SECOND YEAH CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, AUGUST IS. 1912. XO. 44
ALASKA ROAD BOLDER
TALKS OF HIS WORK
Col. Willis P. Richardson, presi
dent of the Alaska road commission,
returned the other day from a tour
of investigation through the interior.
He came from Fairbanks to Valdez
over the trail, in a buckboard. In an
interview with the Prospector the
Colonel, among other things, said
that in coming over the road from
Fairbanks he was agreeably sur
prised at the more than fair condition
in which he found that thorough
fare.
“In fact, said the Col., “there are
stretches of many miles in extent
upon which automobiles could be
run at a good rate of speed.. From
Fairbanks to Richardson, a distance
of some 70 or more miles, the people
are having their freight hauled over
the road in preference to using the
river, with four horses and by using
a trailer easily hauling 70 hundred
weight.
“On this section considerable of the
road had to be rebuilt cn account of
the Tanana cutting its banks during
the recent high waters, which were
the most severe in a numb:; of years.
It is the puroose of the commission
in bridge all ams between Valdez
and Fairbanks this year, save the
Tanana and Salcha, wnich will be
bridged later on if congress inaacs
the necessary appropriations for the
work. The Gulkana will be bridged
this winter, it being easier to do the
work at that season than during
high water. The portions of the road
which would offer the greatest hin
drance to the employment of auto
mobiles at the present time a'': the
glacial stream beds, which it is the
intention of the commission to pile,
as it will hereafter do in all cases,
where these streams tear up the road
beds.
“By the end of this season the road
will have become a safe and practi
cal thoroughfare into the interior
country, over which either heavy or
light and faster travel can be carried
on either summer or winter.”
“We have just arrived at the
time,” said the Colonel, “w’hen our
work in building this road is begin
ning to show up and permanent re
sults are being obtained.”
“The road over the pass is being
widened, culverts put in and drained,
so that difficulties of the past will be
forgotten. Of course, where the work
is fresh and owing to the constant
rains the road bed is naturally safe,
but in the long run it will be for the
better, as the road will be packed
harder. ,
“This fall we will run over the
road work done earlier in the season,
and smooth down the road bed so
that with the opening of the next
season we will have a good wagon
road. There are ten crews at work
between the two terminals of the
road and they are doing good work.
Olson’s crew is now building the
bridge crossing Stewart creek and
Holland's men have just completed
the bridging across Jarvis creek and
will move on to the Delta to build a
bridge there, later going to Gunn
creek, to bridge that stream. A pile
bridge 300 feet long is being erected
across the glacier stream just be
yond Miller’s and ultimately the en
tire stream will be bridged by piling.
“I look upon this road as my life’s
work and I hope to have it completed
to my satisfaction before my labors
are ended in Alaska. It is my am
bition to make this road from the
town of Valdez to Fairbanks over
which one can drive an automobile or
a buggy at a comfortable rate of
speed and over which the freighting
can be done at a minimum cost the
year ‘round and without a doubt this
situation will have been resolved intc
an accomplished fact within three
years if congress can be made to give
us the money necessary and it will
take no great sum to accomplish the
purpose. Just now the commission
Is improving the trail between uppei
and lower Tonslna."
Pat Murphy came to to wit thii
week to join the Sourdough Base
Ball team.
Pete Cordes has sold his interesf
In the firm of Cordes and Simons to
VALENTINE’S TRICKERY
, > /
"The eleventh hour campaign liars are evidently getting in
their work in some sections of Alaska. A glaring evidence
of it comes from Juneau, where the desperate, and likely dis
eoraged Emory Valentine, has made a hopeless muddle of his
efforts to secure favor for his candidate, delegate Wickersham.
This morning the following denial was received:
Daily Alaskan, Cordova.
Seventy-eight word message Sunday relative to Jennings
removal to Seattle is a lie. Telegram was signed “Daily Dis
patch” by Valentine, who forged our signature. We do not
stand sponsor for this message. Kindly see that the canard
over our signature is not circulated.
