THE IDITAROD PIONEER
Published Every Saturday Morning at Idltarod, Alaska
Vcl. 7 CHARLES A. DERRY, Editor and Publisher No. 2.H
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A QUEER “ARGUMENT”
The discussion of the prohibition question, whitu
is occupying so much space in Alaska newspapeis
at the present time, is developing some novel and
amusing “arguments,” among which the following
from the Fairbanks News-Miner is noted:
Temperance people who are opposed to prohibition, which
never prohibits, and drinking people who want their drink regu
jarly, all are of the same belief that lin y would like to si e ihe
manufacture of liquor suppressed in the t nited Slate-, to >< t
what would come of it. To date they have one example of tee
totalism to consider. Turkey is about the only "dry" country in
ihe •‘civilized" world, and while the American cannot remember
I he name of any Turk who ever became of world wide promi
nenee in letters or mental or diplomatic achievements, still un
American cannot but believe that it would be different in our cast-.
The question is one of much disturbance and trouble in America,
and the disposition to get away from the unpleasantness in Amer
lea h\ cutting out the problem through prohibiting the munu.ae
lore of booze is inherent in Americans. How to do it; l'ow we
can do it and not lake a position alongside Turkey in the civilizec.
world, i.- the question, and it is entirely un.-olved.
The inference is, ot course, that to shut oil tae
supply of intoxicants would tend to retrogression on
the part of Americans until they descended to the
level of the Turks. We have been used so long to
hearing about the unspeakable lurk that tae im
pression is general that he is of a somewhat lowei
order of mentality than the more advanced nation
alities. Vet the present world war has taught the
enemies of the Turk to greatly respect his physical
stamina, whatever may be thought of his intentc
tual attainments. The fact that Americans, who
really know comparatively little about the Turks,
may not readily recall the names of the great ones of
that nation does not argue that Turkey has not pro
duced great men. But to intimate that the wei>
known abstemiousness of the Mohammedans m the
matter of alcoholic beverages is responsible foi an
inferior mentality is the height of absurdity.
Arguing transversely, the historic enemy 0i tne
Turk, the Russian, who prior to the war was noted
for his intemperate use of alcohol, should be a giant
intellectually in comparison with the Turk. And it
is doubtful whether this can be shown.
Let us hope, no matter what may be the outcome
of the fight against alcohol, that its sponsors will
not succeed in proving to us that the exhilarating
beverage is necessary to our advancement ana
achievement.
_ . _A_
A news dispatch states that. Judge Peter A ljp§ryan. in th
naturalization court, announced that liicntof rs of to* In iuM, ,„i
Workers of the World cannot obtain citizens!-,ip papers in that
county, lie said they were undesirable. While the detailed tea
sons for the judge's decision arc not given, it is presumed trim
the oft-reiterated statement of the organization’s officials, that it
js h "revolutionary" order, and that its purpose is not to bring
about industrial peace, but dissatisfaction with the present order
of things, has been taken cognizance of. But even then it would
uj pear that the judge's action is in dangerous proximity to a
denial of the right of free speech.
DISSATISFIED REPUBLICANS
The territorial convention of the Republican
party, which met in Seward last May, has been the
cause of much recrimination on the part of dissatis
fied members of the ‘‘grand old party" throughout
Alaska. No candidate for delegate has been chosen
as yet by the committee to whose discretion that
duty, was delegated, and there are no indications so
far that the task will be performed. An open letter
to Ed Russell, editor of the Juneau Dispatch, by G.
C. Hazelett, published in the Cordova Times, voices
the general dissatisfaction of the Republicans at the
action of the convention, as dictated by the bosses.
The letter is in part as follows:
To my mind, two colosssal blunders were made in the conven
tion which will result in keeping the Republicans of the territory
far apart as they ever were. One was when the matter of
nominating Wickersham had gone as far as it had, it should have
been carried out. regardless of the fact that he would not stand
in be gagged. This very act alone will insure his election by a
thousand majority greater than iie has ever before received. The
other blunder was of a more serious nature.
When the very foundation of party organization is ruthlessly
torn away to gratify the vindictiveness of a party boss it is diffi
cult to see how a party can be built up. This was done when the
convention refused to allow each division to report the names of
iis central committeemen back to the convention for ratification,
but decided to elect them by the entire body.
