* % 3
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME IN FIGURING WHY A BLACK HEN LAYS A WHITE EGG—BUT GET BUSY AND GET AFTER THE EGG.
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VOL. I. ~~ CHITINA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1911. N0. 16
I
Local News
Phil Percy, who left last month
with Lawrence DeWiitt and Jack
O’Brien for Tanana Crossing, return
ed this week, having got only as fai
as the Chestacheena. DeWitt, who
has a team and double ender, accom
panied by O’Brien, had just left for
Tanana Crossing as Pery started on
his return to Chitina.
J. L. Morgan, who is interested
wilh Dan Sheehan in some copper
prospects on the upper fork of the
Kotsina, near Gray’s Copper Moun
tain property, arrived in Chitina
Wednesday with a dog team. Mr.
Morgan is on his way to Valdez,
where he will remain until spring
before returning to his property.
Jack Reed, our old friend “Fat,”
who recently returned from a trip
to Mexico, is now running the push
er for the rotary, with Price Nettle
ton as his side-kicker with the scoop.
Judge Hayes is in charge of the ro
tary train, with Walter DeLong as
his assistant.
“Pretty” Johnny Reed is now run
ning the rotary. Kinney Holden,
who was Johnny’s craneman on the
steam shovel at mile 146, is pilot on
the rotary, while Jack Terry is busy
scooping “diamonds” into the big
snow plow.
Henry Lee, the well known loco
motive engineer at the front, recently
received a wire that his brother was
dangerously ill, and may take a trip
outside on a short furlough. Henry
also received a Christmas present
from his wife, which the gang say is
the real reason for Henry’s desire for
a furlough. They “kid” him unmer
cifully about it, but Henry only grins
and says: “All right, fellows, wait
till you get married, and you’ll be
wishing for a present just like mine.
Of course, I don’t particularly need
it up here, but it’s appreciated all
the same.”
-
J. H. Jones, who has Deen at the
Kuskulana bridge all fall, made a trip
to Cordova after the connection of
I
the steel, returning the first of the
week. The “deacon” has accepted
a position as watchman at the bridge,
and expects his better half, who is
now in Portland, to join him in a
few weeks.
The man whose feet were frozen
on the trail from Fairbanks, was tak
en down on the train to Cordova as
an indigent, though it was first re
ported he had plenty of money. Dep
uty Marshal Brown, who searched
the man, and who was instructed by
Marshal Sullivan to care for him,
reports that the foreigner had only
a few pieces of silver.
John Schafer, who has the Chit
ina grill, has rented the big double
cabin on Chltina Heights, owned by
F. A. Moore, and now has a snug
home for his mother and sister, who
arrived during the holidays.
Hospital Steward Farally made a
trip from Kuskulana this week to
attend the man with the frozen feet.
He lanced and carefully dressed the
injured members and did all any doc
tor could do in the matter.
W. Nelson, Jr., in charge of the
pumping station here, made a couple
of business trips to Cordova this
week.
M, Finkelstein left for Cordova on
Friday evening’s train, where he will
change off again with his partner.
Jack Sapiro, in the management of
their business at the coast terminal,
Mr. Sapiro arriving here Saturday
night to take charge of their Chlt
ina interests. Mrs. Finkelstein and
son, Sammy, who have been visiting
here the past two weeks, will re
turn the first of the week to Cor
dova.
t
Trains are now running over the
steel bridge which spans the Kusku
lana gorge, and the hum of construc
tion work will be heard from now
on toward the Bonanza mine. The
cantilever span was connected Fri
day and after lowering It to place
the travelers were taken down, which
required three days to complete. Most
of the riveting was finished on Thurs
day evening, and about thirty steel
workers given their release. The
balance of the men remaining to
clean up and put everything in ship
shape finish today, Bridge Superin
tendent A. C. O’Neil and all the men
having come down and leave on Sun
day’s train for Cordova.
