One Doll \r Per Month. IDITAROD, ALASKA, SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 14, 1912. Two Bits Per Cory
2-------------—--—--—...........-.—-------!
OF AN
Nome, September 12.—While William Flannery, a prospector, was
rowing down Ouinhagak river, a tributary of Norton sound, last Fiiday,
he saw a tent on the bank and determined to camp there While driv
ing in a stake to hold his boat he saw a man in the tent lying on the
ground. His right aim was badly swollen and bloodstained. The man
proved to be Gus Reinsenstein, a well-known prospector. He had shot
himself in the arm live clays previously, while taking his shotgun iroui
the boat, the contents of the shell lodging in his arm. Owing to loss of
blood he was in a very weak condition, and unable to move.
In the morning Flannery took the injured man to Quinhagak,
where he hoped to get help; hut the man who usually lived there was
absent. Reinsenstein was all the time growing worse, and died last
Sunday morning in delirium. He had $125 on his person and a watch
He was buried yesterday at Golovin mission.
Between two and three hundred people assembled at A. B. Hall,
Iditarod, last Wednesday night, to hear Ah-. Falcon Joslin, presi
dent of the Tanana Valley Railway Company and of the Alaska
AVireless Telegraph Company, speak on the situation with regard
to railroad construction in Alaska.
Mayor J. D. Barnes introduced the speaker, and in doing so
said that he was very much interested in railroad building, and as
far back as 1901 had accompanied a surveying party to the Kusko
kwim valley in connection with a railroad which had been projected
from a point on Cook's inlet to the Kuskokwim.
Mr. Joslin opened his remarks by saying that he might be
called a ready talker, because he spoke so often in public, but he
hoped some day to be able to show results. Ho had received a tel
egram earlier in the week from Mr. Joynt, manager of the Tanana
Wiley railroad at Fairbanks, informing him that the Alaska rail
road commission, appointed under the terms of the Home-Rule bill,
were considering the advisability of paying a visit to Fairbanks
over the Valdez trail, and asking if the railroad could assist by pro
viding relays, etc. He (Mr. Joslin) had replied placing the whole
of the resources of the company at the disposal of the commission,
and it is possible the members will follow out the program indi
cated, returning to the coast by way of the Nenana river, down the
Susitna. and on to Seward.
The appointment of the commission was really the outcome of
the visit of Secretary of the Interior Fisher to Alaska last year.
Upon his return to the states the secretary had outlined his Alaska
policy, which was to purchase the 71 miles of railroad known as
the Alaska Northern, and to continue that line on to a point on the
Yukon river, touching probably at Fairbanks enroute. He also ad
vocated the leasing of the coal lands. Mr. Fisher appeared at a
meeting of the American mining congress at Chicago, and asked
that body to appoint a committee to work with the Interior depart
ment and make suggestions, etc., but the committee early discov
ered that agreement with the Interior department officials was an
impossibility, and they were instructed by the mining congress,
which was still in session, to disregard the department altogether
and go forward with their own proposals for the settlement of the
points at issue. The Smith bill providing for the construction of
1.000 miles of railroad in the territory was the result.
In the meantime Secretary Fisher!
had drafted a bill for the purchase of1
the Alaska Northern, bu§ it soon be
came evident that such action would
create jealousy in other places. Valdez
had lobbyists at Washington all winter
pressing the claims of their town, Cor
dova had their representatives, as did
Seward, and even Haines. Owing to
these differences, congress was more or
less at sea, and found it impossible to
order the construction of the 1,000
miles of railroad provided for in the
Smith bill forthwith. So that when
the Alaska home-rule bill came before
the Senate that body found a way out
of the difficulty by incorporating in
that measure the provision for the ap
pointment ol the railroad commission
which President Taft had promptly
acted upon. Congress. Mr. Joslin as
sured his hearers, is really anxious to
do something for the territory, and if
we get a strong report from the com
mission, we shall get legislation that
will start railroad construction almost
immediately.
Many people back at Washington
still have an idea that Alaska is an ice
covered, barren wilderness, and it
takes a great deal of argument to dis
pel that notion. Every year the speaker
had taken out samples of agricultural
produce and placed them on exhibition
—not with the idea of attracting set
tlers, but to convince people that this
was a rich country and worthy of the
construction of railroads.
