FRED HARRIS HAD
NAM ESCAPE
'Was Struggling Among Ice in Hum-,
mer Bay for Nearly One-half
Hour and (Sadty Frosted.
• \
FretfHarris is confined to his room
in the Phoenix after an experience
which he will never forget. His feet
are badly frost blistered and he con
tracted a severe told which necessi
tated his coming to town for treat
ment.
He was a passenger on the last
trip of the Brighten to Hummer bay,
where he was preparing to develop
some property in which he is inter
ested. The inner bay was frozen ov
er when the launch reached there and
Mr. Harris was put ashore around a
point in order that he might summon
his partners from their work on the
claim to help get the outfit. It was
necessary for Mr. Harris to cross the
bay and he believed the ice was firm
enough to bear his weight. He start
ed across but had not gone far when
he noticed that the tide was rising
and as each succeeding tide reached
a higher point lie expected trouble
in getting off the ice.
He hoped lo be able to reacn snai
low water before breaking through,
as he had on hip boots. When he
was about four hundred yards from
shore he was suddenly plunged in ov
er the head. He believes he sank
fully twenty feet Lefore striking bot
tom. Fortunately lie came to the sur
face at the opening as he would nev
er have been able to break the ice
from •inderneath. He grasped the ice
and tried to [ull himself up onto it
but was unable to do so. He then
held himself up w.tli one hand while
lie took off the heavy boots with the
other. His socks came off with the
rubbers, leaving hi mbarefooted.
He realized that his only chance
was to break his way to shore. By
pulling himself onto the ice he was
able to break a passage through but
had not gone far when the ice began
to clow around his person. His pait
ners had heard the launch coming and j
had started down to meet it. When J
they came in sight, Harris called for j
help and they rushed to his assist
ance. By this time he was able to
touch the bottom, but was growing
-weak through his long immersion in
the icy water.
One oi tne partners uasicucu w
camp where he built a roaring fire, |
while the other assisted him to shore, j
The camp was about one-third of a
mile from the place where he landed
and he had to walk the distance bare
footed through the snow. The men
had had experience with frost bites
and knew bow to go about extract
ing the frost and restoring circulation
of the blood.
The Brighton had been waiting for
tite men to come and get their outfit.
After waiting for more than two hours
■ they started ‘o investigate the cause
of the delay and met one of the part
ners, who explained what bad hap
pened. As the unfortunate man’s feet
were beginning to swell to an enor- j
mous size it was deemed best to get ;
him back to the launch in order that !
he. might be brought back to town
tor medical treatment.
His feet are very painful but he ex- j
pects to be around in a couple of
weeks and is thankful that it is not
worse.
Coal Mines That Arc Fire Proof.
Two mines that are said to be as
near fireproof as coal mines can be
made are located near Taylorville,
111. There is not a stick of timber
in either mine. Each mine has two
shafts, the main shafts being 10 by
18 ft. and capable of accommodating
four-ton cars. These shafts are con- j
•creete lined, the walls tapering from f
a thickness of three ft. at the open1 i
'ing to fifteen In. at the bottom. Steel f
beams are used throughout instead I
of wood, while modern steel tipples j
stand Over the main shaft at both j
■lines. The properties' are equipped,*
with solid steel cages, autonialici
•cagers, five-tort gathering locomotive^, 1
and twelve-ton hauling 'locomotives, 1
and there are no mules In either mine. i I
All the co«l is undercut by machines, i
MEXICAN INVASION NOT
' ; I
There was a time when the gen
eral staff of the United States army
did not think an invasion of Mexico
an easy matter. It was thought then
that a certain phenomenol military
success, which landed the American
troops in Mexico City before the world
had thought :t possible, could be re
peated at pleasure. Today a differ
ent view prevails in the War depart
ment. To it is due the fine control
of the governmental temper.
Three years ago (everybody would
have laughed at the statement that it
would take 250,000 men to invade
Mexico effectively, writes George Al
bert Schreiner in the New York Kven
ing Post. It was the habit then to
assume that a company of Texas
rangers could cross the Rio Grande
and subdue the entire republic just as
fast as their mounts could cover it.
The Mexican army was then known
as a most unsoldierly aggregate of
hombres who had discarded the rags
of the penitentiary for the cheap cot
ton trousers, gaudy tunics ana head
pieces of the army. In a way, this
impression is yet held, though the
continuous insurrections and revolu
tions of the last two years have mod
ified it in at least one important re
spect.
Mexican Can Fight.
It is admitted today that the Mex
ican can fight when he has a mind to
do this. But something is likely to
be overlooked here. The incessant
turmoil has made soldiers out of Mex
icans who formerly were not soldiers.
