CHITINA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1911.
NO. IS
BRIEFLY
T
Washington, Dec. 14.—Attorney
General Wickersham has submitted
his annual report. In it he recom
mends that a bureau of corporations
be established under executive au.
tliority, to supervise corporations
chartered under a federal incorpora
tion act. Inis is believed to be a
very important move that will meet
the favor of the President and will
be one of the means of keeping close
supervision over the trusts.
This method of dealing with u
very perplexing question has been
generally discussed and will likely
meet with puolic approval.
Kansas City, Dec. 14.—Harry
Waldron the juror in the Dr. Hyde l
case who escaped from the hotel
where the jurors were kept, was lo_
cated yesterday at his home. He
was immediately arrested and cited
for trial. A jury was drawn but it
was soon dismissed for the reason
that Waldron was considered ment
ally incompetent.
Washington, Dec. 14.—There Is
agitation for the appointment of
two vice admirals for the navy, one
for the Pacific and one for the
Atlantic. Many think it would be
well i a have another fc“ the Asiatic
fleet, f.-. in the Or’eiC the prestige
of otfi ,:al rank is more important
than it is elaewhcrc The United
States navy has grown to such size
that the office of vice admiral seems
to be necessary.
Washington, Dec. 14.—The Amer
ican Association for the Advance,
ment of Science will hold its 63rd
meeting in Washington, December
27 to 30. Dr. S. O. Howard, per
manent secretary is connected with
tue Smithsonian institution. Thous.
ands of people belong to this asso.
ciation, the membership fees being
small and the publications of great
value.
Briceville, Dec. 14.—Up to this
afternoon 61 bodies have been tak
en from the coal mine where the ex.
plosion occurred. Rescuers are still
at work.
Wasuington, Dec. 14.—William
Sulzer’s joint resolution to abrogate
the treaty with Russia, because of
the treatment against American He
brews in that country, passed the
House by a vote of 300 to one. It
is now pending in the Senate, where
Senator Culbertson, of Texas, is
looking after its passage.
Troy, X. Y., Dec. 14.—An atro
cious crime has evidently been coni,
mitted in the home oi a very re.
spectalde family. This morning the
dead liodies of Mrs. Mary Morner and
her two daughters, Blanch, aged IS
and Edith, aged 21, were found in
an adjoining building to their home,
where they kept a cow. The bodies
were hidden among a lot of hay and
refuse. A son, Arthur, is missing,
and it is believed that he has also
been foully dealt with. Excitement
is running high and the entire de
tective force is interested in the
hunt for the perpetrators of the foul
dee <.
Augusta, Ga., Dec. 14.—The Sig
nal corps is establishing its winter
aviation camp at this place. Two
more officers will probably be as.
signed to this school, which will al
so he given two more aeroplane?
Under Captain C. de F. Chandler’s
guidance, the school is becoming a
proficient and valuable institution.
The army aviators are given severe
training, which is said to make
them the most efficient air pilots in
the service of any country.
Washington Dec. 14.—Attorney
General Wickersham is now person,
ally directing the nation-wide in.'es.
tigation of the various dynaniite
outrages that have occurred during
the past few years. Developments
so far indicate that many sensation,
al matters will be brought to light.
.Washington, Dec. 1 i,—The Bev*
enth annual convention of the
American Civic Association opened
here yesteiday, with a big attend,
ance. President Taft made an ad.
dress in which he approved of the
objects of the organization and al
so endorsed their demand that a
government bureau take over and
manage all the national parks and
reservations.
Gibraltar, Dec. 14.—During the
rescue of passengers from the steam
ship Belhi, several of the boats were
capsized. One contained the Prln.
cess Louise and Princess Victoria
sister and daughter of King George
They were thrown into the sea bu<
were saved by the sailors. Othei
than a nervous shock they suf^erec
no injury. All lives were savec
owing to the daring of the men oi
the French warship Bryant.
HAPPENINGS IN THE IIVEEV TOWN OF CIIT1NA
The extremely mild weather has
tried the patience of many Chitina
residents the last few days owing to
the many leaky roofs. Large quan.
titles of snow had collected on the
roofs when the heavy rain set in end
the best roofs in town were hardly
equal to the test while those of in_
ferior e instruction leoked like seives
and rendered many cabins and busi
ness places almost uninhabitable.
Everybody is sincerely wishing for
cold weather again.