The remarkable thing about Alaska
is its wonderful resources, and in this
connection the Seattle chamber of com
merce had prepared some striking il
lustrations. Scandinavia and Finland,
which lie in exactly the same latitude
as Alaska, have a combined area of
about 400,000 square miles; Alaska has
nearly 600 000 square miles. The pop
ulation of Scandinavia and Finland is
10 million: that of Alaska is only 35,000
whites. These countries have 12,000
miles of railroad. Practically all of
their resources came under two heads
— agriculture and fisheries; they had
no gold, no silver, no copper, not a bit
of coal, and yet they supported 10 mil
lion people. It is hoped that if 1,003
miles of railroad is constructed that
the population of Alaska will increase
very rapidly, so that we should have a
population of over 3:00,000 within a few
years. The great drawback to the
country at the present time was its in
accessibility: at present 99 per cent, of
the country was not reachable at all.
There had been several routes pro
posed. There was the route by way of
the Susitna valley, of which Seward
was the terminal: the Valdez route; the
Cordova route, and the route by way of
Haines. The latter route need not be
considered, because, although it would
cut through Alaska it has to pass over
300 miles of Canadian territory, and
congress was not going to put up
money for building railroads on foreign
soil.
The speaker then went on to describe
the difficulties which beset those who
would construct railroad: in the terri
tory, He pointed out how the govern
ment tax of $100 per mile had bank
rupted one railroad and caused an an
nual loss of many thousands of dollars a
year to another. The Copper River
railroad had lost $700,000 the first year
of its operation. Under such condi
tions no private enterprise was possi
ble, and the speaker recognized that
the government itself should build the
railroads in Alaska.
The committee of which the speaker
was chairman had urged that there
was no necessity for two roads running
in the same general direction. They
therefore advised that the road running
out of Cordova be built through to
Fairbanks, and that the road from
Seward be constructed to the Matan
uska fields and to the Kuskokwim val
ley. The people of this section could
do a lot of good if they could bring
their influence to bear upon any con
gressmen with whom they were ac
quainted, and induce them to make
provision for the building of one line
(Continued on Page 4)
I
Seattle, September 13—The
members of the Alaska railroad
commission, appointed by the Presi
dent under the terms of the home
rule bill, have sailed for the North.
They expect to travel over the
Valdez trail to Fairbanks, reaching
that place September 28.
The investigations of the com
mission are likely to occupy two
months.
Cordova, September it—The
barge carrying the equipment to be
used by the paity sent to investi
gate the Bering river coalfields lias
been lost off Katalla, and a new
equipment has been ordered from
Seattle.
I-'rom a telegram received from Miss
Coolidge during the week it was
learned that site and her sister, Mrs.
Horner, have left Fairbanks for the
Outside by way of Dawson.
Frank Hercus has bought out the in
terests of Wm. Fowler, who has been
working ground opposite Discovery.
A cabin opposite the town of Flat
was robbed late last week. This is the
second time that the same cabin lias
been entered.
Abe Weiss, the Fiat City clothier
visited Iditarod Tuesday.
J. F. Finnegan visited Iditarod dur
ing the week.
Fred Vogler, of Stewart & Vogler,
Flat creek, visited Iditarod Monday.
Stewart & Vogler have closed down
for the season.
Wm. Acheson visited Flat during
the week. __
FOP. SALE OR RENT CHEAP -The
Star Restaurant and Coffee House.
doing a good business; owners going
Outside about Sept. 15. Willow st.,
Iditarod.
Nettleton shoes. Weiss, at Flat City.
LLOYD WATROUS DROWNED
IN THE YUKON RIVER
Arrivals on the M. L. Washburn
brought the sad news of the death by
drowning of Lloyd Watrous, which
occurred at the mouth of the Yukon
about the 27th of last month.
Lloyd Watrous, who was the only son
of Mr. and Mrs. J. Watrous, formerly
of Dikeman and Idiiarod, left here with
his parents and sister" on the gasoline
boat Dan about three weeks ago. De
tails regarding the accident are meager,
hut it is stated that the deceased fell off
the boat into deep water. He was a
powerful swimmer, and as he seemed
to be holding his own in the water, no
fears were felt of a fatal termination
of the accident. Presently, however,
he was seen to stop swimming, and
suddenly disappeared in full view of his
parents and sister. It is believed he
.uust have been seized with cramps.
At time of writing the body had not
been recovered.
Lloyd Watrous was a promising
youth. He was a fine athlete, and had
proved his prowess many times in
competition with all comers both here
and in the Fairbanks district. The
sympathy of the whole district will go
out to the bereaved relatives—especi
ally to the sorrowing mother, who
idolized her only son.
i
Chicago, September 13.—The
white wife of Champion Jack John
son put a bullet through, her brain
at their residence in this city
yesterday.
Mrs. Johnson had been despond
ent for some time on account of
ill-health. Her husband is pros
trated with grief.
