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DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME IN FIGURING WHY A BLACK HEN LAYS A WHITE EQG^-BUT GET BUSY AND GET AFTER THE EGG.
VOL. L
CHITINA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1910.
NO. 10
Names of Hotels
Confusing
There has been considerable com
ment in a jovial way as to the mix
up of the signs of the tw ho els.
Geo. Blouen decided to call n-s r ee
the “Chitina Hotel,” and had -is
S’pn up first, while Oscar Breed ,an
has been advertising his new hotel
by tha; name, or the “Hotel Chit
ina.” Mr. Blouen says he gave
no thought to his competitor’s sign
when he had his own made, and as
Mr. Breedman was not here when
the signs were hung, we haven’t
learned how the matter stands with
him. Anyway there is a “Hotel Chit
ina” sign on the Breedman building
and “Chitina Hotel” stands forth on
the Blouen structure. The fact that
the “Chitina Hotel” sign went up
first has caused many grins, for it
was generally understood that Mr.
Breedman intended calling his house
by that name, and the sign which
was shipped out from Cordova was
put up the following day, with the
only difference of the name being
reversed. One old-timer laughingly
remarked that it was the only cast
on record where “the Frenchman
beat the Swede to it.”
Will Freight Via
Chitina
Frank Alba, Clarence Stairs, “Ole”
Condon and other old-timers who
made trips last week as far as Cop
per Center state that the roadhouse
keepers that far have about two hun
dred tons of supplies to go in soon
and are waiting to learn which will
be the cheaper way to freight in their
goods. Commissioner Biix says con
tracts have already been offered him
to freight supplies as far as Copper
Center for four cents per pound, but
if they can get the same rate over
the new route they much prefer their
supplies to come this way, as the!
trail is better and quicker time can
be made. They say it is a matter
of dollars and cents with them, how
ever, and will of course accept the
best terms offered them, though they
want to patronize Chitina and Cor
dova merchants and help swell the
business over the new route.
D. S. Coomos, tee Fairbanks trans
fer man, accompanied by his daugh
ter, Hazel, arrived in Chitina the
first of the week and left for Fair
banka Tuesday. Mr. Coombs made
the trip out from the interior me
tropolis to meet his daughter, who
was one of the passengers on the ill
fated Portland, which was wrecked
two weeks ago off Katalla. A team
of horses and some freight of his.
which did not arrive on the Alameda
with the passengers, will be shipped
here later, Mr. Coombs deciding not
to wait for them.
Dr. Smitn. me popular medico in
charge of the ailing for the Katal
la Company, made a business trip
to Cordova on Wednesday morning,
and will no doubt eat his Thanks
giving dinner at home before re
turning to his hospital duties at the
big bridge camp at mile 149.
Dr. Rcmig, in charge of Alaska
Indiana, arrived in Chitina the first
of the week, and with Engineer Se
crest visited the Tara* Indians and
others of the Copper River tribe in
this vicinity.
Crad Williams, the well known
cook, left on Wednesday’s train for a
few days' visit in Cordova. Crad says
he will return in a few days, as the
interior country looks good to him,
and expects to outfit for a winter's
prospecting trip to the Nizina coun
try.
Charley Munsen, who made a trip
to Cordova last week, returned Wed
nesday evening.
I
Judge Ferguson is thankful that
te strenuous road work is practical
ly over, that Tiekel is no more, and
that he is not called to CordoTa ev
ery week.
Oscar Breedman is thankful that
the Hotel Chitina is at last ready for
the many travelers who are headed
this way.
Cliff Johnson is thankful for the
increased amount of cancellation
coming into the postoffice the past
two weelts.
Deputy Marshal Brown is thank
ful that Tom Holland had the big
turk for his star boarders this
Thanksgiving.
Nelson Bros, ate thankful that
their new building is well under way.
Cloninger & St. Clair are thankful
their new pool and solo rooms up
stairs are getting the money, and that
they have the warmest hang-out in
town.
Burkhart & Chase are thankful
that the many patrons of the Log
Cabin restaurant consider their cof
fee better than ever.
Louie Stringer thankful that he
will soon be in a warmer building
and that court will soon be over.
E. E. David thankful for winning
a nice fur overcoat for the winter.
