THE IOITAROD PIONEER
Published Every Saturday Morning at Iditarod, Alaska
Vo!. G CHARLES A. DERRY. Editor and Publisher No. 52
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CHRISTMAS DAY
!n these davs of doubt and skepticism, of dark
■■ J homes and nations struggling at each others:
.>ats for mastery in deadly conflict, with appar-j
on ;v no thought of the divinity which they all pro- j
for to serve, Christmas day comes as a beacon light
in he darkness and desolation of a war-cursed world
to : 'ad the thought of humanity to higher and nobler
a j rations than the fleeting glories of terrestrial
rulers and ambitious nations. In the midst of war’s
hoi-ors and iniquities, the thought of the world on'
tin- Christmas day will be centered upon the birth)
of dim whose coming was heralded to mankind with
sor.gs of “peace on earth, good will to men.” Con-j
ter dation of the lowly origin and lofty mission of
tie Christ-child cannot but imbue in the hearts of a
hat-, -torn world higher and finer thoughts and hopes |
for the future, and a determination that each man 1
ska do his part to make the world a brighter and
happier one, instead of the hell that it has become)
the jgh commercial and military aggression.
A
“HEREABOUTS TIES A VERY GALLANT
GENTLEMAN”
• Contribute-!
Gariy m Captain Scott’s march back from the j
Sc. H Foie one oi the party began to have severe
trot hie with his feet. He froze one, and then the
oth r. When he could no longer walk. Ins compan
ion.1 insisted on hauling him on the sled (remember,:
the; were necking it, on skis, and no gee-pole), al
tho gh he urged them to leave him and not waste j
time and use up their failing strength trying to save I
hire.. They refused to leave him, however, and the .
Eng ,sh-speaking people may well be thankful that
Cap a;n Scott was given the strength to tell of the !
u;g; t when the sick man quietly got up, said he
wo v d be back in a few minutes, calmly walked out
;v to a blizzard and laid down his life to lighten the
bincen of his fellows in their struggle back to food
and fuel.
O ' their arrival at the death tent the relief part}1
read the story in Scott’s journal, and being unable to
find the body, raised a cross marked with the words,
fi ■ eabouts lies a very gallant gentleman.”
C iite as modest and simple as the act which
pic ipted them, and which they so aptly fit, these
wo' b raise in one’s mind the interminable question,
Vviv’t is c. gentleman? Certainly when they carved
those werds the party had not in mind ancestors,
birth, wealth, manners or education, nor did they
car * ’ vhether the dead man was a private or captain
ip tze British army.
G mtleman, lady, manners—no three words in the
Ere l.sh language have been so abused, misused, or
use ' with such shifting meanings. Priests, philoso
phy. • and poets have thought and written. There
are ; s many definitions as there are writers, and they
run trom the ridiculous to the sublime—from “the
“mn who owns a gig” to Shakespeare’s five-fold
blazon, ‘ thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, action and
c r~: t * ' ;
■there never was any English equivalent of the .
French "de” or German “von,” and today, not only
by “the banks and braes o’ bonny Doon,” but on
the banks of the Wabash, “the rank is but the guinea
stamp; the man’s the gowd, for a’ that.”
Nor dd power alone give the title. One who has
read “The Four Georges” may not forget how
Tin ckeray excoriated the depraved and dissolute
offshoot of the house of Hanover, George IV, who j
co Prince of Wales was called by his cronies, toadies
and favorites “the first gentleman of Europe.”
Is the hall-mark wealth or learning? Hardly.
Your moneyed gentleman will be the first to turn
his shoulder to the cad or snob whose only merit is!
the jingle in his pocket; and to bear the palm, the
man of learning must be a scholar and a gentleman.
Poet, philosopher or priest, does not the meat of
the matter seem to be, to have the wit, courage and
patience to try to do unto others as we would they
shot Id do unto us?
Peace has its victories as well as war, defeat as
ortei as victory marks the great man. But in war or
in peace, in victory or in defeat, when your race is
run, what greater prize can you get than to have the
new5 of your death bring to those who knew you
the bought, “There died a very gallant gentleman”?
