The Chitina Leader
CHITINA, ALASKA.
Entered as second-class matter, November 12, 1910, at the postoffice at
Chitina, Alaska, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, Manager* and Proprietor*—HABB.Y G. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month ...
Six Months ... “
"One Year . "•j0
ADVERTISING RATES
Made known upon application. They will be found reasonable for the service
given. Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral lands
of the Copper River Cistrict.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY- AUGUST 5, W3.
CHITINA TO FAIRBANKS BY AUTOMOBILE
In less than two days by automobile from Fairbanks to
Chitina is an accomplishment that will be hailed with great
delight by the people of the interior country. And because
John Ronan and John Ferguson succeeded in making the run
in 45 hours runniug time, they were given a great reception at
Chitina on Friday night. It demonstrates that with the
expenditure of a reasonable sum of money in makiug a substan
tial summer route of the government road that the distance of
about 320 miles could be made in scarce more than 24 hours.
By making close connections with the railroad at Chitina and
steamer at Cordova it would thus permit a traveler to make
the trip in summer between Fairbanks and Chitina in a week’s
time, instead of double that time by going via Skagway and
Dawson. If Col. Richardson, president of the Alaska road
commission, were to succeed in building a boulevard in the
interior country he might succeed in immortalizing his name.
-o—o—o
ALL EYES DIRECTED TO THE SUSHANNA
Interest in Seattle particularly aud in the various western
states is largely centered in the reports with reference to the
new gold finds in the Sushanna country. Many former Alaskans
and miners generally are beginning to get excited as the news
is daily read with reference to the finds in the new district.
There is beginning to be a general feeling of confidence
that the reports received are reliable and there is a general
expectancy that returning prospectors will soon be able to give
some indication of the extent of the rich ground. When the
steamers Alameda and Sampson sailed from Seattle within the
past week, hundreds were thinking seriously of starting for
Cordova.
In all probability the fore part of August will see the
beginning of a real stampede fro mtlie states* The newspapers
in Seattle and the coast cities are giving considerable space to
all matters pertaining to the new strike. Their information
comes from au autliorative source aud is practically the same
as published in the Daily Alaskan. The Associated Press is
sending the news in condensed form to all parts of the
country.
It is an encouraging sign to the outsiders to realize the
confidence that Alaskans have in the new strike. The large
exodus of people from Cordova, Chitina, the Copper river
country, Valdez, Fairbanks and the Dawson country is an
indication of the faith that the people near home have in the
richness of the new diggings.
And it is known that there is an extensive area surrounding
the headwaters of the Tanana river, and that there is ample
room for several thousand prospectors. The fact that there is
rich dirt on some of the tributaries of the Sushanna river or
the Cliisina river, as it is indicated on all the government maps,
leads many to believe that the first locators may not even
secure the richest dirt. Extensive prospecting, w’hich naturally
takes some time, may develop a country as extensive and
promising as the Klondike.
The people of Cordova have a strong and abiding hope
that the most enthusiastic predictions will be verified. Should
a great placer mining camp be developed in the interior it
would naturally prove a boon to this section of the country.
Practically all of the outfitting can be done at either Cordova
or Chitina, where experienced packers will do for the prospector
what many on the outside are not familiar with. Seattle would
be the next locality to receive the greatest benefit, as from fifty
to seventy-five per cent of all the supplies would come from
there.
In the important emergency that confronts us it should be
the aim of every resident of the Copper river country to
discourage the disseminating of any wild rumors. Only such
information as comes from reliable sources should be given
to the public either through the newspapers, by letter or by
wire. Inquiries already coming from every section of Alaska
and the states should be treated with a strict regard for facts
by all individuals who may be called upon to give information.
Cordova cannot afford, and neither do her citizens desire,
to give encouragement to any fake stampede. But it is the
duty of her people to give to the public such news as comes
authenticated. Then the miner, prospector or man who wishes
to grub stake, must exercise his own judgment as t« whether
he wishes to take a chance on making a quick fortune. There
have been instances in Alaska where the finding of rich dirt
lias not always resulted in the development of a wide ai-ea of
rich pay. Then again we have the Klondike, Nome, Fairbanks
and Iditai’od developments to encourage the thox-ough pros
pecting of a locality where gold lias been foxxnd.
Alaska is due for the discovery of a new field of rich gold
'diggings. Here’s hoping that the Klondike of Alaska will be
found in the Chisana, or as it is genei’ally known, the Sushanna
country. Cordova is the natural gateway to that country, as it
is to the rich copper and coal deposits of Alaska.
-o—o—o
Another influx of stampeders will arrive in Cordova
tomori’ow' on the steamer Mariposa. The old-time miners on
the coast are beginning to satisfy themselves that the Sushanna
gold fields are full of great possibilities and many rich fortunes.
