OF GFH. HUM
Cordova, December 17
The United States land office, at
Juneau has decided favorably upon
the application for patent of the
locators of the 'Willoughby group of
coal claims in the Bering river dis
trict. It is very likely the patent to
the group will now speedily be
issued.
The three cases consolidated in
volve the claims of Carah C. Wol
loughby, Adeline C. Willoughby and
F. A. Willoughby, of Seattle, who
were located i nthe Bering river dis
trict by O. L. Willoughby, agent.
The government charged that the
locators failed to open any of the
claims and the defendants were able
to show that on one of the claims
two slope pits of a few feet in dimen
sion were made by the locator; on
another claim one pit of similar
dimension and on another, a drift
large enough for two men to wors
in, but not extended to a point
where it was safe to work except
by timbering.
The decision finds that because
of the accessibility of the claims to
the market when a railroad is built,
because of the demonstrated char
acter of the land and its value for
the coal therein and because when
a railroad is constructed coal can
be immediately shipped from the
openings made, the locators have
qualified themselves to enter the
land by opening or improving a
mine on each of the claims, and the
local officers recommend that the
charge be dismissed.
F. E. Kellogg, of Fairbanks, is
registered at the Rainier-Grand en
route to spend the holidays with his
family in Seattle. He is well know-n
by nearly every man who has lived
in the interior, having been engaged
in mining and business since the
early days of the Dawson rush. He
was a member of the hardware and
machinery firm of Brumbaugh,
Hamilton & Kellogg, in Fairbanks
and helped build many of the
quartz mills in the Fairbanks dis
_ trict.^ ^ t 1.
Being interested in the machinery
business Mr. Kellogg has taken a
prominent part in the development
of the/machinery used in the placer
mints of the interior. Every miner,
wlfo was in the interior will remena
Ver that the first steam thawer used
had points about the length of a
rifle barrel, and 14 to 24 inches was
considered a good thaw. Now it is
common for miners to use points 20
feet in length. In the old days the
gravel was hoisted by windlass,
when 60 ten-pan buckets were con
sidered a fair day’s work. Through
the medium of the hoist and self
dumper thousands of buckets of j
gravel are now handled by the same ;
number of men. Mr. Kellogg has j
had his share in bringing about the j
improved order of things. He has i
invented many appliances and manu
factured the first self-dumper used
in the Fairbanks district.
He left Fairbanks on the steamer
White Seal for the Chisana last fall
but was frozen in near the mouth of
Robinson river. He states that
seven boats were forced to seek
winter quarters within 60 miles of
each other when navigation closed.
The Sampson was frozen in between
little Girstle and George Creeks, ;
about 28 miles above the mouth of i
Healy river. Thirty miles above
there, at the mouth of Billy river,
the White Seal found a resting
place for the winter. The other
steamers are the Florence S., the
Zodiak, the S. & S., the Martha
Clow and Tana. About two hundred
men were on the steamers and they
are all busj prospecting the streams
in the locality of the places where
the steamers were caught by the
ice.
The miners paid the transporta
tion companies $100 fare and agreed
to cut wood for fuel for the steam
ers. The freight rates were from
$250 to $300 per ton with a limit
of 1,000 pounds per man. The
steamers were to try to reach the
mouth of the Nabesna river if
possible.
Two parties on the White Seal
had hand-drills with casings and
other equipment for rapid sinking
in wet ground. With these drills a
hole can be put down to a depth of
50 feet in a few hours. The men
from the interior camps who are
now scattered along the Tanana
river are all experienced prospec
tors, having spent years in the
north. New diggings, even if low
grade, are sure to be uncovered and
it is always possible that very rich
ground may be found. He expects
to hear of several finds being made
this winter.
Mr. Kellogg states that the min
ers are located on streams entering
the Tanana from the west side as
the ground is shallow. He is enthu
siastic over the possibilities of the
interior which is tributary to Cor
dova via the Copper River railroad.
