, which’ assays 53 miles
from town with no cache or grub
stake in sight. Well, we smoked up,
swapped yarns, and moped around
for a couple of hours, durin’ which
time we had several shots of
"hootch” which didn’t help our bel
lies none, for it was about two hours
past feedin’ time. Just then one of
the gang had a “hunch”, and said
he thought by creeping up easy he
might swipe something from a
cache back at 52. When we saw
him coming with real victuals in
his poke, the whole bunch promptly
voted him a recommend to the Car
negie Hero Medal Society, and in
sisted that he have at least four fin
gers more of “hootch” while one of
the boys was borrowing a jack
knife to open the "canned dope.”
As there was only one knife in the
crowd the boys had to take shifts
of one minute each, and the boss
miner who was keepin’ cases on the
shifts, wouldn’t allow no overtime.
Meanwhile a good bunch of sons
of Bohunkland, Sunny Italy and
other European countries had clear
ed the track of rocks and mud, and
again we pulls out for camp.
Knowin’ your failin’ for good
chewins’ I’ll send you a “frame-up”
of what one of the boys who went
outside once since ’98, said should
be called “menu.”
SOUP—Copper River Water en
C. R. & N. W.
FISH—Salmon convenient served
on Nikolai greenstone slabs—sauce
Kennicott.
SALAD—Lobster a la Wickersham
with contorted brassic shale—lime
stone dressing.
FRUIT—Jelly a la Bowhunk, en
muckstick.
BISCUITS—en bed rock forma
tion.
DESSERT—Hootch, “M. J. H. Per
fection”—“Major W. P. R.” Hermi
tage.
P. S.—Them last two items was
good cards all through the deal,
most of the boys playin' ’em four
ways from the deuce to the last turn
in the box.
As our old friend “Bess” of For
ty-Mile would say: “The dinner was
daintily and tastefully spread on a
porp hyritic dyke, with decorations
of alder, cottonwood, devilelubs and
sprigs of spruce.”
Guess I’ll quit spoilin’ good paper
as I’m tired tonight after a 20 mile
mush and expect to sleep as con
tent as a curled up “porky.”
Yours without a gurgle,
“YUKON JACK.”
Note by editor—J. B. Horsecollar
Hidebound, professor of ancient
language, has secured all the known
authentic data of prehistoric times
and with the able corps of assist
ants is busy translating the above
“effusion.’
Tommy Brady, the well known
trainman, and Al. Church, formerly
the popular solicitor for the Cordova,
steam laundry, are partners in the
Log Cabin Lodging house. They
have rented the upper story of the
Log Cabin saloon, and are doing a
thriving business. Their entire floor
is filled with nice spring cots and
bunks, with plenty of clean blankets,
and those who are in search of a
place to room or a night's lodging
are always assured of a warm and
pleasant place to sleep.
Paddy MacCormac, the well
known station man, has the contract
at the tunnel on Mile 131. This is
considered the toughest piece of sta
tion work on the line owing to the
inability to shoot the rock with ef
fect, the muck and loose debris con
tinually falling down and retarding
rapid work. He has 60 men at work,
and under the circumstances is mak
ing fairly good time at the rate of
about five feet per day. He is now
in over 200 feet, having been at
work since September the first, and
expects to complete the contract
about November the 1st.
Jimmy MacCormac finished his
last piece of station work at Mile
129 on Wednesday of last week, and
was in Chitina Wednesday and
Thursday settling up his work. Jim
my has been interested in two sta
tions on Mile 129, and has been out
since the 1st of April. He announces
that he has done well, which is grat
ifying to all his friends, who are
legion.
The Chitina's Trading company’s
large building is nearing completion
and this firm expects to have one
of the largest general outfitting
stores in the interior. Jack Sapiro
is representing their firm in Cor
dova, while C. C. Hull is represent
ing O. M. Kinney’s interest here.
They carry clothing, boots and shoes
groceries, nardware and a full line
of wholesale and retail goods for
general outfitting. Watch theiv ad.
for announcements.
Billy Bowker sustained a fractured
ankle this week by getting his foot
caught between tue break beam of
his wagon and an obstreperous root.
The Bowker boys have been doing
hauling and contracting in Chitina
since the early summer.
Bend ns your Job Printing.
