STEAM HEATED HOT AND COLD BATHS
Copper Block Hotel
4 VALDEZ, ALASKA
I uThe House of Comfort”
PHONE T FOR MEN ONLY
NATIVES SMARTER
' TRAN 1ITE IS
tocher at Bristol Bay tells of some
of the Queer Customs of /
the Eskimo People.
TACOMA: Far, far away on the
bleak shores of Bristol Bay in the
Bering Sea region of Alaska, a Ta
coma woman, Mrs. Corrine Call, has
made as bright a name and as big
a i»lace for herself as any woman
who has gone to Alaska in the last
decade.
Mrs. Call is the teacher of the gov
ernment school at Choggiung. She
is also in a quiet and unobtrusive
way a reformer, a firm believer in
social and spiritual uplift, and when
she got to Choggiung she found her
self in •'■'9s typical Eskimo village
where her modern methods of teach
ing immediately clashed sharply with
customs as old as the Eskimos people.
The first of these clashes arose
over the custom of kissing the dead.
There was a death in the village and
straightway all the natives assem
bled, and filing into the house of the
deceased, one by one, they kissed the
corpse. Then in accordance with the
native custom the body was kept in
a warm, pleasant room of the house
for nearly a week. Then the funeral
took place, and the principal cere
mony at the funeral was another
neighborhood kissing of the corpse.
Likely there is not a more innately
polite, kindly and cheerful people on
the face of the earth than the Esk
imos, but as this custom of kissing
the dead is of a religious origin and
deeply rooted, Mrs. Call, who was
shocked and horrified at such an ex
hibition as well as alive to the in
fection of the disease, took up the
matter of its eradication with the
greatest caution, finally by persua
sion and through talking the matter
over with their priests she succeeded
in getting them to bow to the dead
instead of kissing them.
The custom of marrying oif the
Eskimo girls at a very tender age
was the next thing attacked by Mrs
Call. She found that Eskimo girls
were married as young as 9 years, to
mature men. It was a very rare ex
ception to And V girl unmarried at
14 or' 16 yearpAif age. One woman,
27 years afttge, who had married
when but 12years of age, had given
birth to twf/we children, six of whom
had died. *8. Call began a crusade
against this child marriage. She suc
ceeded in stopping different wed
dings, going to the priests who per
formed the ceremonies and securing
their co-operation. Once in a while
rather ludicrous and sometimes dra
matic incidents took place. A month
ago an Eskimo sued for the hand of
a 14-year old girl. Her relatives
agreed, but the girl diS not want to
rmarry the man. Mrs. Call loyally
{stood by the girl who sought protec
tion with her. The girl’s sister came
jafter her. Rushing into Mrs. Call’s
{home and grabbing the child by the
jarm she started pulling her out of
{the house. Mrs. Call caught the child
by the other arm and for a few min
{utes the lltlte girl was the central at
traction in a tug-of-war contest. Then
Mrs. Call’s staying qualities and mus
cle won the day and getting posses
sion of the child she rushed her up
stairs and locked her in the attic.
l iter the child’s relatives consented
to the child herself deciding the is
sue. The little girl very promptly
decided not to marry and is still liv
ing in single blessedness.
“The Eskimo child,” Mrs. Call de
clares, “is as quick or quicker to learn
than, the white child. They not only
learn quickly, but they can go as deep
as the children of any race under the
sun. Their memories are on the av
erage |ir more retentive than the
memory of the white child; their im
itation is large, and back of their per
eeptionf reason is very strong with
them. The world has lost by not hav
ing educated and developed these
people. If given a chance, they will
add to the sum of knowledge and in
dention of the human race.”
WANTED? Experienced woman de
sires work as cook or maid. Refer
enees given. Address Prospector.
WIRELESS PLANTS
FOB WESTWARD
Six New Stations Will be Erected
During Coming Summer and
Will Aid in Development.
The Alaska Packers Association of
San Francisco has placed an order
for the establishment of six new
wireless stations in Alaska. Two of
the stations will be located at Nasb
aga hay, one being at Sand Point and
the other at Clark Point; two will
be erected at Bristol Bay, one being
at Kichak and the other at Naknek;
one at Larson’s bay on Kodiak Island
and the Sixth at Chignik.
