DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME IN FIGURING WHY A BLACK HEN LAYS A WHITE EGG—BUT GET BUSY AND GET AFTER THE EGG.
VOL. L
CHITINA, ALASKA, SATUNDAY, FEBAUARY 18, 1911.
NO. 22
Chitina had her first bad fire on
last Friday night or on Saturday
n.orning at 2 a. m., when the the
cebin in which Postmaster John
ston and wife were living suddenly
broke out in flames, totally destroy
ing the cabin and everything in it,
the occupants barely escaping in
their night clothes.
Mr. Johnston stated that they had
built a fire about 12 o'clock before
retiring, and as the delayed train
had kept him up the night before,
he fell into a deep sleep and was
not awakened until near 2 a. m. by
the ororn being filled with smoke.
The cabin was lined inside with
building paper and canvass, and the
fire had evidently caught from a
spark or a defective flue, as nearly
three feet qsuare was blazing around
the stove pipe when they awoke.
Mr. Johnston seized a blanket and his
wife a large Turkish towel, attempt
ing to beat out the flames, but the
smoke soon strangled them and they
had to retreat. As soon as the door
was opened it created a drought and
the whole room was ablaze in a few
seconds. While Mrs. Johnston was
calling for help Mr. Johnson at
tempted to still fight the flames until
his hair, eye lashes and brows, were
badly scorched, and he had to give
up the struggle to save their home.
Mr. and Mrs. McCutcheon, who
live only a few feet from them, took
them in and gave them clothes tem
porarily and made them comfortable
for the night.
Within a few minutes after the
dread cry of fire, twenty or thirty
men were on hand to do what they
could to save property and adjoin
ing buildings but all that could be
done was to watch and wait for the
flames to exhaust themselves.
Aside from the unfortunate cou
yle losing everything they possessed,,
was the burning of their constant
and affectionate Airedale terrier.
‘•Silk." which, for some unaccount- j
able reason, failed to get out. She.
was afterwards found under the]
ruins of the bed and was only par
tially burned.
Mrs. John3ton had between $100
and $200 in the cabin, which they
were saving up to apply on a cabin
of their own and as most of the
money was in currency, it of course
was destroyed.
The cabin belonged to the Bowker
brothers, who also lost some per
sonal effects. W. Bowker arrived
in Chitina the following evening, and
took the matter philosophically, say
ing that he was thankful with the
rest of the Chitina people, that the
inmates managed to escape unharm
ed.
As soon as the people realized the
destitute condition of the couple, of
fers of help from every source came
in. The ladies fitted Mrs. Johnston
out in clothes, and the gentlemen
saw to it that our worthy postmas
ter had something else besides pa
jamas to wear. Messrs. Hull, St.
Clair, Exum, Brown and a few oth
ers, the following morning started
out with a petition and before night
had between $300 and $400 in cash
subscribed. Aside from this a room
was furnished in the Nelson build
ing with bed, stove, blankets and
necessary paraphernalia for house
keeping, a month’s rent donated,
and three cords of wood furnished.
Tears came to the eyes of Mr. and
Mrs. Johnston when they realized
the goodness of the Chitina peo
ple, as nearly one hundred citizens
had subscribed all the way from $1
to $20 each. It’s the true Alaskan
spirit, and the people of Chitina
are all good Alaskans.
CARD OF THANKS.
We wish to express through the
columns of the local paper, our
heartfelt thanks and deepest grati
tude to the good people of Chitina
and all who responded so materially
to our aid when we lost everything
by fire on the night of Friday, Feb.
10th. WTords cannot express our ap
preciation, for many subscribed to
our destitute condition whom we
scarcely knew. What the heart feels
lips cannot express, and our hearts
are full to overflowing with grati
tude to those coming to our aid so
promptly in our time of need.
MR. and MRS. CLIFF JOHNSTON.
Local News
Eddie Walsh, the railroad wag,
has gone to the front, and will han
dle the “diamonds” for one of the
construction engines. Fred O’Neil,
better known as the ‘‘Tennessee
Kid,” has taken Eddie’s position as
fireman on the pusher.
The fortnightly card club is sched
uled to meet next Wednesday even
ing.
Chief Engineer E. C. Hawkins,
who arrived on Thursday evening’s
train, visited a number of friends
in Chitina. While he gave out noth
ing definite about the all ebsorbing.
topic here—the building of the
bridge—he was very optimistic re
garding future development along
this line, and believes there will be
much activity in this vicinity next
season.
Fred Schaupp was the real live
safe cracker this week, having to
break open a deposit box and fit a
key, which was lost in the Johnston
fire.
Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Stringer left
on Sunday morning’s train for a trip
to Cordova. Mr. Stringer is a wit
ness on one of the cases coming up at
this term of court and says after
the case Is disposed of he can't get
back to Chitina too quick to suit him.
Tom Holland, Ciiltina’s pioneer,
made a trip to Cordova this week,
returning on Thursday's train. We
never realized how good looking Tom
is until he came back with a boiled
shirt and store clothes. He looked
like he had enjoyed himself, end we
hope he did, for Tom has been pretty
steady and deserved a vacation.
Tom Parker and Billy Slimpert
pulled out this morning from mile
133 with a big outfit to go prospect
ing in and around Beaver Dam. Both
parties are well known and liked in
this section of Alaska and the best
of luck is wished them by their
friends. Slimpert and Parker were
prospecting on the upper waters of
the Chitina River this winter with
Roy Wilson, who went down Thurs
day to have a look at the quartz
properties back of Taral.
-m
WELL KNOWN CHEFS
OPEN LUNCH STAND
John Hirst, better known as the
"Senator,” and Jesse Brown, two
well known chefs, expect to open the
lunch counter in McCutcheon & Grif
fith’s new place this week as soon
as the place is ready for business.
The nxtures and dishes, formerly
owned by the w’ell known Lindig’s
Kitchen, will be used at their coun
ter, the chairs already being install
ed there. Mr. McCutcheon left yes
terday to secure the rest of the fix
tures, as well as to attend to some
business connected with his own
firm. That these two caterers will
do well, goes without saying, and if
they are ready to open by the next
issue of the Leader, look for their
ad. They will have something to
say to you.
Job work at the Leader office.
FREIGHT BEGINS TO
MOVE FROM CHITINA
L. P. Schumacher, of Fairbanks,
arrived on Thursday night's train,
and will take in a large supply of
freight to the interior. He sent five
men ahead of him the first of the
week, who got the horses and outfit
ready to start yesterday. Five horses
were brought from Cordova, and
four were purchased from the con
tracting company from up the line.
Two big bob sleds and seven double
enders left yesterday, with eighty
cases of eggs, ten cases of oranges,
ten of lemons and other supplies.
Mr. Schumacher states that he will
return for more supplies immediate
ly after this trip and will continue
to freight from here as long as the
trail holds good. Other freighters
will soon get busy also, now that the
second slash in freight rates has been
made.
GUESTS REGISTERED
AT HOTEL CHITINA
The following names appeared on
the register of hte Hotel Chitina this
week, most of whom were from the
outside, en route to the interior: G.
L. Miller, Ed. Russell, John Wan
stool, H. A. Mudge J. L. Anders.
Hugo Fels, A. Smith, Harry Gibb.
Henry Bonner, Ed. Griffin, C. J. Mey
ers, C. Bertrand, E. Moss, O. S. Car
ruthers, B. R. Dusenberry, Wm.
Chisholm and wife, Mrs. Francis Ab
zina, Mrs. J. W. Brown, W. S. Chris
tensen, H. Cook, D. Michie, Jos.
Braugh, Mrs. Harbor, J. Jacobson.
J. H. Carnahan, W. T. Serle, Samuel
Ksult, Emil Johnston, Oscar Diver.
L. P. Schumacher and J. H. Murray.
Monday night’s train brought a
number of passengers for the inside,
which made the town look quite live
ly for the evening.
WORK 1 PIERS 11
STMT THIS SM6
Chief Engineer Hawkins, of the
Copper River & Northwestern rail
way, has returned from a trip to
New York, where he attended a
meeting of the officials of the Alaska
Syndicate and says that from now on
work is to be rushed on the railroad
and that shipment of ore will be
made from the Bonanza c-opp.-r mine
at Kennicott during the latter part
of April. A greatly increased force
of men will be employed this sum
mer in ballasting the road and bring
ing it up to grade.
Mr. Hawkins says that the piers
will be put in this summer for the
Chitina bridge crossing the Copper
River. Just what other work will
bo undertaken he did not state, but
predicted that the mining industry
would be given an impetus as a re
sult of the large number of operat
ors- and prospectors who would visit
this section in the early spring.
The terminal improvements at
Cordova including the erection of
coal bunkers, etc., will be depend
ent upon the opening of the coal
fields.