STAMPEDERS SHOULD CONSIDER
Stampeders to the new gold diggings on the tributaries of
the Chisana, or Sushanna river, should pause a moment and
give some thought to the conditions that confront them. It is
not a difficult matter for prospectors to mush to the new fields
from the end of the railroad at McCarthy’s, and to cover the
distance of 100 or 110 miles in seven or eight days. They can
secure assistance in crossing the Nazina and Chittystone rivers,
and thus avoid an otherwise dangerous feature of the journey.
And on the return they can mush from the Chisana to
McCarthy’s in four days. But when a man is carrying a pack
on his back he cannot expect to consume eight days rations and
then land in the new country with any great amount of provi
sions left. It is almost impossible to buy a pound of food stuflfs
in the Chisana country, and the result is that of the several
hundred men who have already gone in on foot but few have
taken scarcely more than enough food to last them two weeks
all told. As a consequence the musher has scarcely time to
locate a claim before he is compelled to leave the new diggings
and come out to make arrangements for getting food in, before
he can hope to do any prospecting.
The necessity for horses is not to transport the prospector
but rather to carry a greater amount of provisions, so as to
enable him to remain in the new country a few weeks to make
locations and do some prospecting. In the course of time pack
trains will be engaged in taking provisions to the new diggings,
where stores will be established and purchases may be made at
a price largely in excess of the cost of taking them in on horses.
Then again roadhouses and stores will be established at several
points on the trail where prospectors may return and renew
their supplies. But before these conveniences are established
some time will have elapsed and in the meantime hundreds
of stampedei’s will be going into the interior and with most
of them it will be a case of walking up hill and walking down
again.
During the early Dawson rush when food was scarce many
thousand crossed over the Chilcoot pass with comparatively
little food. These men became a prey upon their more fortunate
and provident brethren, until patience and kindness became
outraged. Then a miners’ meeting was called and it was
decided that no man should be allowed to enter the country
unless he was provided with food supplies sufficient to last a
month. The possibility of any similar action in the Sushanna
country can be obviated if the stampeders will early realize the
importance of taking in food sufficient to last them several
weeks. It should be the duty of every Cordova citizen to
impress upon all newcomers the necessity of providing them
selves with an ample supply of food before going to the new
gold diggings.
YOUR POLL TAX IS DUE
The legislature put something over on the people of the
territory when the law was passed providing for the payment
of a poll tax of $4 by each male person. If this enactment is
held valid it will bring some relief to the people who reside
outside incorporated towns. Their tax will be reduced 1 • un
$8 to $4. But the large number of people who reside in the
incorporated towns, who were heretofore exempt, will now be
required to pony up $4 each. And then the money collected
will not go into a fund for the purpose of improving roads and
trails in Alaska. As the new law has not been given the
publicity that was contemplated it is not likely that United
States Commissioner Adams will attempt to impose the penalty
of $1 until our peopple have had a reasonable time to make
payment. But the tax should be paid immediately, thus
avoiding any inconvenience or penalty. Unless the courts
declare thee law not sound and beyond the power of the legis
lature to enact, the tax of $4 will have to be paid by every
resident of Alaska.
-o—o—o
THE ALASKA RAILROAD BILL
The bill for the construction of a government railroad in
Alaska is making progress and there are strong^hopes of its
passing at the present session of congress. As reported out of
the committee on territories in the senate it leaves entire
control in the hands of the President and rejects the commission
of five plan. This is good and will make for directness and
efficiency. The President will probably select one experienced
and efficient man, let us hope another Goethals, to put the thing
through. The house committee having the matter in charge
began hearings on July 9th and is anxious to expedite the
matter all they can. Secretary of the Interior Lane is anxious
to get it through if possible and is lending his influence to that
iend. All friends of the bill are working hard to get it passed
by both houses this session. They feel sure of substantial
majorities in the house and senate when it comes to a final
vote.
-o—o—o
Have you paid your poll tax yet? If not, hasten to the
office of the United States commissioner and make payment at
once. The law provides that collections must be made on or
before the first Monday in August.
-o—o—o
Every report from the Sushanna or Chisana placer fields
indicate that the present gold strike may be the greatest in
the history of Alaska.
-o—o—o
If there should be 15 square miles of gold placer ground
in the Chisana country and some of it immensely rich, a second
Dawson will soon develop at the headwaters of the Tanana.
-o—o—o
Another automobile coming from Fairbanks to Chitina in
less than two days indicates that the interior people are
becoming weary of waiting for the trunk line railroad and
propose to do some fast speeding without rt.
-o—o—o
Stampeders are coming by steamer, afoot and automobile
to make connections with the C. R. & N. W. Rv, for the real
starting point at McCarthy’s for the Sushanna gold fields. The
rush seems to be on in earnest.