AX INDEPENDENT
OLD SOURDOUGH
G. A. O’Connor, one of the old
timers in Alaska, who is now stop
ping at the Chitina roadhouse, was
shaking hands with many of the Chit
ina residents on Tuesday evening of
this week. Mr. O’Connor recently
returned from the Bonanza mine
making the trip in three days.
He is a blacksmith by trade and
has, up until late spring, been in
the employ of the company at the
front. Last June he sustained a bad
ly broken arm, while shoeing a vic
ious horse, and was laid up for sev
eral weeks in the company hospital.
While he is still unable to work at
his trade, he refuses aid from anyone,
and makes his expenses by supplying
papers and magazines to the min
ers and prospectors throughout this
great copper belt.
Mr. O’Connor desires us to state
that at the time of his accident he
was not in the employ of either the
Katalla company or M. J. Heney’s
forces at the front, but that he was
immediately taken to the hospital,
where he received the best medical
aid and attention. During his con
valescence he was the recipient of
many little favors and courtesies ex
tended by,the railroad officials, which
he greatly appreciates.
John and Henry Schafer, sons of
the well known dairyman in Cordova,
have a lunch counter and chop house
located in the Chitina Bar, and are
doing a rushing business. They em
ploy four men and keep open day
and night, each taking a shift. They
sell commutation tickets at a two
dollar reduction, which is an induce
ment to steady boarders. Like the
rest of the Chitina business men, they
believe in advertising, and in giving
their patrons plenty to eat.
Roy McKenzie, the pioneer tailor
of Cordova, will be in Chitina Sun
day, the 25th, with the most com
plete line of fall and winter woolens
ever shown. Over 500 samples to
choose from. Better get your win
ter suit now. These clothes are
made by Milwaukee’s foremost tai
lors, the Globe Tailoring company,
and their clothes are well known in
this part of the country, having been
worn exclusively by the very best
dressers. Prices range from $30 to
$60. pay all express charges.
Billy Tibbs is just finishing a con
tract for furnishing the north end
of the tunnel with native timber.
Billy has a ranch within half a mile
of town, upon which can be seen
as good oat hay as can be grown any
where. He says he has solved the
secret of agriculture in Alaska and
promises the Leader a story for its
next issue.
No better bread in the states can
be found than at the Chitina bak
ery. Henry Gessner and Carl Stan
gueth are the proprietors and are
well known all over Alaska, having
conducted a bakery in Cleary Cfty
and elsewhere in the Tanana. They
are doing a good business with the
bakery and coffee house and merit
your patronage.
The Northern Meat Market, Chit
ina branch. Smith & Glassbrenner,
proprietors, will be one of the best
built houses in the town. The gen
ial Pete Sherman, who was so long
with the Northern Heat Market In
Cordova, is the manager of the
branch house, and it goes without
saying that be will do- here.
«* •»
SAVOY
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jj RESTAURANT jj
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; | Opposite Chitina Trading Co. j j
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\ \ The Only First-Class Cafe in ] \
\! Chitina !!
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American and European Plan * •
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:: Dinner 75c up ::
II A la Carte all day 11
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i • Cater to special dinner parties. < ■
BRAD HOWARD
General Contractor
Log or Frame Bnilding
CHITINA HEIGHTS
Satisfaction Guaranteed
i Hiitim i iintwwHwtf
STRINGER’S
“The Hangout”
Where you will find your friends
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POOL
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And Solo Tables, Cigars, Confec
tionery, Magazines, Periodicals and
Stationery.
Watch this Space
Something Doing all the time
L. C. STRINGER. Proprietor
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I. J. ST. CLAIR T. W. CLONINGER,
Proprietors
THE WORKINGMAN’S RESORT f
LOG CABIN BAR
WINES, LIQUORS,
AND CIGARS * j
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ZZ J<lss 'pia
....Restaurant and Good Lodging House in Connection....
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:: CORDOAVA’S BIG STORE ^
I S. BLUM & CO/S
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WE SOLICIT YOUR ORDERS 5 ?
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;; We Carry the most complete stock of
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;; GROCERIES, HARDWARE, SHOES, CLOTHING,
1 FURNISHING GOODS,. AND FURNITURE. :
4 - "" " ".. ' ' . ... .—
WRITE US FOR PRICES |
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;; Prompt Attention to Mail Orders J ’
;; We Will Save You Money 1 Cordova, Alaska.
HARDWARE GROCERIES CLOTHING
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CHITINA TRADING (X).
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General Outfitters
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WATCH THIS SPACE POR FURTHER '£>
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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