He believes that the big mining
men of the interior who have made
millions in placers will follow the
lead of Frank Manley, Jaffet Linde-'
berg and others who have become
interested in this section of the
country. The thawed ground with
plenty of water to permit of opera
tions during the entire season ap
peals to the big mining men of the
Nome and Fairbanks districts. The
cost of fuel to thaw the gravels and
the lack of water with which to
wash the dumps, in many cases,
have more than swung the balance
in favor of the low grade grounds of
the close to the coast camps.
-o—o—o
Cordova, December 18
R. R. Stewart, of the Arctic Lum
ber Company, has received a letter
from W. S. McCune, who was chief
timekeeper for the Katalla Com
pany during the construction days of
the C. R. & N. W. Railway. Mr.
McCune is now general sales man
ager of the Union Pacific Coal com
pany with headquarters at Chey
enne, Wyoming. He was a very
genial fellow and every man on the
road as well as every person in Cor
dova were numbered among his
friends. They will be pleased to
know that he is making good prog
ress in the climb up the ladder to
prosperity.
A crew of carpenters and helpers
left on the train this morning for
McCarthy where they will build a
warehouse for the C. R. & N. W.
Railroad to care for the freight of
those who are going into the in
terior. The warehouse will provide
shelter for the goods left at that
point while their owners are mak
ing arrangements and taking a part
of their supplies over the trail to
the new camp.
-u—a—u-•
Cordova, December 19
After being out 41 hours the Val
dez jury awarded Chris Peterson a
verdict of $3 and costs in the dam
age suit against Buck Hoyt for false
arrest. The suit was for $5,100.
Immediately after the close of the
case the attorney for Mrs. Peterson
filed a suit for $5,100 for the same
cause.
This is the famous black fox case
which caused so much comment last
spring. From the evidence it ap
pears that Chris bought the fox from
an Indian, paying him $450. Thos.
Aikin, the millionaire mine owner of
Fairbanks offered him $1,500 for
the animal. Chris sold and ac
cepted $100 to bind the bargain.
Bert Skinner, the fox farmer, also
wanted the black beauty and offered
$1,600. Jake Xafstadt also laid
claim to it claiming that the animal
belonged to him as the Peterson’s
were conducting one of his road
houses.
Hoyt laid a complaint against the
Petersons for having a fox in their
possession which was taken during
the closed season. The Petersons
were arrested. Suddenly the fox
died but that did not end the trouble
his capture had started. After
Peterson’s arrest it was found, when
Judge Walker the district attorney
was consulted, that no law had been
violated and Chris was discharged.
Peterson is out $35o, Tom Aikin
lost $100 and Hoyt is out the three
plunks and costs with another dam
age suit to defend. The fox busi
ness is such a business, especially
where blacks are concerned.
-o—o—o
Cordova, December 22
Gus Stiepovich, a well known
miner, arrived on the train las'
night having come direct from
Chisana. He left the diggings on
the 15th and did not attempt to
make any record for fast travelling.
He came out over the Hazelet road
and crossed the glacier in 17 hours.
Just before leaving the diggings
Mr. Stiepovich heard rumors tthat
pay had been found on Powell creek,
tributary of Johnson creek, and
about eight miles from the town of
Chisana on Johnson creek. His in
formation came through Dave. Cas
cadden, the well known Fairbanks
miner and business man. The men
who are reported to have made the
find have been working for some
time and had reached a depth of 35
feet when they encountered pay run
ning from 5 to 25 cents to the pan.
They were still sinking and had at
least five feet of pay with bedrock
not yet in sight.
While Mr. Stiepovich did not have
time to verify the report of the find
he is inclined to believe that it is
genuine. He believes the camp is
one of great possibilities and in
tends to return early next spring.
He says the Fairbanks and Nome
miners have faith in the camp and
ere not at all discouraged. They
like the looks of the country and are
waiting to give it a thorough tryout.
Boilers were beginning to arrive
and the work of sinking holes to
bedrock would be hastened.