Fred Schaupp thankful that he is
married and in business in Chitina.
w hich he says is the best and has the
brightest future of any town in Alas
ka.
Tom O Ronrke thankful for the
smile of Dame Fortune in getting him
a hundred dollar robe and meer
schaum pipe.
Bert McCutcheon thankful there
are no more taxes to collect, and that
he now has one of the coziest cabins
cn Chitina Heights.
Chitina Trading Co. are thankful
that the people realize their prices
are right and that they are doing
a better business every day.
Pete Shearman thankful that there
is no competition and that the Nor
thern Meat Co. is now keeping the
Chitina branch well supplied with
good fresh meats.
Savoy restaurant thankful for
plenty of turkeys for their patrons
this year.
Mrs. Wallace thankful for the
many boarders and courtesies from
the railroad company, and rnat
Lady Bug” is at last growing a
“nice winter coat” and enjoying tne
best of health.
Bill Sherman thankful that he is
now down town, where there is plen
ty of hair and whiskers to trim.
Gessner & Stangueth are thankful
for plenty of “dough” and that their
many patrons say there is no better
cakes, bread and pastry made than
their products.
Church & Brady thankful for
plenty of cigars and tobacco, and
some pool tables soon to be installed
tor their patrons’ amusement.
John Rawson thankful for a laun
dress to help he and Fay Scott with
the ironing, and for getting nicely
settled in his new laundry, where
there is plenty of water.
Gibson & Gage thankful for a good
business on Chitina Heights and a
steady demand for horses and dogs,
which fhcy keep tor sale and trade.
Barney Ulrich thankful that Cole
v ill soon return, and that the kiss
of the ice maiden no longer appeals
to himt that his brother will soon
reach the states and that he is to
join him and revel among the flesh
rots in the near future.
Jesse Martin thankful that the
stages and mail have at last started
and that traffic- looks good for the
Orr Stage company this winter.
Frank Accles thankful for plenty
of freighting and hauling, and about
the best teams this far north.
Brady Howard thankful that he
has all the contracting and carpen
ter work he can do.
Roadhouse Keeper Myers thankful
that there are now real accommoda
tions in Chitina, and that the travel
ers do not have to sit up in the sa
loons all night to keep warm, as some
one reported.
Frank Binham at Willow Creek is
thankful because he wasn’t two miles
below when they built the new cut-off
trail.
W. L. Patrick at Copper Center is
thankful that Sandy didn’t have his
bucket the other night.
Charlie Cowell is thankful because
he got four hundred dollars for his
“plug.”
Tim Maneas thankful because he
is a full-fledged rancher two miles
from Willow Creek.
Commissioner Blix, of Copper Cen
ter, thankful that the new cut-off
trail is completed.
_ ,
Alfred Williams, assistant chief en-.
gineer, thankful the work all along j
the line is progressing smoothly and
tapidly, that the steel now promises
to reach the Bonanza this winter,
and that Chief Engineer Hawkins is
soon to return.
Parker Smith is thankful because
he has a new, big dining room, where
he can swing himself around at the
Willow Creek roadhouse.
Sandy Marshall, at Copper Center,
is thankful because he didn’t have
two tickets instead of one when he
fell in the river the other night.
Mrs. McDaniels, at Woodland’s
roadhouse is thankful because Frank
Alba took two of her cats away.
Coppe-' River & Northwestern rail
way thankful for a promising in
crease of travel from now on and a
small return for the money invested
in building the road this far.
Chitina Townsite company thank
ful for the many orders of Wash
ington fir lumber, which means there
is plenty of building and a steady
sale of lots.
Oscar Breedman is thankful the
travelers and Chitina people stop at
the MacCormac when in Cordova.
Frank Clarkln thankful Mr. Simp
son is tack from his visit to Cordova
relieving him of his charge of trains
at the front.
Johnny Reed and Kinney Holden
are thankful the steam shovel hasn't
yet frozen up.
Jack Courtney is thankful he is
now in charge of the throttle Instead
of the scoop.
Earl Cutting and Jimmy Arnot are
thankful that they are real live
“cons” now instead of “shaks.”
L. L. Dodge thankful for the long
orders he receives from Chitina.
Mike ilassel thankful he carries
an ad. in the Leader, for the boys
here Bee it and visit him when in
Cordova.
S. Blum & Company thankful for
the orders for their firm from Chit
ina and along the line.