Boston, Mass., September t3 —
Vice-President J. S. Sherman is in
very poor health, and it is consid
ered likely that he will retire from
the race for the Vice Presidency.
SHOOTING
1 NOME
Nome, September 12.—Follow
ing a series of domestic troubles,
William Penny yesterday took two
shots at T. Brownell, but missed
each time.
Penny came home and found
Brownell in the house with Mrs.
Penny. He was bound over to the
grand jury.
in from the head of Flat creek Sunday
with a big cleanup from the Summit
association.
Joe H. Smith spent several days on
the creeks during the week.
T. J. Flavin, of tlie postotiiee depart
ment, came up on the M. L. Washburn
Monday, and left on the same boat next
day.
B. W> Stickney was an arrival from
Ruby on 1 lie M. L. Washburn.
Jerry Ford was an arrival from Holy
Cross during the week.
Duncan Michie came in from Flat
creek Monday.
Tom Maher was a visitor in Iditarod
Wednesday.
Charles and Dave Stranberg were in
Iditarod during the week.
Dr. E. M. Spaulding visited Iditarod
Thursday.
Adolph Miller, who lias been
connected with the Iditarod meat com
pany for the past two years, has been
transferred to Fairbanks, where lie
will be employed by the Pacific cold
storage company.
Temple F. Murphy, transportation
agent for tlie N. C. Co., with head
quarters at Dikeman. came up on the
M. L. Washburn last Monday.
Attorney A. E. Maitbv, accompanied
by his sister, Miss Ada Maltbv, will
leave for the Outside on the next boat.
Mr. Mailin’ will probably return to
Iditarod over the ice.
Charley Maltbv was talking about
going Outside. But that was away
back in '03.
Underwear $1 suit. Weiss, Flat City
It would be difficult to im igine a
more satisfactory convention than the
one held last Monday evening at Fiat
City for the purpose of nominating a
Non-Pat tisun candidate for senator to
the First Alaska Legislature. Entered
upon by tnnv of the delegates with a
certain amount of misgiving, long be
fore the convention had drawn to its
close the mist of doubt had rolled away
and in its place there was a feeling of
mutual satisfaction at the moderation
and self-restraint exhibited by the dele
gates and spectators, and universal con
fidence in the ability and integrity of
the nominee of the convention—Henry
j Roden.
With Tom McMahon as temporary
chairman, the convention was called to
order in A. B. Hall shortly after !)
: o'clock, and Ashby E. Bain was ap
pointad secretary.
The temporary chairman then named
Dr. E. M. Spaulding. A. A. Shonbeck
I and Phil Keith to act as a committee
on credentials. The committee found
that the following were entitled to sit
delegates to the convention:
Iditarod—J II Smith, Albert Wile,
G M Arbuckle, John Strelic, D S Mc
Donell, Fred Brulin, Henry Weir, E
M Rusk, Sam Bayles, M Gularte, H
Bosz, E Coke Hill, Charles Miller, E
M Stanton, A C Kramer, Sam Wilmer
and George Lee; Flat—Dr E M Span Id
i in", loin McMahon, Jack Ronan, Joe
j Jet-man, Jonas Brewis, Herb Lynch,
j Abe Weiss, A E Bain, W Hunsaker,
Ray Longdon, Henry Riley, C Suter,
R Lowrie, F Stanley, G Mutchler, O
Anderson, F Snyder, Ed Anderson, G
R Peck and Archie Mitchell; Discov
ery—Joe Venus, Geo Riley, F Mc
Gloskev, T Ward, A A Shonbeck. Jas
Fraser, Phil Keith, Joe Barker, W Mc
Grath, W Richardson, J Chronister, R
D Clark and Frank Egan.
It having been moved and seconded
that the report of the committee on
credentials be accepted, A E Light in
terposed an objection. He pleaded for
a mass meeting, and put up a very fine
talk in support of his contention, but
on a vote being taken, the report was
adopted by 3L to 13.
Dr. Spaulding was elected permanent
chairman and A E Bain secretary.
The next business being' the nomina
tion of a senator, Mr. McMahon placed
in nomination the name of Henry Ro
den and Mr Light the name of John
R man.
Mr. R man thanked them for the
honor but withdrew his name. After
discussion, Mr Ronan allowed his name
to be placed in nomination.
It having been moved and carried
that nominations close, Mr Smith sug
gested that Mr. Roden be allowed to
address the meeting. Granted.
In thanking the convention for the
honor they had done him in naming
him as a candidate for the Senate of
the First Alaska Legislature, Henry
Roden made a most effective speech.
