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VOL. I.
OKITINA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1911.
NO. 25
RAILROADER MAKES TRIP
IN FLYING MACHINE
C. C. Stevens, the well known lo
comotive firemen, who recently re
turned from a trip to sunny Califor
nia, returned to Cordova last week
after spending a few days in Chitl
na and at the front. Steve says the
boys in Alaska who haven’t been out
for several years can hardly realize
the improvement and progress which
has gone rapidly on. He says people
in California now have the flying
machine craze, and through the in
fluence of his father in Los Angeles,
Steve had the distinction of being
the first Alaskan, so far known, to
make a trip in one of the newly im
proved aeroplanes. When asked
about the experience or sensation of
the ride, Steve said it was different
from riding on a locomotive and far
more uncomfortable. Two passen
gers besides himself made the trip.
He said they were seated on cross
bars of aluminum, and strapped se
curely to an upright bar with the
legs dangling. They rose to an alti
tude of about 600 feet, and as the
speed was something like 35 miles
an hour there was little sensation
outside of the rushing wind, which
was quite cold, and about all he
could see below was a whirling kal
eidoscope of the earth’s surface.
SOMETHING NEW IN
WALL PAPER BORDER
About the neatest advertisement
we have seen this far north, can be
found at the Cnitina bakery, run by
the well known business men, Gess
ner & Stangueth. This firm uses
many cases of canned fruits, and as
they use the Amocat brand, they
soaked the labels from the cans and
have used them as a border for their
wail paper in the front store room.
As the patron drinks his coffee at
the lunch counter, his eye invol
untarily travels to the peculiar bor
der, which runs tastefully around
the wall, and it is surprising how
the blackberries and smaller fruits,
to the larger ones of peaches and
pears, harmonize with such a charm
ing effect. It is said that Manager
Hull gave the bakery a case of can
ned goods on the strength of the
advertisement, and the Amocat peo
ple of Tacoma should have a photo
made of it and reward the firm of
Gessner & Stangueth in a substantial
way for the most suitable and unique
advertisement they ever received in
an unintentional manner.
“DUTCH” MAKES HI YU
BIG FREIGHT DISPLAY
Dave Blankfleld, the well known
freighter, known to most every one
in the north as “Dutch,” made the
star display this week of a freight
line-up packed on bobs ready for
the trip over the trail to the Inter
ior. Dutch is in charge of the
freight and horses here for the Schu
macher outfit, which is taking in
many tons of stuff to the interior.
On Thursday last Dutch loaded the
big stock of millinery goods belong
ing to Mary Anderson, of Fairbanks
and as the goods were packed in
large boxes, and loaded on several
bob sleds, they made a business like
appearance lined up one side of the
depot. After seeing the consign
ments of goods, which Dutch says is
the largest line of millinery stuff ev
er shpiped into Fairbanks, well on
its way past Tonslna, he will re
turn to Chitina, and load up several
tons of chickens, eggs and other
freight, which is soon to arrive for
the interior metropolis.
A rumor was circulated here this
week that Frank Clarkin, the well
known conductor, who is now on a
furlough outside, and Mrs. Ora Bur
rows, who was at mile 133 all last
summer, were recently married In
California. If this rumor proves au
thentic, there will be plenty of con
gratulations and big doings if they
return here, for the couple are well
known and have many friends in this
country.
D. Carscadden, a mining man from
the interior, was a prominent arriv
al on Friday’s train for the interior.
*■ I ■ I ,
I 1
Ed. Roungs, the well known' Alts- Paterson will use several men in the some time, and considerable devel- son among whom are Crawford and
kan, who for a number of years has building of roads to the miaes and opment work fyas already been done Ammond, Nafsted, Barrett and oth
K . . , , , erect cabins for future use. Mr. there, but at l^ast 400 feet more of ers. Mr. Youngs says while a cop
been developing and locating copper . , ,,, L v
Youngs* who Is a practical mine fore- tunnel will be ru\n this coming sea- per prospect now seems a dubious
properties in the copper belt, arrlv- njan^ do about $5,000 worth of son. asset to the prospectors, if he has
ed in Chitina last week and has been Work on some of the claims, and In addition to doing'work for the anything like a mine, it will not be
busy making preparations for devel- expects to nu about 200 feet of tun- two companies mentioned, Mr. long before those who hold on will
opment work at Spirit Mountain, and ael this season. Youngs will have men on his own be into the money, for capital will
the Nicolai group. The Spirit Moan- The Galena Bay Mining Co., known properties, as he has a r’mber of assuredly take all p/cspects which
tain Mining Co. has some splendid as. the Nicolai properties, is also dnims in the copper belt, some or have developed signs of a copper
copper prospects, about 12 miles up represented by'Mr. Youngs. This tfhich adjoin the well known proper- mine.
