THIRD YEAR.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1912.
Nl'MBEK 3.
j OF LI J
The Valdez Miner of a recent date
contains very welcome news concern
ing the construction of two bridges
in the interior. Both are badly
needed, but more particularly will
we apprecciate the span that will
cross the treacherous Nazina waters
that has already engulfed a half doz
en prospectors and many horses. The
Miner says:
“The bridge construction crew of
the road commission will leave about
, the first of the year to construct the
bridges across the Gulkana and also
one across the Nizina rivers. Both
bridges are badly needed by the min
ers, prospectors and travelers in the
interior.
“The Gulkana bridge will have a
span of 150 feet between piers of
piling driven in clusters and bound
together so as to make a substantial
foundation for the heavy span. It
will be constructed of Oregon pine,
which will be shipped up from Seat
tle and sent in to Chitina via the
Copper River railroad.
"Lieut. Edgerton has made a sur
vey of the location of both bridges
and the work will be done under the
immediate supervision of Supeninten
dent Ingram and Foreman Lars Hol
land. The latter has been in charge
of the bridge construction on the
Valdez-Fairbanks trail from the days
of Captain Abercrombie and built the
bridges across the Tonsina, Klutina
and Tasalina rivers.
"The bridging of these two
streams, which at times spread out
over their banks and run wild, mak
ing it dangerous crossing for passen
gers and often delaying the more
timid and sometimes the bravest of
the travelers, will be a great con
veniences to the Slate creek and
Fairbanks mushers.
"Both streams have taken their
toll in human lives. At least ten
have been drowned in the N'azina and
four or five in the Gulkana that have
been recorded and mauy who travel
alone and are never heard of. The
bridging of the Nizina will give easy
access to the Chitlstone and the
White river countries.”
————o—o—o
LOS ANGLES, Nov. 20—Last even
ing a most extraordinary scene was
enacted in the police station. Henry
Davis, a masked maniac, took posses
sion of the station and held it for an
hour. He was armed with an infern
al machine and sufficient dynamite to
destroy blocks of buildings. He also
displayed a bottle of nitroglycerine
and a revolver. The officers were all
forced to leave the building and soon
thousands congregated on the streets.
They were thrown into a panic when
they realized the true situation, and
immediately sought places of safety.
Finally detective Hosick took his life
in his hands and slipped behind
Davis, knocking him down into un
consciousness. . . The fuse in the ma
chine automatically ignited. Detec
tive Brown rushed to the sputtering
fuse and threw both fuse and box
into the street, thus scattering sticks
of dynamite on the pavement. Brown
frantically jumped upon and kicked
at the fuse until he finally broke the
connection.. . It was only by a remote
and almost a freak chance that no
explosion occurred. As it was no one
was injured, and there was general
rejoicing when it was known that all
danger had passed.
(From Wednesday’s Daily Alaskan;
Hon. James Wickersham and wife
arrived from Fairbanks last evening
and registered at the Rainier-Grand
hotel. The Judge will go on the
steamer this evening to Valdez, re
turning on the same steamer and will
be joined here by Mrs. Wickersham,
who will accompany him outside.
After a few days in Seattle and Taco
ma Delegate Wickersham will pro
ceed to Washington, to be present ft
the opening of Congress on December
2. He anticipates much favorable
legislation for Alaska and wishes to
be early on the ground to assist in
bringing about beneficial results.
SEATTLE, Not. 19—There was a
great outpouring of business men
and Alaskans at the Arctic Club last
evening. Following a banquet there
were several addresses, the principal
one being made by Major Jay J. Mor
row, president of the Alaska Railroad
Commission. He referred at length
of the trip that the'Commission had
•
just completed through Alaska and
of their various experiences and ob
servations. He stated that until
their report had been submitted to
Congress that it would not be politic
or courteous to announce or discuss
their conclusions. However, it was
plainly seen from his earnestness and
various broad inferences that the
Commission was satisfied of the great
need for railroad construction in the
northland.