P. J. O’Brien, superintendent of
bridges for the construction company,
had four of the high bents next to
the steel on the shore span of the
bridge across the gorge, up on Friday
evening, and had only three more to
put in, which could be completed to
day. The construction trains can now
begin hauling rails and ties across
the gorge and the work will be push
ed as rapidly as possible, for there
are still a number of smaller bridges
to be constructed, Supt. O’Brien
stating that there was in the neigh
borhood of eighty days’ work on
bridges between Kuskulana and the
Bonanza mine. All the equipment
of the bridge will be stored at Kus
kulana and a watchman put in
charge. Supt. O’Neil states that there
is about $30,000 worth of machinery
and equipment now at the bridge,
and the Katalla Company considers
it a matter of economy to store the
material where it is, for should they
build or start the work on the Cop
per River crossing near Chitina, as
is generally expected will be done,
It ^rould not pay to transport the
material to Cordova. It will all be
needed, and more. Mr. O’Neil esti
mates that it will require about
a $100,000 equipment to build the
bridge at the Copper River crossing.
First of all, a large power plant must
be constructed before the caisson
work can begin, and a first-class elec
tric light system installed. The work
on the Kuskulana bridge was great
ly retarded owing to the absence of
electric lights. Mr. O’Neil succeeded
in borrowing a few acetyline lights
from Superintendent Murchison, but
Stated that had he any idea the work
would have been so prolonged, an
electric light plant would have been
installed in the beginning.
Nothing definite can yet be learn
ed, if an appropriation has been
made by the stockholders in the road,
for the building of the bridge across
the Copper, but the prevailing opin
ion seems to be that the caisson work
will at least start, though it is not
proable that steel construction will
begin on the bridge before 1912.
The Kuskulana bridge is, and no
doubt will be, the only steel bridge
ever constructed in Alaska in the
winter time. The peril to the work
men when the thermometer ranges
below zero, and the many difficulties
attending steel construction in the
winter time are too great to be again
considered. That there was no one
killed or badly injured on the Kus
kulana work reflects great credit on
the officials, and on the workmen for
their caution, courage and fortitude
in holding out and completing what
was considered by many to be an
impossible task in the dead of winter.
Send us your Job Printing.
__
NEW ORGAN ARRIVES FOR
RED DRAGON CLUB HOUSE
E. P. Ziegler expects to be here
the first of the week, and also ex
pects to organize a ladies guild in
connection with the Red Dragon
club house. There has been a lack
of interest in the club house since
Mr. Ziegler’s absence, and he hopes
to start a social interest in the place
again and get the Chitina people to
mingle more together. A big fine
new organ has arrived for use at the
club house, and a social function of
some kind will no doubt be given
sometime during next week. A num
ber of books have been borrowed
since the opening of the place, which
should be returned, as Mr. Ziegler
wishes to check up the library and
get the branch mission in readiness
for Bishop Rowe, whom Mr. Ziegler
says, will pay us a visit this month.
MUSHER HAS BOTH FEET
BADLY FROZEN ON TRAIL
A telephone message came to Dep
uty Marshal Brown from Marshal
Sullivan, of Valdez, on Sunday, noti
fying him of a man who had both
feet frozen on the trail, and told him
to secure medical aid as soon as the
unfortunate man arrived in Chitina.
The man was taken by the Orr
stage from the summit, or Paxton’s
roadhouse, and brought to Chitina.
He is a foreigner by the name of
Mike Martinovich, and as soon as
he was taken to a room in the Hotel
Chitina, was interviewed by a Lead
er representative. He stated that
he started to mush from Fairbanks
to Valdez, and after about five days
out got into some overflows along the
delta, where his moccasins got wet,
and before being able to reach a
roadhouse, or secure dry clothing,
his feet began to freeze. He also
stated that he lay for 16 hours about
eight miles from the Paxton road
house before he was picked up, and
had to fight the cold by continuous
moving of the body and arms to keep
from freezing. Dr. Smith, who was
telephone to, was unable to leave
the bridge camp, but sent his assist
ant, Hospital Steward Farrally, to
Chitina, who dressed the man’s feet.
Martinovich seemed quite despond
ent, and stated that he felt as though
he might as well be dead as to have
his feet frozen. It is not known
whether the toes will have to be am
putated though the legs and ankles
are apparently all right, and, under
the circumstances, Martinovich
should consider himself in pre'.ty
good luck after all.
PERTINENT PARAGRAPHS
ABOUT STEEL WORKERS
Jesse Forrester, the old-time steel ^
worker, is now a happy man, having
just finished his contract with the
Katalla Company on the steel bridge
at Kuskulana, and is now on his way •
outside to sign for another contract,
which is nearer and dearer to his
heart. He and Miss Sue Bates are
to be united in the holy bonds of
matrimony soon, which explains his
happiness and haste to arrive in the
states. Curly McTague says he still
retains a sore spot, but wishes Jess
much happiness just the same.