Canyon creek, back of the Indian vll- property is located near the head of ties of E. F, Gray at Copper lloun- The Katalla Company shipped a
lage of Taral, and Mr. Youngs with McCarty creek in the famous cop- tain. mixed ear of supplies for the Spirit
B. O. Peterson, are authorized by‘per creek belt and here Mr, Youngs Mr. Youngs is most optimistic as Mountain work and a full car of
the company to expend $10,000 on will use about 12 men in develop- to the future outlook of copper in supplies goes to the Nicolai mine,
development work there this year. Ing the properties. The Nicolai prop- this vicinity and says there are sev- Mr. Youngs expects io secure some
A camp has already been estat>- erty Is already recognized as a valu- eral outfits which will do develop- men here and tas already started
llshed near the railroad, and Mr. able mine, having been located for ment work on a large scale this sea- freighting the supplies to the mines.
LOCAL NEWS
Part of Jim Wilson's freight out
fit stopped at mite 133, and they are
going to freight from that end of the
line to the Nickoli mine this winter.
The first part of Max Esterly’s out
fit, going into Chititu creek, stopped
at the roadhouse at mile 133 for a
few days. They report the traUih
first-class condition from Valdes, es
pecially the river from Tonsina down.
McCarty’s outfit is expected down
the river in a few days from Valdes.
The outfit is said to be a large one,
as the owners of the mine expect to
put It on a shipping basis this year.
Fred Jarenson, better known as
“mush-on,” came as far as Willow
creek with McDonough’s outfit from
Fairbanks on Wednesday last, and
‘mushed on” from there Into the
Q-lacler city.
C. M. F. Cole, the roadhouse man,
had the misfortune to lose a line
horse this week, for which he only
recently refused 9150. The animal
had its leg broken by a kick from
another horse and had to be shot.
The body of C. W. Pepper, form
erly deputy postmaster at Fairbanks,
arrived here on Thursday afternoon
with the McDouough freight outfit.
Deceased came to his death from the
effects of the last Fairbanks fire. The
body has been embalmed awaiting
orders from the relatives in the
states, and is now being shipped to
Missouri for interment.
Frank Accles, who has been engage
ed in freighting and hauling in Chit-j
ina since last summer, has sold his
horses, disposed of hla outfit and will1
leave on the nest steamer for Seattle,
where he is called as a witness in
the coal land frauds, which eome np,
this month. i
Oscar Tryck, a freighter, left on
Tuesday with two horses and 20
cases of eggs, for the camp of Rich
ardson, In the Delta country.
J. L. Galen, who took In. the saw>
mill supplies tor Steve Birch to his
Dan creek placer properties, is ex
pected back soon for another outfit
ting.
On Sunday evening, Mrs. Wallace
entertained at dinner in honor of Mr.
Fred Glassbrenner, of Cordova.
Those present were Messrs. Glass
brenner, Shearman, Palmer and
Flcker, Mrs. McCUtcheon and Mrsi
Wallace.
"Our Lake," Just below the com
missioner’s office, is now receiving
plenty of attention from the skaters
Ask Geo. Shade, Tom Holland or
Deputy Marshal Brown about "Our
Lake.” We understand the lake hasj
been flooded, seats arranged for the
ladles, and that the price of admis
sion to its glassy surface is—free.
An outfit freighting up the Nts
ina river from here, recently lost a
horse and 150 pounds of supplies
over a steep precipice on the Chlti
stone canyon. The horse was in
stantly killed and the supplies could
not toe recovered:
j Big Force to Work on
Railroad this Summer
Chief Engineer E. C. Hawkins, of
the Copper River ft Northwestern
railroad, plans on employing a large
number of men during the coming
summer in putting the road in the
best possible condition. As it is now
only in the stage of construction it
is the desire to 1>rlng it up to the
proper grade and. in every way Im
prove the roadbed.
If any arrangements are made for
the opening of the coal fields, and it
is believed that President Taft will
favorably pass on the entries and is
sue the patents, it will mean the Im
mediate extension of the railroad to
the Katalla fields. Should this work
be undertaken a large crew of men
will be given employment. The min
ing of coal will also result in the
building of bunkers at Cordova and
renewed prosperity for the whole of
Alaska.