In the states of Nuevo Leon, Coa
liuilla, Tamaulipas, Chihuahua and
elsewhere there has come into an ex
GEORGE ^LBERT fejCHR£lN£R' WRITING ■ jll^JNEW YORK POST,
TELLS OF' COST IN LIVES AND MttNEY ft^fflEXICAN REPUBLIC
IS INVADED BY U. S. TROOPS ESTIMATED COST $500,000,000.
»
istence fighting material that is high
ly respected by all who know it—
los fuergos auxiiiares, a sort of
mounted police, under state super
vision, that would be heard from
most disagreeably in case of inter
vention, !
The men forming this contingent
are probably superior to anything the
republic has in its military establish
ment. The first demonstration of this
was given when, though recruited
from the rural population in the in
surrection districts, they refused to
adhere to any but the de facto gov
ernment. Like the regular army, this
nstitution recognizes nothing but el
gobierno. What individual happens to
be president does not matter. The
auxiiiares of Nuevo Leon haunted
General Reyes until he thought it well
to surrender, in spite of the fact that
this old rebel had hoped to win them
over to his side, as, according to all
precedents south of the Rio Grande,
c had good reason to hope.
Strong National Spirit.
A word must be said here for the
remaining human elements that would
take up arms. Even the most pre
judiced must admit that the Mexican,
no matter what uis station in life,
is warmly attached to his country—
his republiea. So great is this love
of country that only the supply of
'arms - could limit the number that
Would go into the field in case of an
Invasion. Since this is estimated at
Over a million stand of rifles, there
Would be no dearth in that direction.
In a united Mexico, moreover, there
vtrould be no lack of ammunition for
a long time. The republic not alone
lias acquired large stores of artillery
Oiid small arms ammunition, but it
has also the mechanical equipment to
manufacture these in case an inevit
able blockade should make the impor
tation of them impossible.
! The Mexican army would coniine
its efforts to the most trying sort of
warfare—guerrilla, a sort of military
operation to which their kinsmen in
Spain gave the name and with which
the Mexicans themselves are fully ac
quainted. To an army organized like
that of the United States this is very
disastrous until such time as the nec
essary modifications are made. Great
Britain, to meet similar conditions in
South Africa, had to convert her in
fahtry into mounted infantry, the de
sideratum being greater mobility, but
th'e change involved was a slow and
trying one and led to the great pro
traction of the campaign. The United
States would have to meet the same
problem before it could hope for suc
cess, but the British infantryman at
least knew how to handle his rifle.
Thd- American militiaman and volun
teer would have to be taught even
that.
Initial Success Important.
In modern warfare, though this has
been badly overrated, the initial suc
cess is everything. With this natural
ly goes a great degree of mobility.
It is as necessary to penetrate well
into the country invaded as to win
big engagements. With this in view,
the general staff of the United States
army has recently revised its plan
of attack. As late as the mobiliza
tion of the "maneuver division” in
1911, in some quarters the opinion
was held that an invasion from the
north was indispensable, though sec
ondary to the main movement from
Vera Cruz and an advance from Tam
pico. It is still somewhat fashionable
to seize capitals, though in the light
of recent experiences it does not al
ways serve any particular purpose.
The present plan of the War depart
ment provides for a concentration up
on Vera Cruz and the capital.
Vera Cruz offers the best oppor
•unity as a base for the main attack
upon Mexico Citv. The distance to be
traversed is not very great—294 miles
by the best route. There would be
no difficulty landing at that point a
force sufficiently large to penetrate
to the capital in time. But there are
consideration; of terrain that make
operations front this point difficult.
At Jalapa, but 82 miles from the
coast, the country has already risen
to aji altitude of i.ClO feet, or near
ly 57 feet to the mile. Beyond Ja
lapa and until Puebla is reached the
(Continued on page 3.)
THE LOWER YUKON
GAMP PROMISING
Seventy-five Men Are Wintering There
and Are Repoited to Have Un
covered 6ood Pay.
FAIRBANKS, Dec. 1. -Good reports
lave reached this city from the new
iiggings on the \ ukon river which
were struck last fall. The find was
made on Wilson creek, a tributary of
Andreafsky.
It is stated that about seventy-five
men are working on the creeks and
hat they have uncovered good pay.
Pans as hi fill as 50 cents are found
11 ihe gravel and it is believed that
a hen the miners reach bedrock they
will find it rich. Hundreds of claims
lave been staked and the miners are
Susy doing the assessment work re
quired under the law.
