f
SECOND YEAR
CHITIXA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1912.
NO. 28
A GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE IRE (HIM OEfTQALS JUNE 3
.
Ckitina had a school election on Thursday. For a time it
looked as though there would be little interest taken in the
election of the new school board. But the inertia was dispell
ed early in the morning after some wag had distributed tickets
around public places headed by M. R. Healy, and followed by
F. M. Schaupp and C. C. Hull. At once the latter two were up
in arms. And while they are leading supporters of U. S. Com
inisisoner Healy, they indignantly disclaimed any intention to
run on a ticket containing his name. They declared that they
were being jobbed and that odium was being cast upon them
by the combination of the three names. As a consequence they
immediately got busy, decided to run, and much against her
wishes, placed the name of Mrs. J. W. Forrester on the ticket
in place of the honorable judge of the local court. Two other
names were suggC^t^d'^nd received some votes. Out of the 84
votes cast Mrs. Sprrester received 77. while Schaupp and Hull
received substantial, priorities. Not one vote was cast for the
czar of the townhlt is due Messrs. Schaupp and Hull, who have
served since tlWfe^hb&l district was organized, to state that
they have' given tbuiin time to their duties and succeeded in
having erecied-a-creditable school house at a minimum cost.
The crafty alien czar of Chitina has played a trump card.
After the expose of the methods pursued in collecting the road
tax for the last year, the United States commissioner has found
some difficulty in securing a road overseer. He offered it to
two or three persons, at least so he says, who declined the hon
or. Then he selected as a victim 0. A. Nelson, the local repre
sentative of the Chitina Leader. He informed him that he
would have to serve or he would be fined $25. Mr. Nelson ex
plained to the honorable court that he was out of sympathy
with its former methods and discriminations and that he was
totally disqualified to serve under him. The judge insisted that
he accept the appointment and directed him to file his bond
within twenty days. Mr. Nelson states that he has no inten
tion of so doing, as he is satisfied that Healy simply wants to
get him into trouble. Neither does he desire to pay a fine of
$25, and to set himself clear in the matter he has taken the sub
ject up with Judge Cushman. Healy hasn’t fined any of the
others who declined to serve under him, and Mr. Nelson does
not propose that he shall be discriminated against, if he can
prevent it. If he were appointed by a fair-minded commission
er who would assist him in honestly and legally collecting the
tax. Mr. Nelson might not be averse to accepting the office.
Coal Claimants Prefer Taft
WASHINGTON, April 19-—Harry
White, former mayor of Seattle and
one of the "Bering River coal bar
ons,” having consummated the pur
chase of 70,000 acres of arable land
from the Santa Fe Railroad Compa
ny, left this city a few days ago for
his new home on the desert. To
gether with others who are interest
ed in the coal lands of Alaska, White
will endeavor to secure delegates to
the Republican national convention
for President Taft. It isn’t that
these coal claimants love Mr. Taft,
but rather that they love Col. Roose
velt and Gifford Pinchot very much
less. In this case many of them feel
that they are entitled to the land
which they staked and located under
the law as it had been construed up
that time. They feel that this ad
ministration has given them what
Roosevelt calls a square deal—that is
to say, a deal that is any conceivable
shape but square. However, being
between the devil and the deep sea,
they are choosing what they consid
er the least of many evils.
Senator John L. Wilson, having
gained everything that he considers
it possible to accomplish at this ses
sion, has returned to the coast. Tne
one important proposition that is
still hanging in the balance is an ap
propriation of ?125,000 to be used
in the construction of roads and.
trails before he leaves. Senator
Wilson has refrained from becoming
engaged in any controversial propo
sition and in this manner has helped
i.o secure much legislation of a minor
character.
Albert Fink, formerl yof Nome,
has been around Washington for the
past two weeks endeavoring to se
cure before the supreme court a
settlement of a case involving the
Bon Voyage claim at Nome. Tile
slow methodical manner in which
the wheels of justice grind is getting
on Fink’s nerves, and when last seen
the northern attorney was just two
jumps ahead of a fit.
