CORDOVA VISITED BY US FIRST BIG FIRE
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE OF LOSS.
Destruction of warehouse. $4,500
Damage to dock and stringers. 1.500
Orr Stage Co., 12 horses burned. 2,400
80 tons of hay and oats, belonging to S. Blum
& Co., and the Kennecott Mines Co. 4,000
10 tons freight salvaged from str. Portland... 2,000
8 tons of electrical equipment for the Bonan
za mine. 1.000
80 tons of coal. 1.000
Wharf equipment, dynamite, gasoline and
freight . 2.000
Total. $18,400
(From Wednesday's Cordova Daily Alaskan.)
Cordova was visited by its first serious fire at 1:30
o’clock this morning, when one of the Alaska Steamship
company’s warehouses at the dock, together with most of its
contents, was destroyed the loss amounting to nearly $20,000.
The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is supposed to
have started from a match or cigarette being thrown carelessly
on the floor, where a large quantity of hay was stored. The
Orr Stage company had twenty-six head of horses stabled
there, awaiting shipment to Chitina. The men in charge of
the stock asked Jimmy Walsh, night watchman at the dock,
to look after the horses while they went up town to get some
thing to eat. Shortly afterward Walsh visited the warehouse
and found the interior ablaze. He immediately directed his
attention to freeing the horses and through his efforts four
teen of them were saved, but not without a heroic fight against
the flames and heat.
An alarm was then turned in and the local fire depart
ment responded promptly and did excellent work. On account
of the fire raging in the corner of the warehouse where the
hose and tools were stored and the further fact that the water
supply was out of commission on account of the drought,
some trouble was experienced in getting a stream on the
flames. This once accomplished there was no doubt about
the department being able to keep the fire under control.
Jack Dalton’s water supply was used and although the city
hose didn’t fit his plugs, Chief Dooley had soon made a con
nection and a stream was playing on the burning building.
Great care had to be exercised in the use of the water on ac
count of dynamite and gasoline being in the warehouse as
an explosion was likely to occur at any time.
Practically everybody in town was attracted to the scene
by the .ringing of the fire bell and the cannery boat at Urea
was sent for and as soon as it could get up steam was on its
way here. It soon had three streams of water playing on the
building and rendered valuable service, as did Jack Dalton
and all of the volunteers, while the department never waivered
in its duty, regardless of the great danger. The officials of
the steamship company feel very grateful to all who assisted
at the fire and appreciate that the good work rendered saved
the other warehouse and dock from destruction.
On account of the danger of an explosion from the gaso
line and dynamite an opening was chopped in the floor of the
warehouse and these explosives dumped into the bay. 'Phis
course was also necessary with a large quantity of coal, and
although eighty tons were lost there were still 750 tons thus
saved. The freight from the city warehouse, which amounted
to about 100 tons, was carried out and part of it loaded on
barges and the balance conveyed to the approach to the wharf.
Strange as it may seem not a single case was broken or found
missing, when the freight was checked up today, which speaks
volumes for the cool headed manner in which the fire was
handled.
There was no permanent damage to the wharf, beyond
the complete destruction of one warehouse, and damage to the
decking, stringers and caps.
C. W. Megeath, a prominent coal
operator with headquarters at Oma
ha, is spending a day or two in
the Copper River valley. He states
that the mission of his visit is sim
ply as a tourist seeing the sights.
Mr. Megeath has decided views
upon the coal question and other im
portant matters of vital interest to
all Alaskans but was loth to be
quoted stated that his views would
probably be misunderstood from the
fact that he is engaged in the coal
business. However, since it is a
subject in which all Alaskans are
interested, the Alaskan will take the
liberty of giving his views, especially
on the coal question.
He branded as absurd that the coal
barons of the east or any other part
of America were in any manner re
sponsible for trying to keep Alaska
coal from being mined, or that they
n aintained a lobby in congress.