Mr. Stiepovich states that when
he left the town of Chisana prices
of provisions had dropped to 50
cents per pound. He met between
50 and 60 horses on the road going
in with all manner of supplies and
machinery. Oscar Breedman in
formed him that he intended to re
duce the price of staples to 35 cents
per pound. Later in the season he
will contract for the delivery of
freight from the end of the railroad
! to Johnson creek for 15 cents per
i
pound.
Development work in the diggings
is being retarted owing to the large
number of claims held by men who
have left the camp without having
arranged with anyone to handle
their ground.
Many of the stampeders located
claims, did the necessary amount of
assessment work, recorded the
claims and then left the country.
Many of them will return next
spring but in the meantime miners
who are willing to prospect the
ground for an interest or take a lay
are barred from working and the
claims lie undeveloped.
-o—o—o
ALASKAX EDITOR TRIES
XEW VENTURE IX SEATTLE
The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Review
is the name of a new publication
being issued in Seattle with Alaska
as a field for its activities. It is
edited by J. J. McGrath, formerly
editor of the Nome Nugget for
vears. The Review announces that
it will not attempt to take sides in
any political controversies in the
north, believing that the people who
live here are the best judges of the
conditions under which they live.
“Alaska for Alaskans” will be the
gu'ding princ’ple whereby the
editor hopes to make the Review the
great organ of the great north.
-o—o—o
ROBINSON WINS CASE
AGAINST EXUM AND OTHERS
The case of Robinson vs. Exum
and Breedman, which caused so
much comment last summer, was
tried last Tuesday before Judge
Brown and decided in favor of the
plaintiff, who secured judgment for
$448.12 against Exum and Breed
man, defendants, and against H.
Thisted and George Dooley, who
went on the appeal bond when the
case was appealed from the commis
sioner’s court.—Valdez Prospector.
-o-0—0
NOTICE
I, the undersigned, will not be
responsible for any debt made by
anybody without my written order.
PETER FRANKS
-o—o—o
A nugget weighing 44% ounces,
and worth at the commercial value
of $16 per ounce, something over
$700, is on exhibition in Fairbanks.
The nugget was found by Peter Lesh
on No. 8, Glen Gulch, Kantishna,
last summer. The nugget is stated
to have come from the same ground
which produced a $1,000 ’chunk of
gold several years ago. All the gold
taken from Glen Gulch is coarse.
-o—o—o
WILE IS CONFIRMED
AS IDITAROD POSTMASTER
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Dec. 24.—
The appointment of Postmaster
Wile, of Iditarod, Alaska, was con
firmed yesterday. No opposition
developed.
LOCAL NEWS
Chitina Camp of the Arctic Broth
erhood has infused new life in the
social side of the camp. The lodge
is giving regular semi-monthly
dances which are will attended.
After the lodge meetings the ladies
of the town have been invading the
lodge room ,and setting a spread for
the boys, which has been enjoyed by
all. The evenings entertainment
usually winds up in an enjoyable
dance. The success of the camp is
largely due to the efforts of its lady j
friends.
Quite a number of teams loaded
with supplies for the Chisana have
gone by way of the Gulkana route.
Jos. L. Brown, formerly deputy U.
S. marshal at this place will leave
for the diggings by that route im
mediately after Christmas, taking
with him merchandise, which he
hopes to dispose of in the new
camp.
C. Parker Smith, has been aP1
pointed by Judge Brown as com
missioner, at Copper Center vice
Commissioner Jones who has held
the office during the past year. Mr.
Jones is teacher of the Indian school
at Copper Center, and it was held
that he could not occupy two fed
eral appointments at one and the
same time.
A survey has been completed for
a new aerial tram, from the Jumbo
Mine of the Kennecott Mines Com
pany to the railroad. This property
is expected to be in the producing
class before the end of next season
which will greatly exceed the
amount of shipments by the Ken
necott Mines Company.
The road commission teams are
now busily engaged in hauling
freight along the overland road for
next summers use. Work on the
Nizina bridge will begin shortly
after the first of the year, as soon as
the ice is strong enough to support
the false work.