It is said that the cost o'f estab
lishing the stations will run into six
figures and that the contract calls for
the stations being completed before
the stations being completed before
the end of June. The Alaska Pack
ers’ Association believes that the out
lay will more than pay for itself, in
asmuch as the company will then be
kept in touch with its fishing opera
tions, and as all crafts of the com
pany have been equipped with wire
less, they can summon aid in case of
need.
The officials of the association have
announced that the stations will be
open to handle public business which
will mean much to the general pub
lic in these heretofore inaccessible
places.
JAPAN PLANNED
INVADE MEXICO
Officials Say Proof Has Been Found
Jap Warshap Was Stranded
Purposely by Captain.
EL PASO, Feb. 7.—Officials of the
Carranza government who are in this
city claim to have discovered definite
proof that General Villa, the Mexi
can rebel leader, had planned to allow
Japanese troops to be landed on the
coast of lower California.
It is also stated that the grounding
of the Japanese warship on a reef off
the Mexican coast early last year was
part of the plan to establish a Japa
nese naval base on the American
continent. The alleged proof of the
Japanese conspiracy to violate the
Monroe1 doctrine have been forward
ed to Secretary Lansing by the Amer
ican officials here.'
: -1
‘ I
BanxiAgHC ’tvixyt
FOR SALE: Hyacinths, Narcis
susis and Tulips in bloom. Apply to
MrB. C. C. Reynolds.
I * _____
Panoramic views of Child’s and
Miles glaciers, Dawson, Valdez and
Wrangel on sale at the Valdes Drug
store. ' tf
Pete Miller came up from the Cliff
mine yesterday on the launch Elvira.
A line display of nugget Jewelry at
Valdez Drug Co. tf
Pure Fresh Drugs at the Valdez
Drug Store. *
The launch Elvira made a trip to
the Cliff mine yesterday afternoon,
with a load of salt.
Far good nome-coolcefl meals try
Mrs. M. Olson, on Hohart Street. *
United States Commissioner Geo.
J. Love is a passenger on the Admiral
Evans which is due to reach Valdez
sometime tonight.
-— ■ ,
FOUND: On Sherman street, part
of a rosary. Owner can have same
by applying to Prospectory office
I
Passengers on the Northwestern,
Saturday night, state that the launch
Triton has been frozen in the ice
'at Katalla and it wad feared that she
| might be lost should a storm spring
'up.
WILL REBUILD THE
GIG ICE-BREAKER
Force of 150 Men Will Be Employed
for Tliree Months on Work to
Protect Bridge at Mile 49.
Passengers coming from Cordova
on the Northwestern report that
about two hundred thousand feet of
lumber and other material which will
be used in the building of the cais
son for the work of reconstructing an
ice-breaker at Mile 49 to protect the
big bridge.
It is said that it will require a
force of one hundred and fifty men
for threa months, and the work will
be rushffi as the time is limited be
fore the breakup. Engineer A. C.
O’Neil, and his foreman, Charles A.
McDonald, who built the two million
dollar bridge will have charge of the
work of building the ice-breaker.
It is understood that the ice break
er, which was moved by the ice last
spring, has been carefully tested with
diamond drills and that the cores
have shown that the weakness devel
ed through -ilratas of sand seeping
into the caisson, between the depos
its of concrete. The ne"- caisson will
extend around the old one and it is
believed that the bridge will never
again be threatened by any bergs
which float aown Copper River.
GERMAN SOLDIERS
ERE ILL CLOTHED
Government Has Issued Orders Com
mandeering all Stocks of Extra
Clothing in the Empire.
BERLIN, Feb. T.-^The German
government has issued an order com
mandeering all stocks of clothing,
textiles, knitted woolen goods for the
soldiers in the trenches. The order
commands that every home and busi
ness house in the empire be visited
and all woolen goods not in actual use
be seized and appropriated, but that
the owners will be remunerated by
the government.
The people of German are wild
with delight over the success which
has attended the raids of the Ger
man cruiser Roon and the armed
merchantman Moewe, against the
commerce of the enemy nations. Ger
man officials believe that it is only a
question of time until the entire Ger
man fleet will come boldly into the
open sea to give battle for the su
premacy of the oceans.