J. J. UNDERWOOD.
-O-O-0
The traveling public will find the
Overland Hotel a comfortable and
reasonable place to stop.
— ■ — o—o—o
Subscribe for the Chitina Leader.
HAPPENINGSAT CHITINA
The properties on O’Brien Creek
are looking very encouraging. One
outfit has done some exploration al
ready, and the results are very pleas
ing to the owners. If the lead holds
up to what can now be expected
there will be a mill on it this sum
mer.
Harry Chamberlain lest yesterday
for a two months' visit outside.
T. C. Macaulay, who has worked
for several years in the employ of
the railway company, and who has
more recently been working at Ken
necott, passed through Chitina on his
way to San Diego, Cal., where he as
pires to become a birdman. Mr. Ma
caulay leaves a host of friends and
admirers.
The Chitina Pharmacy carries a
complete line of drugs.
Mrs. Tom Cloninger returned to
Chitina this week after an extended
visit outside.
Rosie Johnson left for Valdez by
the trail.
John McCrary, of Copper Center,
was in town Monday. He took back
with him 5,00j pounds of oats for
seed. He and some of his neighbors
are going to sow 65 acres this year.
Mr. Gillman, the considerate and
business-like manager for S. Blum &
Co-, says that firm has had a sur
prisingly good patronage during the
past winter and almost double the
amount they had expected last fall.
Large volumes of business with reas
sonable competition allows business
to be done on a comparatively small
margin, which will mean much to
tnis town.
Fred M. Schaupp. the local hard
ware man, intends to have the city
water works in operation soon. With
this warm weatner there is nothing
to prevent its operation unless it is
the exorbitant license required for
supplying water for sale. At pres
ent the water is being carried by
hand from the well dug by the rail
way company.
KENNECOTT NOTES
T. C. Macaulay, material dark for
the Kenecott Mines Company, left on
Friday’s train for Cordova en route
to San Diego, Cal-, where he intends
studying aerial navigation. Mac will
be very much missed here, as he was
extremely popular with all. Kenne
cott wishes him every success in his
new chosen profession.
We had a call a few days ago from
Messrs. Birch and Esterly. They are
resuming active operations on their
mining properties in the Nizina coun
try.
The new scales constructed be
neath the railway track by the i».en
necott Mines Company for the pur
pose of weighing the loaded cars of
ore are completed.
A. P. Campbell succeeds Mr. Ma
caulay as material clerk for the
Kennecott Mines Company.
George H. Shade, lately arrived
from Chitina, is the carpenter in
charge of the building of the new
blacksmith shop here.
The Kennecott Glee Club gave a
very successful concert on Monday
evening last. The solos of Messrs.
Powell and Cook Etchison were es
pecially appreciated.
-o—o—o
Mr. Leroy L. Middlecamp, of El
lamar, Alaska, and Miss Helen
drown, of Seattle, were married re
cently at St- Mark’s rectory, by the
Rev. Ernest Vincent Shayler. After
a wedding trip east tuey will return
to Alaska, making their home at El
lamar, where the groom is superin
tendent of the mine that has been in
operation there for some years past.
-o—o—o
Subscribe for the Chitina Leader.
The few partisans of U. S. Commissioner Healy and Depu
ty Marshal Brown were somewhat stunned yesterday when the
positive information was imparted that Judge Cushman had
concluded to hold a term of court and summon a grand jury at
Chitina, on June 3. These individuals had hoped, and profess
ed to believe, that “Judge” Healy would not be removed. And
today they realize that an impartial investigation by a legally
constituted body not only means his removal but possibly his
indictment by the grand jury. So many charges have been
filed with Judge Cushman, and from responsible sources, that
he has deemed it wise to have a thorough investigation into
the administration of the affairs of the government officials at
Chitina. “Judge” Healy has been charged, in the administra
tion of the office of U. S. commissioner, with discrimination,
intimidation, threatening citizens with what he would do to
them if they ever came before him, insulting men while doing
official business with them, wreaking vengeance on citizens who
signed a petition asking for his removal by seeking their dis
charge from employment, directing the collection of road tax
in an illegal and most shameless manner, and in other ways
prostituting the office to which he was appointed while repre
senting himself as a citizen of the United States.
