Tanana
Leader
One Dollar Per Month.
TANANA, ALASKA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1909.
Two Bits Per Copy
LATE NEWS ITEMS
FROM RAMPART
Rampart, Nov. 17.—(Special Corre
si>ondence.)—Hunter, Rampart’s near
by creek, together with its tributaries,
is the scene of considerable activity
this winter.
Jameson & Andrews are working on
claim No. 5b. They have one hole to
bedrock, with fair prospects.
Ernest Floyd is working alone on la.
He has not reached bedrock yet.
Sam Campbell is working on 2a, and
it is reported that he has very good
pay.
O. C. Clemens is working on 3a, and
is in good pay.
Iverson & Coghlan are working on
5a. They have reached bedrock in one
hole and got good prospects.
John Davis is working on 10a and re
ports say he is getting fair pay.
Shorty Powel! is working on 11 and
12a and he says very little about what
lie is getting, but it is generally be
lieved that he has very good pay, for
lie recently bought out Bob Roberts
on 12a and paid a fair price for the
•ground.
S. M. Wheeler has a lay on 13, 14
and 15 a, and it is -thought he is doing
very well, but as he says nothing it is
somewhat hard to find out just how
good he is doing.
Bergstrom & Strum are workiug on
20a, or at the mouth of Dawson creek.
It is reported in town that they have
very good pay and are taking out a
-dump.
The four Bergman brothers are
■working on the claim they bought from
-Charley Johnson, on Dawson creek,
-and have good pay. They are now
sinking an air shaft aud will take out
a dump. It is rumored that they paid
Johnson $4000 for the claim.
C. A. Johnson is working his ground
where he did so well last winter and
.has a very good paystreak, seme 30
feet wide, and it extends about 200 feet
on Idaho bar.
Buck & Kaeson have a lay from C. A.
Johnson, and have as good pay as has
Johnson. They are taking out a dump.
George Shirley is working on Grouse
.creek, a tributary of Hunter coming in
on 39-a. He has one hole to bedrock
.and prospects.
C. S. Kelly is also working on Grouse
creek; has also one hole to bedrock,
with prospects only.
Hawley & Dickson are working on
the Lindholm ground on Miller creek,
.a tributary of Hunter coming in on 8b,
.and have fair prospects. This ground
was recently sold to them by Lind
holm, and it is believed that the price
was somewhere close to $1000. Lind
holm took out some good pay during
.the summer from the claim.
Timothy Pitka is working on the
same creek, but it is not known just
■what success he is having.
Mrs. Boothroyd, from Hot Springs,
is visiting in Rampart.
Justice court is busy with civil cases,
five having been liled within the last
(three weeks.
Elaborate Spreads
Service in the United States
army is certainly not without its
compensations, if one may judge
from the elaborate spreads in the
barracks of the men. No table in
Tanana could possibly contain a
more bountiful repast than is spread
lor the enlisted men at the post.
Each of the company quartermas
ter-sergeouts vied with each other
to aee who could put up the best
•dinner, and it would be a question
wbicb carried off tlie honors. Cer
tain it is that none of the men will
go hungrry.
Change in Registry Rate
Postmaster Tiffany received notifica
tion through last week’s mail that the
registry fees have been advanced from
■8 cents to 10 cents and the indemnity
in case of loss extended from $25 to $50.
The change was effective Nov. 1, but
the official notification was slow in
reaching the Tanana office.
Kreigh Collins, the western
tennis champion, was killed in a
street car accident in Chicago on
Nov. 16._
HOTEL ARRIVALS
KENTUCKY RESTAURANT
Fred Tapsa (Mush On), Iditarod; Jas.
Blodgett, Hot Springs; J. C. Meade,
Seattle; W. F. O’Connor, Fairbanks;
W. T. Lopp, Seattle; J. C. Smith, Hot
Springs; C. R. Peck, Rampart; Wm.
I* McLean, Ed Stoecker. Fairbanks.