Mrs. P. R. Newhouse with the us
ual pluck and energy is conducting
the business of Newhouse & Co.
since tne departure of Mr. Newhouse
for the states where he was ordered
by the doctor on account of serious
lung trouble. It is confidently hop
ed that the change of climate will
improve Mr. Newhouses' condition
so much that he will be able to spend
part of his time here next summer.
Negotiations are under way for
the establishing of a new bath house
with all of the latest improvements
in Chitina and we hope to be able to
report the consummation of the Jeal
in next week's paper. Chitina is
certainly in need of a first-class
bath liou%e.
August Hanot, an operator in the
Fairbanks district mushed in as far
as Paxon's and was picked up there
; by the stage to Chitina. He is en_
route to Seattle and will return
about March 1st. He says that the
quartz mining interests around Fair
banks are much encouraged over
the recent finds and is of the opin.
ion that there will be great activity
in that section next year.
S. J. Waite and G. A Jeffrey ac_
companied Capt. Donovan as guards
to the prisoners which he is taking
to the states.
See Mrs. Gage for ladies' furnish,
ings and toilet articles.
Sam A' Bonnifield, well known
throughout the interior was one of
the insane men from Fairbanks. The
trip to Chitina was very beneficial
to Mr. Bonnifield and he appeared
to be perfectly rational and talked
with perfect freedom about his un
»
fortunate condition which he thinks
will be entirely alleviated by the
trip outside. It is learned from oth
er sources that his particular hallu
cination was religion.
The wife of Chief Good-la.tah
uied Wednesday night at Taral.
John Nagel, who was caught in
the snow slide at Copper Mountain
was brought to tue hospital in Chit
ina Thursday evening where he re.
ceived treatment for. numerous
minor bruiss about the body ana a
badly wrenched back which will lay
him up for several days. He was
very fortunate to escape without
more serious bruises.
Mrs. Ora Burrows has opened up
a restaurant in the Meyers cabin op
posite Cordes & Simons store on
Chitina Heights. Even the Heights
is feeling the growth of Chitina and
it is the concensus of opinion that
the new venture will do a thriving
business.
Bob McIntosh the Valdez freight
er, is in town for the winter and is
building a barn for his horses He
has rented the residence of George
Shade and his men are maVir.g that
their home for the present.
B. B. Tibbs and Dr. Thom have
purchased the lease and furniture
in the Nevada building and will con
duct a lodging house in the rear.
The front part has been di dded and
one side will be used for at office
and the other as a cigar stand and
tobacco store. The office of the
Leader has consequently been moved
to Dr. Thom’s office in this build
ing
Where you meet the crowd—Fair
banks saloon.
The dance at the Red Drapon on
Tuesday night was well attenled
and was the first of a se’ ie3 of en.
tertainments that will follow.
Mrs. Forrester is conducting a
class at her home for an hour each
day just as an accomodation to the
little folks in her neighborhood until
such time as the regular school can
get under way.
W!illiam Price and James Feaney,
of Seward came in on Monday night '
on tfielr way to Lor.g Lake where j
they will join the ?ang of ChaHes
Davids who lias a contract for sup
plying the Kennicott mines with
logs. Mr. Price says that Seward is
enjoying a good substantial growth
and the mining projects are im
proving all the time. He is sur
prised at the activity and bustle of
Chitina and thinks this a good t°wn
to invest in for the future.
Chitina is now halting of a new
hotel—the Bonanza. Griffiths & Hy
land. proprietor-. These progres,
sive young business men realizing
the advantage afforded by the re
modeling of the Blouen building
on Main Street, secured from Mr.
Blouen a lease on the property and
will remove to their new quarters
in a few days. The entire uppet
story will be used foi the hotel and
will be fitted out with new furni.
ture. The office and a large loung
ing room will also bt on the second
floor. A good restaurant will be
installed and the bar will be re
opened below.
Paul Hopkins of Fairbanks, as.
sayor for tue American bank came
in on the stage Thursday enroute
for Seattle where he will spend the
holidays returning to his post in
January.
Capt. J. Donovan, with several
prisoners in cnarge arrived from
Fairbanks on Thursday's stage and
left for the states Friday morning.
Six of the prisoners were insane
the other having been convicted of
perjury and sentenced to three years
in the penitentiary. Capt. Donovan
is enthusiastic in his praise of the
treatment be received from the stage
company and says that the road
house people along the entire route
outdid themselves In their efforts
to make the trip ai pleasant as pos
sible.