"My Official Wife,” in five acts,
drew a big attendance at the Em
press last evening. And it was so
fine that many will see it again this
evening for the last time. “Tilly’s
Punctured Romance,” a six act feat
ure comedy, which is a Marie Dress
ier and Chas. Chaplin masterpiece; on
Thursday.
i _ ,
Weather Report.
Valdez, Feb. 6, 1916.
Barometric pressure .30.187
Temperature p. m.19
Maximum temperature ......32
Minimum temperature . 5
Mean temperature ..18.5
Clear, light wind, southwest 10
miles.
_
Interior Weather.
Valdez, February 7, 1916.
Fairbanks, —10; clear, calm.
Salcha, —11; clear, calm.
Richardson, —12; clear, calm.
McCarthy, —11; cloudy, calm.
Donnelly, —18; cloudy, calm.
McCallum, —11; 46 inches snow;
clear, calm.
Paxson, —6; 36 Inches of snow;
clear, calm, trail good.
Hogan, —3; 21 inches of snow;
cleah calm, trail good.
Gulkana, —27; 21 Inches snow;
part cloudy, calm, trail good.
Copper Center, —32; 28 inches of
snow; clear, calm, trau good.
Teikhell, —12; 30 inches of
snok; clear, calm, trail good.
Beaver Dam, —17; 46 Inches of
snow; clear, calln, trail drifted.
{summit, 2 above, 60 inches snow;
clear, windy, trail drafted.
Wortman’s, 6 above; 40 Inches of
snow; clear, trail fair north and good
south.
W. Glenn, who came up from the
property of the Alaska Mines Corpo
ration at Fidalgo bay last Friday,
will leave on the Northwestern for
Cordova, where he #111 he employed
in the work of building the caissons
at the big bridge at Idle 40.
MIR LEAVING
FOR PEACE RIVFR
Veteran Prospector who Came to
Alaska in 1803, Has Traveled
fiver North and Returns
to Old Camps.
_ j
* ;
James Neill, a vete.ran prospector
who- came to Alaska fifty-two years
ago, will be a passenger on the North
western from Valdez bound for the
Peace river district. He recently ar
rived here from the Broad Pass coun
try, where he spend several months
Investigating the possibilities of that
camp.
Mr. Neill, who celebrated his sev
enty-eighth birthday on January 10,
believes that the Broad Pass district
is sure to become a wonderful camp,
but that it will be many years before
the big bodies of low grade ore there
will be developed. He says that it is
not a poor man’s camp and warns
miners looking for work or quick re
turns to stay away from Broad Pass.
He says there are mountains of ore
there which can only be bandied by
capital, and big capital at that. He
has been in nearly every camp in
Alaska.
The veteran prospector followed
the stampedes in north British Col
umbia up the Frazer river until they
led him over the divide into the Cas
siar country. He spent some time
prospecting on the Peace. Peel and
other rivers, and although he found
places where he could take out as
high as $7 per day in gold that
amount was not sufficient to enable
a prospector to live in the country at
that time.
Neill and two companions came
down the Stikine river in the fall of
1863 and landed at Wrangell, which
was then an important Indian camp.
From Wrangell they made their way
down to coast to Victoria in an open
boat.
LIBERTY THEATRE
CROWDED EAST NIGHT
The Liberty Theatre drew good
crowds at both the first and second
shows last night and those who at
tended were rewarded by witnessing
a number of splendid reels. The big
crowds enjoyed the comedies and
many of the spectators remarked that
the films wer^. among the best ever
%een in Alaska. Reinke's orchestra
supplied the music and was supple
mented by Mr. and Mrs. Kirby, recent
additions to the musical circles of
Valdez. Reinke ahd Weber were
equally good and the patrons of the
house hope to see them often.
!
SEATTLE IS RECOVERING
FROM GREAT STORM
SEATTLE, Feb. 7.—Seattle is be
ginning to recover from the great
snowfall and street cars are now
running regplarly in certain sections
of the city. At many places the tracks
are covered to a depth of twelve
inches with solid ice which will re
quire to be chopped away.
Trains which were delayed in the
Cascades for more than twenty-four
hours by an avalanche have arrived.
