SECOND YEAR
CHITINA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1012
NO. 86
Cordova, June 12.
The information today concerning the conditions on Ko
diak Island are more encouraging. All evidences of further
eruption have disappeared and the atmosphere has cleared in
the neighborhood of Mount Katmai. No more danger is appre
hended, and the inhabitants of the towns and villages within
the volcano area are now concerned in estimating their losses
and the probability of recovering some of their possessions.
The wireless station at Whiteshed has been enabled to get
into communication with the revenue cutter Manning, which is
still standing to at the town of Kodiak. The information was
flashed through the air last night that the hundreds of people
who had been succored and protected on the Manning had re
turned to Kodiak. A scene of desolation was presented in ev
ery direction. Cattle, stock, sheep and animals had been gen
erally killed, while the grazing and agricultural land presented
a dismal scene with black sand everywhere blighting green
pastures.
The residents of Kodiak were loth to leave the land where
many of them had struggled for a generation. When they
reached shore they plowed their way in the directions where
formerly were attractive and comfortable homes. The sights
that met their gaze upon all sides were most disheartening and
they realized that it would be an herculean task to take up the
labor that meant years of patient toil ere they could again, if
ever, become the proud possessors of what was formerly a most
promising land.
Some homes were injured and others demolished, while in
some the sand had penetrated so as to cover the floors for sev
eral inches and practically ruin all that was contained in the
homes. Such supplies as were required for immediate use were
secured from the Manning, and it is now believed that the peo
ple who will be compelled to leave the devastated town will be
much less in number than was formerly expected.
A resolution has been presented in Congress providing for
the immediate appropriation of $50,000 for the relief of the un
fortunate people who have lost their all as a result of the catas
trophe. It will undoubtedly pass, and this fund will be avail
able to care for those who would otherwise be homeless
A wireless has been received from one of the cannery tend
ers at Karluk, where is located one of the biggest canneries in
Alaska. They report that there has been no loss of life there
and that the fall of ash and sand has not been of such a nature
as to prove very serious. The belief is expressed that they will
shortly be enabled to resume operations at the cannery, and
that the waters will be sufficiently clear as to permit of the run
of salmon. A similar advice was also received by wireless from
Makmek. Chignik, which is on the Alaska peninsula and near
ly 175 miles south of Katmai, reports by wireless that while
they received a sprinkling of ashes and sand, it was not suffi
cient to do any particular injury.
As the wireless station at Kodiak was struck by lightning,
and completely destroyed, the operators are now on the cutter
Manning and will come on later to Cordova.
WASHINGTON, June 12.—Official life was very much
disturbed over the reports of the disastrous catastrophe that
has overtaken the people on Kodiak and neighboring islands.
Telegrams have been received from Seward, Cordova and other
Alaskan organizations, and also from Capt. Kirtland W. Perry,
of the cutter Manning, asking that an appropriation be at once
made for the relief of the volcano victims. In accordance with
the seeming necessity, Delegate Wickersham and Senator Wes
ley L. Jones, of Washington, got together and prepared a res
olution authorizing an immediate appropriation of $50,000 to
be used in the care of the victims who have been made home
less. Late yesterday afternoon this resolution was introduced
in the Senate by Senator Jones and in the House by Delegate
Wickersham. It will undoubtedly pass.
WASHINGTON, June 12.—Full advices have been re
ceived by Capt. Commandant Ellsworth P. Bertholf, of the reve
nue cutter service, of the volcanic disaster in the Aleutian
mountains. There are now several revenue cutters in Alaskan
waters, and these have been ordered by Capt. Bertholf to pro
ceed to Shelikof Straits, so as to render aid to the distressed oc
cupants of any of the villages who have been affected by the
volcanic eruption.
At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday Presi
dent Blum was authorized to appoint a Cordova Kodiak relief
committee, with full power to act in the effort to assist in aid
ing the unfortunate victims of the Katmai eruption. He ac
cordingly named as such committee John Y. Ostrander, chair
man, A. «T. Adams, Alvali Eames, A. E. Lathrop, Will (’lavson.
The committee immediately got busy and sent the following
wires, which were also signed by Mayor Barry:
Hon. William H. Taft, Washington:
Government relief urgently and immediately necessary for the vol
cano sufferers at Kodiak and vicinity. People homeless and destitute.