MAIL CONTRACTORS ARE
NOW CAUGHT UP AGAIN
The welcome word was brought in
Sunday that all of the mail for Fair
banks that has been sent to Cordova
this winter has been cleaned up, the
last of it, a consignment of circulars
and government publications, having
arrived here on the last stage. The
only mail now remaining at Cor
dova is a collection of 909 pounds
for Tanana and lower river points
This does not mean, however that
there is no delayed matter for Fair
banks being held elsewhere. All
package mail is held at Seattle and
not sent to Cordova at all. This
package mail will be sent in after
the opening of navigation—Fair
banks Times.
E. E. Durgin, the versatile one and
chef de cuisine on Supt. Van Cleve's
private car, mixed with a few friends
on Thursday night.
Supt. Van Cleve arrived in Chit
ina on Thursday night's train.
Read the Leader for the news.
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OLD RUSSIAN COINS
FOUND ON C. R. & N. W.
The Russians were the first whites
that traded in and around the Cop
per River region. Once in a while
one picks up evidences of their occu
pation of Alaska. The latest find
bearing on the Russian occupation
was made at mile 67 on the C. R. &
N. W. railway and again at Long
Lake. At mile 67 a five kopeck cop
per coin was found, coined in the
reign of Peter the Great and bear
ing the date 1704. At Long Lake a
three kopeck piece was also picked
up near a small creek bed, dated
1773. Both coins were in fair state
of preservation and the lucky finder
refused an offer of $10 each.
Seattle, Feb. 16.—Capt. Jensen re
turns from the scene of the wreck
of the Cottage City at Smudge Is
land and says the steamer is almost
a total wreck.
Vienna, Feb. 18.—Baron Roths
child wills $50,000 to charity.
COPPER MOUNTAIN ROAD
HOUSE MAN VISITS US
J. M. Peterson, of the Copper
Mountain roadhouse, paid us a vis
it on Thursday of this week, return
ing yesterday after looking after |
some freight and supplies he had;
to take out. The Copper Mountain J
roadhouse is situated about three ■
miles from the famous Copper Moun- j
tain mines of E. F. Gray, or about,
thirteen miles from mile 146 on the
railroad, and has already gained con
siderable fame for its splendid ac- j
commodations. The house has been
built about a year and is run by
Peterson and Vaughn, the latter
owning the well known roadhouse at
Tiekhel on the Valdez-Fairbanks
trail. Those who have visited the
house at Copper Mountain claim no
better service is found at any road
house in Alaska. Tney have a first,
class bar in connection and as D.
Davis, the mall contractor and
freighter visits there regularly, there
is always everything at the place
needed for the entertainment of
travelers.
HOME FOR OLD-TIMERS
MAY BE CONSTRUCTED
At a meeting of the Fairbanks
igloo, Order of Pioneers, a commit
tee was appointed to investigate the
practicability of establishing a tem
porary home for those old-timers of
that camp, who are without means
and are unable longer to maintain
themselves.
It is the intention of the pioneers
eventually to seek aid from the gov
ernment for the establishment of a
general Alaskan home for old-timers,
but in the meantime, it is possible
the members of the local igloo will
provide temporary means of relief
for the incapacitated of that district.
Washington, Feb. 16.—President
Taft has appointed Cardinal Gibbons
a member of the Board of Indian
Commissioners to succeed the late
Archbishop Ryan.
Victoria, Feb. 16.—The legislature
almost unanimously opposes reciproc
ity with the United States.
The sudden death of Mrs. W. A.
Sherman on Saturday afternoon
came as a shock to the Chitina peo
ple. She had noly the day previous
opened a restaurant in the Nelson
building, and on Saturday evening
complained of feeling quite ill About
9 o’clock Mr. St. Clair brought a
stimulant for her from town, and
Mrs. St. Clair, who lives in the
rooms above, prepared a hot water
bottle for her before retiring. She
complained of a terrible pain around
her heart, but after the stimulant
and hot water application said she
felt easier.
About 3 a. m. Mrs. St. Clair heard
several peculiar sounds and waking
her husband, told him she believed
Mrs. Sherman must be quite ill. On
knocking at Mrs. Sherman’s door
there was no answer, so fearing
something was wrong they went in
and found Mrs. Sherman propped up
in bed, breathing heavily and total
ly unconscious.
Mr. Sherman was immediately
summoned and Mrs. C. C. Hull came
about 4 o’clock and remained to the
end. Dr. Whiting, who was at mile
146. was telephoned for and came
down on a special engine, arriving
about 8 o’clock in the morning. Af
ter a hasty examination he stated
that the patient was undoubtedly
suffering from morphine narcosis,
and the poison had already gone too
far for him to administer any relief.
From every indication, the contrac
tion of the pupils fairly strong heart
action, weak respiration and coma
tose condition, he believed while
Mrs. Sherman had been suffering
great bodily pain she had taken an
overdose of morphine, which result
ed in her death at 1:35 in the after
noon.
