Conditions on The Tanana.
The following letter from Miss
Barrett, of Fairbanks, formerly on
the Prospector staff giving a good
idea of conditions at the Tanana
camp.
When I arrived at Fairbanks
early in August everything was in
its most primitive and uncertain ]
state. One who is not familiar i
with conditions in a niiuir.g camp |
in its earliest stages cannot realize
the state which existed in this far*
northland at that time, when it!
was almost impossible to ohtnin
the necessities of life, and luxuries '
were unknown. A condition which '
would tend to develop all the worst
Units in the human; away from
the restraints of civilization people
allowed their natural instincts and
inclinations full sway. The rough
er element was ii^evidence and
considered everything exclusively
their own. Most of the people who ■
had just arrived were so disappoint- j
ed and disgusted when they die-*
covered that they could not pick:
up gold in tiie streets that they im
mediately procured their tickets to!
return; others who had no means
built rafts. Every kind of craft
imaginable was utilized for a speedy
departure. Others were more phil
osophic—from necessity as their
means were limited—turned their
attention to some practical way of
gaining a livelihood. Some of them
had never done manual Inlwir in
their lives, who were fortunate in
obtaining the most menial employ
ment. It is a very ordinary sight
to see a lawyer or doctor perform-'
ing the duties of a bartender or
sawing wood.
The most pathetic scene is the
departure of the last boat, as the
people realize that communication
with the outside would be suspend
ed for nine long months, hut the
departure of the boat is somewhat
of a relief, as those who remaip
know that their lot is irrevocably
vast, and they fa-gin to prepare en
ergetically for winter. Cabins
were built rapidly and buildings
erected for business, and those who
have no place to go sleep in the
saloons. He is a fortunate man
indeed who can get a “lay” on a.
bench in a saloon.
Now the most difficult problem
of all was presented—how to ad
just the social conditions to suit
this motley crowd, consisting of
every degree of humanity, all of
whom had to lu- amused during tin
long winter. This was a question
especially as the rougher element
was in the majority. They event
ually arranged themselves into
cliques, which did not conflict
greatly except in a spirited rivalry,
which brought out all the best tal
ent and developed much that was
latent. Dances and entertainments
are the principal forms of amuse
ments, with occasionally a shoot
ing ufiray, a prize light or wedding
by way of diversion. For a little
fur-clad Cupid was also busy all
this time shooting his darts around
promiscuously, many of which
pierced the too susceptible hearts
of the would he miners who had
“cold feet” and wanted soimone to
share their sorrows—and, incident
ly cook their porridge and beaus
The young meu have organized
a social club and give weekly
dances, the success of which is not
assured as yet; since a few of the
ladies refused to lend their pres
ence so frequently, thereupon the
young men, whose morals are in
danger, made a most eloquent and
touching appeal to the fair ones,
imploring them to attend, thereby
rescuing them from temptation
elsewhere; whereupon the said fair
ones lasing tender of heart mustered
their forces and rallied a couple of
times, which has encouraged the
tempted ones to renew their efforts,
and now they offer as an induce
ment a sandwich which is not to he
resisted, so the thing may yet prove
a success.
The Arctic Brotherhood gave an
invitation hall on Thanksgiving
night for which they deserve much
credit in view of conditions. Eighty
people sat down to a supper for
which fifteen large cakes were bak
ed and decorated with the emblem
of the order, and turkey* were im
ported from Circle City for the oc
casion. They took a flashlight
view of the scene which differed !
littles from such an affair in a city.1
us the majority of the men wore
dress suits, which is rather inmii-j
grunns as they look like tramps in ;
their every day cloth*s—the fault
of the clothes and conditions, not
the men. many of whom are edu
cated and tine looking, a number
being professional men.
The same order gave a smoker a
short time previously, and gave
meat and drink to every hungry
man and nialamute ill town. Also
an entertainment recently which
was a howling success, as of course,
everyone who could l»eg, borrow or
find a dollar, attended to show his
appreciation for past- favors.
