Tanana
Leader
One Dollar Per Month.
TAN ANA, ALASKA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1909.
Two Bits Peb Copy
ICE STOPPED 12:25
A.M. YESTERDAY
After tunning continuously since
Sept. 30, the ice in the Yukon in
front of Tanana stopped at 12:25
yesterday morning. The closing
dates since a tecord has been kept,
taken from Stoddard & Kay’s Ship
ping Record, are as follows:
1900 Oct. 30 1905.Oct. 26
1901 . Nov. 3 1906.Nov. 9
1902 .Nov. 7 1907 .Oct. 27
1903 .Oct. 21 1908 Oct. 27
1904 Nov. 4 1909.Nov.l
Rampart-Hot Springs Mail
W. W. Crockett, of Rampart, has
been awarded the contract for carrying
the mail between that place and Hot
Springs. The service consists of a
round trip once a week and was pre
viously conducted by Sourdough Mike
Kogels.
RACINE RESIGNS
AS ENUMERATOR
John B. Racine, who was ap
pointed census enumerator for Fort
Gibbon precinct, this week wired
his resignation to Special Agent
\V. A. McKenzie at Fhirbanks.
Mr. Racine was offered a perma
nent position that it was greatly to
his interest to accept, and he had
to decide between it and the place
in the census service.
It is understood that A. B. Culp,
of Tanana, has been recommended
for enumerator and will probably
be awarded the place by Mr. Me
Kenzie. Mr. Culp is in every way
competent to do the work which
will be required of the enumerator.
WINTER IS HERE
BARRING FORMALITY
Technically speaking winter will
not be here before a few minutes
alter 2 o’clock a.m. Dec. 22. In
actuality, however, a pretty accu
rate imitation is already here, the
official record at the post this morn
ing placing the temperature at 27
deg. below zero. The weather is
clear and bracing, and with the
river closed and local conditions all
favorable, it would seemingly be
just as well to waive formality and
declare that winter has already
arrived. _
TAFT AND THE
TARIFF ON PAPER
Chicago, Oct. 20.—One of the
most troubleeome things President
Taft will find himself called upon
to explain in the future, says Her
man Ridder, proprietor of the New
York Staats-Zeitung, will be his
altitude toward the print paper
schedule in the Payne tariff. In
this important matter the President
will find the whole newspaper pro
fession lined up against him and
demanding a satisfactory reply.
Never was a campaign more
thoroughly organized by consum
errs, says Mr. Ridder, than the
campaign of the newspaper pub
lishers to secure a reduction in the
duty on print paper and the free
entry of paper pulp. The figures
aud arguments were incontroverti
ble, and the President appeared to
be convinced. In fact, it was tac
itly understood that he would in
sist upon a reduction in this tax
upon intelligence. It will take
inuke explanation on bis part to
satisfy the newspaper men that he
piscovered a good reasou for chaug
ing his mind.
The Leader is on sale at the post,
office lobby.
IN THE NICK OF TIME
Chauncey C. Clark, a Woodchopper, Found Alone in His Cabin in
Pitiable Condition—Partially Paralyzed for Weeks
Few men have survived ordeals
as trying as those lately experi
enced by Chauncey C. Clark, a
well-known woodchopper and fish
erman who has been located eight
miles below The Rapids on the
Yukon river for the past several
years.
He left Tatiana in a small boat,
which the running ice compelled
him to abandon at Sixteen mile
island. He went on and camped
the first night out with an old
hunter and trapper at Scheiffelin
bluff, 22 miles up the river, October
4. He started for home next morn
ing, and that was the last heard of
him till last Fiiday, when he was
found helpless and almost dead ip a
tent eleven miles above Sclieiffelin
bluff. Ed Leppin, who was on
S. E Heeler’s big raft which was
stranded at Sclieiffelin creek, started
up river for Rampart and stopped
at Clark’s tent. The unfortunate
man was unable to stand, and his
arms were rigid and doubled up
with the hands towards his head.
At the time he was found he was
vainly trying with a saw which he
had managed to get between his
arms to cut some meat from a
moose ham at the tent. He bad no
fire, and for three weeks heHuad
only been able to quench bis thirst
by crawling out and eating snow.
It appears that Clark had bad
very hard going after leaving
Scheiffelin bluff. He probably
leached the tent exhausted and
went to bed wet. Next morning
he was cramped and paralyzed and
practically unable to move. His
condition did not improve, and he
had almost given up hope when
Leppin found him.
Leppin made a fire, gave Clark
something to eat and made him as
comfortable as possible, and then
hurried on to The Rapids and re
ported the case to the signal corps
stationed there.
Lineman George W. Lockyear at
once went to the man’s relief, and,
after supplying his temporary
needs, came on to Fort Gibbon and
procured medicine for him.