Major Morrow declared tliut in
order to get needed results the people
f Alaska must present a united front.
He issued a warning against sectional
jealousy, expressing the fear that
wrangling upon the part of different
sections might destroy the object that
all should strive to attain. He de
clared that the pioneers need en
couragement and assistance, and that
the government must take cognizance
of the country’s great possibilities.
By reason of the remarks of Maj.
Morrow the friends of Alaska who at
tended the meeting last night felt
very much encouraged. They were
impressed with the thoroughness of
the investigation by the Commission
and the sincerety of their purpose.
All pin great faith in Dr. Alfred H.
Brooks, who is thoroughly conversant
with Alaskan conditions and who has
upou more than one occasion proven
himself a real friend of Alaska.
While it is difficult to get a line on
what the Commission is likely to re
port, some hold the view that they
will make a general recommendation
for the construction of a trunk line
of railroad, leaving the route to the
decision of a Commission that might
be authorized to go ahead with con
struction. Others who have talked
with the Commission think that they
will recommend a particular route,
and it would not be a matter of much
surprise if they were to recommend
I the Copper river line and the contin
ued building of a road from Chitina
to Fairbanks.
V-v-v ■■
(From Tuesday’s Daily Alaskan)
Before adjournment of court last
night a special venire was issued for
fifteen additional jurymen. They
reported this morning and by ten
o’clock a jury had been accepted for
the trial of former postmaster Joseph
F. Diggs on the charge of embezzle
ment of post office funds. He is re
presented by Frank Foster, of Valdez,
and O. A. Tucker, of Cordova. The
first witness heard was postal inspec
tor Frank W. Smith, who submitted
documentary evidence from the files
and transactions of the post office and
testified as to a shortage of $4,000.
He was followed by Postmaster Steel,
who testified as to the shortage when
he took over the office. Edgar Davis
gave similar testimony, as he was
present when the transfer was made.
This afternoon former assistant
postmaster John Foulks was put on
the witness stand. He admitted a
shortage, shown by the books to be
about $4,000, and testified that $900
of that amount was by reason of
various postal notes that had been
issued either at the instance of Mr.
or Mrs. Diggs, and for which the
money had not been paid. Some of
I. O. U.’s, which he testified were
given by Mr. Diggs, and which were
offered in evidence, having been
found among the records of the post
office.
Mr. Foulks concluded his testi
mony late this afternoon and after
Mr. Eby and one or two others gave
brief testimony court adjourned un
til eight ocloc’k tonight.
TRIAL OF POST OFFICE CASES
(From Wednesday's Daily Alaskan)
“We find the defendant not guilty.”
Amid the hushed silence of a court
room, and with many interested and
some anxious eyes directed toward
the members of the jury, the above
words were read by Judge Overfleld
from the verdict submitted by the
twelve men who had been considering
the fate of Win. U. Park. They had
heard all the evidence in the case of
the government against the defen
dant, charged with the embezzlement
of monies from the Cordova post
office. After the testimony had been
•
summed up by attorney Brown for
the defendant and District Attorney
Walker and deputy Brnbaker for .the
prosecution, Judge Overfleld deliver
|ed a clear and impartial charge, and
then at 4:20 o’clock yesterday after
noon the jury retired to their delib
erations, in the basement room of the
hotel Northern.
The men who gave Parks a clean
bill of health are by name K. A. Tay
lor, <l. A. Yinger, Chas. Bern, W. A.
Soule, Pete Boutin, F. H. Sheldon,
Robert Webber, H. E. Curry, H. A.
Cook, Karl Peterson. C. II. Soule and
Carl Houser. Shortly after they
went to their room a ballot was
taken. Although it is not given
from any authoritive source, yet it is
currently reported about town, and
generally believed, that on the first
ballot eight voted for acquittal and
four for conviction. The night was
spent in discussion and balloting,
seemingly with the intent to bring
around the four to the way of think
ing of the majority.. . This was not
finally accomplished until about
10:80 o'clock this morning.