There are very few men leaving
this district for the new diggings, as
most of the stampeders went to the
Phisana strike and have not r cov
ered sufficiently to hit the trail.again.
The reports, however, indicate that a
rood camp will spring into being next
pear on the lower Yukon.
Most of the claims in the district
ire owned by miners from Nome and
ither coast and lower river points.
Many of the steamboat men were for
tunate in securing ground by grub
staking prospectors for the trip when
the find was first reported.
The N. C. company are reported to
tie erecting a large store at the camp,
rhey have had men investigating the
iiggings and have evidently been as
sured that it had a future. Should
the work of the miners during the
winter develop paystreaks there is
sure to be p. big rush from all parts
if Alaska. The first discovery was
made on a bar in the creek and it
was believed that the diggings would
lot be extensive, but the miners have
ocated pa yjn the gravels and are
low prospering the benches.
. * i ■'
Notkitlg m6re appropriate than a
sox of Lowney’B dainty candles as a
-hristmas gift. Valdez Drug Store.
CATHOLIC LADIES
HAVE FINE SHOW
Orpheum Theatde Is Crowded—Good
Program Given—Splendid Music
and Pictures.
A very pleasing performance was
given last evening under the auspices
of the Indies of the Catholic Church,
at the Orpheum Theatre, and the
house was filled to the limit.
Four of the best moving picture
films yet seen in Valdez were run.
Mi$s Rose Johnson played two selec
tions with great skill on that most
d’fticult of musical instruments, the
harp, and her efforts were enthusias
tically applauded.
Johnny Kaceroskey and Dr. Ger
man in a humorous little skit which
included the song, "In My Harem,”
brought down the house and were
encored repeatedly; also Johnny Ka
ceroskey in his own inimitable man
ner, made up for the part, sang
“Snooyy-Ookunts,” and made a great
hit.
Mrs. Paulson entertained the audi
ence with a song; she has a fine
voice and charmed those present, and
was comp lied to respond to several
encores.
No claimant having appeared for
the doll “Cinderella,” It was drawn
/or again last evening, and the own
ter of the ticket, No. 152, is now the
lucky person entitled to call “Cnder
ella" her own.
f • |
Oanger Signals for the (Color Blind..
Owing to the fact that color-blind
persons are almost invariably defici
ent in regard to red, and often red
alone, it has been proposed to adopt
some other color, such as yellow or
blue, for use on danger signs on rail
ways and elsewhere, 'the' latest sug- j
gestion, which takes into account the
long established" us& 6f fed for this
purpose',' 1%' to rdtiiln’ Lrwd as a baejt
ground’, but^naiite Ifte^signal cWar to
persons whose color sense is defective
by the use 6f a cross, band or border
to pother color. y . <
> V •
WANT WHARFSITE
-FOR MIDAS MINE
! ’ • i I •
j Engineer Storm Has Crew of Men and
Piledriver Working to Locate
Site Near Ft. Liscum.
engineer L. \V. Storm inis a crew
of men and a piledriver at work near
Fort Liscum to It cate the best site
possible for a wharf for loading the
ore to be taken from the Midas mine
in Solomon basin and shipped to the j
company smelters in British Colum- ;
bia.
For the past few weeks Mr. Storm
has been surveying and mapping the
country for the foam and the wharf
9nil also to show the outcroppings of
ore and the work already done
the claims', also showing the site o
the proposed buildings necessary for
working the claims.
The work is being done under the I
direction of the superintendent
mines for th company, who visiter
the ground several weeks ago and
outlined the work. It is expected that
a large force of men will be put to
work on the claims in the next few
weeks as soon as the officials arrive
from Victoria.
The company also anticipate plac
ing a number of freight carriers on
the run from Vancouver to, Valdez,
bringing merchandise north and- tak
ing the ore south.
When active operations are started
on the Midas it is expected that fully
five hundred men will be employed
on- the property.
The Midas was developed by a Jp
cal company ‘n. which George Treat,
Al. Grigsby, Wm. Wilson, Wm. Fini
cal, Sandy Carson, John Cantlin, Ed. ;
Smith afcd S. Blum were large stock- |
holders. It was later bonded to'
Stephen’ Birch kn J. through a disa
greemeat-between the owners and,the I
Alaska -Syndicate the property was '
turned back to the Midas company,
after $60,000 had been spent in its j
development. Later the Granby peo-,
pie secured the property, making aj
cash payment of $25,000 down atad ■
premising the balance by Dec. 15th. I
‘ ! r i ‘ . *
NEWSBOY STOCK
IS GOING IIP
Fairbanks Quartz Mine Which is ,
I
Small But Promises to Become
Steady Dividend Producer.
