One of the striking features of the street parade to start
promptly at 2 o’clock next Saturday afternoon, March 9, will be a
brass band of eight pieces. No one had dreamed that the talent
for such a musical organization was running loose in the Iditarod,
to say nothing of the necessary instruments; but the committee
got busy, and the band is an accomplished certainty.
In one thing has the committee failed, which, had it been con
summnted, would have credited its members with a resourcefulness
surpassing that of a Barnum. As it is the failure is not chargea
ble to the committee. It had been resolved to construct, regard
less of expense, a mammoth calliope of great power. It was hoped
the instrument could be made to “carry” all the way to Flat, wind
being favorable, and it was to be featured beyond all the features
of the day and evening. Mayor John D. Barnes was to keep up
the steam and Tommy McSmart was to manipulate the keys to
the specially composed music of Sam Bayles. Unfortunately Fire
Chief McGovern got wind of the scheme and sat down on it good
and hard. He said it would interfere with the sounding of the fire
whistle in case an alarm should be turned in.
The committee submitted gracefully to the chief’s decree, but
is not making public any more of its important measures for as
tounding an eager and expectant public by the novelty and magnif
icence of the street pageantry. It had been hinted that some of
the rarest zoological specimens ever seen in the North would be
in the parade. It was also whispered that sixteen beautiful ladies,
impersonating the Queen of Fairyland and her maids in waiting,
mounted on snow-white horses richly caparisoned, would lead the
pageant. But now the committee will not talk and no one else can
say more than “I don’t know.” All that can be done is to wait.
The Roof Garden, in the evening, will partake of the qualities
of the tropics. With regard to the minute arrangements there,
too, secrecy is maintained. It is inferred from certain admis
sions of the committee, however, that one of the Garden scenes
will represent a Bolivian mining camp en fete, with the miners
wearing their glad rags—eating, drinking, smoking, and cavorting
with the Andes damsels in the merry dance. At the height of the
festivities a worn traveler will appear, bearing a flag with the
device Iditarod Kennel Club upon it, drawn by an emaciated mala
mute, the only survivor of a noble team, hitched to a ramshackle
sled—the first Iditarod outfit to reach the goal on the latest and
greatest stampede.
If this feature is materially changed, or omitted entirely from
the Roof Garden, the Pioneer will not be at fault. It is only print
ingsueh news as it can buy, beg steal and manufacture. But for
everything omitted, ten better things will be introduced, and the
Garden is sure to reach the very pinnacle of successful entertain
ment.
LADIES PRACTICING
FOR BASKETBALL
With the intention of fitting
themselves to compete with their
sisters of Flat, the ladies are hav
ing frequent practice in the game
of basketball. It is realized that
Flat City lias the more experienced
players and would have Iditarod at
a disadvantage if a match should
be decided upon. It is reported
that the recent practice has resulted
in marked improvement in the
I play of the ladies of Iditarod, and
! it is believed fair proficiency will
; soon be acquired.
MAJOR AND MRS. STRONC
SPENT CHRISTMAS IN BERLIN
Capt. Albert Wiie, Iditarod’s
fashion-plate tailor, received a post
card in the last mail from Majoi
and Mrs. J. F. A. Strong, dited
! December 28. They were in Ber
jlin, and the card contained the
: cutest likeness of a Dutch Santa
Claus ever seen in the North. The
card gave the senders’ future ad
diess a* Hotel Frye, Seattle.
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
RELIANCE
Brand Groceries
W. SUNDERBRUCH
Kennel Club’s long distance race
Will demonstrate superiority of Ben's pace;
Also the metal of Iditarod’s new crop for place,
And of other, their equal, that will hustle and show its face.
Fair, sweet ladies, daughters of Eve,
Roof Garden Festival kindly perceive.
Sisters of Esther, Bible’s true pioneer,
See that your husband or lover does appear.
SMITH S GUN STORE
Phone No. 6 Iditarcd, Alaska
ROOM-MAKING SALE
Is now on in full force in order to make
space that I require for the many new
lines o) Men’s Wearing Apparel that is
now on the way. So, therefore, I will
offer a few specials that you should con
sider for your own good.
