The Chitina Leader
CHITINA, ALASKA.
Entered as second-class matter, November 12, 1910, at the postoffice at
Chitina, Alaska, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—HABBT G. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month .V™
Six Months . *
One Year .. ,i !)U
" ADVERTISING RATES
Made known upon application. They will be found reasonable for the service
given. Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral lands
of the Copper P-lver Cistrict.__
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1913
ESTABLISHED ROUTES TO CHISANA
Not only the people of Cordova and the Copper River
country, but the thousands of prospectors from Alaska and
the coast states, who contemplate making a trip to the Chisana
country, are to be congratulated that a short and comfortable
winter route has been established. George C. Hazelet was at
the head of an expedition that has blazed the trail and set the
beacon lights so that travelers may easily follow. Through
persistent work and good judgment in picking out a route,
many dangers have been avoided and stampeders can now go
without any degree of danger. The distance is short and it
will hereafter be an easy matter to go by foot or with horse
or dog team from McCarthy to the Chisana. Some time ago
it was clearly demonstrated that the most feasible and
shortest route to the new diggings was via Cordova and
McCarthy. It has now been more definitely established that
the winter route from McCarthy is even shorter, safer and
more easily traversed.
-o—o—o
HE CLEANED THE AUGEAN STABLES
The presence in our midst this week of Judge Paul
d’Heirry, reminds us that now Chitina has the most efficient
and trustworthy official who has ever presided over the office
of U. S. commissioner and recorder of that precinct. He is a
man of exceptional capacity for an office of that kind, and is
thoroughly honest and fair in all his dealings. In the earlier
days of Washington state, Judge d’Heirry was assistant
attorney general and practically ran the office, making a
creditable record for himself and his superior. The scandal
that attached to the office of commissioner at Chitina in former
days is now a thing of the past and all elements are satisfied
with the capable administration of the present incumbent, who
has made the town orderly and safe to reside or tarry in. In
recently reappointing Judge d’Heirry, Judge Brown
performed a creditable and deserving act.
‘ ' *5-o—o—o
AMERICAN ATHLETIC SUPREMACY
The United States and England have usually been
accounted the foremost nations in athletic sports. Recently
comes the victory at golf of Francis Ouimet, only 20 years old,
over two veteran English professional champions. The
superiority of American over British athletes at the Olympic
games still worries John Bull. Evidently Uncle Sam is some
sport. The English temperament is not favorable to the very
highest results. There is a greater alertness in the American,
that adjusts itself instantly to the critical exigencies of com
petitive sport. The Englishman thinks more slowly, and does
not always see an opportunity until it passes. Englishmen as
a whole take life easy. Perhaps they get more out of it that
way. The American goes in to win, at either business or sport.
-o—o- -o
A CLOSE CONNECTION
The smallness of the world can be brought home to mind
by the thought of the extent of the country which lies nearest
to this part of Alaska—Russia. From Bering straits one need
travel just through that one land and reach China, Persia,
Austria and Scandianvia. That one country connects, one
might say, our own famed Kotzebue'Sound, or, anyway, the
Diomede Islands, and their walrus hunting Capsenicks and
Peluks, with the land of Omar, the dominions of Confucius, the
home of the Goths and Huns, and the race that discovered
Anvil Creek. Around that one country are the civilizations of
the Orient and the Occident. Across a strip of water to the
south may be seen the glimmer of the lights of the mosques of
Constantinople and the Sublime Porte and the Turkish gun
boats in the Dardanelles while across a strip of water to the
North can be seen the igloos of Teller city and Shismareff and
the lights of the Mary Sachs that went through more vicissi
tudes than any old Turkish gunboat, by the way.—Nome
Nugget.
V V/ V
GEOLOGIST’S VIEW OP THE NELCHINA
A member of the government geological survey party has
made a brief examination of the new Nelchina placer field.
And on the authority of the director of the survey he has
immediately given publicity to his findings and views. He tells
of the location of the district and the various routes to reach
it. He believes that some of the claims worked upon during
the past summer are worthy of further development on a larger
scale. But he deprecates the poorly equipped aimless little
stampedes that usually result in staking snow banks. Geologist
Martin cannot affirm the source of the gold but believes that
reconcentration from extremely disseminated gold in the bench
gravels is an adequate source. However he does know that the
determination of the extent of the district as workable placer
ground must await solution until more work has been done.
There will be no disagreement on that point.
-o—o—o
The income tax, as finally fixed up, will give a little
assistance to Carnegie in his efforts to die poor.
NEW WINTER RESORT
__ \
Predictions are not wanting that Panama will very soon i
be the new winter resort for people from this country. Instead j
of going to Bermuda or to Jamaica, Cuba, the Isle of Pines or'
anywhere else within easy sailing, says an exchange, Americans
are expected to be seeking Panama in droves before the passage
of two years after the opening of the canal. In the first place,
it will be of easy access, and it may be reached by the short
sea voyages from Galveston, or New Orleans, or the longer
ones from New York or Boston. The cost will not be large,
and it is expected that the facilities will be far superior to
those offered upon the Bermuda trade. Panama, also is now a
healthful place, and it is the intention of the Panama govern
ment, as well as our own country, to keep it healthful.