Daily Alaskan Dispatch,
E. C. Jameson, Editor.
• _
The message referred to by Editor Jameson was sent out
yesterday and received by us last evening. It is as follows:
Juneau, Aug. 11, 1912.
Daily Alaskan. Cordova:
Jennings family gives up furnished house, rented for one
year, leave the thirteenth. Paw Jennings joins them in Seattle,
leaving for Nome. Alaska for Alaskans when no one in Seattle
wants it. Gilmore’s manager despondent. No money and no
hope to win. Says he will give up. Socialist leaders denounce
Krauczanus and refuse to support him. denunciation published
here. Valentine offers to bet from five to ten thousand dollars
that Wickersham wins on majority vote, but no takers.
Daily Dispatch.
The reference to the discouragement of Mr. Gilmore’s
management is absolutely untrue. A telegram received from
him on Saturday indicates his unbounded confidence in the
election of Candidate Gilmore.
A telegram received this morning from the Nome Nugget
states that Wickersham’s adherence to Pinchotism and the
expose of his bogus home rule bill has completely destroyed his
chances of receiving a large vote in the second division. Gil
more’s strength is reported as hourly increasing, while the op
position to him on the Seward peninsula is gradually decreas
ing. The opposition there is more particularly divided be
tween Krauczanus and Jennings.
HOTEL CH1TIXA ARRIVALS
Mrs. McIntosh, J. B. Morris, Gust
Johnson, V. J. Dwyer, M. Hanson,
Chas. Cramer, J. F. Clarkin, P.
Campbell, V. Kersting. John Chris
tensen, Geo. Robb. F. Soner, H. E.
Holden. C. D. Black, John Poll. Pat
Murphy, Oscar Balo, Mr. and Mrs.
A. lies, Mr. and Mrs. M. Martin, G.
R. Martin, J. R. Martin, Miss K.
Rainsford, Will E. Deyo. Geo. Fiske,
J. F. Wooden.
-o—> « -
FIXE GOLD PROSPECTS
ARE BEING WORKED
The prospects at Mile 109 are
showing up better all the time. John
Amber and Henry Stafsholt brought
a hundred pounds of rock from their
ledge upon the last train. The main
lead has been uncovered for 4 0 feet
and a ten-foot shaft shows an aver
age of about 14 inches. Assays have
given about ?100 per ton. While this
is the most promising prospect yet
located in that district there are sev
eral others that are looking good.
-—o
PRICES ARE REASONABLE
IN TOWN OF CHITINA
Business conditions have been sur
prisingly good this summer. The
Chitina Cash Store reports a big
trade so far this month. Operators
are beginning to realize that they
can save nothing by sending to Cor
dova or the outside from the above
The following prices from the above
firm will show an average of Cordova
prices plus the railroad freight from
Cordova to Chitina:
Article Cordova Price Chitina Price
Flour 53.50 55.50
Sugar 8.00 10.00
Bacon .23 .26
Milk 4.50 5.75
Butter .40 .45
Eggs 14.00
The railroad freight on groceries
runs 16 2-3 per cent of their value.
On clothing 3 % per cent, which is
sold at Cordova prices. Competition
has greatly reduced the cost of living
in Chitina.
-o—o—o
CHITINA BREVITIES
Jack Lawrence has just finished
a first class barn.
Everybody is looking for a good
winter from a business standpoint.
More improvements are being made
around town than at any time since
it started.
There is a big ball game coming
up next Sunday.
Several people have been attacked
by grouse lately. Of course the grouse
got the worst of it.
Marshal Brown made a trip to
Copper Center last week.
Harry Dean left Saturday for the
Dean’s Basin country, back of Taval.
where he will do assessment work on
his copper property.
Dick Gilneau brought down some
good samples of his copper on the
Kotsina, which are on exhibition at
the Chitina hotel.
GOOD RANCH AT TASLINA
Mr. Klitske. who runs the Taslina
road house, was in town last week
for supplies from the Chitina Cash
Store. He has a ranch at Taslina and
has good prospects of a paying crop
this year. Mrs. Book returned with
him and will be engaged as cook for
the road-house.