STEAMER ST. QROIX
COMPLETELY BURNED
Seattle, Nov. 24.- The big passenger steamer St. Croix,
of the Schubach & Hamilton Company, is a total loss—hav
ing burned to the water’s edge off the coast of Santa Bar
bara, Cal. On November 10 the vessel sailed from San
Pedro for San Francisco, and the following day she was
drifting helplessly off Santa Barbara in a heavy sea, out of
sight of land. The last wireless message from the ship
brought the alarming information that the boiler had ex
ploded, killing the chief engineer. The vessel carried
nearly a hundred passengers, all of whom were rescued, and
considerable freight. Captain Fred Warner was in com
mand. The St. Croix was on the Seattle-Nome run this
Jr ear, and was brought “around the horn” last winter from
Fall River, Mass.
NOTABLE GATHERING IN WASHINGTON CITY
Washington, Nov. 24.—One of the most notable gath
erings that has been seen in Washington in a long time
will take place tomorrow (Thanksgiving day) on the occa
sion of the pan-American religious celebration. Cardinal
Gibbons, the noted Catholic prelate, will preach the sen
mon. Among those present will be President Taft, Vice
President Sherman, the members of the President’s cabinet,
the justices of the supreme court of the United States, and
members of congress. Seats for the Thanksgiving-day ser
vices are at a big premium.
LAWYER D ARROW MADE QUICK JOB OF IT
Spokane, Nov. 24.—Clarence S. Darrow, the famous
Chicago lawyer, who arrived in this city a few days ago to
direct the defense of Industrial Workers who are under ar
rest for free speaking, remained only half a day., He en
trusted the rest of the work to his associate, David Tone.
Most of the prisoners have yielded to the compulsion to saw
or carry wood. They were given the choise of doing this
or freezing in the bull pen. Their submission was assisted
by the cold wave which lately spread itself over the entire
Northwest.
PROPOSITION
PUT RIGHT UP TO CONGRESS
Washington, Nov. 24.—Although congress does not
convene for two weeks the city is fast filling with members
of both houses, employes and lobbyists, and as many mat
ters of great importance confront the national lawmakers
this winter’s session will be most interesting. The question
of calling a convention to arrange for an'atnendment to the
constitution permitting the election of United States sena
tors by direct vote of the people will come squarely before
congress when it convenes. The necessary 32 states have
through their legislatures adopted formal requests that a
constitutional convention be called. It becomes mandatory
upon congress to take the necessary steps for holding the
convention.
The language of the constitution is plain. Section 5
says that on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds
of the several states congress “shall” call a convention for
the purpose of proposing amendments, these amendments
as agreed upon in convention subsequently to be ratified by
three-fourths of all the states.
The petitions for a constitutional convention began to
reach congress in 1895, when the action of Idaho and
Wyoming were communicated to the senate. Ohio and
Minnesota followed in 1896 and 1897, and from that date
to the present time the states have been following one an
other in yearly succession, ending with Oklahoma last year.
Many of the states repeatedly have passed the necessary res
olution. The opposition of the senators to the constitu
tional amendment is well known. It is now believed that
the committee on privileges and elections—of which Senator
Burrows of Michigan is chairman—will be charged with
the duty of smothering the instructions given by 31 states.
The plea will be made that some of the requests are not in
proper form. The time limit may be urged, as the de
mands have been coming for a period of 14 years. It is
considered almost certain that the senate will find some way
of preventing action in the near future. There is no doubt
that the lower house of congress would quickly pass any
resolution calling fora constitutional convention to arrange
for the selection of United States senators by direct vote of
the people.
REV. PEABODY
GOING OUTSIDE
Rev. Winthrop Peabody departed to
day on a pedestrian journey to Valdez,
whence he will proceed to his old home
near Boston. He walked down from
Fairbanks recently, and is said to thor
oughly enjoy this delightful mode of
winter travel.