On Jan. 8th the ladies gave a
car*! party and dance for the many
courtesies they had received from
the gentlemen. A dainty lunch
was served and much credit due
them for the graceful manner in
which they managed the affair.
This will Is- followed shortly by a
leap year hall which is anticipated
with much pleasure and interest.
Fairl<anks is literally on an is
land between the Tanana and Che
na rivers, the latter being crossed
by means of a ferry. In the sum
mer time the place is beautiful,
surrounded by a forest of pines and
birch which affords fuel without
much effort. There are three saw
mills located here.
The boats cannot reach here only
when the water in Chena river is
high. Chena (Indian pronuncia
tion Chenaw.) which is located on
the Tanana river ten miles below
Fairbanks, is very bleak and gen
erally wet. It is smaller than
Fairbanks, but is more important
since it is practically the head of
navigation; as it is always easy of
access for the boats, and therefore
would be a more direct route to the
creeks.
A little rivalry exists lietween the!
two places which has been since
they were established. Each wish
ed to exterminate the other, but as
neither has succeeded they carry
on a civil war. Much excitement
prevailed recently when the rival
cities were incorporated. Fairbanks
took the initiative, of course, and
Chena, not to l>e behind, gathered
together her warriors and discussed
the pros and cons of tlie situation,
and concluded that the funds of
her treasury were equal to those of
Fairbanks. So each determined to
have a municipal government.
They decided they could afford a
school at Fairbanks, us there were
seven children eligible. But Chena
bitterly deplored the fact that it
was denie l this honor, as the few
aboriginal children there had not
arrived at that state. Capt. Bar
nette, who is considered the father
of Fairhanks, was elected mayor.
The local court of Fairbanks
will some day be a mighty institu
tion though at present it is in em
bryo. The commissioner, who is
also justice of the peace, is a cute
little boy, who administers justice
or performs a marriage ceremony
according to his juvenile ideas,
which arc not always clear.
Mr. Joslin. who represents a rail
road syndicate, has been investi
gating the advisability of estab
lishing a railroad to the creeks,
with the result that a preliminary
survey has been made, and the en
terprise may be carried through at
no distant date. Chena will prob
ably be the terminus of the rail
road. A corporation has also begun
operation to establish a telephone
line from Chena to the creeks.
In the meantime conditions are
improving. There is no longer the
prospect of starvation which seem
ed possible in the early part of the
season, when the stores issued a
limited amount of provisions to
each individual, which discouraged
everyone, and naturally retards
the progress of the country as a
similar state of affairs existed the
previous winter and little was ac
complished. Now, however, provi
sions are being brought from Circle
City and Kauipart in large quanti
ties. The result is that develop
ment work is being done on quite
a large scale on the creeks, consid
erable of the work, however, lieing
done by laymen who have not tin
facilities for working to advantage.
Considerable machinery is being
taken to the creeks nml will he in
operation soon.
The Ix-st creeks and thus- on
which most work is la-ing done are
Fairbanks. Chatham, Pedro ami
Cleary. N'ns. 3, a, 7 and Mon Fair
banks are la-ing extensively worked
and are giaal. No. ."> is a la-nch
owned by .lack Costa, who let it on
a lay to Mr. Cheeseinan, who has
demonstrated it to .lie rich. The
average depth to la-dria-k on the
creek claims is alamt twenty feet.
On the la-nch claims about forty
feet. The pay streak is generally
from two to six feet.
Much of the ground has l*een
demonstrated to la* rich, hut the
owners are hamlicap|a-d by lack of
means to develop tlieir properties.
There has been a town establish
ed at the forks of Pedro and Twin
creeks.
Capt (leiger and his compan
ions arrived hen from Valdez, on
Jan. t>. They reja»rt a very good
trail and not extremely cold.