The passengers report that a crew of
thirty trackmen were caught in a
slide and buried under several feet
of snow. By hard work all were
released after three hours and were
found to be still alive. Seven of the
workmen suffered serious injuries
and were brought to Seattle for treat
ment.
JOHN RADOVICH LAID
IN LAST RESTING PLACE
Funeral services were held over
the remains of the late John Rado
vich at the Catholic church; yester
day morning and were attended by a
large crowd of the miners friends.
The services were conducted by
Father J. S. Corbett, who delivered a
very impressive funeral sermon. The
remains were laid to rest in the local
cemetery.
Dog Race at Anchorage.
Four teams took part in the dog
raoe between Anchorage and old
Knik which was run off on January
21. The distance is approximately
fifty-four miles and the winning team,
which was driven by a man named
Dixon, covered the course in seven
hours and fifty-two minutes. The
Qustufson team, which had been
looked upon as possible winners,
came in fourth and required'9 hours
and 30 seconds to make the course.
Eastern Star Notice.
The Eastern Star will hold an in
stallation of officers tomorrow even
ing, Tuesday, Feb. 8th, AH members
requested to attend.
2t WALTER STEWART, Sec.
Subscribe for the Prospector.
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CITY EXPRESS
will guarantee that both you and your baggage will
reach the boat on time—Let us do the
worrying.
J. A. SPENARD, Proprietor Phone 82
Independent Steam Laundry
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Telephone 66
I Foot Key hi one Ave
I Rough Dry lCc lb
UPPER T0NS1NA ROAD HOUSE
Beat of Meala—Price* Reasonable
GENERAL STORE. - TRADING POST.
Telephone connects with Chltina.
General Freighting. KNUTE NAFSTED Mgr.
MERCHANT’S CAFE
FRESH BREAD AND PASTRY DAILY
Phone 08 Clias. Fischer. Propr.
VALDEZ REAL ESTATE AGENCY
Real Estate, Insurance, General Brokerage
Absentees Business Properly Handled
Treat Building, Alaska Ave. Telephone No. 60
Mead’s Sheet Metal Works
PLLMBING, STEAM AND HOT WATER HEATING,
Street Metal Work, Mine Air Pipe, Pipe and Fittings, Valves, Etc.
Motor Boat Supplies, Paints and Oils,
located on Valdez Dock, Opposite Prospector Office. tUoue 24
ALASKA
STEAMSHIP CO.
9. 9. ALAMEDA AND 8. 8. NORTHWESTERN SAIL FROM SE
ATTLE THE 10TH, 20TH AND 80TH,
EVERY MONTH
FROM VALDEZ SOUTH—8TH, 18TH, 28TH, FOR CORDOVA,
JUNEAU, WRANGEL KETCHIKAN AND SEATTLE.
Regular freight service for Ketchikan, Wrangell. Juneau. Sheep
Creek, Treadwell, Douglas, Skagway, Cordova, Ellamar, Valdez and La
touche. Explosives, S. S. Seward, on the &th; Latouche, on the 15th; S. S.
Cordova, 25th of each month—right reserved to change this schedule
without notice
ir. B. TRACY, Geg’l Agent VALDKZ DUCK CU„ Local Agent.
Pacific Aiaska Navigation Co.
PUGET SOUND Admiral PUGET SOUND
California LillS Alaska
ALASKA
Steamers sail from Seattle at 9 P. M. on
5th, 15th, 25th—EVERY MONTH
Steadier Sailing IStb nalla Illamna aad Kadiak—All Sailing call at Kalk
aad Anchorage.
CALIFORNIA
Seattle te Saa Franclaco every Wednesday aad Saaday. connecting with
Steaaiera Yale and Harvard for Soathera California.
t
Right reserved to change schedule without notice
RICHARD J. RING WOOD, Mgr., Seattle! VALDEZ DOCK CO- Local Agt.
When You Leave
For the Outside
take the
“MILWAUKEE”
One'road—one managers enWcne service all the way
through to Chicago. It’s the Shqrt Line to the East
over , i. *
THE NEW STEEL TRAIL
For information and literature write or ask
J. C. MARTIN, Agent, Valdez, Alaska.
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST,* PAUL RY.
A E. HARRIS, Freight and Passenger Agt,
Juneau, Alaska.
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