Alaska Steamship Co. thankful
they have a sailing schedule in the
Leader, 'r.r the travelers look for it.
Billy Hinds thankful for a good
start of whiskers to protect his face
from the zero weather.
M. W. Anderson thankful that the
people appreciate the value of lots in
Chitina.
W. W. Shorthill thankful he got
back home for his Thanksgiving tur
key.
Supt. O'Neil thankful that the
weather is no colder, and that the
bridge is progressing rapidly.
E. W. Exum thankful he has the
warmest and best equipped office in
town, where he can entertain his
friends and sell real estate.
Mrs. King is thankful she is back
at her drug store at 133, where she
has a good trade in her line.
Newhouse & Co. thankful for a
big stock of goods and that people
iealixe their prices are the cheapest
in the Copper River belt.
Osborne, the Cordova jeweler, is
thankful for the many watches he
repairs from the Chitina district.
Jimmy MacDonald and the Sen
ator thankful the turkey dinner
served at the Log Cabin bar was so
good it didn’t last very long.
“Ole” Condon thankful for the big
play at the new pool tables he is
in charg; of over the Log Cabin
bar.
Tibbs Bros, are thankful they have
a good lot and a big building well
under way.
Conductor Newton and Trainman
Wilson thankful the company doesn’t
run an extra every night.
Conductor Campbell and Trainman
Dunlap thankful for their “table”
and emergency cache of edibles.
Station Agent Lawson thankful for
plenty of coal until the new depot is
built.
James Hartney thankful he once
befriended a Spanish captain, and
through it he is liable to get the
money.
J. Z. Kimberlin thankful there is
still a demand for cabins and that he
still has them for rent.
Erickson, the water man, is thank
ful he is getting tickets printed and
that the water supply still holds
good.
The Chitina Leader is thankful
that our subscription list is growing
rapidly, that our advertisers are sat
isfied and tell us we have one of the i
livest papers in Alaska. Thankful
for the job work given us and pros
pects of considerable printing from
the new Aims getting ready for busi
ness; that we are here to stay, and
the people are staying by us. We
are thankful to be in Chitina.
Fairbanks Newspaper Woman
Says Interior Looks Promising
Mrs. C. E. Wright, of Fairbanks,
was an arrival in Chitina the first
of the week, and is a loyal booster
for the interior country. Mrs. Wright
is a woman who has had considerable
experience in the newspaper field,
having worked for some of the Fair
banks publications, and is, therefore,
familiar with many of the conditions
of Alaska. She was not greatly im
pressed with Chitina or the trip here,
and said so, but realised of course
that accommodations, at the time she
made the trip, were not as they
would be two weeks hence.
“I might just as well be hones;
with you,” 6ne stated to a Leader
representative, ‘‘and tell you my ob
servations and the opinions of the
interior people relative to your rail
road. your town and your new trail
which you are boosting, as you should
do. Being a newspaper woman and,
like manv others of my sex, about
the first thing I do is ask questions
and learn everything possible at a
new camp, or any new enterprise
or movement of interest.
“Your railroad people tell me the
freight rates are most reasonable, and
goods are laid down in Chitina as
reasonable as anyone could expect.
This is undoubtedly true when com
pared with the enormous outlay of
money it has required to build the
road this far, hut the fact remains
that there is still some cutting to be
done if you compete with the rates
from Valdez to Fairbanks. When
we arrived in Chitina we could not
purchase feed for our horses, and on
Inquiring the reason was told that
feed cost >17 per ton more here than
in Fairbanks, and that it was any
thing but a paying proposition to
handle it. Hay and grain can be had
for >80 per ton in Fairbanks, and
I'm told it costs >97 here. This will
naturally have a tendency to discour
age travel this way. As to the oth
er freight, 1 learn that it costs near
ly four cents to land perishables and
ordinary freight at Chitina, and if
so the people from the inside will
find no Inducement to freight their
goods this way, as some of the road
houses and freighters have contract
ed, or say they will contract, to land
goods from Valdez as far as Copper
Center for four cents.
“Your new cut-off trail and your
railroad are undoubtedly great in
ducements for the people to look this
way, for convenience, saving of
time, etc., but the majority will fig
ure it down to dollars and cents, and
unless a saving can be made, there
will be little coming your way this
year, anyway, in the line of supplies.