When word was sent to the court
that the jury had agreed upon a ver
dict Judge Overfleld ordered the jury
brought into court and the defendant
summoned. Soon as the latter ap
peaered, accompanied by his young
wife, tiie return of the jury was made
and the jurymen were discliarged.
The only manifestation was upon the
part of Mrs. Park, who almost hys
terically sobbed out her great joy at
a verdict that to her justified the
steadfast faith that she had persist
ently maintained in the innocense of
er husband.
(From Tuesday’s Daily Alaskan I
At 4:20 o’clock this afternoon the
case of the government against W. U.
Park, on the charge of embezzlement,
went to the jury. After hearing a few
witnesses this morning on minor de
tails the case closed at 9:30. For
the prosecution deputy District At
torney Brubaker made the opening
address to the jury, occupying nearly
two hours. He was followed by
Fred. M. Brown for the defense. His
plea lasted about an hour and a half.
He was followed this afternoon by
District Attorney Walker, who made
the final address for the prosecution.
Judge Overfield than made his charge
to the jury, and the fate of the in
dicted man is now in their hands.
Immediately after the case went to
the jury a similar case against former
postmaster J. F. Diggs was called.
The selection of a jury at once started
and before court adjourned at five
oclock a special venire was issued
for fifteen jurymen, to report at
eight o’clock tonight. It may be
necessary to issue an order for an
additional venire,
(From Monday’s Daily Alaskan)
In the trial of the case of the gov
ernment against W. U. Park, on vari
ous charges connected with embezzle
ment of funds from the Cordova post
office, much interest is being eviden
ced by the general public. Judge
Overfleld held a session of court on
Saturday night at which time the
prosecution put on the stand postal
inspector Cookston, postmaster H. G.
Steel, W. J. Bryant, Edgar Davis and
Rev. Ziegler. This morning after
hearing evidence of postal clerk
Cooper the prosecution rested. The
defendant then took the stand and^
gave his testimony during the balance
of the morning, his cross-examination
commencing shortly before noon and
continued up to the hour of going to
press.
In his evidence Mr. Parks stated
that he knew of a shortage in the pos
tal funds, and that he had had var
ious conversation with Mr. Foulks
concerning the matter. He stated
that he went over the books carefully
and reported to Mr. Foulks that
there was a discrepancy of $2,000.
A few months later Mr. Foulks went
over the accounts and stated to Mr.
Parks that the shortage seemed to
be about $4,000. Mr. Parks admit
ted that he proposed to Mr. Foulks
in the summer of 1911 that Tie would
raise one-half of the apparent short
age, if Mr. Parks would do likewise
and thus make up the deficit and get
the books straight. He denied how
ever, that he had ever received or.e
dollar from the postal fund3 in ex
cess of the amounts that had been
paid him for salary. He further
stated that he had no knowledge of
where the shortage went.
He admitted various changes and
erasures in the registry books and the
pouch mail books, some of which he
admitted having made at the direc
tion of Mr. Foulks. who claimed that
it was necessary in order to correct
certain errors. The defendant de
nied any intent to falsify the records
or to cover any illegal acts. In his
cross-examination the deputy District
Attorney endeavored to show that
various irregular acts had been done
by Mr. Parks with intent to deceive
and cover up the shortage. The ad
mission was made by Mr. Parks that
he accompanied Mr. Foulks, the night
prior to the coming of the postal in
spectors, to the home of Mr. Bryant,
auditor for the ICatalla Company, aud
that Mr. Foulks arranged to secure a
draft for $4,000, which he, the de
fendant, went for and secured the fol
lowing morning and which was placed
as part of the cash of the office when
the accounts were shortly after gone
over by the inspectors. The money
to pay for the draft was afterw'ards
refused Mr. Bryant by Mr. Foulks, be
cause, as he stated, the funds were
short that amount, and upon demand
tne draft was returned to Mr nryant.