FAIRBANKS, Dec. 4. The News- |
boy mine for the month of Novem- <
her cleaned up better than $9,000, !
with a profit of $4,000. The profits !
from the property during the past |
three months has been over ten thou- 1
sand dollars. Development work has |
been carried on and the , amount of :
ore in sight guarantees the opera
tion of the mill all winter.
The prospects of the mine is pleas- j
ing to the people of this district, as ;
nearly all the stock is held by local j
people. Some months ago the stock :
was at a low ebb with little prospect
of ever approaching par. The stock- j
holders were dissatisfied with the
management and elected L. M. Drury
to the position. He is a practical
man and under his supervision the
property promises to become a steady
producer. '
For several months the mill tests
showed that the values were under
$15.00 per ton, but last fall a blind
lead was encountered while a long
tuhilel was being run to tap a lead
showing good values on the surface.
The ore unexpectedly encountered
has carried steady values, averaging
$25.00 per ton.
A Correction.
In yesterday’s Prospector appeared
the following statement attributed to
Judge Walker:
“Judge Walker stated, that he could
deny the tact that he was a Republi
can,” etc. The statement should
have read, “Judge. Wglker stated that
be could not deny the (act tha* he
was a Republican holdover."
While Judge Walker has never tak- j
en any interest in local or territorial j.
politica, nevertheless, ^e.jlpea apt de- ■;
liy his affiliation with the“ g> ;4fc p»' !
Many a guilty man escapes because
he Is'too small to be'see*.
EVENTFUL TRIP
Proved the Superstition That Trouble
Follows When a Cat is Taken on
Board the Craft.
It is notorious that persons who
follow the sea for a livelihood are
superstitious that trouble is sure to
come if a cat is carried on the ship.
The crew and passengers of the
Brighton are williug to put in with
the rest of the old salts after their
experience on the last trip.
Some time ago some person took
a cat down the Sound to Hummer
bay and left it there when they quit
camp. The crew of the Brighton are
humane fellows and determined to
brave the fates in an effort to res
cue pussy from iter lonesome posi
tion by bringing her to town. No
sooner was pussy comfortably install
ed on board than, things began to
happen.
Teddy Lindsay, the engineer, was
the lirst to be visited by the hoodoo.
His shirt sleeve caught in the set bolt
of the shaft and only for his pres
ence ol mind he would have been
badly crippled. When he realized
what was happening he threw his
strength into resistance and the
heavy woolen shirt parted down the
back and sleeve and wrapped itself
around the shaft. His arm was bad
ly bruised but he is thankful that it
was no worse, as he might easily
have been seriously hurt.
1 he Brighton ran into a storm af
ter coming through Esther passage,
which delayed her a day. Next day
she ventured out and reached Byers
island, but as the storm was still
raging and the weather was heavy
the captain decided to remain there
until morning. They hoped that the
hoodoo which had been on the job so
steadily had grown tired. They wTere
mistaken. The storm continued and
they lost a dory which was in tow.
To cap the climax when they came
through the narrows they ran into a
heavy snowstorm and lost their reck
oning and landed on the mud bank
east of the city dock. The tide was
out and the launch was hung up for
several hours before the rising tide
released her and she reached the
wharf.
The crew brought pussy to town
all right but they do not want her
or any other cats on their future
trips, especially during the winter
season. They know when they have
had enough.
Weather Report.
Dec. 3, 1913.
Barometric Pressure .29.638
Temperature at 7 p. m.29
Maximum Temperature .34
Minimum Temperature . 25
Mean Temperature . 29.5
Precipitation .39
Cloudy, light wind N. E. nine miles,
snowed at night, frequent snow all
day.
L: JONES.
Dublin Dan, the Great Detective.
Dublin Dan, the great detective, has
just succeeded in landing a gang of
desperate cutthroats and counterfeit
ers and the full story, in three reels,
will be shown at the Orpheum to
night.
A method of freezing fish in blocks
of ice for convenience in transpor
tation is being introduced in France,
it is claimed that the fish can be
brought to life after reaching their
destination, by being put through a
dow-thawing process.
By a score of 21 to U the Alaska
dastineau football team defeated the
Maska Treadwell eleven In a game
played at Juneau recently. Both
teams had been training for some
time and played a good game.
, Tbo Alaska Coast company is ask
ng for ('ids for repairs and remodel
ng t(ie. steamers Buckman and >V,at
pn which will be placed on the Alas
;u run next season.
Too ra-tny of us Wick before we
;uow tf-here the shoe pinches.