I submit that no one ever heard of such a procedure in the
i history of political parties. The convention a few moments before
I had elected Judge Murane national committeeman. The conven
11n;ii stood, as a whole, in the same relation to the national organ
ization that each voting precinct entitled to a committeeman stood
to the Seward convention. Can you imagine the howl that would
go up from certain interested parties in Juneau if the national
convention would take it upon itself to elect someone in place of
Murane to represent the party in Alaska? And yet, Ed, you stood
i there and saw the thing done, and east vour vote for it.
;---♦. .
An editorial in Everybody's Magazine, discussing the question
whether preparedness leads to war, quite pertinently recalls the
fact that Prussia has been for 100 years one of the best pro
pared countries in the world for war, yet down to the opening of
the present war she had spent but two years and two months in
actual war. The United States, the most unprepared for war,
has during the same length of time been at war for a total period
of live years and nine months, while China, the prototype of
America in this respect, has fought six wars in sixty years, in
eluding fourteen years of a civil war, during which more lives
wvre sacrificed than in Europe during the present war. Seattle
P..M Intelligencer.
❖
We submit the record to the Republican critics of the Presi
dent. Arc they against him because he has not been vigorous
enough in his conduct of our foreign relations, or because he is too
vigorous? Ik) they condemn him fur being too weak in defense of
American rights, or too firm? They cannot have it both ways.
They cannot applaud Root and at the same time applaud the mu
i joritv of the Republicans of the house. They must choose one
side or the other, or else admit that their attacks upon the Presi
dent in this crisis are dishonest, insincere and unpatriotic. New
York World.
♦
The name < f the Cook Inlet Pioneer has been changed to the
Anchorag< Daily Times. Under its new management it U taking
mi metropolitan airs, and is a good index to the present thriving
condition of the railroad town.
-A
The antics in tin* Republican er.nvrntii n at Chicago, when the
Ala-ka standard was trailed around to provide amusement lor the
1 delegates, was a reminder of the time when Ala-ka itself was a:
the mercy of the Repul lican administration, and when matters of
vital importance to the territory were chivvied around at the
! whim of government bureaucrats.
-*
ALASKA RAILROADS •
(Seattle Post Intelligencer1
Private enterprise is reinforcing govern;unit enterprise in the
! development of Alaska transportation. Amu.uncement was re
I (tiitly made of the intention of the Copper River A Northwestern
j in extend its Cordova line further into the Interior. Now come.'
' the assurance that ’private enterprise has financed the proposed
| immediate construed, n of a railroad from near Controller bay to
! ihe Bering river coal fields, seventeen miles away.
Thus coal of high quality is to b* brought to tide-water by
October next and .-hip, ed to Alaska points a- well as Seattle and
ports farther south. Possibly, rbout the same time. Matunu.-ka
I coal will reach Sewn! and Anchorage and be distributed from
| these points for na\ al end comnrrcihl need-,
j The humanizing of Alaska administration and the partial op m
•ng ol the territory to commercial enterprize have had a stimu
luting eiTect. Long dormant coal claims arc taking on the form
1 of business ventures. Railroad construction is to bring those in
1 touch with the mark. t. cheapen fuel and make greater gold pro
I ductii n possible. The world’s demand for copper has further ac
I emulated Alaska progress by forcing the railroad line fr«m Si-ward
1 to extend into the wilderne s Ivy. nd the present tern inu .
| The utilities for commerce are bcinz \a-tly increased. < oal
| will soon be reaching Central Alaska from the Nenana field', and
I the south coast will be supplied in in 11 • • Bering and Matnmiska
| Hi Ids. vitalizing every indu-trv that i' touch--.-. In another year
| the northern wiMerncss will be split in twain by the arteries ol
commerce.
— «.
THE GREAT TRANSITION
(Ohio State Journal'
The vast estates owned by the aristocracy in England arc in
: the market for sale, many < f them divided up “to suit purcLa-mn.
! The war. which has changed the social and economic con litions in
England, has made it impi vible to In 1 1 ilie-e vast uame pre-erw-.