Skaters are delighted at tne pros,
pect of good skating on the lake
which was flooded by the reeen;
rains.
Mrs. Tom Cloninger who has been
quite ill for the past week is now
greatly improved.
Of MOMENT TO PEOPLE Of (MINA
SUPPLIES FOR ROAD COMMISSION
A detachment of the Road Commission employes with 60
bead of horses is on its way from Valdez to begin hauling sup
plies for the workmen on the Chitina-Fairbanks trail, all of
which proves that the position taken by the Leader that the
headquarters of the commission should be moved to Chitina is
correct. We realize that such a change would benefit Chitina
and in a corresponding degree hurt Valdez but this is not a
question of towns or local advantages, but one of expediency
The labors of the commission center here and from here most
of the expeditions will start to the various fields of labor so
why not have the commission here to direct the movements at
short range? The railroad is no longer an experiment nor an
idle dream but an established fact, and is entitled to the little
credit for opening up the many possibilities of this section and
the Commission was quick to take cognizance of the advantage
of shipping supplies to Chitina for distribution from here.
Let us have the commission permanently located in Chitina.
A TEMPEST IN A TEA POT.
The town of Chitina which should be from its geograph
ical location a very peaceable place, is torn by internal dls
sention until it has become a boiling caldron of charge and
countercharge, against various people who have ventured to
open their mouths and express an opinion upon any question
of vital importance relative to the conduct of public affairs.
Once again the Leader rises to council for peace and harmony
at any cost. The admonition that “a house divided against
itself cannot stand,” is as true of a town as a whole as it is
of a nation or a family, and the injury already done by the
petty bickerings and useless strife, during and since the recent
sessions of the grand jury in Cordova, only adds fuel to the
flame that destroys public peace and safety. The spectacle of
neighbor against neighbor and friend against friend and the
whole town aflame with secadlous gossip is not conducive to a
bright future for Chitina. Petty jealousies, exaggerated ego
tism and poor judgment seems to be contributing no small
part to the intense feeling that has lately been manifested,
and doubtless each individual thinks his own views are
exactly right upon the local questions at issue. The public
outside of Chitina is not interested in these questions and
hence we shall refrain from discussing their merits at this
time, with the hope that all parties concerned will see the
folly of agitating these matters of minor importance. So
long as each individual obeys the law there need be no fear
of the courts, no matter by whom they are administered and it
is high time that questions of more moment be taken up and
considered by our people. If half the energy had been dis
played in civic improvements that has been in who is or who
is not a citizen of the United States, or whether one or an
other official has been guilty of this or that, much good might
have been accomplished and no bad feeling engendered. It
all reminds one of a schoolboy’s quarrel over an imaginary
grievance with no one willing to admit that he could possibly
be in the wrong.
Would it not be far better for the little town of Chitina and
her individual inhabitants to drop all this useless babble and
get together and amicably settle these little, differences among
ourselves, than to continue the beligerent attitude to the ex
tent of calling for outside interference. Would it not be well
for a few to lay aside their prejudices and stubbornness in the
interest of public harmony? At any rate the Leader has no axe
to grind, only that of the public welfare and the prospeeritv
of our whole people.
How many of our citizens will join us for peace and har
mony ?
CONVENTION - CORDOVA, MARCH 30
In accordance with the call issued by Chairman Sam Blum
and Secretary H. G. Steel, the Kepublican Territorial Com
mittee met in session last night. An adjournment was then
taken until eleven o’clock this morning. At that hour it was
found that ten committeemen were represented from Nome,
Fairbanks, Valdez, Cordova, Douglas, Ketchikan and Killis
noo. The only vacancies were from Iditarod and Seward,
there being a vacancy in the latter place, caused by tlie res
ignation of S. M. Graef. One of the committeemen from Nome,
I. C. Brown, could no longer attend to the duties of his posi
tion so tendered his resignation, which was accepted and in his
place Dr. J- H. Mustard was named.
Cordova was selected as the place, and Saturday, March
30, 1912, as the time for the holding of the Republican nomi
nating convention, which will select two delegates and two
alternates to represent Alaska at the Republican National
convention in Chicago, on June 18th next, and also to name
the candidate for delegate to Congress from Alaska, to be
voted for in August hext.