Fliere lias Inch very little snew
thus far ami the weather very mild
until Jan. 8th, when the thermom
eter registered 56 degrees below
zero and 00 degrees below at the
mouth of the Tatiana. Tlii; is sin
gularly a healthful climate. There
has Wen little illness and but one
death, which was that]of a man
who was insane. Therojwas a son
born to Mr. and (jMrs. Greig, of
Fairbanks, recently, and has the
distinction of living the tirst white
child born on the Tatiana river.
People are growing ^restless and
looking eagerly forward to spring
and the tirst boat, which will Ite
welcomed with such enthusiasm,
as could be displayed only by those
who were stranded «m desolation’s
farthest shore for nine long months.
That Senator Nelson made a
careful study of the conditions in
Alaska is evident from the common
sense bills introduced by him in
the senate. He was the only one
of the senatorial party who was
interested enough to take the trip
in over the trail from here. He
has the welfare of this district
at heart and will use every
endeavor to further our interests.
Judge Wickershain lias heen ap
pointed a delegate by President
Roosevelt to the universal congress
of lawyers and jurists to be held in
St. Louis in September. This is
quite a distinction, and an evidence
of the judge’s high standing at the
capital.
*‘De stoahkcepah who doan do
advertisin’ in de papers, might jest
us well kiss hisse’f goodbye, kase
de)’ aint nobody goin’ io leab |io
happy home to trade wif ’ini.”
R I P A N S Tubules
Doctors lintl
A good prescription
For mankind
I The 5-eent package i* eiumgh for ujmihI ncca
Ision. The family lmttle (ft) cents) ••nntaina a
supply for h year. All dra^gists well them.
BO YEARS’
^■^^■I^EXPERIENCE
fSHMVVBila
I I L J —J ^ L J
^B ™ fil I j i ■
V ■ m| k ■ ■ v 1
^B|
AH|
^UHHH^ Trade Marks
^KSHVr designs
rr»fr’ Copyrights Ac.
Anvnne sending a sketch and description may
quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an
invention is probsbly patentable. Communica
tions strictly coniidcntUL Handbook on Patents
sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents.
Patents taken through Munu A Co. receive
special notice, without charge, in the
Scientific American.
A handsomely lllnatratad weakly. T a react cir
culation o< any aclenuSc Journal. Ternia. 18 •
year: four munlha, |L Studbyall Mwadaalcn.
SfifeKSSfifi*
NEW PROCESS
STEAM LAUNDRY,
M. KINI.KY STIIKKT.
Finest Work. Prompt delivery.
Fully Responsible.
For Assn vs Send Your Ore To
J. H. MORRISON,
Assayer Ellamar Mining Co.
Hold. Silver and Copper $3.50
(laid and Silver - 1.50
Cop|H*r ... 2.00
I .end ... 2.00
Ku.am.vh, Alaska
Ellamar
Mining
Company
Powder, Caps, Fuse,
and all other nec
essaries for the
Prospector.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
Prices Reasonable.
EUamar. Alaska.
_
The Northwestern Line
I Operate* the finest trains in the
i world every day in the year. l»e
| tween
Minneapolis,
St. Paul,
Chicago,
Milwaukee,
OMAHA and KANSAS CITY,
making direct connections with
through trains for all points East
and South.
As cheap as the cheapest and the
U‘st to Ik* had. For rates or reser
vations, call or write,
F. W. PARKER, (Scneral Agent,
I'll Yeslcr Wav, Seattle.
I_
Dissolution of Partnership.
Th«* business heretofore existing under the
firm mini • of Wood* A Fowlte at Seward, Alas
ka between lieo Win ala and Janie* Fowlle Is this
•lay dissolved by mutual eonsent. lieo. II.
\Vt»ods eoulinues the business, and eolleet* ami
pay* all billa of the said firm of Wood* JL
Fowlle.
Jatne* Fowlle.
li. 11. Woods.
1 fated Jan 11. 2
Notice ot Forfeiture.