So much good tin* war has done anyhow turning the idle land
it to people who produce things for the country. H re is a
copy of an advertisement that appear.- in a London paper:
“Historic manor house in the Western Highlands. Thirty bed
and tossing rooms; several reception r ::s-. P light to! manured
(.id grounds. Ten thousand acres of shooting. I’or sale or mod
crate rental."
; The ad goes on to say that one season’s shooting in the game
! preserves resulted in 7.000 pheasant.', odd partridge', 1..»()() rao
i j'.i:*. 150 hares and many woodcock, duck and snipe, am? all for
; the delectation of aristocracy. Now much of tiis land will go
for honest t il. bread, meat and happy homes. It is a gnat trail .T
tien. showing that this planet is not for a few rail- and 1 nd'. ! ut
for everv hone.-t man who wi.l nu-.ke th ' most out of i*.
- ——A. - ~
A PROUD DISTINCTION
(Ruby Record-Citizen •
In one respect Ruby district at the present lime ran lay chum
to a distinction which is most creditable, and which affords just
ground for considerable local piidc. The eight-hour law passed
by the Alaska legislature is religiously observed throughout the
district in the letter and in the spirit without attempt at eva.Mon
or to read into the act anything whatever that it wa* not meant
to contain This is a condition probably unique in Alaska most
| certainly so in the Interior. Moreover, it appears to give perfect
j satisfaction to the operators and working miners Mike.
I Add to this the further circumstance that the clean-ups in
l every instance, so far as heard from, are materially exceeding ex
! pectations, and you have abundant justification for calling this
I an excellent little camp.
-*
USE PRESENT POWERS INTELLIGENTLY
(Petersburg Report i
! Jt appears unlikely in the extreme that the people of Alaska
j can be worked up to any great show of enthusiasm f<>r statehood
j so Png as the political interests of the territory are retained by a
few individuals and used by them solMy for the advancement of
their own selfish ends.
One of the first requisites for a larger degree of self-government
in Alaska would seem to be an intelligent use, for the benefit of
all of the people and interests in the territory, of the present
limited powers granted to the legislature and territorial officials.
Without clean party organization it is useless to hope for such
results.
Under present political conditions in the territory, Alaska as
a state would be a “rotten borough.” with her public and private
I interests subject to exploitation by unscrupulous tricksters.
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ca WYOMING SHOVELS §
§ With socket made of Mayari Steel (nickel steel from Cuban ores). The shovel with an ab- o
q solute guarantee to outwear any other shovel on the market. 00
< M.J.B. VACUUM PACKED COFFEE ^
ect cj
HAM AND BACON-Mild cure, in cold storage for fall and winter trade. j
Be conservative in stocking up on Groceries and Provisions now. Watch this space rp
for new prices later.
□ N. C. Co. Sole Agents for Alaska “cr N C. Co. Sole Agents for Alaska Q]
- - . ■ .1 ■ . ■■ "■ — - ..—— - -—-- ' —
ENJOYABLE CELEBRATION
OF GLORIOUS FOURTH
AT CREEK METROPOLIS
Despite occasional showers, which inter
fered somewhat with the carrying out of
the program, and swarms of mosquitos and
gnats which brought discomfort and irrita
tion to the holiday crowds, the celebration
of the Fourth of July at Flat was a splen
did success, and throughout the day the
creek city was crowded with visitors enjoy
ing to the utmost the holiday fun.
The day began with promsies of ideal i
weather conditions, but late in the afternoon
I showers drove the crowds to shelter. The
program was carried out in its entirety,
however, and the closing sports events,
while viewed by the crowds mainly from
distant shelter, were among the most in
teresting (*f the day.
As in all public celebrations in this dis
trict,, the crowds were somewhat slow in
gathering for the exercises, and it was fully
3 o’clock in the afternoon when the chair
man of the day. Dr. Moore, introduced A.
M. Kilgore to make the oration of the oc
casion. A grandstand had been erected on
the ball grounds, and this was completely
occupied, while scores stood on the field
to listen to the address.