Alien Healy has only been in office about one year. But
during that time he has succeeded in making himself the most
obnoxious and most feared man in this section of Alaska. All
now understand that behind his smirking smile there is a cow
ardice and revengefulness that seeks to find an outlet by reason
of an exalted position of honor and trust, and to the injury of
honest men who dare to differ with him. As a consequence,
for months past, a feeling of extreme uneasiness and dissatis
faction has existed in Chitina and throughout the precinct.
When complaint was made before the grand jury sitting at
CORDOVA’S NEW CITY OFFICIALS
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS OF CORDOVA
Mayor—Richard J. Barry.
Mayor Pro-tem—H. A. Slater.
City Attorney—C. M. Frazier.
Municipal Magistrate—S. P. Chapin.
Municipal Clerk—Nathanael Greene.
Health Officer—Dr. W. W. Council.
City Treasurer—John Reidy.
Chief of Police—George Dooley.
Chief of Fire Department—George Dooley.
The new members of the Cordova City Council assumed
their duties Monday night. They are R. J. Barry, H. A. Slater,
Bartley Howard, William Fursman, M. Finkelstein, A. E. La
throp and O. E. Lambert. The oath of office had previously
been administered, and City Clerk Green called the body to or
der, and declared that the first business was the election of a
[(resident and ex-officio mayor. For this office Mr. Barry
placed in nomination Mr. Slater, one of the oldest residents of
Ihe town, a large property owner, and one who had tied the
highest vote polled at the recent election. Mr. Slater declined
to have his name considered, for the reason that he believed
Mr. Barn’ was more suited to the office and would perform the
duties with greater satisfaction to the people of the town, and
i'or the further reason that in tying the high vote Mr. Barry
gave evidence of strength that entitled him to the honor, fie
was then elected with a unanimous vote. Upon assuming the
chair the new mayor briefly expressed the gratitude that he
felt to the voters of Cordova and the members of Council for
the confidence they had reposed in him.
Applications for positions were then read, with the result
that there was but one applicant for any office. Selections
were made by unanimous vote, as set forth above. The matter
of salaries was considered with a view ot ellecting some
economy. It was decided that a saving should be made in the
salary of city treasurer, and instead of paying $25 per month
to have the work performed gratis. It was stated that Mr.
Reidv, receiving the assistance of S. Blum & Co., bankers, in
paying orders, was willing to accept without compensation. It
was further decided that the day patrolman would not longer
be required, after this month. So another $100 per month was
saved. Salaries, per month, of the other officers were fixed the
same as last year, as follows: City clerk, $50; city attorney, $25;
municipal magistrate, $25; health officer, $25; chief of police,
$125; chief of fire department, $25. The bond of the treasurer
was fixed at $20,000. An auditing committee to examine the
books of the city treasurer and treasurer of the school board
was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Lambert, Fursman and
Finkelstein. An adjournment was then taken to the regualr
meeting night, May 6.
Cordova in November last, against the federal officials at
Chitina, a preliminary investigation satisfied that body that a
visit to Chitina was necessary. But at the time the court could
not arrange the matter, and it is now believed that greater ne
cessity than ever exists. Judge Cushman evidently has taken
this view of the case.
On the steamer Alameda, reaching Cordova at 2 o’clock
Thursday morning, a number of subpoenas arrived to be serv
ed on witnesses in Cordova and Chitina precinct, commanding
them to appear before the grand jury at Chitina on June 3.