VllliU, AU»>, Jan. 1,
To Walthr L. Wimtf. and K. F. Willis:
You are hereby not tiled that the undersigned,
A. II. Filey, has expended during the year
lifcU, four hundred (flee) dollars in labor u|m»ii
lhe L-»s| Chord, the Helen, the Hold hollar and
the Muck li ar mining claim* situated oil the
benches of Slate Creek and Miller fiulch. in
the Chi*na mining district, Alaska, in Val
dez Recording District, the location notices
of which claims arc now of record in tlit*
office of the Fuitcd States Commissioner at
\ aides, and to which notices reference i* mad •
| for a m*»re particular description thereof, in
' order to lod-l said < lalm* under pr ovision of
I Section 'JA-t. Revised Statutes of the Fuited
I States, and tlie amendment* relating thereto
concerning annual labor upon mining claims.
I being tin* amount required to hold said claims
* during the year ltfttl, ending Dee* inber :t1,
' liLtfl. And if at the expiration of : ninety
< days from the publication of this notice, voii
I fail or refuse to contribute your proportion of
I such expenditure, your interests in said claims
will become the property of the undersigned,
your eo-owner, who !,.»« made the required ex
penditure by the terms of said section.
A. II. FTLKY.
First publication Jan. 7.
Last publication April 7.
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Carrying U. S. nail and Express.
E. E. Caine, President.
Cl- IV II For VAl.ltEZ. by the onNhh: route, every
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From Senitlf t«»r Valdez. Cook lidct and
C#r FYlVkinr 'Vi,’V l"r,s-l*1 "f eaeli month. From Val*
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Hrattle Office— BIN Firat Avt*. J ^ MartlD
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PHONE I*.
A. B lies, Pres. F. M. Brmvu, Treus. F. J. Kin^liorn, Sec.
Valdez Dock IS Warehouse Company.
(inod* may be aliipped In our care and l«-ft in WM^Iiotiie till
called for. I’artic* going to the Inferior will find iict-ttven
Icnt to leave eiiu«lgtiiiictitn with ua to » .orwariled to *uch
point* and «f Mich time a* they ina\ direct.
Our storage is safe, being t-4th mile from nearest building
McIntosh & Duncklee
Horseshoeing and Blacksmithing
All work will receive prompt attention. High class
blacksmithing made a special feature, (live us a call.
Coh. Keystone and McKinley. Values
Home Restaurant t •
Keystone Ave. Opp. St. Elias Hotel.
Meals At All Hours From t> O'clock A.M.
to 9 O’clock l’.M. Regular Dinner From
5 to 7. Sunday Dinner A Specialty.
IceCreamandSodaWater Parlor
MRS. i. H. AEEEN.
C. E. B0QflR&U5
Assayer and Chemist
Gold and Silver $1.00 Gold Silver and Copper $2.50
tK) Columbia St., Seattle, Wash.
“10 YEARS STANDARD”
(Trade Mark Registered.)
i
Hus demonstrated that it is the most durable and eflioient ROOFING
for all sorts of buildings, weathers and conditions. Made of the strong
est, best wool felt, thoroughly saturated with the well-known Ruberoid
Compound. Proof against heat, cold, water, steam, acids, alkalies,
gases, fumes, etc. Outlasts metal. Fire-resisting. Contains no tar or
paper. Will not melt, rot or tear. Easily laid. booklets, samples
and prices upon application. A large shipment now on hand at
BORTON,.
McKinley Street.
Valdez Electric Light, Power & Telephone Co.
Incorporated.
We have on hand a large assortment of Electric Fixtures,
Plain and Fancy Shades, Call Bells and Annunciators.
Estimates given on all kinds of electrical work. Phone 39.
Where Do You Stop? Why of Course at
MINERS* HOTEL.
COMFORTABLE QUARTERS.
McKinley st. and Keystone av C. Johnson, Prop
McKinley -Hall
Cor. Reservation Av. and Hobart St.
Suitable for Balls, Parties,
Receptions, Banquets, etc.
Dates Booked With
A. M. EDWARDS, White Bhx-k.