Governor Walter E. Clark, Juneau:
Government relief immediately necessary for volcano sufferers. Please
use all your influence that transport Sheridan be available for immediate
action.
Miss Mabel Borden, Red Cross, Washington:
We appeal to your organization to assist in relieving volcano suffer
ers. Hundreds homeless and destitute. Urgent action necessary.
Tlie first real authentic information concerning the recent volcanic
eruption on the Aleutian range was brought to Cordova on the arrival of
the Mariposa Sunday night. W. C. Dunkle, mining expert for the Alaska
Syndicate, was a returning passenger from the westward. He boarded
the steamer Dora at Chignik, and was on her during the period of erup
tion, reaching Seward at 3 o’clock on Sunday morning, just in time to
board the Mariposa as she was sailing for Valdez.
Mr. Dunkle states that the Dora was at Cold Bay on the evening of
Wednesday, June 5. This point is about forty miles equally distant from
the Indian village of Katmai and the cannery at Karluk. Leaving Cold
Kay, they saw dense volumes of smoke, deep haze, red sunset and flashes
of fire. It seemed to come either front Mount Katmai, which is possibly
ten miles back from the coast and village of Katmai, or front a known
volcano farther back and near Bocharof Luke.
Karluk was reached about 4 o'clock on Thursday morning, but there
were very few people stirring there. The steamer proceeded to the can
nery at Vyak, reaching there at 8 a. in. Both these villages are on the
west coast of Kodiak Island, and about 35 miles southwest of Katmai vil
lage, which is on the mainland and is separated from the island by Shelikof
Strait. At Vyak there was much excitement, as the people heaitl repeated
shocks during the night and were alarmed over the aspect of the sky dur
ing the evening. The Dora soon proceeded on her way north to get around
the island to the town of Kodiak.
At 1 o’clock that afternoon, June 0, the steamer was due east of Kat
mai. Big black clouds suddenly appeared from the direction of Katmai,
that seemed to spread and open like a funnel, while a terrific belching noise
was heard.
The boat proceeded along, and at 4 o’clock a great cloud seemed to
be directly above ami circled over the entire Kodiak Island. It began to
get dark, while there were vivid flashes of light and thunder, with fine
flakes of ashes coming down like snow, and sea gulls by the million flying
away from the approaching cloud. The Dora was then passing through
Ivupreanof Straits, and at 7 o’clock was within six or seven miles of Ko
diak, and had just passed a small tug with a few people on it who were
evidently hound for the village. But that that hour almost total darkness
set in, relieved only by occasional flashes of light from the volcano, and
subsequent thunder, with gusts of sand falling on the vessel.
The captain was greatly perplexed as to what to do. He had the wire
less operator try to call up the Kodiak station, but without result. He
knew that in the darkness it would be impossible to make a landing, so he
set his course for the northeast and put on full speed. In the meantime it
almost rained coarse sand, with a heavy wind blowing, carrying most of it
off the steamer. But Mr. Dukle estimated that fully six inches fell on the
deck, while under the forecastle, where it had drifted, there was eighteen
inches. In the course of an hour it became lighter, and the steamer was
enabled to proceed safely toward Seldovia. During the night there were
evidences of eruption both in the sky and by reason of the frequent rum
blings.
At 7 o'clock on Friday morning, June 7, while off Cape Elizabeth, It
suddenly became pitch dark. The deposit that was wafted in that direc
tion was liner than llie sand that had already covered the vessel and was
more like volcanic ash. It was nearly three hours before the dark clouds
lifted, and during that time the atmosphere was close and oppressive, filled
with the flukes of ash. All that day a strong northwest gale was blowing,
and in the afternoon at 4 o’clock it again became pitch dark, while the
steamer was proceeding off Barren Island. At 4:30 the sky assumed a
dull red, and at 5 there was a light yellowish glow in the heavens, while
the sea was of a light green color. Shortly after it again became light.