THE MAIL CARRIER
Of all the men who have done their part in the
it. vmation of the wilderness of the North, none has!
deserved so much at the hands of government and
people as the sturdy fellow who carries the mails;
oiei the devious and ofttimes dangerous trails of
Ala;lea. And yet, strange as it may seem, this serv
ant of the community—this man who makes life i
mo j endurable for those who are penned in by ice j
and snow during the long winters—generally has re-!
celled scant remuneration and but little apprecia
tion. But it is worthy of note that, while we are
prone to grumble at the mail service, but few of its
many shortcomings are chargeable to or blamed ■■
upon the man who defies weather conditions and j
hardships compared to which the published experi-;
cnees of the so-called Arctic explorers make but
tame reading. These men often encounter priva
tions and hardships which, were they published to
! the outside world, would create amazement. And
yet they are taken as a matter of course by the men
who have learned to combat storm and cold in the
interest of the demands of a civiiized community
that it be kept in touch with the world; and this in
spite of the fact that the letters and newspapers I
must be conveyed over hundreds of miles of ice and
snow, over mountain passes and wind-swept tundra,
across dangerous streams and treacherous snow
! drifts.
It is not that the residents of Alaska are an un
appreciative people that the praises of the mail car
rier are not more often sung; rather is it due to the
fact that we are a somewhat undemonstrative peo
ple, taking for granted the heroic measures that are
undertaken in our behalf—but still impatient at any
criticism or lack of appreciation from outside
sources. There is little doubt that should occasion
arise which would precipitate criticism upon these
men, as individuals or as a class, the whole com
munity would be arrayed in their defense. We all
emember with pride the deeds of strength and en
durance of our friends the mail carrers, and the
many instances in v/hch individual earners have de
fied death in its numerous forms in the determma
ton to be true to the trust confided in them in the
delivery of the precious mail matter under any and
all conditions. Many a brave fellow Has met death
in this service, and it is sad to chronicle that ever,
his name has sometimes been forgotten. In some
countries the deeds of these men would be the theme
of poets and historians. And it is not at all unlikely
that the inspired bard of some future time shall yet
s;ng the praise of these modest heroes m undying
verse.
A recent issue of the Nome Nugget contains a
story of the adventures of a mail earner which may
well take its place in the annals of the postal service
as an example of hardships endured and difficulties
overcome m the line of duty that will be an mspira
t.on to many, and which may do its share in securin'?
for this worthy class of Uncle Sam s servants the full
recognition due them. The story is as follows:
l-'red Larsen, the mail carrier, who departed for Candl? about
ten (lays ago. returned to town L-l night after suffering a variety
„f experiences on the winter trail that would furnish excellent ma
terial' frr a Beach or a London, being fraught with ali the ele
ments of danger and hardship pictured in the tales of those writer..
As a matter of fact, it is littshort of wonderful that Larsen is
alive to ted the tale. Larsen set out for Candle with reindeer
teams, intending to make the round trip in time to enable the
Candleites to dispatch their mail Outside by the last trip of the
Victoria, but he was doomed to disappointment, and in addition
to nearly losing his life, was compelled to abandon the trip after
reaching Fi.lt l ake, where he broke through the ice, sled and all.
and was only saved front freezing to death after getting out of
the water by the timely action of his partner, who relieved him
of his frozen clothes and wrapped him in a relic before the wintry
gal" fr ze his tle-h. Owing to the absence of shelter of any de
scription in the L cality, Larsen was con polled to r’Uirn to the
n. orest cabin, many miles away across a barren, wind-swept coun
try of the most desolate character. Before arriving at shelter of
any kind the sled on which was carried a portion of the mail
broke down and the mail was scattered over the country by the
furious gale which had blown throughout the entire period cLer
the carrier reached the Kruzagumapu divide. Suturing inde
scribably, the men gathered up the mail and finally decided to give
up the attempt to riach their northern destination. That the man
has suffered a terrible experience is plainly indicated in his ap
pearance. Considering the nature of the hardshij s he has been
forced to undergo, it is almost a miracle that he was abl • to re
turn at all.
4>
The Feward Gateway suggests that The Pioneer “shows press- |
ing need for si met tie To say a few prayers over it. lhe G >■ ■'
Beiik tells us that “the prayer of the upright is the delight of the
Lord," and our contemporary is respectfully invited to use its
best offices if the invitation be not deemed “extremely irreligious."
— ♦
The strenuous Teddy accuses Wilson of stealing lib political
thunder. But then, W ilson is not the first man to be accused of
this grave transgression Did not the “boy orator accuse this
same Roosevelt of a like offense? Consider yourself complimented,
Teddy, and lei it go at that.
a.
The toad-eater? gave the world the impression years ago that
the wonderful Kitchener was so bu.-ilv engaged in his country
work that he had no time nor inclination for feminine society, and
that he was “wedded to his profession.” It seems strange that
when his country most needs him he finds time and opportunity to
entertain thoughts of matrimony. But no explanation is neces
sary. It’s a widow.