Clark has had one of the largest
woodyards on that part of the river.
He has been industrious and pros
perous, and is now without means
Tom Tolbert, dog corral boss at
the military post, went up to bring
Clark to the hospital, but returned
last night and reported that be de
clined to come, He bad regained
partial use of his left artn and is so
far improved that he is able to care
for himself, and with a good sup
ply of wood and provisions he be
lieves he will be able to get along
all right without further assistance.
SENATOR PILES WANTS TO FRAME UP COMPROMISE MEASURE
Seattle, Oct. 22.—United States Senator Piles states
that President Taft and Delegate Wiekersham will be asked
to compromise on the question of a form of government for
Alaska, and that a bill along these lines will be introduced
at the next session of congress. He states that he consid
ere the recommendation of the President that the govern
ment guarantee the bonds of Alaska railroads of more im
portance at this time than the question of territorial gov
ernment, as the building of railroads is of the utmost im
portance in the development of the resources of the conntry
500,000,000 TONS OF COAL
Under ihe caption of “Perkins Sees Alaskan Coal” the
New York World publishes a lengthy interview with J.
Pierpont Morgan’s financial partner upon his return from
the North.
Indirectly Mr. Perkins made an important statement as
related to the so-called Morgan-Guggenheim railroad plans
in Alaska, when he deplored the fact that 500,000,009 tons
of coal in the back yards of Alaska could not be touched.
Reference, of course, was had to the action of the govern
ment in holding up patents on coal lands along Bering
lake, near Katalla. The Cunningham claims previously
mentioned in dispatches are in the same district.
It can be stated positively, although Mr. Perkins would
not talk on the subject, that as a result of Mr. Perkins’ trip
to Alaska and the row over the coal lands the Morgan-Gug
genheim interests will not build a railroad from Cordova to
the immense coal fields now undeveloped.
Mr. Perkins said: “I know and lam not speaking off
hand, that Alaska possesses untold wealth in coal. Its coal
fields are so enormous and the need of their development so
great that I regard it of the utmost importance that some
immediate consideration be given them by the government.
I am interested in conservation, and would lend all my as
distance to its purpose, as intended by those who are taking
j the lead in the movement, but when I see Alaskans, with
i five hundred million tons of coal in their back yards, so to
speak, forced to pay duty on coal sent up from British Co
lumbia, I think a grave injustice is done them.
“Just for the sake of argument, let us say that some
question has come up which prevents coal development, so
that the coast need not look for a supply from Alaska, yet
that is no reason in common justice why the Alaskan should
suffer. He opens the country for his fellow man, the entire
nation is benefited by what he does, and I say let him at
least burn the coal on his own lot.
“Such conservation is an impediment to development,
and savors of arguing that it would have been a good thing
a hundred years ago to conserve the coal of Pennsylvania
by bringing coal from England. Can there be any ques
tion as to what gave that state its wealth? Let the men up
there have at least some reward for paving the way to sim
j ilar wealth.”
One of the arguments used to hold up the Katalla coal
J claims was that the Morgan-Guggeuheim people would
eventually secure control of them and in connection with
the railroads, have a monopoly.—Cordova Alaskan.
WANING OF TIMBER SUPPLY
A recent government bulletin, issued by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture, says:
“The fact that timber has been cheap and abundant has made us
careless of its production and reckless in its use. We take 250 cubic
feet of wood per capita annually from our forests, while Germany uses
but 17 cubic feet, and Fiance but 25. On the other hand, Germany,
who has learned her lesson, makes her state forests produce an average
of 48 cubic feet of wood per acre. We have as fast growing species as
Germany, or faster, and as good or better forest soil if we protect it.
“The necessity for more farm land may eventually reduce our total
forest area to too million acres less than it is at present. It is entirely
possible, however, to produce on 450 million acres as much wood as a
population much greater than we have now will really need if all the
forest land is brought to the highest producing capacity and if tha pro
duct is economically and completely utilized. But to reach the neces
sary condition of equilibrium between timber production and consump
tion will take jnany years of vigorous effort bv individual forest owners,
by the states, and by the national government. None of them can
solve the problem alone; all must work together.”
At the present time we cut 20,000,000,000 cubic feet a year and
our forests produce only about 7,000,000,000 cubic feet a year. That is
to say, we are eating up our forests three times as fast as we grow them.
What that means to our streams, and crops, and health, and comfort, in
the future, may be easily foreseen; it spells drought, aridity and steril
ity for a great part of the year with uncomrolled floods ard gieat loss
in the springtime. What are we going to do about it?—Albany Argus.
Death of Famous Irish-American
Kansas City, Sept. 14.—Capt. Thomas Phelan of Kansas City,
Irish-American patriot and soldier of fortune, died yesterday at Bremer
ton, Wash., aged 76 years. He leaves a wife and four children.