The many schemes which lie outlined
for tlie benefit of his fellow-Alaskans
showed the hours of careful thought lie
had devoted to their consideration,
showed that while many had been
thinking onlyof themselves,lie,at least,
had spent his evenings and waking
hours working out problems for the
amelioration of tlie lot of the miner
and settler in Alaska, and making it
easier for them to fight the battle of
life while they are 'able, and take the
lest which is their due when they can
no longer battle with the strong. His
speech was touched here and there
with those quaint, yet sage, remarks
which have helped to put him where
he is. At times the speaker waxed
quite eloquent on what lie intended to
do when he was elected, for Mr. Kocten,
like his supporters, has no doubt what
ever of his success next November.
But whatever he said, whether it was
serious or touched with humor, it went
to the hearts of the audience, and many
a cheer gave the orator time to mop
his brow and get his wind for another
onslaught. When he reached the point
where reflections had beem made upon
his candidacy because of his business
affiliations, Mr. Roden got hot, and
challenged anybody who would cast a
slur upon bis character to do so
on the sidewalk. He said that if
elected, and before he went to Juneau,
be would place his written resignation
in the hands of any three men whom
they might name, who would be at lib
erty to accept tbs same the moment
they discovered he had not conducted
himself in a perfectly honorable man
ner—that would be his recall. He said
that- he wanted the support of them al
—roughhecks, miners, merchants and
professional men. He dwelt on his
early struggles in the North: how he
had been impressed the first days after
Ms arrival (nearly 15 years ago) with
the wonderful opportunities presented
[ in so vast a country. He told how he
had worked at tha windlass, with the
pick and the shovel, and how he had
trundled the wheelbarrow many a dav.
' His first introduction to law, he said,
came in a peculiar manner. One day
he walked into a courtroom—it was in
‘‘that dear old Rampart.1' It was the
first time in his life he had ever been
in such a place. He looked around,
taking in what was going on, and said
; to himself, ‘‘I can do that as well as
any of those fellows there.” He then
went home, and every evening, while
his bunkhous mates and fellow laborers
were playing cards, he studied law. In
due course he was admitted to the bar.
. Mr. Roden pointed out that be had not
intended to become a candidate,
i but had been forced into the race. Now
] that he was in it, ho was going through
I and lie was going to win. But he
! wanted the assistance of everybody in
j the district.
John Ronan next addressed the tneet
| ing. He said that he had thought of
| making a few suggestions, but after all
j the things that Mr. Roden had prom
I lsed them when lie was elected to the
I legislature, he realized that there
j would be nothing left for him to prom
ise—everything had been promised by
j .Mr. Roden. He explained that he had
| refused to allow himself to become a
j candidate at first, but that his friends
j had put it up to him in such a way that
I he could not get away from it. He
moved that the nomination of Henry
| Roden be made unanimous.
| The motion was put and carried by
acclamation, and Dan Sutherland was
endorsed as a candidate for representa
tive.
The meeting then adjourned.
A man named Johnson plead guilty at
Flat City last Monday to selling liquor
without a licence on Otter creek. He
was ordered to pay a fine of $150 and
costs. __
Tony Zuber brought in a $10,000
cleanup Wednesday. Last week Mr.
1 Zuber brought in $15,000.
Washington, September 13.—Constant complaints arriving at
the State department regarding the ill treatment of ’American
citizens in Mexico have aroused the department to action, and
President Taft has addressed a communication to President Madero
that he must either guarantee the protection of Americans or resign
from the presidency.
The States department has agreed to Madero's request that
Mexican government troops be allowed to pass through American
territory in order to reach parts of Northern Mexico otherwise
inaccessible.
Douglas, Ariz., September 13.—Mexican rebels are preparing
to attack the town of Aguaprieta, just across the border from here,
aiyKthe government troops are being rushed to protect the town.
Mert Marston, of the firm of Riley & Marston, Otter creek,
predicts that next summer will witness the biggest boom that the
Iditarod district has experienced, and that Otter creek will be the
center of activity. Moreover, Mr. Marston is willing to go on
record as having made the above statement, and he and his partner
have backed their faith in the creek with hard cash
It will be remembered that early this summer Riley & Marston
and other owners on Otter creek gave an option on their ground to
the Yukon Gold Company. The big company went ahead and did a
great deal of prospecting, and it is a known fact that the results
obtained were exceptionally favorable. Nevertheless the Yukon
Gold Company was not in a hurry to take up the option, and made
an offer for the property which was some hundreds of thousands
less than the owners believed the ground to be worth. When the
claim-owners refused to come to terms with the company the latter
threw up the options, hoping, doubtless, to secure the ground at
their own figure at a later date, as they had done in the case of
Plat creelc.