100 odds and ends Suits that Air
sold from *25 to *35, now . 9>v
Hart, Schaffner & Marx
CLOTHING
$45.00 now, $27.50
40.00 “ 25.00
35.00 “ 22.50
32.50 “ 20.00
80.00 “ 17.50
27.50 “ 15.00
FRIEDMAN'S STORE
COUNTRY YET
HAS CHANCE
A good many people are inclined to
believe tbat the failure of the Aniak
so far to come up to expectations does
not necessarily imply that the region \
wiil never become productive. George
Hoffman, who came over from his'
trading post, on the Kuskokwitn this,
week with A1 Berg, a sick and desti-j
lute prospector, is corroborated by uu-.
merous reliable men in the statement j
that Buhro and Labelle have ground
on Marvel creek which will go 50 cents
to the foot, which is all they ever,
claimed. Mr. Hoffman thinks they
were justified in expecting develop
ment to disclose something better, and
points out that the small amount of
work accomplished, owing to the wet 1
ground, leaves the country practically 1
in the same status it was in before the
heavy stampede set in.
Lately there has been a small stam-!
pede from Dominion creek across the i
divide to Bear creek, a tributary of the :
Tulaksak. That vicinity has yielded a 1
little gold in the past, and something
might come of the present efforts.
Lindsey & Kay ure still working on
a quartz prospect found on a tributary
of the Aniak last summer. Mr Hoff
man says prospectors have belittled the i
efforts of these men, but it is a fact
that many specimens of good-looking
quartz have come from their claim.
Altogether, Mr. Hoffman says, the
prospects that have been found in the
Aniak and other regions of the Kusko- I
kwim are sufficient to deter thoughtful '
men from pronouncing a hasty judg- 1
raent against the country.
AT IDITAROD HOSPITAL
Al. Berg, mn oldtimer, was brought
over by George Hoffman from Hoff
tnau's post, Kuskokwim, and admitted
to the hospital Thursday afternoon.
Berg was found unconscious in his
cabin at the mouth of Alukok river, a
few miles from Hoffman’s, about two
weeks ago, by Hank Crims, of New
York creek. He had had a hemor
rhage. The man’s condition was re
ported to Hoffman, who took him U
his place and cared for him until he
was able to travel and then brought
him on to Iditarod. Berg's physical
condition is still bad, and he is desti
tute. Ho is about 45 years old, has
been in the North about fifteen years
and in the Kuskokwim five or six years.
J. J. Margraf was brought to the
hospital last Tuesday for treatment for
a very serious injury to the right eye.
While sharpening a steam point on
Black creek the day before a sliver of
steel struck the eye and was imbedded
in the iris. The sight is at least tem
porarily destroyed. The wound was
not large enough to release the liquid
ccntents of the eyeball, and it is hoped
the sight of the injured member may
be restored.
William B. Thomas, of the Glark
Lumber Company, was discharged
Thursday, after a confinement of ten
days. He underwent an operation.
Doc Tanner, of Discovery, after a
confinement of nearly two weeks, is
leaving the hospital. His case also re
quired an operation.
Louis Lialiy, from Flat, was admitted
Feb. 25 and will probably be in hos
pital a week yet. His is a medical
case.
H. Boas is giving away shamrocks.
Washington Ranch Eggs 75c Dozen Guaranteed
SOftfE PRICES:
Flour, per suck $1.00
Pure Rolled Oats 1.00
Sugar, 8 lbs . 1.00
Cheese, per lb. .25
4 Cans Vegetables . 1.00
3 Cans Fruit 1.00
1 Gallon Maple Syrup 1.75
3 Bottles Snyder’s Catsup 1.00
Royal Baking Powder, lb. .60
Soda Crackers, per box 1.75
Corned Beef, per lo. .25
Salt, per sack.25
The Best of Candies, lb.... .25
oeaitite Hams and Bacon, bwifts and Armour s — the Best
in the Market
Everything Goes at Cost _ East End First Avenue
J. W. CHARLTON, Iditarod City
The Best Goods for the Least Money
Casey^s Place
Fiat City
HOT SPRINGS FIRM
NOT DOWN AND OUT
Hot Springs Echo Feb 5: On our
regular trip to the creek this week
we were glad to see that Cleveland
and Howell are still doing business
on a large scale, and are by no
means down and out. Iditarod pa
pers please cop/.
PIONEER NEWSPAPER MAN
GETS BACK INTO HARNESS
Valdez, Feb. 2 —Robert McCbes
ney, formerly a newspaper man of
Fairbanks and Cordova, has as.
sumed the management of the Pros
pector of this city.
Dave Strandber?, of Flat, was visit
ing- in Iditarod the middle of the week.
COUNCIL
MEETING
—
The city council met in regular ses
sion Wednesday evening. Absent,
Petersen and Worden.