Charles E. Herron, chairman of the Alaska Republican com
mittee, wa.s a north bound passenger from Seattle recently, en
mute for Anchorage. Before leavng Seattle Mr. Herron stated
that he contemplated the establishment of several newspapers in
Alaska. and was going north to look over the field. Even if Mr.
Herron s purpose does to be to incur a useless expenditure of
money, it will be welcome news to the newspaper boys these
“tough” times. ^_
At the age of 26, Rufus Isaacs, member of a respectable but j
inconspicuous Jewish family of London, had in the eyes of his
family and friends made a bad failure of life. He had tried the
sea, and was tired of it. lie had tried banking, and was a bank
rupt. Then he began to study law. A few weeks ago, at the age
of 55, he came to America as Baron Reading, lord chief justice of
England, the chairamn of the Anglo-French commission, and the
bearer of responsibility that is almost without parallel in the his
tory of the British empire.
-
The United States has been forced to bring about the with
drawal of nine foreign uvplomuts— three British, one French, two
Spanish, one Nicaraguan and one Austrian. The first case of the
kind was that of ‘'Citizen” Genet, who represented France in this
country in 1793. In recent years perhaps the most famous case
is that of Lord Sackville-West, who was indiscreet enough to give
written advice how Americans of British birth should vote in the
presidential election of 18S8. The latest case in which an envoy
of ministerial rank was concerned, before that of Dr. Dumba, was
that of the Spanish minister, Dupuy de Lome, who was sent home
because he wrote to a Spanish friend a letter in which he spoke
disrespectfully of President McKinley.
-4
A St, Louis dispatch of October 2 attributes to the crew of
the steamship Nicosiam, which recently arrived at New Orleans,
the statement that the whole crew of the German submarine
which sank the liner Arabic had been executed by the British.
The Nicosiam crew members declared that they , knew this to be I
a positive fact. The submarine, which was the famous U 27, was [
captured by a British warship after the sinking of the Arabic, j
Immediately after the capture the commander of the warship took
possession of the undersea vessel and made prisoners of the crew7. J
About an hour later a firing squad was brought from the British !
vessel, the officers and crew of the U 27 were lined up on their |
own deck and shot. The narrators of the story are positive of its I
truth, they say. Apparently there has been no confirmation of the
story, although it is in line with the announced policy of the Brit- j
ish at the time the undersea warfare on unarmed vessels was j
commenced, that they would treat the submarine crews as mur- j
rierers. . _ _ ..
PROMINENT ENGLISHMAN
GOES TO HIS LAST REST
LONDON, Dec. 10. Viscount Alvcrstonc, !
former chief justice of England, is dead, lie |
came into prominence before the American |
public as a representative of England on j
the Alaska boundary commission.
CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT
in British Columbia:
VICTORIA, B. C., Dec. 10. Premier Mc
Bride has resigned and will go to London
to become the general agent of the province
in that city
O
WE’LL BE GLAD TO SEE JOHU
CHICAGO, Dec. 15. John Border., the !
millionaire sportsman, is going to Ak . ka m i
Anril to hunt big game. Captain Louis |
Lane will accompany him as guide.
TURKISH TRANSPORT SUNK i
ROME. Dec. IE A Turkish transport
is reported to have been sunk by a French
• ubinarine in the Sea of Marmora, hour
hundred men were drowned.
LONDON, Dec. 17. Tin- Belgian relief j
steamship Lcvenpoc 1 bound from New York
for Rotterdam, has been beached on the
English coast in a sinking condition, having
struck a mine.
❖
EMBARGO ON HAY SHIPMENTS
------ i
OTTAWA, Dec. 17. The Dominion gov
eminent has placed an embargo on hay
shipments to the United States.
❖
A few more Ilanulfrons left.
WM. TAYLOR, l l.it.
O
Fresh Olympia and Eastern Oysters, SI.50
per can. Iditarod Meat (\>
ALEXANDER TEAL MARSHALL
WANTED IN COLORADO
Alexander Teel M irsha'l. f rmeilv of Las j
Vegas. New Mexico; Everett. Washington I
and New Zeal :nd, you or anyone knowing
< f your whereabout.- will | 1 ".se write at
e to J ( Kin soy ad i ini ' n tor of > >ui
father’s estate, 17l>l South Clarkson street, I
D-uver. ('; 1 >rado. or to your sister. Alee T
Kinney, same address.