Early Saturday morning the steamer was near Seldovia, and at 3
j o’clock it again became totally dark for a time. Returning, and on the
way to Seward, at 7 o’clock that morning the total darkness returned and
continued for three hours, while the steamer was off Fort Chatham. It
began to clear gradually and at :5 o’clock on Saturday afternoon l’ye Island
was clear and distinct. There the snow was almost completely covered with
a dark sediment. About midnight the wind changed uml seemed to blow
more to the northeast and in the direction of Cordova. At :I o’clock on
Sunday morning the Dora arrived at Seward, looking as though she had
gone through u cyclone.
Mr. Dunkie made a calculation of the amount of sand that was landed
on the Dora. He figures that if all had remained that reached the deck
in nine hours while in the vicinity of Kodiak, there would have been fifteen
tons in all. And calculating the radius within which most of the sand fell,
he believes that over seventy billion tons was thrown off by the eruption.
Mr. Dunkie and all on board the Dora congratulate themselves that they
had not been an hour or two earlier in their schedule when in the neigh
borhood of Kodink. Otherwise they would have landed there and might
have had difficulty in getting away. He says that at times the dense smoke
seemed to be from two to three miles broad, while streams of sparks could
be viewed. Thousands of birds almost exhausted sought refuge at times on
the Dora. He is satisfied that there must Ik* three or four feet of sand
covering practically the entire Kodiak Island, which would have the effect
of killing all vegetation. The island was in direct line of the wind which
was so strong and laden with sand as to at times make breathing difficult.
The wireless station at Whiteshed got into communication last night
with the United States revenue cutter Manning, which was near Kodiak.
They reported that the people there are all right, no known deaths having
resulted, but that the island is under a blanket of sand and that the prop
erty destruction is great. The Manning states that the wireless apparatus at
Kodiak has evidently been injured by the falling ash, as it has been im
possible to get in touch with the station. The Mannng was unable to hear
Whiteshed because of the amount of static in the air.
Cordova, June 11.
Recent information indicates that the eruption of Mount
Katmai has been more disastrous in its results than the earlier
reports conveyed. While there may be comparatively little loss
of life, the devastating effects of the outpouring blighted the
country for a radius of 200 miles or more. Rich agricultural
and grazing lands, buildings and canneries were totally destroy
ed for further usefulness, while large herds of horses, cattle and
sheep were smothered or starved to death.
The wireless apparatus at Kodiak was struck by lightning
and totally destroyed. As a consequence no information coulcN
be secured from that source. The United States revenue cutter
Manning had gone to Kodiak to coal about the time of the dis
turbance, and has been the one source of direct information, al
though the condition of the atmosphere has made it difficult
to get through many distinct or intelligible messages.
The Manning is still at Kodiak and has taken command
of all the tugs in that neighborhood. The tug Printer, under
command of Lieut. Searle was dispatched to Seward yesterday,
carrying dispatches to be sent to the government officials at
Washington. Lieut. Searle was able to give definite details so
far as concerns the existing conditions at Kodiak. He states
that practically all the people living at Kodiak have been tak
en aboard the Manning and are being cared for. The town, and
presumably the entire island, is buried to a depth of from two
to twenty feet under a deposit of sand and ashes. All livestock,
birds and game of all kinds are dead, while the crops are a
complete loss. In some instances the drifting sand has com
pletely covered buildings. Animals and cattle exposed were
practically smothered to death.
A tug which arrived at Kodiak from Uyak reports that the
conditions there and at Karluk are not quite so serous, as much
of the deposit seemed to be carried beyond that location to
other parts of the island. However, there is a heavy deposit
and much injury was done. The employes at the canneries
were enabled to seek safety and protection on the cannery boats,
and it is not expected that there will be very much loss of life.
However, the gravest fears are experienced for the people liv
ing at the Indian village of Katmai and the towns on Afognak
Island. They did not have the means of getting away in boats,
other than canoes or row boats.
The reports received at Seward indicate that the eruption
continued several days and that immense clouds of small stones,
sand and ashes carried a distance of over 300 miles. For hours
at a time there was total darkness, while a rain of destruction
prevailed. The eruptions were accompanied by violent thun
der storms and terrific lightning. There is a general belief that
the present eruption will exceed all records in the amount of
volcanic ash thrown forth, and as to the extensive area covered
by the dust, it being in evidence at the extreme end of South
eastern Alaska.