A communication was received from
H. M. Vallery (Peaceful Henry) recit
ing that ho had acted as night watch
man all winter and had zealously pro
tected the city from possible loss bj
fire. His pay was from private sub
scription and barely afforded a living;
and be asks if it is poosible for the
council to add something to his recom
pense. Referred to finance committee.
The city treasurer reported $30 addi
tional tax money collected. This, to
gether with $208.75 already in the
treasury and unplacsd, was all but $25
credited to the salary fund.
Zeke Perovich was present and said
he wanted the balance due him foi
wood furnished the city. He was told
that considerable money is duo from
Fairbanks and would probably be on
hand at that very moment if the mail
had got in ou time. Next week, sure,
he will get cash. £There is $1,175 in
warrants, with about $30 in interest,
ahead of Perovich.
An ordinance amendatory of the tax
ordinance was passed under suspension
of the rules, extending the date upon
which a 10 per cent, penalty will at
tach to unpaid taxes from March 1 to
April 1. There is less than $1,500 in
taxes outstanding. It is mostly in small
sums. There is no kicking on account
of the tax; but from money stringency
and other causes payments cannot be
made just now, and it was felt that the
penalty in justice should not be im
posed.
Joseph H. Smith appeared on beball
of the Arctic Brotherhood and solicited
remission orjat least a material reduc
tion of the taxes assessed against the
A. B. hall. He pointed out the bene
fits of the hall to the city—its public
nature and necessity to the social wel
fare. Six business firms, large tax
payers, he said, carried the ball's in
debtedness to the amount of $7,500, and
a 5 per cent, dividend is the largest
that has been declared in their favor.
It is not intended as an institution of
profit. Mayor Barnes sided with Mr.
Smith’s yiews, but the council was oi
different opinion, and the taxes will
have to be paid.
Warrants for the salaries and fixed
expenses for February were ordered
drawn, and also one for #0 in payment
for six logs furnished the city by Tom
McMahon.
LATE N. C. FIRE
AT KOKEINES
The following particulars of tin
destruction of the N. C Co.’s store
at Kokriues are from the Ruby
Record-Citizen of February io:
“The latest details regarding the
recent fire which destroyed the
N. C. post at Kokrines are to the
effect that an alcohol lamp exploded
in the front part ol the building
about 5 o’clock in the morning
The agent, Walter Sundborg,
rushed out and fired off his revolver
several times to summon assistance,
but by the time help arrived the
building was a mass of flames, anil
to save anything was »t the risk of
life.
“After giving the alarm, Sund
borg and Jack Hunnewell rescuer,
the mail and a box containing reg
istered packages and bullion, valued
into thousands of dollars, from the
cellar of the building. They then
tried to save several thousand dol
lars’ worth of furs which Mr. Sund
borg had collected, but were driver
back by the flames, and had to
abandon the attempt. Sundborg
realized that it was impossible to
save anything in the front part ol
the building, turned his attention
to saving his personal effects, and
succeeded in saving a few odds and
ends of his wearing apparel. The
building and stock is a total loss.’’
The influx of Americans from Alas
kan points on account of the Sixtyraile
strike has necessitated the Canadian
government increasing its customs
force at Fortymile.
Get a shamrock from H. Boas free.
HEAR YE!
HEAR YE!
HEAR YE!
Two p. in. March 9th the Kennel Club will parade
With an exhibition that'll put all others in the shade.
The Roof Garden artists and participants will be dis
played,
Brass and Dutch Bands will be there to promenade.
At night, in the A. B. Hall, remember, fountains of
lemonade,
Men and women both we beseech and persuade,
To attend chronicled festivity, we want your aid
To made a success, do attend and don’t blockade.
ISAACS BROS. & CO,
Leading Clothiers
OFFICIAL REPORT !
OF ROAD OFFICER
I
Iditr.rod, Alaska, Fob. 26, 1912.
Hon. E. M. Stanton, U. S. Commis
sioner, Otter Precinct:
Sir:—In compliance with the pro
visions of the act of April 25, 1904, I
hereby tender my report as road over
seer of Otter road district for the
season of 1911.
The total amount of road taxes col
lected for the year 1911, as verified by
the accompanying list of names and
receipt stubs, is .$3,760 00
Balance on hand from season
of 1910. 449 75
Total $4,209 75
Total expense, as evidenced
by accompanying receipts, 1
vouchers, etc. $4,205 25
Balance on hand. 4 50
Total $4,209 75
The district work was handicapped
by the lateness of the season and con
tinued scarcity of money for road work,1
which all through the summer was
done in advance of the collections to
pay for same.