FORFEITURE NOTICE
To I uMi. r r. II* —:
\ .11 arc hereby iv.filled Hint I. Hie under
sign. -l. have .• \• i•. 1. .! d r:ng Mi* y. nr- nine
t. . :i hundred r.iul thirteen < 19 I :i • «»»■• bun
died d>da rs sum and during the year;
■i li. I. ( II lllllldred and l'mirteeil 114 the
~ ■ rn - C > .lie lend res! d ■ *i !a " > -I 1 in lab"'' 1
a;:.I 111!;.i • v't iii<• n!s upon the Mammy \sso
elation placer mining claim. - n left limit
or Mo.,r*- creek, a c-ihnfary of the Tak -tna
river, in .Mount McKinley mining (list
Fourth dm-nm. lerniory of Ala.-ka. n nice
..[• which 1' I'm nd III V.-lume I. at Page 190. ,
or the re.- .rds .r -aid Mount McKinley mm
mg district. in order io hold said claim un !
tier the P •' >\l-1. ms of section i’R-Ji of tile
lb-vised statutes, imd the ameiuliu. n»- 1
thereto approved January •*»•.». tss«». -• ,11 |
cerning annual labor upon muting claims. 1
being tin* am.amt r-quir. d io h !>1 -aid
plac.-r mnmig c.'alm For the period-; ending,
u the 1 1 -t d ;> d li.-e. ml). l 9 ! :t. and on
tile :»1 -t day > " l'lec nii <*•-. 10 1 I.
And if within ninety day.- at d r llie pul)
|.caii..n 1 I' this n.dice you tail or r*d’u-e to
• .ni ■ t. .'4■ y ■!*!• pr. p rth n of «urh e\p* n -
'ii-,- a - a <• > o\\ ?.«■!*. your ind rest in the
Mammy eiati m placer naming claim vvi'i
riy of the subscril r, your
•o-owncr. n!io lias made the required ex
penditure. bv the terms of said section.
i I'll HMtI.nW. I
F i r s t p 11 b 11 t i o n. 0 c t. •£ . 1
I .1.-1 jndd.cation, Jan. 19 I
THE BEATTIE HOUSE
MRS. H. A. WEIR. Prop.
Warm Barn and Dog Kennel
LARSON BROS.’
Any Length Handled
Any Part of City
Telephone
CLEANING AND PRESSING
ALL KINDS OF FUR WORK
Suits Cleaned and Pressed, Fur Coats and
Robes Lined, and All Kinds of
Fur Work Done
MRS. CHAS, LARSON
Orders may be left with Mrs. Thornton
MRS. N. P. ClLMORE, prop.
Furnace Heat (iood, Warm Rooms
DOG HOUSES IN CONNECTION
MutGhler Bros.
GENERAL
FREIGHTERS
DAILY STAGE SERVICE
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT
FLAT CITY HOHBACK & DURAND
Bet. the Grand and Bagoy's Bars
THE BEST AI L THE TIKE
WE ARE HERE TO STAY
r'V|r»i*»^hlnw
vh ^Ui> £ a^-wt >' v«^ • Jr S 3 M u %
a\j. i ft;-: T-:;r. at Tiir:
I'LAT Ci'i i
Open Day and N i g!. t
'Professional
Michigan, 18S1 Alaska, 1010
Kentucky, iSOi
George Woodruff Alerecht
COUNSELOR AND LAWYER
ID1TAROD, ALASKA
The Pioneer Attorney of Iditarod
E. M. STANTON
Attorney at Law
! Office: Corner Willow and Second St.-..
Iditarod Pioneer Building
CHmS. E. TAYLOR
: Attorney at Law
BANK BLOCK
| Firrt Avenue Iditarod
I
j F re d H a rr is o n
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Room 1 Over Merchants Cate
DR. fySOORE
PHYSICIAN AND SURGGON
DR. H. E. AURENGER
itiysirian and Surgeon
Office: Flat City Hospital, Fiat City
Consultation Ilnurs in Forenoons and i v
Appointment
CHi. H. BEHLA
Appointments by Telephone
FLAT CITV
Wishing you a “Merry Christina s and a Happy New Year’
s.:ondst.|DITAf?OD MEAT GO. »■»»*»
g§ Geld St.. Flat City
1 £ wS Mrs. Geo. Mutchier. Prop.
Nice!y Famished Rooms Barn for Horse; and Dogs Baths in Connection
M&UR Y D U i v MELLEY
! GENERAL fflERCHANDISE
DISCOVERY. OTTER ___
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME
A 'l?M M*=d M & M M
__
GOOD MEALS
SHORT ORDERS
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT
FIRST AVE.
i
ROBT. SOUTAR j
Prep.
We Wish You
66 A wrw Christmas'
McMAHON
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
FLA T CITY