-o—o—o
HOPE LIES THERE
That the House will favorably report the Alaska railway
bill during the closing hours of the session is good news to
the inhabitants of the interior of Alaska. The bill has been
favorably reported in the Senate, and with the acceptance of
the bill by the House, it will have an official standing which
should go far towards making it early business at the next and
regular session of Congress in December.
The importance of railway building in Alaska is probably
more appreciated in the interior than on the coast. We realize
that without speedy assistance in the way of railroads interior
Alaska is bound to go down hill instead of forward as it
should. Town and country have gone as far as they can in
the interior without assistance in the way of better transpor
tation facilities and cheaper aids of every kind to empire
building. A land of magnificent distances, Alaska can only
develop slowly and in spots, as a spot is favored by stream
or rail ingress and egress. Water routes work not half the
time, while rail routes work all the time, and there can be no
comparison between the two transportation possibilities.
Given a railroad into the interior, and everything in the
way of progress, development and upbuilding would be easier.
The thought that our railway is almost certain to come within
a reasonable time is the sustaining force upon which the people
of the Tanana must exist to a great extent.—Fairbanks News
Miner.
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS
Adam of old was tempted by Eve and lie did eat of the
forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Adams of Cordova
was tempted by attroneys and plaintiffs and he did reluctantly
order a “legal” published in his own Sunday Weakly Joke.
Government ownership is just now being promoted by
Pacific Coast members of Congress in three different ways.
Senators Chamberlan, Poindexter and Jones are interested in
getting government owned railroads in Alaska, while Senator
Lane is arguing for government owned coal mines and govern
ment steamship lines which shall bring this coal down from
the North to Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Representative Stephens of this state, is keeping up his fight
for government owned steamships to run from Boston and
New York through the Panama canal to Pacific coast ports.—
Oxnard, Cal., Courier.
Little political interest is reported in the states that have
elections this fall, as the only thing at stake is the public
welfare.
Six girls employed by a Paris dressmaker made a gown
in 20 minutes. In this country the dressmakers compete to see
who shall take the longest time to make a gown.
This month a new legal holiday will be observed in the
territory. It is known as “Alaska Day.” It is expected that
every town in the territory will hold exrecises of some kind to
properly commemorate the occasion.
Pity the poor unfortunate whose income is ovei $500,000
a year. Seven per cent tax to pay—whewl
By the time the winter stampeders arrive to go to the
Chisana diggings they will find a short and comfortable route
to follow from McCarthy over moraines and glaciers to the
headwaters of the Chisana.
Soon it will almost be a public highway connecting
McCarthy with the Chisana gold diggings. The new short
route over the Nizina and Chisana glaciers is broad enough for
double enders or wagons, with but little grade.
Now that Judge Finnigan has been temporarily invested
with the powers of a United States commissioner in the
Chisana country there will be a feeling of greater safety upon
the part of the four or five hundred prospectors who are now
wintering there.
It was a glorious victory that the Athletics won in taking
four out of five games from the Giants, particularly as the
general sentiment favored the New York team. Baseball
enthusiasts throughout the country will now explain how it
was done.
A young American singer returned to the United States
recently after a successful career abroad and announced that
she was not only in search of further honors in her own country
bupt that she also desired a husband. With the latter state
ment she coupled the proviso that none but an American need
apply. Taking it for granted, of course, that the announcement
was not made for advertising purposes, we are afraid she has
not been a close observer, for there are bad husbands here as
well as elsewhere.
British Columbia, Alaska’s neighbor on the South, spends
$3,000,000 a year on roads and trails. Even Yukon Territory,
much smaller in area and population than Alaska, expends
each year from fifty to one hundred per cent more money in
this way than is spent in Alaska. Why? Because it pays.
The other day Duluth had the first referendum ever held
in Minnesota under the new state law. It was on an ordinance
against brewery control of saloons. The ordinance was
carried by a majority of 108 out of a total vote of 9,200. The
surprising feature in this case is that 90 per cent of the presi
dential vote was cast. Usually a referendum is participated
in by only an insignificant minority. Especially is this true
in voting on a constitutional question, the highest act of
citizenship.
Anthony J. Diamond, the Valdez
attorney who was recently appointed
U. S. commissioner for the Chisana
district, will not be able to leave
for his new district until after the
snow flies. Realizing the necessity
for having an onicial on the grouna
at once, Judge Brown has issued
a temporary commission to J. J.
Finnigan to serve as commissioner
and recorder until the arrival of
Judge Diamond. During the past
few weeks Judge Finnigan has been
acting as deputy recorder under ap
pointment from former Commis
sioner Morgan. In the meantime
some of the miners held a meeting
and named Ned Hill as recorder.