The main line or the track is to
be raised in places where it is low,
and particularly along miles 63 and
64, from two and a half to three and
a half feet. Here a large drainage
ditch will be built oft the upper side
of the roadbed along the gravel
moraine. A number of the fills
abtive Chitina where the track has
settled, will be widened. For fifty
miles on the Chitina branch the
track will be ballasted and raised.
Later in the season it is probable
that a concrete pier will be built
across the Copper River at the mouth
of the Chitina. A new station *s
also to be erected at the latter place,
and section houses put up and sever
al more water tanks erected along
the line. There will also be an ex
tension s' the snowsheds and likely
another new one.
LOCAL NEWS.
Jack Lawrence, the Chitina wa
ter supply ma will also be the Ice
man this summer. Jack has arrang
ed to build an ice house on the prop
erty of Tom Hollond, which will hold
about 100 tons of ice, and has men
out cutting ice now on the long lake
about one mile from town on the new
trail. No better ice can be put up
than this and Jack has faith that
he can sell all he puts up during
the summer.
C. W. McDonough and J. R. Burch
were arrlValfe from Fairbanks this
week. Mr; McDonough has eight
head of horses and wlH take in about
seven tons of freight to the interior
city, most of which are eggs. He
brought out the body of Si Pepper,
who recently\dled from the effects
of the Fairbanks lire, and which is
being shipped to Missouri for burial.
Bert Stevens was an arrival from
Fairbanks this week, with eight head
of horses after a consignment of eggs
for the Fairbanks merchants.
Mrs. E. O. Ellsworth was an ar
rival from Fairbanks on Thursday,
making the trip out with W. C. Mc
Donough. Mrs. Ellsworth will re
main* in Chitina, having secured a
I cabin on Chitina-Heights. Mr. Ells
worth is now at the front with the
construction'' train, and they may
make their home here all summer.
| In a letter to John Hirst, from a
friend in Nome, the writer states that
[two well known old-timers, Barney
Olbney and Tommy White, died re
cently. There are many in Chitina
: who know the old Nomeites well and
‘mourn their loss.
Ira Rank, the Nome merchant,
made the trip from Nome to Chitina
in 46 day*. He had a long and-stren
uoue trip and* eaid he was* glad to
reach the railroad and abandon the
dogs and bob sleds. He is on a busi
ness trip to the outside and will re
turn to Nome by steamer on the
opening of navigation.
Dan Kennedy, the former well
known transportation man, was a
Chitina guest this week. Mr. Kenne
dy left for Valdez over the trail,
where he has some business, after
which he leaves for Fairbanks and
the Kuskokwim country. He had a
splendid sample of coarse gold which,'
he says, came from near the Kusko
kwim, and believes that in the near
future a big camp will spring up in
that vicinity, which will prove perm
anent, a3 fine quartz showings have
been discovered, as well as being rich
in placer gold.
Wm. McKinnon, a prominent min
ing operator on the creeks tributary
to Fairbanks, arrived on Friday’s
train en route to the interior.
The steam shovel will soon be
started at mie 1153, from where the
gravel will be taken for the ballast
ing of the new road bed.
Jack Juring, the well known cook,
came up from Cordova on Friday
morning and left for work at camp
146.
Quite a few bridge men came down
from the front on Friday’s train.
Some will go outside, while others
expect to remain here for the work
to start on the Big bridge at this
crossing.
Seattle, March 11.—The Alaska
Pacific Steamship Company has two
Mg steamers in view to be used on
the Alaska run this summer. They
will be similar to the Yale and Har
vard steamers. It is expected that
there will be many thousand people
going to Prince William Sound this
summer.
LOCAL NEWS
Harry Chamberlain, who has th<
Chitina feed stables recently receiv
ed a ton of black Finland oats> grass
and garden seeds and a plow for
Peter Schneider, the rancher( near
Copper Center.
Mrs. Ivory St. Clair last week pur
chased a residence lot and has since
been busy in securing a large tent
and making arrangements for a
summer home.
L. B. Erickson, who has interests
in Dean basin, returned on Friday
after a two weeks trip to the mines.
He was snowed in for several days
during the storm, not daring to come
out while the soft weather lasted.
He says the trail will now soon be
in good condition and as plenty or
supplies are taken In the men can
soon be at work.
Mrs. Ldna Brown, who has been
cooking at one of the roadhouses on
the trail, arrived in town Friday
night en route to Valdez, where she
is subpoened on some case coming
up at court in the Glacier city. She
expects to return as soon as the case
is over.
Worn is expected to be finished
on the second longest bridge at tin
front by Monday night. The bridge
is located at mile 187, and is but
little shorter than the long Gilhina
bridge. The next crossing will be ai
the Kennicott, and the construction
officials are confluent of finishing tht
work by April 1.