NOTICK TO PAY POLL TAX
Notice is hereby given to all whom
it may concern that by the provisions
of Chapter 54 of the laws passed by
I the first legislature of the Territory
J of Alaska, entitled, “An act to impose
la poll tax upon male persons in the
Territory of Alaska and providing
means for its collection,” approved
May 1, 1913, and ineffect from and
after said date, an annual tax in the
sum of four dollars ($4), designated
as a poll tax, is imposed and levied
upon each male persons (excepting
soldiers, sailors in the United States
navy or revenue cutter service, vol
unteer firemen, paupers, insane per
sons and territorial charges) within
the Territory of Alaska or the waters
thereof, over the age of twenty
one years and under the age of
fifty years, to be paid and collected
in the manner provided in said act;
and it is further provided in and by
said act, among other things, that
the commissioner of each precinct
in said territory shall collect said poll
tax from each person residing within
his precinct subject thereto. That
said tax shall be paid between the
first Monday in April and the first
Monday in August in each year, that
it shall be the duty of every person
liable to pay said tax to pay the sane
to such commissioner within the
time in this notice below specified,
that it shall be the duty of the com
missioner to receipt to each person
(by a receipt from books thereof
with stubs, supplied by the terri
torial treasurer) upon payment of
said poll tax, which receipt shall be
the only evidence of payment, that
every person indebted to one who
neglects or refuses, after( demand, to
pay a poll tax, becomes liable there
for, and may deduct the same from
such indebtedness, that it shall be
the duty of the commissioner to col
lect and enforce the collection of all
unpaid taxes by giving notice to each
delinquent, personally or by mail,
and each delinquent shall pay a pen
alty of one dollar in addition to such
tax, that the commissioner, after de
mand and refusal of payment must
collect said tax, with said penalty in
addition, by seizure and sale of any
personal property owned by such de
linquent person, in the manner pro
vided by law for the sale of personal
property on execution, and that any
person who shall violate any of the
provisions of said act shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor and upon convic
tion thereof shall be fined in a sum
not more than one hundred dollars
nor less than five dollars, or impris
oned in the federal jail for not more
than thirty days nor less than one
day.
And notice is hereby further given
by the undersigned, to each and
every person subject to said tax ac
cording to said provisions of said act,
that said poll tax is due and payable
between the date of the first publi
cation of this notice, to wit, the 29th
day of July 1913, and the first Mon
day, to wit, the 4th day of August
1913, that payment thereof on or
before said last named date is hereby
demanded by the undersigned from
I ,
each and every person in the Chitina
precinct subject to said tax, that the
payment thereof will become delin
quent as provided in said act. to wit,
on the expiration of the last named
date, that in case of failure to pay
same, penalties, as provided in this
act will be imposed, and that it is
the duty of every person liable to
pay said tax to pay the same, within
the time in this notice above speci
fied, in person or by mail to the
undersigned commissioner at his
office, on Main Street, in Chitina,
Alaska.
PAUL d’HEIRRY,
U. S. Commissioner, exofficio Poll
Tax Collector, Chitina Precinct,
Third Division, Territory of
Alaska.
-o—o—o
A gold brick valued at $3,060 is
the result of the recent mill run of
the ore from the property of the
Homestake Mining Company of Wolf
creek. The rock was milled at the
Rexall mill on Wolf creek. Twenty
eight tons were included in the run,
making the average values per ton
more than $109. The lessees on the
claim, Aaron Kennedy and George
Nightingale, announce themselves as
very well pleased with the test, as
are all of the owners.
SEATTLE, Aug. 5.—In an inter
view with Secretary of war Garrison
that official said, “I appreciate the
importance of the strategic value of
Puget Sound posts, but cannot dis
cuss military affairs until after I
return to Washington.” ^ Ufl;. ?
Chitina GRILL
Good Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Setvice..
Next to Chitina Hotel.
CHITINA : : : ALASKA.
\ Chitina j
i Pharmacy!
f ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ »♦♦♦*»-»»♦♦♦♦♦♦ i
t DRUGS, |
t STATIONERY, |
X CANDIES, t
X kodak supplies l
♦ CIGARS & TOBACCO X
It If you cannot call, write f
us. MAIL orders our t
Specialty. |
: A. G. MOREY, Prop. |
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
jj GROCERIES, HARDWARE ::
;;
• • =-■ and—-- = ::
ii MEAT MARKET:!
••
• » -- « »
■ »
• * We have a big line of Sec- «»
* * 4 1
•» ond-Hand Goods, and can ■ •
• •
.. save you money on your out- .,
i ■ fit. Bunk House, with free ! [
11 Cook House, in connection. J|
■«
;; -—- ••
CHITINA HEIGHTS
■ ■ c. a. simons & co. ;;
Feed, Fuel
and
Lumber
HAY, BRAN, OATS, CHOPS,
ROLLED BARLEY
We can make prompt ship
ments to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
CHITINA
HOTEL
i| WASHINGTON i!
ANNEX
< • <.
! * SEATTLE ! !
< > < •
' ■ _ <»
• > New, modern and fireproof. < ■
' } All outside rooms 1 *
; ; The most conveniently located ' ‘
! ! hotel in the city. | )
i > Rooms and suites are particu> ! )
! ! larly large. [ \
'< ! Very desirable for families or J
I I parties traveling together. j )
RATES MODERATE \\
< • Auto-bus meets all boats and ! ’
trains. Write for booklet. ' !
J. H. DAVIS, Prop ;;
III11IIIH i