Mr. Peabody was formerly stationed
at Tanana and later was associated
with Rev. Mr. Betticher in work at
Fairbanks. His plans for the future
have not been learned, but it is known
by his friends that he has received
some very flattering offers from East
ern churches.
O. C. Laberee, formerly receiver of
the Alaska Central railroad, says the
Alaska Northern, the Central's suc
cessor, will build a branch from Sew
ard to Kaltag, via Innoko and Iditarod.
C. R. Peck is spending Thanksgiving
in Tanana. having come down several
days ago from the big raft which was
hung up near Scheiffelin creek last
fall.
Nome Runner Goes Through
Mike C. Sawin, a runner who was a \
contestant in several Marathon events j
at Nome last summer, arrived in Tan- j
ana Tuesday afternoon on a pedestrian I
stunt to Valdez. He hiked on yester- i
day and proposes to seek some races 1
on the outside.
S. G. Cain, the old Fish creek resi
dent, is prospecting on the Garnet
creek benches. Late last winter he
abandoned a shaft he had put down 96
feet while working alone in that vi
cinity. Now he has a companion and
proposes to see bedrock.
KALTAG-INNOKO
TELEPHONE LINE
Late arrivals from down river say
men and material are being assembled
at Kaltag for the construction of a tel
ephone line from that place to Iditarod
and Inncko points. A Nome company
is undertaking the enterprise and it is
proposed to have the service working
to the mines by next spring.
Dan Stuart, the well-known
prizefiight promoter, died in New
York on Nov.^H
“MUSH ON” ARRIVES FROM IDITAROD COUNTRY
The first Iditarod stampeder to reach Tatiana this winter on a return
from the new district arrived last Friday shortly after noon. He is
Fred Jansa, very widely known as ‘‘Mush On,” who threw up the
proprietorship of the Grotto Restaurant in Fairbanks and sailed for the
promised land on the last voyage of the White Seal. Captain Haines,
of the White Seal, came in the same day, but he was only from Shag
eluk slough, and departed for Fairbanks on the stage Saturday.
Mush On left Otter creek Oct. 24, came by Diskaket, ac;oss the
Kayali mountains and over the Nulato trail to the Yukon. The trail
from Otter runs dowu the Iditarod to Langley and thence to Diskaket,
a total distance of 135 miles. From Diskaket to Nulato the distance is
75 miles.
At the time he start’d out but little more was known ol the value
and extent of the new diggings beyond what was demonstrated last
summer. The people had not yet got down to prospecting. A good
many had gone to the old Innoko diggings, but those remaining in the
Iditarod were not discouraged. There are numerous creeks yet uu
prospected.
It is Mush On’s opinion that there is bound to be a grub shortage
in the new camp. There was really very little on sale. The only
game are ptarmigan and grouse, which are plentiful. |
Roadhouses are plentiful all the way to the diggings. Meals are
$>.50 between Nulato and Diskaket. At Diskaket they are $1, and
good. At Richmond, one day’s travel by the cutoff and two by the
river below Otter, Mrs. Walters, formerly of Ester creek, Fairbanks
district, serves bacon and beans at $2.
Mush On is full of personal gossip. He says many well known
women wbo have followed up the Northern mining excitements are
making “sinkers” for roughnecks in divers localities. Maud Earl, of
Old Inn fame in the Klondike, is at Langley, and declared she was
playing for high stakes. Mrs. DeCamp, of Fairbanks district, is a
Otter creek. Lewis Shequiu, the old time Rampart miner, and his
brother Sam are at Langley. Frank J. Cotter, a Fairbanks newspaper
man, was arranging to establish an independent mail service between
Diskaket and Iditarod points. Diskaket seems to be the mo.-t irnpor
tant trading point in the valley at present. A. E. Bain has a fine sa
loon and roadhouse there, but it is not expected that his license will be
renewed. Cow Miller was freighting between Diskaket and Opbir, in
the old diggings, at $100 a ton, and at Diskaket it was said the old
camp was showing up well, especially Little creek.