-o—o—o
Jl'DGE OVERFIEIJ! ON HIS WAV
Judge Peter D. Overfield left Fair
banks the latter part of June for
Iditarod, where he has since been
holding court. He is scheduled to
leave there today. He will go on to
Nome and take a steamer for Seattle,
where he will transfer and come
north to Valdez, having been assigned
by a recent order of the President
to this, the fourth, judicial division.
While Judge Overfield may not ar
rive in Valdez in time to open an
adjourned court on September 3, he
will hold a term there beginning
there Sept. 25. eH will then hold a
term at Cordova, beginning October
21.
Peace Officer For Yukon
At the suggestion of District At
torney J. J. Crossley, Attorney Gen
eral Wickersham has appointed Geo.
E. Boulter, superintendent of Indian
schools along the Yukon, a special
peace officer with power to make ar
rests when necessary. This is a step
taken in combating the liquor traf
fic.
J
MILLER’S BODY RECOVERED
The body oT Dick Miller, who was
drowned in Lake Lyak on July 28,
had not been recovered until this
morning. A native was rowing near
the Indian village about seven o’clock
when he suddenly saw the head of a
man in the water a short distance
away. It proved to be that of Miller.
He was brought to Lambert’s under
taking parlors and will be buried
from there this evening at 6:30
o’clock. Ex-officio Coroner Scott
summoned a jury and a verdict of
accidental drowning was rendered.
John Ponnett, who had been ap
pointed special administrator, has
found all the money that Miller was
supposed to have had on him when
he met his death. He had $95 in his
cabin and $250 in the bank. There
was only $2.50 on his person.
—-o—o—o
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred lies passed
through Chitina enroute to Valdez.
TRENTON, Aug. 7.—The manag
ers of Woodrow Wilson announced
this afternoon the selection of Rolla
Wells, of St. Louis, as treasurer of
the Democratic National Committee.
Charles R. Crane, of Chicago, was
also selected as vice chairman of the
Finance Committee.
--u—o—o —
Try the Chitina Hotel for cigars
and pipes, at Seattle prices.
-o—a—o
Subscribe for the Chitina Leader.
INCREASING NUMBER OF SALTERIES
—
(From The Cordova Daily Alaskan.)
The splendid and beneficial results, both to investors and
the town at large, are frequently apparent because of the enter
prise which prompted leading citizens of this town to organize
the Cordova Fish Packers’ Association. Their saltery plant at
Lake Eyak has been the means of giving many men employ
ment, while substantial returns have been netted to the stock
holders in the company. Up to the time when the red salmon
ceased to run 1497 barrels had been salted, and have been
shipped to the market at Seattle. It is expected to actively
resume operations in a few days, with the run of silver salmon.
The subsidiary plant at Port Wells is also expected to make a
very satisfactory showing.
The success with which the Cordova Association met with
from the very start has been a decided encouragement to other
enterprises, which have since been formed. The Abercrombie
Fish Company, which has been operating on the Copper river
at Mile 55, salted about 500 barrels of reds. The Morrison
saltery at Katalla has also put up 800 barrels of reds.
A new saltery was recently established at Alaganic slough,
about 18 miles out on the railroad The company is known as
the Alganic Fish Company, and is composed of Bert Bollinger,
J. ,T. Miller and F. Thompson, all residents of Cordova. On
Wednesday’s train they shipped a car load of salt and barrels,
and are now in readiness for the run of silver salmon. They
propose to salt the bellies and smoke the backs.
All these enterprises have resulted because of the efficient
work of the Cordova Chamber of Commerce in gathering data
on the subject, and through Secretary Barry, being able to sat
isfy our residents that an opportunity was presented for rexxxun
ex-ative investments that would also give employment to scores
of white men. The first company organized, Cordova Fish Pack
ers’ Association, has met with success beyond expectations, and
pi-oposes to extend its operations next year. Already a site
has been secured within a half-mile of the Cordova wharf and a
cannery will be erected so as to operate next year. It will be
the expectation to pack about 20,000 cases the first season, and
only white men to be employed. Many other fish enterprises
will start in this section next year, and all because Cordova has
a wide-awake and enterprising Chamber of Commerce that
investigates, suggests, encourages and inaugurates.