In order to secure a more equal representation in the forth
coming convention and to create a general interest in every
section it was decided to depart from the usual custom of mak
ing the apportionment on a basis of the vote cast for the last
Republican candidate. This would have given Cordova and
the Copper river points a decided advantage, but Committee
men Harwood and Blum urged that such was not desired and
they strongly favored the plan previously advocated by the
Daily Alaskan, of giving each judicial district an equal num
ber of delegates. This was adopted by the committee and the
number of fifty was named as the apportionment for each
district. An adjournment was then taken until four o'clock
this afternoon, at which time a further apportionment will
be made to the towns and precincts in the several divisions, of
the fifty delegates to which they are entitled. After perform
ing that work the committee will adjourn and the out of town
members attending will be at liberty to return to their respec
tive homes, so s on as trains and steamers will permit. And
they will have the satisfaction of knowing that the work for
which they were called together has been well and fairly
performed.
SNOW SLIDE AT COPPER MOUNTAIN
Yesterday a sudden and disastrous snow slide caused
much damage to property, and almost resulted in death, at
the workings of the Great Northern Development Company,,
near the river Strelna, about sixteen miles from Mile 146. This
company, which is managed by E. F. Gray, who has been in
New York for several weeks past, employes about one hundred
men and necessarily requires many buildings to care for the
men and perform the work of the company. Located on the
side of the mountain the various buildings had little protection
when an immense body of snow suddenly started to move yes
terday. It carried everything in its wake, demolishing thel
engine house, office, assay plant, bunk houses, and taking
away part of the cook house. Superintendent Nagle and an
assistant, Mr. Beescroft, were caught by the avalanche of snow
and soon buried out of sight- A crew of men who had seen'
them disappear at once set heroically to work and in a short'
time they were both brought to light, and but little the worse
for their dangerous experience. Messengers were at once dis
patched to the railroad station at Mile 146, where Agent Dwyer
at once got busy with the telephone and placed orders in Chit
ina and Cordova for lumber, and various needed supplies,
some of which went out on the morning train. The catastrophe
will necessitate a cessation of work at the mines for ten days
or two weeks. In the meantime new buildings will be erected
and some of the others put in temporary repair. While the
employes will be temporarily inconvenienced and the loss to
property will amount to considerable, there is general con
gratulation that no lives were lost and no one seriously in
jured.
ETTING READY FOR CONGRESSlONr
Washington, Dec. 15.—The re
cent decision of the United States\
Supreme court, which holds that a
person or an association cannot
make more than one entry on the
unsurveyed coal lands of Alaska, is
very satisfactory to the Interior De
partment. The land office officials
claim that now the government is
in a position, not only to prosecute
the coal 'land claimants indicted in
Tacoma, Spokane Chicago, and De_
troit, but to obtain speedy cancella
tlon of the claims against which
fraud charges have been filed, and
such charges have been filed against
two.thirds of the Alaska coal claims.
Against many of the remaining
coal claims fraud charges have not
been filed, because the claimants
have been cited to show cause why
their claims should not be cancelleed
because application for patent was
not made within the period fixed by
law. Patents will be Issued to the
few claimants whose claims are
found valid.
The way ig now clear, according to
land officials, for restoration of
nearly all the Alaska coal areas to
the government domain, subject to
such disposition as congress may
Cuoose to make.
The Immediate result of the sup
reme court holding was the reversal
of the action of the United States
circuit court for Western Washing
ton In quashing as invalid the in
dictments against Charles F. Munday
and Archie W. Shiels, on charges of
conspiring to defraud the govern
ment out of coal lands in Alaska
valued at $10 000,000. The way is
now opened for their trial on this
charge.
Justslce Lurton rendered the
unanimous opinion of tho court.
He considered the arguments of the
defendants that the act of congress
in 1904 superseded the general laws
so far as the unsurveyed lands of
Alaska were concerned.
"There occurs to us no reason
for assuming that congress Intend,
ed to abandon the policy of keeping
open the right of every citizen to en
ter one tract and no more of the
land unsurveyed," said the court.
"An intention to depart from a
uniform policy so long enforced in
regard to the coal lauds should not
be imputed to congress unless the
act of 1904 admits of no other con_
structlon.” • )
Justice Lurton then proceeded to
show that the act af i S>04 did admit
of another construction, namely, to
extend the general coal land entry
laws, which were then applicable
only to surveyed lands, to "unsur
veyed lands.”