United States Deputy Marshal Hanover was at Diskaket waiting for
the trail to improve before proceeding to the Iditarod. A good deal of
petty thievery had been going on at various places, the United States
commissioner being numbered among the victims. The commissioner
had sworn in several special deputies pending the arrival of Deputy
Hanover.
Mr. Jansa is suffering fiom lumbago and will not return to the
Iunoko valley this winter. He may remaiu in Taiuvno.
SUPT, W. T. LOPP
GOING OUTSIDE
William T. Lapp, superintendent of
education for Alaska, arrived in Tan
ana from Nulatolast Friday en route to
Washington, D. C. He will take the
stage next Saturday for the Outside
via Fairbanks and Valdez.
Mr. Lopp has but recently been pro
moted to the head of Alaskan educa
tional affairs. He will remain in Wash
ington at least until after the opening
of navigation next summer.
DOCTOR VISITING
LOWER RIVER
Dr. C'. M. llosin, of the Indian ser
vice, departed down river last Sunday
on business in line with his regular
duties. He has a dog team with native
attendants and will go as far as Dave
Lewis’s.
His trip was caused by a report by
W. T. Lopp that natives down the.
river are in need of medical attention
Grant Creek Thanksgiving
The people of Grant creek will enjoy
a Thanksgiving dance at the roadhouse
tonight. Billy Carney was up from
the creek yesterday, but returned to*
day in order to help entertain th«
guests. _
Mr. and Mrs. Reid Entertain
Mr. and Mrs. Reid arc entertaining
the people of the post and the towns
people at a Thanksgiving gathering of
unique character tonight, aud their
homo will be the scene of festivity and
enjoyment to all who are numbered
among their guests.
A special Thanksgiving topic has
been arranged in connection with the
song service for the men at the post
next Sunday evening, in which an oi>
portunity will be given each man to
tell some of the things he has to bo
thankful for, or vice versa, tlirougjli
the question box.
Enjoyable Dance
The A. B. social dance last night
was enjoyed by a large crowd. The
music—first ami second violins,,
comet and piano—was furnished
by the Signal Corps boys, and they
received and deserved much praise.
WEEK’S WEATHER
Observations taken at Fort Gibbcrv
at 7 p. m. daily. M. U. (Irissinger,
observer.
Max. Min.
Thursday, Nov. 18, clear 9.5 —15.0
Friday, Nov. 19, clear 17.0 —10.0
Saturday, Nov. 20, clear 10.0 —20.2
Sunday, Nov. 21, clear -12.3 — 27.5
Monday, Nov. 22, clear —11.0 —03.0
Tuesday, Nov. 23, clear —29.8 —39.5
Wednesday, Nov. 24, cl’dy —19.8 —40.0
The men of the post will cele
brate Thanksgiving by a smoker
! and stag dance given by the Social
Club tonight at their hall. An in
vitation is extended to all the men
of both post and town.
The hearing of the case of
the Cunningham coal claims in
Alaska was commenced in Seat
tle on Nov. 18. The case will be
conducted for the Interior de
partment by J. M. Sheridan,
special prosecutor for the De
partment of Justice. William
McGee, of the Department of the
Interior, is taking the testi
rnony. The Cunningham group
of claimants is represented by
Elwood C. Hughes, senior mem
ber of a well-known law firm of
Seattle.
ABOUT THE MAILS
ARRIVALS
From Outside, Valdez, Fairbanks,
and Rampart-Hot Springs, every Tues
day.
From Nomo, St. Michael and lower
Yukon, every Friday.
From Dawson and Eagle, every other
week, Saturdays.
From Coldfoot, about the 12th of
each month.
DEPARTURES
To Outside, Valdez, Fairbanks and
Rampart-Hot Springs, every Saturday.
To Nome, St. Michael and lower
Yukon, every Wednesday.
To Coldfoot, the 15th of each month.
Registered Mail and Money Or
der Business will close every Friday
at noon and not open before departure
of Outside mail.