The boys of the steel gang claim
that Ray Taylor was appointed as
chaperone on their way down last
Friday. According to report he did
so well in that capacity, he may have
to return and chaperone “Geroni
mo’s” gang, most of whom leave to
morrow.
Jimmy Farr had a hard time keep
ing cases on his grip, containing ton
sorial tools, on his arrival at the
Hotel Chitina. The gang recommend
ed the hotel safe for this indispen
sable grip, but Jimmy preferred to
use it as a pillow. He couldn't take
chances on losing it as a pillow
chances on losing it, for It will be
needed on his next job at the steel
bridge across the Copper from Chit
ina.
“Toughy” McNutt says building
bridges in Alaska is too tough for
him in the winter time. Him for
“sunny Cal,” where by now the or
anges are just ready to drop into
your face a syou lay in the shade of
the orange grove. “Toughy” says
the only drawback is he has to peel
the oranges.
“Saginaw Bill” is on his way to
Copenhagen. He prefers the land
of the “snoose” to the land of the
snow.
Dirty Dutch wore a sorrowful look
all the way down on the train Fri
day He says the gang will insist
on him taking a bath, getting a
shave and a hair cut and a few other
troublesome things.
Sam Thornton has a grievance
against the local trainmen. On his
way to Cordova Friday he fixed him
self for a comfortable snooze in the
caboose. He had been in the arms
of Morpheus about half an hour
when he awoke and imagined he was
in the hospitable home of his Satanic
majesty. He lit a cigarette without
the aid of a match, and, muttering
something about the “shak” being a
peach of firemen, beat it for the pas
senger coach.
Curley McTague now dreams only
of New York and the beautiful occu
pant of a handsome residence near
a certain large brewery. Curly says
he’ll send no letters by Ray Taylor
this trip, and if possible will Shang
hai Taylor in Seattle, until he is well
on his way. Two years have passed
since Curly strolled up Broadway,
and up the steps of one of Gotham's
most palatial residences, and he says
he thinks she’ll be glad to see him.
J. C. Howells wore his Panama to
Cordova, as Jimmy Farr had to buy
him the best Stetson in town. Jimmy
bet a hat they would, J. C. said they
wouldn’t and he is now wearing a
hat at Jimmy’s expense.
“Sheeney” Stearns is going out
with plenty of this world’s goods to
engage in a wholesale business, and
said: “So, believe me. I lost money
on the Kuskulana job.” The gang
say he only had two pair against
three’s.
-
The gang is "kidding" Tommy
Brady about his "old grey bonnet."
Any way, Tommy was seen on new
year’s day with all his “glad rags,”
which he has had carefully pressed
and laid away for many moons, and
it is known tuat he paid several new
year’s calls, Tommy is popular
among the ladies any way, and he
shouldn’t wait until the new year be
fore calling.
Read the Leader for the news.
Jesse Brown, the well known cook
and Leon Bucklear have opened a
launch counter in the Home Bar.
They are nicely framed up to do a
good business and as they are well
known will undoubtedly get their
share of the trade. They have as a
specialty, hot waffles, and serve ev
erything in the short order and din
ner line,
Ed. Dyer has sold all his personal
effects and hied himself to Cordova.
LET'S ALL GET TOGETHER
AND CLEAR OFF A RIXK
Nearly every day some enthusiastic
skater mourns the fact that there is
still nothing done about a skating
rink, and othei's who cannot skate
are crying for some one to take the
initiative and open or clear a space
on the lake sufficiently large for at
! least a good tumble. There is really
no excuse or reason why we Chitina
[ people can not be enjoying this splen
did winter pastime, as the Katalla
Company officials have offered to
flood the rink for us at any time.
But first of all, a team and scraper
must be employed to clean off the
j snow which is now too deep to per
mit of good flooding. The Leader
1 suggests that on Tuesday morning
Thos. Holland, Deputy Marshal
Brown and Al. Brimmer be appoint
ed a committee of three to take the
[ work in charge, hire a team, clean
off the snow and take up a collec
tion among the skaters—it shouldn’t
cost over 50 cents apiece—and then
notify Station Agent Lawson, who
will see that the rink is flooded the
same night. It’s the only way to get
to skating, and if we don’t hurry
there will be little left of this great
sport before the thaw comes. Now
hurry and get busy.