He declared that personally he
would not have as a gift the best
coal claim, or any number of coal
claims, in Alaska. He said as he
rode along the Copper River &
Northwestern railway at mile 50
he noticed two immense glaciers, one
Miles Glacier and the other Childs
glacier. He said if he had any por
tion of the thousands upon thous
ands of tons of ice in the states he
could turn them into ready money
and make a good profit. Yet the ice
was worthless. Why? Because it
must be first gotten to market. Thus
it was with Alaskan coal. More
over, a railroad already reached this
great natural storage of ice, while
it would be necessary to build one
at a great expense to secure coal.
He says he would not care to in
vest any of his money in a railroad
which would have to depend on coal
tonnage for its earnings in Alaska.
Speaking of the Pacific coast mar
ket, he declared that Alaska coal
would come into competition with
Australian coal which is hauled in
ships as ballast returning empty, as
well as Washington coal, not to speak
of British Columbia coal, which
would be admitted free of duty once
reciprocity prevails. Mr. Megeath
said only a limited market in Alas
ka would offer any capital bold
or foolish enough to try and open
Alaska coal mines, and the operator
would find himself with a big white
elephant on his hands.
“What you people ought to do.”
said he, “is to prepare to burn oil
and tell the government to keep its
^oal. You will find that it will
prove the cheapest in the end.”
Mr. Megeath said in reference to
the bill recently introduced provid
ing for the government to build a
railroad to the Katalla fields from
Controller bay. that it would be a
valuable object lesson for the gov
ernment. He declared every Alas
kan should boost for the govern
ment railroad. After spending sev
eral million of the people’s money
all to no purpose it would be glad
to give private capital a chance to
open the mines and build railroads.
He thought that in no other civi
lized country was there ever such
hardships and persecution visited
upon pioneer capital and pioneer ef
forts as maintained toward Alaska
by this government. He instanced
the manner in which the Copper
River railroad is taxed, when, as a
matter of simple justice, it should
be given a subsidy, as least reason
able encouragement, for building a
railroad into the interior of Alas
ka.
Let us do your Job Work.
! FREIGHT RATES
The Copper River & Northwestern railway has made a substantial
■eduction in freight rates, which will go into effect as soon as the tariff
sheets are filed in the office of the Secreatry of the Interior. It parties
ularly affects hay. grain and lumber and by delivering these commodities
at Chitina so that they can be sold at a greatly reduced price it will mean
increased traffic and tonnage for the road and more development in the
Interior.
Hay and grain will be delivered at Chitina for 910 a ton, with the
understanding that hay will be sold there for 830 in ton lots and at 955
in smaller quantities. Grain will be slightly higher. This will place feed
in competition with the prices asked at Valdez and there will no longer
he any necessity for interior travelers bringing their to the coast
for the winter. J. C. Martin, of the Orr stage line, has arranged to handle
hay and grain at Chitina and will at once commence work on the con
struction of a large barn on the spur track. Accomodations will also be
provided for caring for all the horses used by individuals in coming over
the trail.
The rate on hay from Seattle to Kennecott will be 831 per ton and
on oats $94. Adding the price of the commodity hay should sell for about
f55 per ton and oats at 902.
The rate on lumber has also been rut, and will be 911, instead of
915 .25, from Cordova to Kennecott, with a ratio reduction to all inter
mediate points. Thus lumber not surfaced can be sold at Kennecott at
942 per thousand feet.
Chicago, Aug. 25.—One of the biggest railroad strikes of the year
is now imminent. It affects the entire Hatriman system and involves
25,000 employes. It is not a question of wages that ts involved, but
instead concerns organizations. The railroad officials positively decline
to recognize the federal labor organizations. They are, however, willing
to treat with individual unions when any question is involved, but the
federated union threatens to order a strike unless this position is
receded from.
STEAMSHIP DOCK TO BE EXTENDED
The Alaska Steamship company not only intends to rebuild the large
warehouse recently burned hut will also enlarge the wharf so that two
freighters can dock at the same time. The latter improvement is very
significant and means that considerable development work is planned by
the interior mines and preparations are being made to handle a greatly
increased tonnage.