The work was done at t lie most nec- ]
essarv places, near Discovery, Otter
creek, and at various places on Flat
creek. A new roadway was constructed
from Cullen’s Forks on Flat creek to
the top of the divide at the head of
Happy and Chicken creeks, distant'
about 2i miles, serving the operators
in that vicinity; also from Flat creek
road to serve the miners on the hill
side above Flat.
The efforts of the people of Flat and
vicinity to build a bridge across Otter
creek were commendable. But they.
were unable to collect all the funds
subscribed, and little of the labor, and
there is now a balance of about $520
outstanding for material and labor. j
I first gave the committee in charge \
the sum of $250 for the work, and have 1
since paid $315 of its obligations. The
supporting pier was made too smalt,'
has shifted, and the bridge is now un
safe and insecure, and will require $250
to repair to withstand the spring Hoods.
Officially, I am in no wise responsible
for the bridge or its condition, but it is
manifestly the duty of the district to
make the necessary repairs and cancel
the outstanding indebtedness.
The work done by the Alaska road
commission in this district for the
season of 1911 amounts to 8,750 lineal
feet. Seven thousand and fifty feet of
this work, beginning at Birch hill and
extending to the top of the divide,
covers the very worst section of road
way in the entire district. This work
is of heavy corduroy and weil covered
with eartli and clay and will last for
years with little repair. One thousand
seven hundred feet was built on both
sides of Otter creek and near Flat City.
Over half of this is corduroy and the
remainder is ditched and graded. The
winter trail to Dikeman was repaired
for use of teams. The winter mail
trail from Dikeman to Diskaket and to
Nulato was flagged and staked. The
amount expended in this work was
$7,350.
I wish to thank divers merchants
and operators for their valuable assist
ance and co operation and help in se
curing the funds and labor and apply
ing the same most usefully. I also
wish to thank you personally for your
confidence and advice in the pursuance
of this work. Respectfully,
A. !•:. LIGHT,
Road Overseer.
315 POUNDS OF MAIL
RECEIVED THIS WEEK
The mail this week arrived at
2 o’clock Friday morning and con
sisted of 31 5 pounds. A distance
of 50 miles was covered in the last
day's run. In it were contained
Fairbanks papers as late as Febru
ary 5, Hot Springs papers February
5, Ruby papers February 10, and
Nome papers February 12 Daw
sou, Skagwav, Cordova, Chitina
and Outside papers ranged in date
up to the middle of January.
Old Lacey, Tyler, Monogram, Ather
ton and Cedarbrook, also fine old Port,
Sherry and Clarets at Empire Com
mercial Co.
MERCHANTS CAFE
Caters to Large and Small Parties
PRIVATE DIMING ROOMS
Popular Prices Everything First Class
CHAS. E. MILLER, PROP.
A.-A.' A -A-A A- A.-A'A vA-A A. A. A NA'A A 'A A A A \A 'A.
Jpen All Night Open All Night:
THE NORTHERN
March the 9th, Roof Garden Night,
Not to attend wouldn’t alone be right,
Besides being considered out of sight,
But what you’ll miss is surely a fright. —S. B.
A Brass Band of Eight Pieces Will Appear in the Kennel Club's Roof Carden Parade
A Roof Garden is the American interpretation of the open-air cafe which exists in France and other countries where the icy blasts of winter are not so insistent as
EVRTV tt!ey are in lhe North- Thc great hotels of New York, Chicago and London found their corridors deserted at certain periods of the year, and to recover the lost patron
j age they instituted the Roof Garden—the modern substitute for the hanging gardens of Babylon. As its name implies, the Roof Garden is usually on the roof, and it / UG
Feature consists of a number of small tables and plenty of chairs set amidst a wealth of foliage. Here a man can take his wife or daughter or lady-love, and listen to the sweet 1Ut*% x ^
_ strains of the band in comfort. The refreshments provided at Roof Gardens are sufficiently diversified to be intei-esting— so much so that the evening is fairly described fVfOmOSl \
IS £30 n a Fide asA NIGHT IN BOHEMIA—not because the entertainment is particularly wicked, but because for the nonce, the staid business man and his wife and children can ISlirwh# rtf Hi! '
__throw off the trammels which ordinarily bind them and have A RIGHT ROYAL TIME. iMlylll Of nil
JHE^ BWDWEISER JACK BAIRD iditaroo FLAT CITY ED ANDERSON THE BRANCH