The water pipes to the tanks at
mile 146 bursted on Thursday night,
and a new pipe line had to be in
stalled. It was 4 8 below zero then
that morning and the boys say the
enough to keep the pipes from freez
ing.
Eddie Wildt, the well known loco
motive fireman, was at the throttle
on Friday's train. Every one is glad
to hear of Eddie's promotion.
Jack Reed, our old friend “Fat,"’
who recently returned from "George
town,” Mexico, is at the throttle on
the pusher for the rotary.
Supt. Simpson arrived on Friday’s
train from a trip down the line, and
left on the next train for the front.
The big superintendent says unless
something unforseen happens the
steel will be at the Bonanza by Ap-‘
ril 1, or possibly a few days earlier.
Wm. Lawson, the efficient depot
agent, took a little flyer in real es
tate last week, purchasing the lot and
big tent just back of the commission
er’s office. If anyone is looking for
a neat residence at a reasonable rent
al Mr. Lauson can accommodate
them. There is a stove, mattress and
springs, etc., and the place will make
a pleasant home now that the warm
weather is near.
Frank Manley and wife returned
on Friday's train after a few weeks
visit in the states. Mrs. Manley's
brother, Mr. Reese, accompanied
them.
CHITIXA TO HAVE
ANOTHER HOTEL
A new 18-room hotel la now under
construction at Chltina. Messrs
Cloninger & St. Clair, of the I
| Cabin bar, are the promoters »nd
builders, and they expect by early
summer to have at least 1* moms for
the accommodation of the pub.lc
The building is to W two stories and
a a foot addition tt* the aiready sub
stantial structure in which the Log
Cabin bar restaurant and pool hall
are now located.
A glass front will be put In on the
back of the building facing the rail
road, and the firm expects to im
prove ihe front already facing Main
street, so when the building la com
pleted it will be one of the most
substantial and comfortable In the
city. The firm expects to make the
most comfortable arrangements pos
sible for the entertainment of their
guests and patrons, and the Log Cab
in Hotel wUi no doubt be a favorite
stopping place of the future travel
ers to Chltina.
Cloninger & St. Clair have never
doubted the future of Chltina, and
are willing to stake their all on this
place becoming an important inland
city. Watch their advertising space
in the Leader, as they have some
thing to say to you in the near fu
ture.
CHURCH & BRADY
SUSPEND BUSINESS
The firm of Church & Brady
known as the Chitina News Stand
went out of business on Thursday
last. The firm had the building of
Z. Kimberlin leased, but at the ex
piration of the life of the first lease,
considered the terms in the second
lease too high to remain In business.
Kimberlin has again assumed full
control of the place, and says the
location is worth to him what he ask<
ed in the lease.
Church & Brady, who are interest
ed in the Dean basin quartz and plac
er properties, will leave for work at
their mines, and believe they have as
good a proposition as can be found
in Alaska, They and others who are
interested in the Dean basin proper
ties, have already over 1,000 pounds
of supplies freighted in, and as soon
as the snow goeB, work on the prop
erties will immediately begin.
INSIDE TRAVELERS
BUY HORSES HERE
Now that tne travel Is fully on
to the Interior, those who have kept
horses here during the winter are
reaping their harvest. On the last
steamer over thirty passengers arriv
ed here en route to Fairbanks and
different parts of the interior. Of
course all could not go at one time
on the stage, so many were out hunt
ing up likely looking dog teams, and
several parties purchased horses and
double enders. It seems many pre
fer to go In by their own outfits as
they need the teams for their sea
son’s work any way, so those who
have horses for sale now can get
back all that good money they had
to pay for horse feed last winter.
Schumacher's outfit, who is doing
extensive freighting this year from
Chitina, has purchase 18 head of
horses so far, securing five head in
Cordova and 13 head from up the
line and around Chitina.
Frank Accles, the Chitina trans
fer man, sold his fine team and out
fit to the Schumacher people, be
sides disposing of two more of his
horses. Harry Chamberlain, who has
the Chitina feed stables, sold one
horse and Is negotiating for the sale
of others. Jack Lawrence, the wa
ter supply man, sold one horse and
may dispose of others before the
season is over. John Gage and the
roahonse at 133 still have horseB for
which they can find a sale now at
any time.
Phil Nicholas, who arrived on last
week’s train, for the purpose of run
ning some lines and setting some
Stakes near mile 178, returned on
Friday and will be employed around
Chitina from now on.