And in addition, if there are any parties who may have infor
mation concerning the misconduct of the federal officers at
Chitina, they will have an opportunity to appear before the
inquisitorial body. The editor of the Daily Alaskan and the
Chitina Leader has furnished the names of some individuals
who are in position to impart facts that will not be to the cred
it of “Judge” Mealy, and he has been requested by the court
to furnish the District Attorney with the names of any addi
tional persons who may be in possession of material informa
tion, so that their attendance may be secured. Thus it will be
seen that all may have an opportunity of appearing and testi
fying in a matter that concerns the public welfare. And we
have every confidence that ample protection will be accorded
ever}* witness and that no man or woman who simply wants to
testify to facts before the grand jury need have any fear of sub
sequent intimidation or vengeance upon the part of federal of
ficials. Before a grand jury is drawn the names of three hun
dred or more citizens from this section of Alaska are first se
lected. Then the clerk of the court and the jury commission
er, at Valdez, draw from a box the written names until 23 have
been selected. These then constitute the grand jury. If six
teen do not respond at the opening of court a special venire is
issued by the court and the required number is then secured.
FAILS TO PAY WIPE
SI00 A MONTH ALIMONY
J. A. Fagerberg, the Nizina mer
chant, having failed to pay the tem
porary alimony granted his wife last
month, Judge Cushman has issued an
order to show cause why he has not
yet done so or be haled into court
for contempt
The date set for the trial of the
separate maintenance suit brought
by Mrs. Fagerberg has been set for
May 20 at Cordova. The husband
was ordered to pay his wife $150
down and $100 a month alimony un
the suit is finally decided.
o—o—o
The Chitina Hotel has put in some
improvements in their office fixtures
and added a big line of fine pipes and
tobaccoes for the convenience of
their patrons.
EAIRBAXKSAX PREFERS JAIL
TO GIVING UP ALIMONY
YAKIMA, Wash., April 19.—Lewis
T. Irwin, a prominent Fairbanks at
torney, who recently returned from
the Democratic convention at Valdes,
has been placed in jail for his fail
ure to pay $5,000 alimony.
CASE WILL BE TRIED
IN CORDOVA MAY 20
The case of Miller vs. the Cana
dian Oil Company, a Katalla com
pany, for wages due, was set for
trial at Cordova on May 20, and the
defendant given three weeks in
which to make reply.
-o—o—o-■
Wild flowers are being found
around Chitina, and snow is almost
forgotten.
VALDEZ ENVIOUS CORDOVA’S
$100,000 FEDERAL BUILD!
Valdez is sore and its residents
can no longer restrain their bitter
ness at the enterprise shown by Cor
dovans in the attempt to advance
the interests of this town. Under the
caption of “Would Take Cable and
Federal Offices,” the Prospector of
Wednesday publishes the following
story, which contains many inaccu
racies and some truths:
“Having little to commend itself
to its own inhabitants or the public
at large, the town of Cordova is con
tinually reaching out for the things
possessed by more prosperous com
munities, depending largely on the
big vested intetrests to feather the
local nest at the expense of other
communities. The latest move of
Cordova is to take away not only
our cable station, but the headquar
ters of the department of justice for
the Third judicial division stationed
here.
“Through the aid of the Guggen
heim influences they have had a bill
introduced in congress appropriat
ing J100.000 for the construction of
a federal building in the tide flat
city in which it is expected to house
the cable office, custom house, court
and other officials of the depart
ment of justice.
“To this end the department in
Washington has communicated with
the marshal’s office here to inform
them how much floor space each de
partment would require. No doubt
this information is being sought with
a view of determining the extent and
sort of building required to meet the
demands of all the officers now as
signed to this division. It is pro
posed to erect the proposed building
on the hillside adjoining the Wind
sor hotel on Second avenue. It is
up to Valdez to see that Cordova gets
no more than she is Justly entltledl
to and that won’t include the cable
office or the headquarters of the
Third judicial division.
“Special Agent Atwell, of the In
terior Department, who has been ex
amining coal lands In the Bering
field, is in Cordova reporting to the
department of justice on the location
of a prposed federal building, for
which Congress is to be asked to
make an appropriation.”