The captain of the Manning asked of the department at
Washington that other revenue cutters be immediately ordered
»
to the scene of disaster, and to afford relief to the stricken peo
ple. He asks that an appropriation be made to provide for the
thousand people who have been made homeless, and who have
lost all their possessions. As various cutters are now in Alas
kan waters it is presumed that soon several will be steaming to
the stricken locality.
A wire received this afternoon at three o’clock states that
the Dora has not been able to hear anything by wireless from
the Manning, but that the atmosphere is clearing and news is
expected at any time.. The tug Nora is due to arrive at Seward
tonight and should have something more definite about Uyak
and that locality. The telegram states that boats can now get
to the stricken district and several are on the way. For two or
three days the air around Seward was filled with volcanic ash
and several slight shocks were felt. But the fact that no reports
are now heard and the air is comparatively clear indicates that
the eruption must be over.
Today President Blum and Secretary Barry, of the Cordo
va Chamber of Commerce, sent a wire to Bankers Brown and
Hawkins, at Seward, suggesting that measures be taken to send
a relief expedition to the afflicted people. In reply the follow
ing was received at 3:30 this afternoon:
“Believe that no relief expedition is necessary. Revenue
cutter Manning has the situation well in hand. Funds are need
ed. Would suggest that you join in a petition already sent to
Washington by Kodiak relief committee of Seward, request
ing government aid.”
HEALEY
__ i
j
(By <). A. Nelson.)
Healy is gone, officially, and may
his memory depart with him. He
leaves behnd neither regret nor sym
pathy. We will forget him as soon
as possible, and try to heal up the
ugly sores he has infected with his
selfishness and egotism. He brought
nothing to us, and having no honor
to lose, he leaves nothing behind.
His going was a crying necessity, and
people are glad that a better feeling
and greater security will now be pos
sible. We hope that the change will
be of benefit to everyone and can now
cease a personal attack which is a
most distasteful task.
But before we fall into each oth
ers arms and rejoice, a few parting
words of comment may prevent mis
understandings that might arise in
the future.
Heay ealme here and got himself
appointed U. S. commissioner. Long
since u became apparent that his acts
and his temperament made him ab
solutely unfit for that office in tms
country. We believe he once said he
was “going to live down his past rec
ord.” This was a very laudable pur
pose and there was plenty of oppor
tunity for him to do so. We are not
much concerned with what a man
has been, and if he had treated peo
ple here fairly they could have over
looked much. When he was criti
cised for mistakes and abuses he
neither justified or excused himself,
out morosely tried to mend wrongs
with more of them.
Healy will soon be forgotten, but
we have gotten an insight into each
others minds that nothing else would
have given us. We beleive that
Judge Cushman showed considerable
narrow-mindedness in the matter.
He refused to remove Healy partly
because he thought the attack was
spite work and partly because it
would reflect on himself as the ap
pointing judge. When it became evi
dent that Healy could no longer re
main here Judge Cushman convened
a grand jury for the purpose of re
lieving himself of responsibility in
the matter. Nothing would have
been easier than to have given an
investigation that everyone would
have had to admit was fair. We had
no right to demand an indictment of
Healy, but we did have a right to
expect a fair investgiation. The
farce comedy we got maue most peo
ple think it was a pre-arranged
whitewash, and it entirely contradict
ed Judge Cushman’s statement that
one purpose of the grand jury system
is “to give the people a greater con
fidence in, and respect for, the court."
We trust this case will not go down
as a precedent, holding before crook
ed officials no greater restraint than
the fear of a whitewash and a resig
nation. What recourse have we if
we get another official of this kind
except the same tedious and disgust
ing way?
The people who supported Healy
after they knew he was crooked have
shaken the people’s confidence in
tnem. They seem to think with him
that the working man was made for
their particular benefit. Those who
supported Healy simply because they
had a selfish purpose to serve, but
who had nothing to say in defense
of him, have no sense of public duty.
Of the supporters of Healy who
pretended to oppose him for the pur
pose of getting more gossip to carry,
we have nothing to say—there are no
fitting words.
To those, if there are any, who op
posed Healy because of spite, there
is no credit. But to those citizens
who had the courage to come out
against him simply because he was
a detriment to the community, we
owe whatever benefit may come of
his removal. For tnose who had no
end to gain except the general wel
fare and self respect of this district,
and who were willing to say what
(Continued on Page Three.)