And both have been acting. The
appointment of Judge Finnigan will
tend to straighten out matters and
keep the records in one office. If
sufficient expense provision can be
allowed it is expected that Hal Hoff
man, formerly chief of police at
Valdez, will go to the Chisana as
deputy U. S. marshal. When both
commissioner and marshal are prop
erly established in the new camp it
is expected that the court will act on
two or three applications for liquor
license.
Another appointment was made
yesterday by the U. S. marshal. As
was predicted he named Prank
Hoffman as deputy marshal for the
new Chisana gold diggings. In se
curing permission from the attorney
general to make this appointment.
Marshal Brenneman pointed out the
high cost of living in the new camp
and the necessity for an increase of
salary above the usual allowance of
$1,800 per year. The department
at Washington saw the justice of
this suggestion and accordingly
fixed the salary at $2,500 per year,
or $208.33 per month, the largest
salary received by a deputy in the
division, although some make more
than that through the feeding of
prisoners. Mr. Hoffman was form
erly a police officer at Valdez and
later was engaged in mining in the
Nizina district. He is now at Val
dez and will soon proceed to his new
district, where he will undoubtedly
prove an efficient officer and work in
harmony with Judge Diamond, who
will shortly go there to take up his
new duties of United States com
m's'sioner and recorder.
-o—o—o
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14.—A de
bate in the Senate yesterday made
the fact evident that the Democratic
leaders will not favor any recess
until after the currency bill is dis
posed of. There is a strong senti
ment among some of the senators
to take a recess and allow the bill to
go over to the Decernoer session. It
is said, however, that the president
is very much opposed to any such
action.
-o—o—o
Orders taken for made to measure
suits at Clayson’s.
NOTICE OP FORFEITURE
To Alex. Nesbitt, his heirs, adminis
trator, assigns, successors or per
sonal representatives:
You are hereby notified that I
have expended in labor and im
provements for the year 1912, the
sum of One Hundred Dollars on each
of the following named claims, or in
total the sum of Sixteen Hundred
Dollars, the “Pacer,” "Mayflower,”
“Slocum,” “Red Jacket,” “Red
Jacket No. 2,” and "Independence.”
The “Hercules,” “Sandow,” and
“Sampson.” The “Rosey No. 1,”
and “Rosey No. 2.” The “Lucky
Strike;” “Fairview,” “Esperanza,”
“Webfoot,” and “Yankee,” all situ
ated in the Chitina Mining and
Recording District, Territory of
Alaska, and which have been duly
recorded in the office of the United
States commissioner, in and for the
Chitina Mining District, at Chitina,
Alaska.
The above amounts have been ex
pended in order to hold the said
claims under the provisions of the
law concerning annual labor upon
mining claims, being the amount re
quired to hold said above named
mining claims. And you are fur
ther notified that if, within ninety
(90) days after the last publication
of this notice you fail to contribute
your proportion of said expenditure,
which is one-sixth (1-6) of the
whole, your interest in said claims
will become the property of the
undersigned, your co-owner.
james McConnell.
First publication Sept. 23, 1913.
Last publication Dec. 23, 1913.
Chitina GRILL
Good Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Set vice.
Next to Chitina Hotel,
CHITINA : : : ALASKA.
| Chitina \
| Pharmacy!
t ♦+•»♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦*♦*♦♦■♦+♦♦♦» X
♦ DRUGS, *
♦ STATIONERY, |
t CANDIES, |
j KODAK SUPPLIES ♦
t CIGARS & TOBACCO t
i - J
♦ If you cannot call, write i
X us- MAIL orders our ♦
X Specialty. ♦
1 — ♦
[ A. G. MOREY, Prop. I
• •*•*•**+***+********■{•+++++*+
jj GROCERIES, HARDWARE :
" tun- - :
ii MEAT MARKET j
< » ,
:: - :
■ • ,
11 We have a big line of Sec- <
<» ond-Hand Goods, and can •
• ■ save you money on your out- !
i. fit. Bunk House, with free !
!> Cook House, in connection. J
< • ___.
CHITINA HEIGHTS
;; c. A. SIMONS & co. ;
Feed, Fuel
and
Lumber
HAY, BRAX, OATS, CHOPS,
ROLLED BARLEY
We can make prompt ship
ments to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
CHITINA
hotel
jj Washington ;
ANNEX
< » «
' ; SEATTLE !
:: __ :
. * <
<» New, modern and fireproof. '<
\ \ All outside rooms •
! I The most conveniently located ;
!! hotel in the city. <
• > Booms and snites are particu> ;
l ! larly large. <
l » •
. . Very desirable for families or |
, , parties traveling together. ;
RATES MODERATE
<• Auto-bus meets all boats and !
trains. Write for booklet. !
.J H. DAVIS, Pron i
1111111..4 (II,,,,,,,,
l