When court adjourned this after
noon at 5:00 o’clock Mr. Park was
still undergoing cross examination.
The court announced that session
would be held this evening, commenc
ing at 7:30 o’clock.
(From Saturday's Daily Alaskan)
The trial of the case of the U 8
government vs. Wm. U. Park com
menced this morning at nine o’clock
before Judge Overfield. Fred M.
Brown, attorney for the defendant,
made his first appearance and re
quested of the court that he be al
lowed to exercise the full number of
ten preemptory challenges, instead
of seven, which were all the defen
dant desired when the jury was selec
ted. The court denied this request
and set the record clear by stating the
agreement that had been entered into
by which the defendant, who is an at
torney, was to proceed with the selec
ting of a jury and that the hearing of
witnesses would be deferred until the
arrival of attorney Brown. The
court, however did permit the chal
lenging of W. H. Crary on the ground
that he held a civil office, and for the
further reason that during his ex
amination the court had misunder
stood one of his answers to a question
asked him. A speeial venire was at
once issued and deputy Marshal Bam
Brightwell summoned two or three.
Carl Hauser was the first examined
and was soon accepted as the succes
sor to Mr. Crary. He has been em
ployed at the Hubbard and Elliott
mines and knew knothing of the case.
Deputy District Attorney Guy C.
Brubaker made the opening state
ment to the jury. He stated that the
government would prove that the de
fendant was an active participant in
the shortage of about four thousand
[dollars postal funds; that he aided
and abetted and had full knowledge
of this shortage; that he connived in
!suppressing the fact of the shortage;
that he admitted his knowledge of the
shortage and his efforts to raise one
half of the amount to return to the
office* thus admitting a responsibility
in the shortage.
The first witness of the prosecu
tion Frank W. Smith, took the stand
and occupied the balance of the morn
ing. When court convened at 2
o’clock he resumed his telling of his
connection with the Ase and was on
the stand when court adjourned this
afternoon. Mr. Smith is a post office
inspector who had at various times
examined the affairs of the Cordova
post office. He submitted much
documentary evidence, particularly
with reference to the money order
department, and the registry busi
ness. He testified of various irregu
larities since February 1910, when
the defendant became connectel wUh
the office, with reference to the with
holding of the funds, the failure to
make full remittances, ante-dating re
mittances and balances, and juggling
with the registry records.
(From Friday’s Daily Alaskan)
Court convened this morning at
ten o’clock but the case of the gov
ernment against W. U. Park was con
tinued, owing to the non-arrival of
the defendant’s attorney, who is a
passenger from Valdez on the steamer
Northwestern. The jury was excused
until two o’clock and later court was
adjourned until nine o’clock tomor
row morning. At that time it is ex
pected that the examination of the
witnesses can start and that there
will be no further delay in the trial.
Some minor matters were disposed
of by the court today.
(From Thursday’s Daily Alaskan)
Shortly after the federal court
opened this morning at Empress thea
tre, with Judge Peter D. Overfiel'd
presiding, the case of the United
States against Wm. U. Park, on the
charge of embezzlement of funds of
the Cordova postoffice, was called for
trial. All demurrers and objections
raised were denied by the court and
the empanneling of a jury proceeded.
Mr. Parks stated that his attorney,
Fred H. Brown had not arrived from
Valdez and would not reach here
until the steamer came tomorrow.
As Mr. Parks is an attorney he con
ducted his own examination of the
jurors, the court assuring him that
the examination of witnesses would
not be started until the arrival of at
torney Brown.