A Sp• endicJ Address
i Professor Kilgore took for the subject ol
his address "The Development of Democ
racy.” After a few introductory remarks
:.s to what constituted the usual Fourth of
duly address, Mr. Kilgore plunged into his
subject. He traced throughout history the
growth and development of democratic
ideals, and pointed out the bearing which
different epochs and historical events had
m bringing to fruition the principles em
bodied in the Declaration of Independence
and Constitution of the United States. He
drew lessons from the various important
events m American history, and showed
their effect on our present laws and Institu
tions. The speaker, while not contending,
that our system of government was perfect,
and while admitting that abuses of power
still existed, maintained that the rem
edies were in the hands of the people them
el .vs. His peroration was an eloquent
effort, and at its conclusion he was roundly
applauded.
The Sports Program
George Mntchler. as chairman (if the
sports committee, then announced the com
mencement of that pari of the exercises
with the ladies' race.
There were three contestants for this
event. The first prize, $10. was won by
Mis-: A M. 1 loan, and the second prize of
$f» was won by Mr-. Kb King.
Buys’ Race R. J. llivers first (Sou
Peter Bagoy second (e2.o0 .
( (ini’ Race Charlotte Horvat first
i $o.0u u K-ther Sirandberg second i$2.b<) ;
j Florence King third. ($1.00', Della Me
j 1):iv. * !i fourth 1 $1.00 .
Three fi gged Rac< The first prize. $10,
: v a- won by Jack Mutehh r and George Kay ;
. 1' V. R. Riv*
I ers. two young.lers who. inspite of the
j etiorts ot the spectators t>» secure a hain.i
: cap for them, imfi-ted on running on equal
; term.' with the men. And at that their adult
opponent.- i nly n >ed out on them by a
very minow margin. ^
Ladie>’ V.*% Race Ai:>. R. Lowne won
; iir.-? : rize, >10, and Mi.-s A. M. I*loan dec
1 «»'i.
1.allies’ Nail driving Conte.-t The first
prize. sT-’. was \v n hy Mrs i.. 1). Carter,
anti the see,'ltd. hy Mrs. Henry Kiley.
! This event brought out several contestants
end dcvclsped much dexter fy among the
fair sex in this useful pioneer accomplish
; ment. And tltere were no “busted ’ fingers.
! either.
Hnrse K.,c< George Mutehler, riding
"Billy,” w,,n the purse of ?7.>, beating
"Goldie,” ridden by Mead Maynard, in two
trusts out of three.
| Mu'e Race Dave Mutehler won two
j straight heat-, and was awarded the prize
i , f >50. Mike Bozich was second. Yeager
i thitd. Maynard fourifl and Jack Mutehler
i fifth. 1 he above are the names of the
j. , keys, not the mules.
Tug-.f-War The team captained by 1-red
Dieksen won first money, ffS5. from Martin
Josephson’s team, which was given the see
I ond prize of SoO.
The Baseball Game
A baseball game between teams represent
i ittg Iditarod and the Yukon Gold Company
; wa.- called at th" end of the third inning
j on account of rain. The score at that time
; was 0 to 2 in favor of Iditarod. The bat
terics were: Iditarod. Jack Mutehler and
j Louis Seyier; Y. G. Co.. George and Jimmie
Kav.
The Ball
1 Moose ht.ll was comfortably tilled in tlie
| evening at the concluding event of the day's
festit itios. the grand ball. The music was
furnished by Messrs. Taylor, Lowrie and
' Jacobs, and dancing was indulged in until
! a late hour. The hall was gorgeously dec
orated, and in combination with the many
pretty costumes of the ladies, presented a
most attractive picture. The arrangements
for this feature of the day’s program were
in charge of Ivan Wales, and he is entitled
to great credit for the thoroughness of his
work. The dance was generally voted to be
one of the most enjoyable features of the
celebration.
Notes of the Celebration
It was not a “safe and sane” Fourth, in
the strictest sense of the word, as the kiddies
were amply provided with fireworks. Luck
ily. however, there were no accidents attrib
utable to this feature.
Iditarod was well represented at the cele
bration, although many balked at the long
hike and the mosquitos. Had transporta
tion facilities been provided practically the
whole population would have attended.
The outlying creeks had many representa
tives present, but owing to the fact that
most of the operators were constrained to
there was no general shut-down of the
therew as no general shut-down of the
mines. Many of the miners mushed many
miles after the day’s work was done to be
present at the evening features of the pro
gram.