The dock will be extended toward Fleming Spit, with a track on the
face of the dock and the same track extending in the opposite direction,
giving a continuous trackage of 1.000 feet along its entire face. The object
will be to increase the capacity of the present wharf fo<- additional ton
nage and also to save lime in switching. The entrance to the new ware
house will face the present stretch of track and front of the* dock.
Messre. J. D. Meenaeh and 3. D.
Prenderleith have taken over, under
option to purchase, the quartz proper
ties of J. McFarland, J. D. McFarland
and Robert Lang, located at a point
between Glacier creek and Bird point
on Turnagain Arm. Mr. Meenaeh,
who has recently returned from an
investigation of the showing, says
that-it is a mineralized dike about
120 feet in width, peimeating whlcn
are veins of gold quartz. He has had
assays which vary from $10 to $27
per ton in gold. He says the prop
erty is a big showing, as values main
tain throughout the entire dyke,
making it practically a quarry prop
osition.
WILL SHIP ORE
The freighter Edith was the first
boat to land at the new dock of the
Fidalgo-Alaska Copper company on
Fidalgo bay. The steamer brought
the new tram for the mine, which
will be immediately installed. The
company expects to be shipping ore
to the smelter early in October. The
tramway outfit weighs 26 tons.
The Edith had no difficulty in
landing at the new dock. Although
she reached there at low tide, the
water was 40 feet deep at the end
of the dock.
The company will receive 40,000
feet of lumber on the Bertha, which
is now enroute to Southwestern Alas
ka.
«
CORDOVA’S 1IG STORE
S. BLUM & CO.’S
»
WE SOLICIT YOUR OUTERS
We Carry n Large Stock of :
General Merchandise
Of Every Description
Having been in the outfitting business for many years, we are
particularly well equipped to fui nnish your outfit, whether large
of small. -j- ■ j
We have reduced the price of hay & oats t $50 per ton (m ton lots)
Prompt, Attention to Mail Orders
We Will Save You Money Cordova, Alaska.
The jf
Special line of Old Crow and oilier
standard brands of Whiskies and
cigars. Double stamp goods, bottled
in bond are found here. Special
wines and liquors for family use.
Our prices are the lowest and goods
tlie I lest in town. We invite youre
patronage.
Olill'l-ITH & HYLAND. Prop.’s CHIT1NA, ALASKA
y«>fc«Ti.t.AA.L.».A.» » « » ■«««»-- ...
I. J. ST. CLAIR T. W. CLONINGER,
Proprietors
THE WORXINGMAN’S RESORT
LOG CABIN BAR
AND ROOMING HOUSE
WINES, LIQUORS,
AND CIGARS
FURNISHED ROOMS AND COTS.
*
SOLO, FOOL AND BILLIARD TABLES.
Comfortabe Chairs and Reading Room.
Restaurant and Barber Shop in Connection.
WHEN COMING TO COUBOVA HEMEMBEIt
Cordova Steam Laundry
THE ONLY HEAL LAIMHIY IX TOWX
I^t us wash and clean your canvass covers, blankets, clothes,
overalls, etc.
If you are in a hurry we can <lo your work in an hour’s time if
necessary,
I -cave your work at any hotel, rooming house or harbor shop
and it will receive prompt attention.
HONE Si P. A. JONES, Manager Second Street
Buy Your Clothing at the Home
Store and Save the Freight
We Will Sell You [Everything
AT CORDOVA PRICES
EINKELTEIN & SAPIRO
CORDOVA MEN'S OUTFITTERS
Chitina, Alaska.
PBOfiSSIOIM. GUIDE fOB HUNTING PARTIES
Guaiantee to secure game or no pay.
PACK THAIN HORSES FURNISHED
At Reasonable Rates
Address J. LAWRENCE, (Mina,Alaska