CORDOVA'S IMPROVED POST OFFICE
(From The Cordova Daily Alaskan.)
A transformation has taken place in the local post office
since yesterday afternoon, and Cordova now boasts of one of
the most attractive and best arranged offices in Alaska. An
entire new and up-to-date equipment has been Installed. The
fixtures are of quartered oak wjth automatic keyless boxes of
different sizes to suit the needs of the patrons, and were manu
factured especially for this office by the Keyless Lock C>u -
pany, of Indianapolis.
The work of unpacking the new fixtures was started late
yesterday afternoon and they were almost completely installed
when the office was opened this morning for business. While
there is a marked improvement in the appearance of the office
it is also arranged with a view to convenience and will greatly
facilitate in the handling the large volume of business tran
sacted at Cordova, especially during the winter months, when
ninety-five per cent of all the mail for interior Alaska is
handled here.
The government has also provided the office with a burglar
and fire proof safe, weighing 6,000 pounds, whic hwas housed
this morning and Postmaster H. G. Steel is justly proud of
the many improvements that have been made.
The old fixtures were the property of S. O. Breedman, who
will ship them to Chitina on the next train, where they will be
used in the building owned by him, and in which is located
the postoffice, presided over by A. G. Morey.
\
CORDOVA NEWS ITEMS
Mulford Martin and Oscar Breed
man went out to Lake McKinley on
a freight train this morning. They
will look over some gold quartz
claims.
WTill E. Deyo came down from
Kennecott on Saturday and is at the
Rainier-Grand. He has been em
ployed at the Bonanza mine for the
past year, but will now go to South
eastern Alaska.
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred B. lies of
New York are at the Rainier-Grand.
They returned on Saturday from
Nugget creek, in the Kuskulina dis
trict, where they were loking after
mining interests. They will go to Val
dez on the steamer Alameda.
Mr. and Mrs. Mulford Martin, with
their sons. G. R. Martin and J. R.
Martin, of Rye. N. Y., and accom
panied by Miss R. Rainsford, of New
York City, are guests at the Rainier
Grand. This party returned Saturday
from a ten days’ trip to Copper
Mountain, where trey were the guests
of E. F. Gray. Mr. Martin is one of
the large stockholders in the Great
Northern Development Company.
Fred Young, who recently returned
from Europe, wrere he spent a year,
is in Cordova. He expects to go to the
interior on the next train.
Peter Cordez came down from
Chitina on Saturday afternoon. He
will go to Seattle on the Alameda,
where he will have an operation per
formed on his arm. In the course of
two months he expects to return to
Cordova and to establish a cannery
to put up crabs and clams, the su
perior of this kind of sea food not
being found in any other waters of
the world. Mr. Cordes has purchased
tre lot of Lynch, the second-hand
man, which is at the Point and runs
to the water. He is having it cleared
up so as to be ready for building
upon his return. And this transaction
illustrates the value of advertising.
Mr. Lynch offered his site for salt
after reading it tre dealtaointaointi
in Saturday’s Alaskan, and within
an hour after reading it the deal had
been consummated.
A petition for the establishment
of a Chapter of the Order of the
Eastern Star, at Cordova, has been
forwarded to the Grand Patron, Wil
lis D. Engle, of Indianapolis, from a
number of Masons, their wives, mo
thers and daughters, The petition
recommends for Worthy Matron,
Mrs. Lillyan Opel Hunt; Worthy Pa
tron. Cassius M. Frazier; Associate
Matron, Mrs. Clara Eames. Tne
Chapter will be constituted soon, as
Cordova Chapter No. —, Order of the
Eastern Star.
At a meeting of the Chamber of
Commerce last night a resolution
was passed giving endorsement to
the Smoot coal leasing bill for Alas
ka. A committee composed of Geo.
C. Hazelet, John Y. Ostrander and
C. M. Frazier, was appointed to draw
a suitable memorial to be sent to
Congressmen, in the hope that it
might encourage the author of the
bill and strengthen the chances for
its passage. The Chamber takes the
view that by reason of the changed
policy of the government there is no
use to further protest against the
principle of leasing, but instead to
exert every effort to secure the pas
sage of the most advantageous kind
of a measure. And it is believed that
under the terms of the Smoot bill
that capital can be secured to de
velop the coal lands, and that is what
the people of Alaska want.