The pupils of the public school
here will celebrate Christmas by
giving an entertainment in the
school building on Christmas eve.
This entertainment will be followed
on the same evening by a dance to
be given by the Arctic Brotherhood.
It is the intention of Camp Chitina
No. 10 to immediately begin the
construction of a lodge building
30x60 feet, floor dimensions. The
building will be modeled somewhat
after the plans of the Moose Hall
in Valdez, and will be used as a
club by the members of the order.
The Mother Lode Mines Company
have 400 tons of high grade ore
sacked at the foot of their new .
aerial tram. The ore will be sledded
to McCarthy later in the season.
This will be the first shipment of
ore from this rich property.
There is quite a movement on
tow ards the Nelchina. A dozen or i
more outfits have left this place for
the new diggings on the upper
waters of the Tazlina.
Deputy Marshal W. E. Wood has
a new jail building in course of
construction, which he hopes to have
occupied by the end of January.
_
Mrs. Arthur Holt, is confined to i
her bed by serious illness. Her!
many friends hope to see her on the
streets soon again.
Chitina boasts of not having a
single vacant house cabin or shack
and a steady demand for houses
continues.
The Copper River is sufficiently
frozen to permit the passage of
horses, without danger of breaking
through.
-o—o—o
ALASKA CONSOLIDATED
IS SHIPPING COPPER
The Alaska Consolidated Copper
Copper Company, operating on the
Kuskulana, have a small crew of
men working taking out and sack
ing high grade ore. They have
loaded a car of copper ore at Strelna
which was sledded from the mine to
the railroad, a distance of 20 miles.
The company plans to ship several
carloads during the winter.
The Mi) accurate, reliable and only Market lepart and Price LM
ai its kiad paMkhed
“<E3je Hubert Ripper”
Halted Absolutely Free to Pur Shlppera-Scud “Sbukert"
year name on a postal today
You want this valuable publication—it is worth hundreds of
dollars to you, issued at every change of the Fur Market,
giving you an accurate and reliable report of what is doing it.
all the Markets of the World in American Raw Furs.
Write for it—now—it’s free
An CminCDT Inn 1S-17 WEST AUSTIN AVEKI/t
ALASKA 8&£!W
Steamers via the INSIDE PASSAGE calling at Ketchikan, Juneau,
Katalla. Cordova, Ellamar, Valdez, Fort Liscum,
Latouche, Seward, and Kodiak.
STEAMER ADMIRAL SAMPSON
SAILING FROM SEATTLE ON
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15
California connections at Seattle with Alaska-Pacific S. S. Co.
Right is reserved to change this schedule without notice.
B. F. WATSON, General Agent. ALASKA TRANSFER CO., Agent.
ALASKA
STEAMSHIP COMPANY
Fast and commodious steamers sailing between Seattle
Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Skagway, Cordova, Valdez,
and Seward, via INSIDE PASSAGE.
Sails from Seattle— Sails from Cordova—
December 10.ALAMEDA.December 19
December 20-NORTHWESTERN_December 29
This company reserves the right to change schedule of steam*
era without notice.
Tickets on sale at up-town office Alaska Steamship Bldg.
Baggage or freight will not be received at dock later than one
hoar before sailing time.
P. B. TRACY
General Agent.
T. J. TALLENT,
Ticket Agent.
WHEN YOU ARE IN CHITINA
Why Don’t Yon Stop at the
OVERLAND HOTEL
The Best Hotel on the Copper River
A large reading room and lobby on the second floor for th«
omfort of the traveler.
If you stop with ns, you are sure to meet all your friends.
First-class Bar and Cafe in connection
H. T. STAFSHOLT and JAMES HYLAND, Proprietors.
HORACE LEACH, Manager.
«
The Only Modern Hotel in Chitina
Hot Water, and Baths Parlor and Heat
Commercial Hotelf
John Palmer, Propr.
FIRST CLASS BAR AND DINING ROOM
CHITrSTA.
[ALASKA
R. L. II. MARSHALL
FREIGHTING
From McCarthy to Chisana
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