“The legislation, read in the
light of the situation, and of the
uniform policy which has so long
prevailed,” Justice Lurton conclud
ed “of prohibiting more than one
entry to one person, makes it plain
that congress did not intend to ex
cept the unsurveyed coal lands of
Alaska from the operation of the
restrictions which attached to the
sale of the surveyed coal lands in
Alaska and elsewhere.”
The first train through the Ciiit
ina tunnel made the trip Saturday
morning though the timbering will
not be finished for several weeks.
This will save a great dee' 01 labor
and expense and obviating the dan
ger of getting off the truck on the
switchback.
Ole Condon and wife who were re
cently married by Judge H.-aly were
before His Honor Monday because of
a warrant sworn out oy Ole charg.
ing his wife with assault aith an
axe. The evidence showed t'-uf the
husband went home drank and be
gan abusing Mrs. Ole and that she
resented his attentions with a swift
blow on the head with a hand axe
which laid him out for a time, 'lhe
decision of the court was that the
defendant was only pru*e< ting her.
self and discharged her but demand,
ed a peace bond of each unless they
wanted to leave town which latter
course was agreeable to both. Mrs.
Ole choosing the Cordova end and
Ole taking the Kennlcott route With
>ome two hundred miles r> •tween
hem there should be peace in the
amily ever after. The decision of
fudge Healy in the matter was
lighly gratifying to every one and
•vas only an example of justice tem
pered with mercy.
The following guests are register,
td at the Hotel Chitina. Grace lfile,
Henry Kiley, E. Chalmers. A1 Hayes,
tV. Manke, R. Donaldson, Cie Berge,
R. Woods L Anderson, K Purse, T.
Keel, Thos. Lynch, J. W. Nafsted,
Kd A. Tracey and wife, C. A O’Brien,
Arthur Manzey, J. A. McGee, C. F,
McGee P. Church, C. N. Carey Jess
Schninendeman. Moses Mat’eson, R.
Woods, Hy Anderson, C Talmen, A.
B. Buck.
Mrs. J. L. Gage has opened her
new ladies furnishing goods parlors
in the Brown building and is en
joying a fine trade. Her stock is
replete with woman's and childrens'
finery and toilet articles and those
in need of these things should not
fail to call and look over the stock.
She is too well known in this sec
tion to need an introduction to our
people and her decision to re.enter
business in Chitina will be welcome
news to her many friends.
George Shade has disposed of his
new cabin which was one of the
finest in Chitina to Alex Michalson,
md will depart shortly for Califor
nia to join his wife who makes that
state her home owing to her poor
health. Mr. Shade will be missed*
by many friends who hope he will
soon return to Chitina.
Littlejohn and ’Lund Is the title
of the new proprietors of the new
saloon which will open in the log
cabin vacated by Griffiths & Hyland
when they took over the Bloueu
property.
See Mrs. Gage for brushes, combs
mirrors and notions.
The recent warm weather put the
tunnel out of commission for a time
this week and made it necessary to
use the switch.back again in taking
trains to the front. About four feet
of water collected in the main part
of the tunnel which had to be pump,
ed out. When the work is finished
this trouble will be obviated by suf
ficient drainage. The heavy timber
ing in the structure Is nearing com.
pletion and work in filling the va
cant places above with smaller tim
bers has begun.
London, Dec. 15.—A specially ap.
pointed parliamentary committee has
perfected an organization to co-oper.
ate with the American national com
mittee to celebrate the centeniary cf
peace among the English speaking
nations. This will be an event of
world.wide importance and signifi
cance.
Kansas City, Dec. 15.—In conse
quence of tue escape of one of the
Jurors selected in the trial of Dr.
Hyde for the murder of Swope, It
la necessary to try all over again to
I get a Jury. As a consequence an
adjournment has been taken until
January 2, when he third attempt
will be made to find Hyde guilty
London, Dec. 15.—Italy is now oc.
cupylng the whole of the Tripoli
country and the war is practically at
an end. Its domination is not now
disputed and comparative peace Is
reigning.
Colon, Dec. 15—William Jennings
Bryan and family have about com
pleted their trip and have sailed for
home by way of Jamaica.
London, Dec. 13.—The British
government has ordered the indict,
ment of various American packers.
It Is contrary for them to bid for
army and navy supplies, and thl3
the Americans did by using subcer.
fuge.