Capt. Phelan eugaged in many attempts to free his country from
English rule. In the late 60s he gaiued notoriety in the Fenian raid
from the United States into Cauada, in a futile attempt to occupy Can
ada and make it a base of supplies from which to carry on warfare with
England.
Capt. Phelan learned on a visit to Ireland that the Clan-ua Gael
was planning to blow up an English ship, the Queen. He opposed the
destruction of innocent persons and frustrated the plot. O’Donovan
Rossa, editor of the Irishman, attacked his loyalty, and he was given
an opportunity to explain his action about the Queen.
While in Rossa’s office an endeavor to assassinate him was made
by a band of Rossa’s henchmen. He was stabbed 13 times and suf
fered a broken arm.
While the Dreyfus affair in France was at its height, Phelan chal
lenged Count Esterhazy, accuser of Dreyfus, to a duel with swords, to
be fought anywhere in the world. Phelan was noted as a broadswords
man, and was tall and of great strength. He also challenged Congress
man Linton of Michigan because of his activities in the American Pro
tective Association.
Capt. Phelan was an original John Brown man, and served with
great gallantry all through the civil war. He lost his position as super
intendent of the Kansas City workhouse, and afterward supported him
self principally by giving fencing lessons and fighting match combats
HAD RIGHT TO
PROTECT COW
In an examination of the com
plaint against Joe Anicieh for
shooting a dog belonging to Ro
bert Herrold, held before Justice
Gallaher last Saturday, the ac
cused was discharged.
The evidence signified that the
dog was one of several that hab
itually pestered Anicich’s cow.
Anicich had complained to both
Herrold and Deputy Marshal
Vautier. The mischief continued
unabated, and the dog was shot
just as he emerged from the cow
lot, where he had been harassing
the cow. Judge Gallaher said
that under the circumstances he
did not feel justified in holding
the defendant to appear before
the grand jury.
LOTS OF HAULING
FOR TEAMSTERS
Fairbanks, Oct. 22.—(From tlie Daily
News-Miner.)--With a great quantity
of freight, estimated at over 1000 tons,
on the boats which were caught along
the Tanana river when the freezeup
came, Fairbanks shippers found their
goods near at hand and yet at such a
distance that it was questionable
whether they could be brought up
river at not too great a cost.
Although thq steamship concerns
will not bring any of the freight up
stream, several of the transfer compa
nies have entered into agreements to
haul supplies up from the steamers to
Fairbanks.
Both the Fairbanks Transfer Com
pany and the Pinkerton Transfer Com
pany will begin hauling from the boats
just as soon as the trails are in proper
condition. Although no attempt will
be made to bring up any large amount
of perishables, it is still estimated that
almost half of the freight which was
left on the boats will be landed in
Fairbanks before the winter is over.
The longest haul will be from the
Schwatka, which is in winter quarters
above Minto, a distance of between fid
and TO miles. The boat is about three
quarters of a mile from the Hot Springs
trail and a road is at present being
swamped out from the steamer to the
road.
The Fairbanks Transfer Company
has orders for f>o tons of freight which
it will haul up river just as soon as
there is sufficient snow on the ground.
Consignments of cream and apples will
be “toted” in from tiie Schwatka,.
while a large quantity of feed from the
Julia H., which is in winter quarters
below Twelve-mile bar, will also be
brought up stream.
Both the Arctic and Barthel's brow
cries have supplies on the boats which
they have decided not to leave down
the river.
The N. A. T. T. Co. had a boiler
for the Gordon Electric Company,
which the Evelyn attempted to bring
to Chena, but was prevented by the
position of the Minneapolis, which was
squarely across Twelve-mile bar when
the freezeup came. This boiler will be
taken from the boat and hauled to the
company’s plant in town.
The transfer companies have orders
from numerous small shippers in addi
tion, to bring up articles, ranging from
pianos, several of which were on the
Julia B., to groceries and other goods.
Will Be Potato Shortage
Fairbanks, Oct. 22.—That there will
be a shortage in the potato supply in
Fairbanks this winter is almost a cer
tainty. The News-Miner says that over
100 tons of potatoes which were landed
at Chena were touched with frost.
Then again several hundred tons of
potatoes en route to Fairbanks were
caught in the freezeup on the Tanana.
The Schwatka, which is in winter
quarters near Minto, had a large quan
tity of potatoes aboard. Owing to the
risk of freezing, no attempt will b.«
made to bring the potatoes up river
this winter, but they have been store l
in the cabin erected for the purpose
and will be brought up stream with
the first boats in the spring.
Ernest Lindholm arrived i t
Tanana last Sanday from th »
Rampart district, where hespei x
a greater part of the season. H »
will probably go to the GoU
mountain country after recuper
ating a few days.