Ready To Take Up Homesteads
People Leaving Already For the Interior to Take
Up Land. Many Farms WH1 Be
Located.
Tlmt the land lows lately enacted
by congress were eagerly looked for
and wanted, may l»e judged from
the fact that just as soon as news
of the passage of the act reached
Valdez, several parties got their
outfits together and are now on
their way into the interior to take
pp homesteads, and almost every
day we have men at this office
making inquiry a; o how to proceed
in the taking up of land and also!
seeking information as to the host
locality to settle in.
The men who have a 1 ready
started in have been over the conn-;
try and know just what ground
they want. They have taken seed :
and the necessary implements, and
will, on reaching their destination,
Set up a home for the reception of;
their families. House-huilding in
Alaska is not a difficult problem
as timlier is plentiful everywhere.
The coining season will show
many fanning locations in the
Copjier river country and those
who know the country wish to get
in and take up land that in some!
previous year had struck their
fancy,hut there is no danger of the*
ground I wing monopolized, us the
whole of the Copper river valley
is remarkably good and will afford
room for thousands of settlers.
The opening up and working of
the mineral lands of the Copper
river country will afford the farmer
a good market for his products for
years to come, and give him a
jiandsome protit for his labor. That
the crops will grow luxuriantly is
evidenced by the fact that grain
scattered by the horses when lwing
fed on the winter trail takes root
and grows and makes as good a
crop as though it was planted.
Bunches of such grain growing
along the trail between here and
"Mentasta pass, indicate the location
of camps of the previous spring.
When grain planted in such a
haphazard or accidental manner
will give the results stated, there
can lw no doubt of the outcome
when, the grain is planted and
|iand)ed by a farmer.
fho rejiorts from the government
farm at Copper Center for last
season’s work were remarkably
good although the station was only
established last season and work
uui not commence until late.
1 he climatic conditions are such
a* to enable the farmer to cut and
house or stack his crops with safety,
as it but seldom rains and during
the winter the snow is rarely over
twelve or eighteen inches deep.
The agricultural department at
\\ ushington, being desirous of
obtaining a knowledge of the farm
ing possibilities of Alaska, sent Mr.
Jones out in 15(01, to go over the
country and report. He came into1
the country hv way of the Yukon '
and on Sept. 10, in company with
Mr. Oscar Fish, mail contractor,
left hagle and came across country
through the C'op|ier river valley to
Valdez. ’
Following are some extracts from
his report regarding that section:
‘‘South of theChistuehina station
the soil has a depth greater than
that on the north side of the pass,
ami here the valley of the Cop|icr
is largely made up of broad level
benches, that 1 ise one almvc another
as one goes hack from the river.
Some of these lienches are some
what sandy and probably would lie
rather dry during the summer
months; others would retain mois
ture for a long iieriod. Prospectors
speak with enthusiasm of tine farm
ing lands toward the headwaters of
the Gakona and Tazlena rivers, and
there is good land near the mouth
of each of 1111*86 streams.
“The Tazlena, tlie next stream of
inijMirtance, is easy to ford except
in time of high Water. From this
stream into Copjier Center, a dis
tance of 12 miles, there is an
^specially favorable section from
%t> agricultural standpoint. The
land stretches hack from the river
in level licnches, and the soil is n
dark rich-looking loam. A good
portion of the tract has licon hurried
over the past season and could he
cleared easily. There are some
large trees, but the timber is mostly
snialh It i» impossible to say how
much good land there is in the
Copper river valley. From my
hurried trip I have no definite
knowledge of the land «aeept that
along the trail, hut from what 1
saw, and from the opinions of
others that 1 met and talked to, there
is certainly a very large area in the
Copper river valley that is all one
could wish for in soil and exposure
from the stuiid|Miint of the agricul
turist. People throughout this
section quite generally lielieve that
there is an agricultural future for
the Copper river valley.
“At Copjrer Center Mr. Davis,
the proprietor of the hotel, showed
me some grain that had been grown
in the garden of a Mr. Holnnsn.
who formerly was in the hotel husi
ness mere, aim who has settled <«n
SO acres <4 land upon which the
town is now built. Of this grain
outs mud* a fine showing, there
being feet !♦ inches of straw, with
well filled heads of fully matured
grain. Rye stood t» feet 2 inches
high, hut the grain though fully
formed had l>een damaged some
what by the recent frosts. The
wheat showed a fine stand of tall
strong straw, the grain being in
much'the same condition as that <»f
the rye. These giains were sown
between the first and the midele of
June, and would all have made
excellent feed. I am told that,
seeding may begin here early in,
.May, in which ease spring rye and
wheat will mature, and certainly'
fall wheat and rye, a* well as bar
ley and oats, will mature perfectly, i
l also saw some grains that were 1
sown rather late in June by one of!
Captain Aliercsemhie’k meu from
seed furnished by the Sitka experi
ment station. They were similar!
to those grown in the garden of
Mr, Holman as regards maturity.”!
▲ Sailor Teamster.