Judge Ferguson, who was in Cor
dova on business, was telephoned
for, and at the coroner’s Inquest Mr.
Sherman stated that his wife had
never been addicted to the use of
morphine, but had always complain
ed at times of severe pains in the
region of her heart. The coroner’s
jury returned a verdict of accidental
death from morphine poisoning, af
ter which the judge instructed Dep
uty Marshal Brown to turn over the
remains of Mrs. Sherman, who took
charge of the burial.
The funeral took place on Wed
nesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, and
the remains was the first to be in
terred in the new cemetery site on
the hill overlooking the great Cop
per River. Perry Gibson officiated
at the funeral, while six members of
the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of
which Mr. Sherman is a past worthy
president, acted as pallbearers. A
large funeral procession paid their
last sad respects to the dead, and
Mr. Sherman has the deep sympathy
of all in his bereavement.
Marie Sherman was born in Laii
derbach, Hartz, Germany, and was
49 years of age. She was well
known to many old Alaskans hav
ing been in Nome and the interior,
afterwards going to Katalla and com
nig to Cordova in the early days of
cld Eyak. She was in business with
her husband during the construction
days at Tiekel, afterwards coming
to Chitina when the town first start,
ed.
DECISION* OF CORONER’S JURY.
The coroner’s jury selected to in.
quir into the death of Mrs. Marie
Sherman, after listening to all the
evidence adduced, rendered the fol
lowing verdict:
Chitina Precinct, District of Alaska,
Feb. 13, 1911.
We, the jury called to inquire in
to the death of Marie Sherman, here
with find that deceased came to her
death by an overdose of morphine,
accidentally taken while in great
bodily pain.
O. E. BENNETT, Foreman.
M. R. HEALEY. 4
OSCAR WEBER. ,
S. O. BREEDMAN.
RICHARD FICKEN. f
E. W. EXUM.
Charley Munson and Perry Gib
son, who left early last winter on
a prospecting trip, returned on the
first of the week.
Local News
Paddy MacCormac, the well known
station man, after several weeks
idleness, couldn’t stand the strain
any longer, and left this week for
the front, where it is reported he
will have charge of a gang on steel
wcrk.
Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Martin return
ed this week from a trip to Cor
dova and are again nicely settled in
their comfortable cabin.
Way Bowker, one of Chitina’s ear.
liest citizens, who has been in Cor
dova for the past three months, re
turned on Saturday last. When Way
learned that his cabin had burned
the night before, he remarked: ‘ Oh,
that’s all right. Plenty more logs
around here and I’ll throw up an
other one.” This is the third cabin
the Bowker boys have lost from tire,
and the superstitious ones claim
from now on they should have good
luck. They should have anyway, for
they are always optomistic, show,
ing the true Alaskan spirit by laugh
ing in the face of misfortune.
E. P. Ziegler, who paid us a visit
last week, returned on Sunday
morning. Mr. Ziegler stated that he
would liked to have remained long
er, but had to meet Bishop Rowe,
who Was expected on the Alameda.
He and the bishop will pay us a vis
it soon and a big house warming at
the Red Dragon will take place.
Frank Clarkin, the well known
conductor, has taken a furlough and
will enjoy a short vacation now that
the resi of the boys are beginning
to return ot work.
Hugo Fels, the well known car
penter and bridge man, came down
from the front this week and made
a trip to Cordova. He says there is
sure some rapid bridge work now
going on at the front.
L. B. Erickson, who is interested
i? the quartz property at Dean's Ba
sin, returned this week from his last
trip in this year with freight. He
says there is now sufficient supplies
and tools at the mines to keep a
fairly good force at work all sum
mer, and active work will begin there
a;s soon as the snow goes.
Mrs. Edna Brown, of Cordova, was
an arrival in Chitina this week. She
was en route to one of the road
houses on the trail to take charge
of the kitchen.
W. S. McCune, chief timekeeper
for the constructing compan.. at the
front, returned from a trip to Cor
'dova on Thursday night’s train.
Mesdamcs Wallace and Johnston,
who left for Cordova on a shopping
trip last Monday morning, returned
Piiday, and said they were glad to
get back home. Mrs. John.'ton suc
ceeded in purchasing a new outfit of
clothes sufficient to last her until
the summer.
Seattle, Feb. 16.—The schooner
Edward West has been drifting help
lessly in a raging storm for the past
four days, and when Captain Jensen,
his wife and crew of nine men were
rescued they were badly frozen and
almost starved.
i _