Wages are not as good as they used
to be Inside, and people cannot af
ford to pay exorbitant rates on their
supplies.
“I have been inquiring about your
mining outlook here, and from what
I can learn It is very bright. We
often hear it said that the interior
is going back, and in a few years,
alter the placer fields will have been
worked out. there will be no more
Fairbanks, but we are not worry
ing. even though it is a little dull at
present. We have some splendid
quarts showings and great poasiblll
ties around Fairbanks. On two or
three quartz claims developed have
already paid expenses, with only
small stamp mills, and one mine has
even yielded a profit on its early de
velopment. As soon as heavier ma
1 chinery can be taken into the com.
; try you will see something doing in
| interior quartz propositions, as well
as the many big dredging and hy
draulic possibilities.”
Mrs. Wright will spend the winter
in the states, returning to Alaska in
the spring.
J. Hogan completed a new bar top
for the Log Cabin saloon this week,
which is a credit to the house and
his workmanship. The “mabogony”
is now modern in every respect amt
the barkeepers take a delight in
showing the advantage the new bar
has OTer the old.
Pete Hubert, formerly one of the
boys at the Kennecott, is now ad
ministering to tbe thirsty at tbe Log
[Cabin bar.
Sunnier Clime for
Steve
Charles Stephens, the well known
locomotive fireman, who resigned his
position with the Katalla company
on engine six last week, left the first
of the week for Cordova. “Steve”
as he is known has been with the
company for the past four years, and
was considered one of the best fire
men on the road. He will stop for a
short time at Juneau and then go on
to spend the winter in Los Angeles,
Cal., where he has relatives well up
in the literary world, and in busi
ness, in which Steve has an oppor
tunity to engage and better himselt.
Steve leans toward journalism, a
course in which he has already taken,
besides having had some practical
experience in the newspaper field.
He was the autlror of the memoriam
to M. J. Heney, appearing in the
Chitina Leader, and a number of
creditable editorials and articles for
which he did not care to receive cred
it. We will miss him. as will the
many friends he made while firing
on the Copper River & Northwest
ern, but all wish him the best that
can come to mortal man in his new
field of labor, and as he is ambitious,
his name will no doubt be handed
down to future posterity.
Hake Fast Time
From Fairbanks
A quartet of prominent business
men of Fairbanks made a fast trip
to Chitina this week, considering the
circumstances. They mushed part of
the way, and at the junction of the
trails hired a horse and cutter and
hurried to Chitina, hoping to be able
to catch the train the following morn
ing and make connections with the
steamer leaving Monday for Seattle,
but they were a day late, though they
made the trip from Fairbanks to
Cordova in seven days and four
hours.
Fred Rhind, traveling manager for
the N. C. Company, was one of the
party, but remained over in Chitina
one day, while the others left for
Cordova on the first train. A. W.
Bachman, the tobacco dealer, R.
Bloom, the hardware merchant, and
A. Simpson, of Simpson Bros, cloth
ing and gents furnishing goods house,
are others of the party. They ex
pressed surprise at the splendid con
dition of the new trail and stated
that the bulk of the traffic would
undoubtedly go this way from now
on. After a few weeks business com
bined with pleasure over the holi
days, in the states, the gentlemen
will return to their business interests
at the interior metropolis, and It
goes without saying that they will
return this way.
THIRST EMPORIUMS GIVE
FREE TURKEY DINNERS
The Chitina Bar and Log Cabin
saloon were two busy places on
Thursday evening. At the Log Cab
in bar three big fat turkeys and as
many legs of fresh pork, salads, cran
berry sauce, pickles and all the ‘■flx
ins,” were laid temptingly on a table
at the end of the room, and at eight
o'clock Chef John Hirst, or the
‘ Senator,” as he is more familiarly
known, and James MacDonald, who
prepared the big feed, yelled time
and you should have seen the bunch
go.
Tommy Richmond had charge of
the spread at the Chitina Bar, and
the turkey, oysters, cracked crab,
plumb pudding and other goodies dis
appeared in rapid order. Champagne
was also served, and all the boys
at both bars were thankful indeed
for such delicious dainties, all giving
a vote of thanks to the proprietors
and those serving and responsible for
the feasts.
Job work at the Leader office.