Some of the jurors originally drawn
could not be served and some were
excused, so that at 11:30 o’clock,
with four preemptory challenges, it
was necessary to issue a call for a
special venire. Adjournment was
taken and at two o’clock deputy Mar
shal Sam Brightwell reported the fol
lowing: Robert Weber, Karl Peter
son, H. A. Cook, J. E. Arnell, Clyde
Nettleton, H. E. Curry, W. S. Newlin,
A. N. Hayes, P. P. Cummings, C. H.
Soule, P. H. Sheldon, C. E. Dewesse.
The work of examining jurors at once
proceeded and in about half an hour
the twelve men were selected. There
were a total of five preemptory chal
lenges upon the part of the govern
ment and seven upon the part of the
defendant. Six of the jurymen se
lected were of the special venire, the
other six being discharged, although
all on the regular panel are required
to report from day to day. Court
was adjourned until ten o’clock to
morrow morning and if Mr. Brown
has not then arrived an adjournment
will likely be taken until two o’clock.
The following are the men who will;
try Mr. Park:
P. A. Taylor, G. A. Vinger, Chas.
Bern, W. H. Crary, W. A. Soule, Pete
Boutin, F. H. Shpl '-'n. Robt. Webber,
H. E. Curry. H A. ■ .. It, Karl Peter
son, C. H. Scule.
OF
Harry Warren left for Fairbanks
this week with two tons of fresh
meat He has been waiting for the
snow in order that he might leave
with sleds. The trail froze very
rough this fall and up to date there is
barely enough snow for twenty or
more miles for sledding.
Mrs. Rose Johnson and Theresa
Johnson of McCarthy were visiting
friends in Chitina this week.
Dan McDonald of McCarthy was in
Chitina this week.
The Commissioner's court was oc
cupied this week with the troubles
of A1 Fagenberg and Hans Poison.
The government also had an action
against Fagenberg for destroying
property, assault and battery and
other points in which Poison was the
prosecuting witness. The jury fail
ing to agree a retrial has been order
ed for sixty days hence.
The failure of the jury to agree
brought out a rather amusing situa
tion. Supper time arrived while they
were in profound deliberations and
the last vote stood 10 to 2. Now six
of the jurors lacked the price of sup
per so the marshal took the other
six to supper and left the improvident
six to cogitate on the reckless manner
in which they had spent last sum
mers wages. When deliberations
were resumed the vote stood 6 to t>.
There was still a difference of opin
ion when they were dismissed.
You will be surprised to find how
little the high freight rate adds to
articles at the Chitina Pharmacy.
It is to be regretted that no action
was ever taken in regard to a fire
department. The town may pay
dearly some time this winter for our
indifference.
The Road Commission will leave
Valdez for here about December 1.
It is generally understood that
when one speaks of “The Store” he
means the Chitina Cash Store, where
you get what you want when you
want it.
---ft_ft_
ARRIVALS AT CHITINA HOTEL
W. E. Cathcart, P. D. Range. L. L.
Butler and wife, Chas. Kitsman Geo.
Bibber, J. W. Fillinger, Geo. Scott,
A. Hearman, E. W. Blakely, Miss
Cartwright, Leroy Tozier, C. D. Sar
gent, T. F. Lawrence. E. P. Walters,
W. Casey, W. T. Burns, J. A. An
derson, Joseph Duke, Sam Gilmore,
O.L. Larson, Jake Nafsted, Chas,
Wossman, C. A. Phillips, John Delen,
J. A. Fagenberg, A. J. Adams, A! Mc
Larhi, S. O. Breedman and O. L. Lar
son.
-o—o—j---—
COPPER CENTER NOTES
eginald Blix has not yet resumed
the management of the Hotel Hol
man, at Copper Center. It is still
being conducted by W. H. Johnson,
who will remain in control until his
lease expires some time in December.
L. A. Jones, the government school
teacher at this place, has been ap- j
pointed by Judge Overfield as United
States Commissioner for the Copper;
precinct. He has entered upon his I
new duties and is exercising the func- t
tions of his office with becoming dig
nity.