- - ■ • ■ O-O---.
OYSTER BAY, Aug. 12.—An ef
fort was made to get an expression
from Col Roosevelt as to the number
of states that he expected to carry
in November, and as to whether he
really thought he had any chance
of election. He declined to go into
details, but declared that “win or
lose, the fight iB worth making.”
-o—o—o
WASHINGTON, Aug. 7.—Contin
ued efforts are being made to abolish
the United States Commerce Court.
This afternoon the Senate adopted a
conference report abolishing the
court.
-o—o—o
The Overland Hotel caters to the
discriminating tarveler.
COAL LOCATORS
OPPOSE LEASING
The men who have made coal lo
cations in Alaska are determined not
to sit idly by and allow all their
work and money expended during
the past few years to go for naught.
Besides filing a protest with Presi
dent Taft, many of these locators,
through a committee consisting of M.
D. Leehy, T. P. McDonald and K.
Rathbone, have memoralizeu the
public land committees in both
houses of Congress, against the pro
posed leasing bill. The memorial sets
forth many facts tending to show
that the passage of the leasing bill
along i.ie lines proposed by aenator
Reed Smoot, of Utah, would give the
lessees a monopoly anu at the same
time deprive a number of American
citizens of vested rights.
The memorial in part follows:
“The coking coal of Alaska is of
the utmost importance because it
is required in the treatment of the
copper ores along the coast. Two
smelters built in Alaska are idle to
day because unable to operate upon
coke imported from Australia for
which they have paid as high as
per ton. Large capital will be re
quired to develop the coking indus
try; and this must be done only in
reliance upon the profit in future
development.
“The attraction of the increased
value of the coal lands in future
years will induce capital to make the
necessary investments at this time in
such a plant and equipment as will
be necessary in order to insure to
smelters a constant supply of coke at
a fixed and reasonable cost; and
without this supply the copper indus
try cannot be developed, and coke
will not be provided for the treat
ment of copper ores nor for the man
ufacture of steel. The development of
these industries upon the Palific coast
absolutely depends upon an assured
supply of coke at a moderate cost.
“We call attention to the state
ment of the secretary of the interior
that the department will probably be
obliged, upon the record in the gen
eral land office as it stands, consist
ing of ex parte statements by special
agents, to deny every application for
patent to Alaska coal fields. This is
in face of the fact that many appli
cations have been pending for five
years without a single charge against
them having been made to the lo
catioss by the government, and no
opportunity given the claimants to
meet and charges made by the spe
cial agents of the general laud of
fice.”
STRIKE AT PORT WELLS GOOD
Our former townsman, R. J. Mc
Chesney, who is now operating at
Avery river, Port Wells, writes that
the recent rich gold discovery on
Harriman Fiord was made by Chris
Petersen and Ole Little. He says the
rock is very rich, the quartz being
‘‘live.” The ledge, which is situated
at the edge of tidewater, is said to
be from three to five feet wide, car*
rying values throughout.
Al. Singletary has not yet struck
his ledge from his new crosscut, hav
ing yet about six feet to drive. The
miscalculation in the distance to be
driven was due to the dip of the
ledge, which is not as great as was
thought from indications higher up.
F. L. Wagner, who has just re
turned from the district, is very
much impressed with the showings
made and expresses the opinion t..at
Port Wells will eventually be one of
the great gold-producing sections of
Prince William sound. He says from
now on there will probably be more
discoveries reported, as the heavy
snows in the higher altitudes has
kept the prospectors from expJoring
the country far back from tidewater.
■ o—o—a
CAMLOOPS, Aug. 12.—Walter
Palke, who was imprisoned for the
killing of a constable, made an at
attempt to escape jail. He was cap
tured by searchers and hanged to a
tree. With him was a Jap named
Takahashi, who had murdered a
countryman. He was sent into an
other world by the same treatment
given Palke.