But Otter creek Is not the same kind of a proposition as Flat,
and while the Yukon Gold Company was prospecting, most of the
operators on the creek were not only taking out big money, but
were also making handsome profits- Long before the Yukon Gold
Company had finished work on the creek, the claim-owners vere
regretting that they had given the options, and nothing pleased them
better than to hear that they would not be taken upat the price asked.
Now to show their confidence in the creek, and also to show
that their refusal to sell at a low figure was based upon a firm con
viction that the properties had not been over-valued, Riley & Mar
ston immediately opened negotiations for the purchase of more
ground, and they now own all of the known pay along Otter creek,
I with the exception of l a. bench and a half interest in 2-a. creek
claim
Early this week Riley & Marston purchased from W. F. Taylor
the latter’s half interest in 2 b. creek claim and 3 b. bench, first
tier, right limit, and from Bert Brondino they bought a two thirds
interest in 2 b. left limit bench and a two thirds interest in 3 b.
bench first tier left limit. The consideration paid was $75,000cash.
Extensive lays will be let on the ground, and six additional
plants are already assured for Otter creek next season, with pros
i pects for several more. The cream of the Flat creek operators are
| moving to Otter creek, among them being the Slranbergs, who
have two lays on l a. and Linn & Pierce, who will operate on 2 b.
In addition to the plant purchased from Ronan A: Monkman,
mentioned in last week’s Pioneer, Riley & Marston will purchase
other plants and Mr. Marston assures us that they are going to
take out very big money indeed.
Otter tributaries will also receive greater attention than here
tofore. Black creek will be worked next year on a larger scale and
Slate creek will receive considerable attention. It is also reported
that Chronister & Ellinger will prospect their holdings on Granite
this coming winter.
There is not the slightest doubt but that many more men will
be employed on Otter creek next year than has been the case this
season, to say nothing of crews which will be employed on the side
streams.
The outlook for the 1913 season is exceptionally bright.
Judge F.ederiek K. Fuller ar
rived on the M. L. Washburn lust
Monday evening and opened court
Tuesday morning.
The following cases have been
disposed of:
Pritchard vs M. &M. hank, dis
missed on stipulations; Sullivan vs.
Monahan, dismissed on motion of
plaintiff; K. F. Pritchard vs. M. &
M. bank, dismissed as settled; Hac
j kett vs. Mahoney & Rich, dis
! missed as settled; De Rosie vs. Ten
Eyck, dismissed on application ol
the plaintiff: Vachou vs. Boyd, dis
missed on motion of plaintiff; N. C.
Co vs. W. Sam Clark, dismissed
on motion of plaintiffs; W. Kelly
vs. D. A. McDonald, dismissed on
motion of plaintiff.
In the case of the Clark Lumber
Co. vs. A. F. Morgan, E. Hammer
et al,, judgment was entered for the
plaintiffs for $398, $200 attorneys’
fees and defendants to pay costs.
In the case of Sanderson vs J.
D. Schwartz, it was ordered that
the name of Alice Schwartz, as ex
ecutrix, be substituted for that ol
J. D. Schwartz, deceased.
The case of F. E. Webber vs.
W. Sur.derbruch is set for trial to
i day.
Fred Bruhn has been appointed
j court bailiff.
Several wood cases will come up
next week.
The Campbell case has been set
for September 20.
Iu the divorce case of Thea Jest
land vs. Adolph Jestland, the jjk
fend.nit not appearing, plaintiffs
attorney was ordered to prepare
findings of fact and conclusions of
law and decree in accordance there
with .
With G. M. Arbuckleand C C.
Page as jury commissioners, the
following have been drawn to
servo as jurymen for the special
term of court called for Septem
ber 20:
C. E. Miller, M. Mcliale, Frank
Wilkins, D. Stranberg, J. Bish
hop, P. A. Anderson, A. B.
Funk, E. Shaw, A. Zuber, S. L.
Benbrook, J. II. Rogers, Karl
Theile, W- 'Dixon, J. Novak, II.
Donnelly, G. Wardisch, .1. G.
Shafer, F. Vogler, O. M. Ander
son, E. Baker, Ernest Slenter,
J. F. Keenan, C. Walters, E. A.
Oliver.
The second trial of L. B. llor
ton, charged with cohabiting in
a slate of adultery, resulted in
a verdict of guilty after the jury
had been out over 30 hours. The
following composed the jury:
Ben Howland, C J Young, T E
Thurston, A. B. Funk, B. Banks,
J. H. Rogers, A. Wile, W. Peter
son, C. L. Larson, N. Pearson, L.
N. Lowell, G- Bennett.
Dr. C. D. Carter returned from
Ophir during the week.