—--o—o—o
After O. S. Breedman secured a
liquor license for McCarthy’s he en
tered Into negotiations for the pur
chase of the Blackburn hotel that
has been conducted at that place by
the Fagenberg brothers. He secured
the property and will use It in con
nection .with the Bloomquist home
stead that he has also purchased.
It is Mr. Breedman’s intention to con
duct a large store in connection with
his hotel and bar, and if possible to
secure a post office at McCarthy. He
secured a shipment of liquors on the
steamer Mariposa this morning and
expects to get his bar bar opened in
a few days. Oscar took the Monday
train for the scene of his new opera
tions.
(From Thursday's Daily Alaskan)
After court convened this morning
one of the first acts of Judge Over
field was to grant the application of
Oscar Breedmau for a roadhouse
license at McCarthy station, mile 1DJ
on the railroad. There was no ob
jection to the granting of the license,
although there may be applications
for other licenses filed later. In an
swer to an Inquiry the Judge stated
that the license fee at McCarthy’s
was $1,000. This location is within
four miles of Kennecott, where a
large number of men are employed.
It is also the junction point for the
miners and prospectors who operate
in the Nazina country. There has
been a demand for some time for a
road house with license at McCarthy,
but objections had previously been
made because of the lack of federal
officers at that point. Recently, how
ever, the Judge appointed M. V.
Latin, at present station agent for
the company at McCarthy’s as a
United States Commissioner, with
duties of a Justice of the Peace and
Coroner. At the same time S. D.
Charles was named by Marshall Sul
lllvan, as a deputy, with headquarters
at McCarthy.
There being no objection the court
granted the application for transfer
of barroom license from Louis Mar
guiles to Fred Haef.
The barroom license application of
Albert White, of Valdez, was set over
to the December term of court
at Valdez.
(From Tuesday's Daily Alaskan)
The steamer Mariposa arrived in
port at eight o'clock this morning,
making the run from Seattle in three
and a half days. She had a good voy
age and the passengers are congratu
lating themselves that there was
scarcely a suggestion of sea sickness.
Those for Cordova were W. J. Bowen,
Peter Cordes, W. B. Moon, C'. K.
Hammond, Geo. Smith, A. A. Clonln
ger, Chas. Cochran, Mrs. Chas. Coch
ran, J. H. Cobb, Mrs. S. Scott, Miss
Scott. The steamer carried a large
consignment of freight and is en
gaged today in discharging, expect
ing to sail for Valdez early this even
ing. Although the sailing on the re
turn trip might be made on Saturday
morning her schedule time is the
24th, so that she will not leave Cor
dova for Seattle until after midnight
Saturday, as Sunday is the 24th.
By that time it is expected that the
Court will have finished with the
criminal business, and Judge Over
field will adjourn the session and de
part for Juneau, where he will open
a term on December 9th. In the
meantime Judge Lyons will come to
Valdez and preside over a term that
starts on December 2.
Attorney A. R. Heilig, of Fair
banks, had scarcely arrived on the
train last evening before he was sum
moned to appear before court as a
prospective juror. He responded last
evening and was willing to perform
his full duties as a good American
citizen by serving on the jury with
out claiming the exemption that his
profession entitled him. But the de
fense challenged him and he was ex
cused. Mr. Heilig is on his way to
Valdez, where he will act as attorney
for two or three defendants in the
bank cases. During the earlier days
he was clerk of the court under Judge
Wickersharn before the third and
fourth divisions had been created.
Although frequently in Valdez he had
never visited Cordova, and is very
much impressed with the metropoli
tan appearance of our town. After
the court cases are disposed of Mr.
Heilig will make a trip outside, to be
the first in eight years.
-0—0—o
BERLIN, Nov. 20—Tageblatt saya
that Austria has sent an ultimatum to
Servia concerning the dispute over
Albania.
— .a —o—o-—
Drink Parkford at the Chitina Bar.