FIRST TRIP OF D. DAMS WITH
TOXSIXA-XI7AXA MAIL
D. Davis, who has the mail con
tract for the Tonsina-Nizina mail
route, arrived at the roadhouse at
mile 133 Tuesday on his first winter
trip with mail and supplies. He left
Valdez on the 24th of December, and
was joined at the Tiekhel roadhouse
by Pete Peterson, of Peterson Ai
Vaughin’s roadhouse near Copper
Mountain, who is taking in his win
ter and summer supplies. Mr. Davis
reports the trail in fairly good con
dition and says he met a number of
mushers from the inside on their
way to the coast, as well as several
freight outfits hauling supplies to the
different roadhouses. He states that
there is considerable comment on the
new trail in comparison to the freight
rates from Valdez and Chitina, and
that the majority of freighters claim
they can freight much cheaper from
the Glacier City to any of the interior
points than from Chitina. They much
prefer the cut-off trail, as it is better
and eliminates the Thompson Pass,
but say the freight rates to Chitina
are still too high to compete with
Valdez rates.
Bring your job work to the Lead
er office.
Local \News
Brady Howard left on Friday for
Cordova, where he will remain for
about six weeks, when he expects to
return on other work he has con
tracted for here. Brady has been
busy here all summer and deserves
a rest, but says he must g^t busy
again on some cottages in Cordova,
which his brother has contracted to
build.
O. A. and M. S. Nelson left on
Friday morning's train for their old
home in Revere, Missouri. The Nel
son brothers are taking a well earn
ed vacation. They are leaving their
business house in care of E. W. Ex
um for rent, and expect to return
in the early spring or summer, as
they have great faith in Chitina.
St. Clair & Cloninger, of the Log
Cabin Bar, have installed a gasoline
plant and their place is now the sec
ond business house to be illuminated
by gasoline. The outside arc gives
the place a metropolitan appearance
and the six burners inside light up
the bar, restaurant and pool rooms
nearly as well as old Sol.
George Scott received a bad tum
ble from the water tower last week,
which necessitated nine stitches being
put in an ugly wound around the
eye. George is now breaking on
one of the trains.
Mr. J. C. Howells is leaving for
the outside on the steamer Victoria.
Mr. Howells is a steel worker, who
has worked front Flag Point to Kus
kulana on steel bridge work. Mrs.
Howells, who has made her home at
Miles Glacier for nearly the past two
years, accompanies him, and states
that she regrets leaving Alaska, hav
ing made many friends during her
residence in the Northland.
William Black, the well known
cook, who has been spending a few
weeks at the Sitka hot springs, re
turned on Thursday evening much
benefited from his attack of rheuma
tism.
Rudolph Pohlner, who has been
interested with Geo. Blouen in the
Home Bar since its opening, has sold
his interest to liis partner. Mr. Blou
en is now alone in the business, both
the hotel and bar being run by him.
Rudolph has not yet decided what he
will do, but says he does not expect
to engage in the saloon business
again soon.
C. M. P. Cole made a trip to Cop
per Center this week with his dog
team. He went with a view to se
curing freight contracts, but states
that most of the freight is being
handled from Valdez to the interior.
He also made a flying business trip
to Cordova, returning Tuesday even
ing.
Tommy hichmond and Jimmy the
Kid are now full-fledged prospectors.
They have located a prospect directly
underneath the Hotel Chitina and are
sinking a shaft, which is already
“well developed.” Get he boys to
show you a sample of their ore.
The many friends of Archie Shiels,
chief of commissary for the construc
tion company were pleased to shake
hands with him on his return this
week.
A. P. Pitch, the well known com
missary man at the big construction
camp, made a business trip to Cor
dova this week, returning on Thurs
day evening’s train.
James MacDonald, more familiarly
known as “Jimmy the Messenger,”
contemplates taking a supply of eggs
in over the trail to Fairbanks. Jim
my says there should be a good rake
off, as eggs were quoted to him at
$85 per case in the big placer town.
Job work at the Leader office.