Jack is every inch a sailor, but
when lie quits the sea and under
takes to drive a horse over the
trail he gets his terms somewhat
mixed. He is working for the
I'hititu Development Co. Doing
into the interior his horse missed
the trail and stepjied into the deep
snow. When assistance arrived he
informed them that the horse had
had quite a stormy time pitching,
heaving and rolling, Imt had now
settled down to a dead calm and if j
they would take hold of the rudder
ile’d manage the jib, and between ;
them lie thought they might get
the hulk afloat. He found the
jib I mom a hindrance and ordered
L»ne of tlie men to let go the main
brace, while he, himself, tried to
let go the forestays but found that
the blooming old hulk had his keel
buried too deep in the snow. He
finally sUcceded in setting the tow
adrift anil turned the bow against
the wind, hitched on to the tow and
under a fair breeze went leisurely
fin his way up the trail. Explain
ing to his neighbor how it hap
pened, he said: “A land-lublier
coming down the course struck the
horse amidships on the port side
with the end of the Jkmiiii of hie
sled, and the animal veered off a
couple of points, which brought
him broadside to the wind and
aver he went, and if we hud’nt cut
sway all the rigging he never would
have righted up.”
Sues fo* Sanugei.
The Pacific Const Company lias
libeled the steamer Georgia for
$15,000 for damages sustained by
the Valencia, February 24. The
libelunt claims the Georgia ran
into the vessel in the sound during
a thick fpg,
Scarcity of Sealskins.
Affording to Tendon advices
there will not la* more than twenty
thousand sealskin sncnucs available
for the ladies “that must walk
gay”-in the world this year. The
offerings of skins in this great
sealskin part of the world, whence
such a large amount of skins are
sh'pjaal yearly, showed a shrinkage
id 5.000 skins over the past year
a>nd a eon "idem hie shrinkage over
previous years. With cold weather
in Kuro|>c causing a good demand
and the short supply, the prices
realized were good.
The total mimWr of skins offered
was fit,206, against 63,913 last
year. There may lx> a few North
west coast skins still to arrive, hut
with only i.dll Copper island
skins to h« sold in March next, a
total deficiency of nlxnit 5,000
against last year may lx*mentioned.
Alaska—22,199, Wing half of
1901 catch (11,336), and half of
1902 catch (10,868), and 520 last
year, 25,275. These were in gixel
; sound condition. This year’s
catch Wing favorable in appear
ance, commanded slightly letter
prices.
You push the button and let nie
do the rest. Send your films or
plates and I will finish them com
plete and print copies as wanted.
L. C. Larsen, I'hotograher,
Keystone Ave., Valdez.
Can Yon Answer Them?
A eluh formed in Skugway for
tin* i>nr|M»sc of studying Alaska
history. published the following
i|iiestions for consideration at one
**f their meetings. How many of our
West citizens can answer them off
hand?
1. Why was Alaska purchased
Wy the foiled States? What cabi
net officer was instrumental in
bringing alsuit the terms of pur
chase?
'2. What influential momliers of
congress op|iosed this measure?
3. In what year was the formal
transfer made? Who were the
commissioners, and from what
l>oint did they sail?
4. Wlmt does (Jen. Uossenu sav
of the transaction?
*»_ Who was governor-general
of Alaska at that time? Who was
Czar?
That wheat was grown in Alaska
hy Russians a century ago is prov
en hy the discovery of two old flour
niills huilt hy the .subjects of the
[Czar. One of these have lieen dis
coverd on Wood Island, in South
eastern Alaska and the other in the
interior. The former mill has just
been investigated. lev R. It. Taylor
of the Smithsonian Institution.
He says the old flour mill was huilt
hy tlie Russins early in the last cen
tury
Valdez -House
?fi‘wly and Elegantly Furnished. First-Class
in Every Particular. Best Heated House in
Alaska. (Wire, Beading Booni and Parlor in Con
nection. P. P. dr N. Co. Office in Building. C. S.
Telegraph Ofl'ue next door. llaK Block from
Post-olli<:e.
J. H. Fielding, Prop.
CHURCHES SOCIETIES ETC.
Endejwmi Coxa. Chi-kcii—Cor.
Glacier Avenue and Holmrt
Street. Rev. D. W. Cram, Pastor.
Rev. G. L. Hosford, acting pastor.
Services every Sunday at 10:30 a.
in. and K p. tn. Prayer meeting
Wednesday night. Christian En
deavor Society meets Sunday even
ing at 7 o’clock. Melvin Dempsey,
President.
Cirexnr of tiik Emtha.nt—Cor.
Glacier Avenue and llohart
Street. Services on Sunday at II
a. m. and K p. m. Rev. F. S. Tav
lor, Reetor.
Orderof Alaska Moose, Pioneer
Tent No. 1. Meet in their own
Hall on Kener
vation Avenue,
Mery Thurnday
evening at 8
o’cloek. \V. H.
Crary, Killing
Spirit; Clian. (i.
Wulff, Keeper
of Wa Wa.
KxKiiiTs ok Pythias Cixb—\V.
A. Rystrom, Pres., W. E. Bouschor.
Sec". Meets 1st and 3d Monday of
each month in club rooms over
>Hmw & Williams.
\ ai.dez Masonic Ci.rFf —
Meets every Wednesday ev
ening at rooms over Shaw
* William'*, at 8 o'clock. J. W.
Leedy jircs. John Lyons, sec.
Brotherhood of Alaska Pioneer*
Arthur Rohgul, Chief, W. J.
McDonnell, Secretary.
Headunarters, Afognuk, Alaska.
\ AUJKZ Ol>l> FkIMIW’s
t Cun—Meets every
Friday even inn inehih
rooms. A. K. Heilig, Pres.; P. S.
Hunt, Sec'y.
ORLAN CLYDE CULLEN.
Counsellor-at-Law
I*. S. Supreme Court. Registered Attorney lT.
H .Patent Office, Cuitcd State* ami Foreign Pat
ent*, CaveatsJfFrade Marks and copyright*.
No. 700 7th 8t. N. W.,
. t. 8. l'mem Ollli-e.
WASHINGTON, I>. C.
VALDEZ ABSTRACTI TITLE (0.
Complete abstracts of title
to all mineral and other
claims in the Valdez Min
ing district, including the
Prince William Sound,
Copper River, Chistuchi
na and the Chisnu dis
tricts.
Abstracts Eiraislied to Vato
Tom lots
■
Valdez, Alaska
WHERE
» ? Who?
STOP
Everyone From Valdez.
AT THE
FRANKLIN !
OF COURSE.
Only First Class European Hotel in '
JUNEAU.
John T. Spickett Proprietor
—
Anyone sending a sketch and description may
quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an
inventW»n is probably patentable. Communica
tions «t rictly confident Lai. Handbook on Patents
sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents.
Patent# taken through Munn A Co. receive
special not lea, without charge, in the
Scientific American.
A handsomely illustrated weekly. largest cir
culation of any scientific journal. Terms. f3 a
4KI£~3gff
i
Brown & Hawkins
Wholesale Grocers.
NcEinky Si., North of Reservation Av.
Fresh Butter, Eggs, Vegetables
We have Just Received :i Large Consignment of New
Large Outfits Filled on Short Notice.
(’■ DKBORD J. GRIFFITH STEPHENS
Copper River Trading Post
AXI> FERRY.
at the Junction of Copier River and the Ton si a a River. Rf>AD
HOl’SF. Prospector's Supplies and Stonge. The most eentrsllv h>
catcd Roadhouse and Supply Post in the Copper River Watershed.
The Wayside Inn :
At Foot of Summit on Route to Interior. Rest Ac
comodations for Man and Beast. Freight im; to at!
Points Contracted for. Address Yaldc*.
21 Miles From Yahlex.
WILSOX, 1)A\ ISOX A* LITTLE. I’hoi-kiktohs.
Notice
To Miners and Prospectors.
On May 1st The NIZ1XA TRADING COMPANY
will erect a large handsome store in the rich Xiziim
Mining Camp, containing a ItJO.OOO stock of General
Merchandise, Hardware, ete_ which they will dis
pose of at the lowest possilde figure, as their
freighting train, consisting of 100 horses and sled.*,
will enable them to take their goods into the
interior at a very small cost.
For further particulars see M. Hass, at the
Valdez House.
Nazina Trading Co.
Herman Meyer,
General Manager
Tourist Lodging House.
Warm, Comfortable Beds, al*»
First-Class Bunks. Next Door
to Theatre Building. Third and
Alaska Avenue.
W. A. McNEILEy,
Proprietor
Seattle’s Great
Paper.
THE DAILY,
SUNDAY,
TWICE A WEEK
|
The
Post-Intelligencer, j
Staple CtpieUrte. j
' Write Em tiie.
Miy PesHBtelfl$encer. 1 to it
mm Publishes the fullest tole rnrh .
■ ll n*'Vr°m •» P-fts of the u. - j
'•'v A.i the state and locn news l».
and Sunday edition 75c pc*. month
Smttiy Pejt-lntelli*eoter. 30 to 40 Pd$es.
The largest and mist com:- etc Su i
C 0 Paper north of Sun Franc cr
m £ Special departments of hccia uix,
of fashion, of women s news. Sun
day edition $2.00 per year
| Twite i week tttioo tie settle Poit-:cte;ii en
tEL
All the news or the w -ek in .on is •
detailed lorm THE TWICE A
f | WEEK EDIT ON lb JHF BF T
\ | TWICE A WEEK PAP, RptuL.rH4i
* 1 ON THE PACIFIC COAST ..r ce ,..r
samp e copy and .. -onv.nceu
Subscript.on price $; to p,r y.ae.
Att P0S1 MASTERS Mil, io.,eS Bsc?IPH£;, .
POST • JIEll.tiiRUk .c*41.It. it,y.
S. P. WESTON, Bu m, ss M ,lia ,.r
k'VKCA'A A A AT*< _
You can’t begin to write a letter
to the old folks or the wife, that
will convey half the information
the PKosPEiTOK does. Send it to
them.
PATENTS
£S£*S£KEE3£nms
OCCAM A. MICHEL MAMTlilBnMM...
t.