Many small wagers were made on the
horse and mule races, and a certain leading
jeweler and a well-known mining man have
aroused a suspicion in the minds of several
members of the fair sex that they were
made the victims of a bunko game. In
comparing notes two ladies stoutly main
tain that although they bet on different
horses they both lost. There were only two
horses in the race. A favorite method of
the amateur book-makers seems to have
been to give the would-be bettors the choice
of horses. In the event that they picked
“Bi lie” to win the bet was refused. With
the minor exceptions noted, however, their
conduct of the game seems to have been
above reproach.
Peter, the little s( of John Bagoy, had a
narrow escape from serious injury. At the
finish of the mule race he was knocked down
and rendered unconscious by one of the ani
mals, but soon recovered and appears to be
uninjured with the exception of a few
raises. Mr. Bagoy was unnecessarily
alarmed by the action of some thoughtless
person who informed him that the boy had
been killed.
There was a special meeting of the Lim
burger Club in honor of the occasion.
FLAT DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
The Democratic caucus and primaries at
Flat, to elect delegates to the Democratic
divisional convention were held on Mon
day, July 3, at 0 p. rn. The meeting was
called to order by J. (\ Jenkins. A. M.
Kilgore was elected chairman and Dr. II. K.
Moore secretary. J. (\ Jenkins. A. M. Kil
gore, Frank B. Stanley, J. \V. Herrington
and H. H. Moore were elected delegates to
the convention, which is to meet in Fair
banks on August 10. to nominate four can
didates for territorial representative, and
one candidiate for the senate from this di
vision. It is probable that the Fiat Demo
erats will be represented a? the convention
by proxy.
‘
ST. MICHAEL SAILINGS
According to inf.-rmation posted bv John
Scott. White Pass agent at Dikenian, the
.steamship Victoria is due to arrive at and
depart fjom St. Michael on the following
dates:
Arrive July S. depart July 10; arrive
August 4, depart August 0. arr.ve Septem
ber 2, depart September 4. arrive Septem
ber 29, depart September 30.
The steamship Umatilla will Dave Seattle
for Nome and St. Michael on July 20.
August 1"), September 11 and October 7.
—*
There certainly seems to be no accounting
for the origin of rumors that, circulate with
wonderful rapidity in a mining camp. Biil
Ansley. our postmaster clothier, had no
sooner reached Flat City last Tuesday to
celebrate the glorious Fourth than the in
I telligence was given currency that Judge
1 Hughes, the Republican nominee, hurl sent
to him (Bill for a pair of President sus
j penders.
I >rofcssion01
Michigan, 1881 Alaska, 1810
Kentucky, 1881
George Woodruff Albrecht
COUNSELOR AND LAWYER
IDITAROD, ALASKA
The Pioneer Attorney or Iditarod
£. M. STANTON
Attorney at Law
! Office: Corner Willow and Second Sts.
Iditarod Pioneer Building
CHAS. E. TAYLOR
Attorney at Law
BANK BLOCK
First Avenue Iditarod
Fred Harrison
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Room 1 Over Merchants Cafe
UR. MOORE
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON
DR. H. E. AURiNGER
Physician and Surgeon
Office: Flat City Hospital, Flat City
Consultation Hours in Loren: ms and by
Appointment
DR. H. EEHLA
DENTIST
FLAT CITY
f^PASyn PAP 8-YEAR-CLD GIBSON RYE
Wii a 9 3 £*% juar; de fuca and
FLAT C!TY MARC ANTONY CIGARS
Sojond St. ’ 01 o AIROO S\^IEAT CO* Phono 13
Gold St., Flat City
Mrs. Geo. Mutchler, Prop.
Nicely Furnished Rooms Barn for Horses and Dogs Baths in Connection
HARRY DONNELLEY
IEEE GENERAL MERCHANDISE
DISCOVERY, OTTER
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME
MERCHANTS9 CAFE
FIRST AYE.
GOOD MEALS
SHORT ORDERS
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT
I ROBT. SOUTAR |
Prop.
FINNEGAN 81 CAMERON;
FLAT CITY
Agency for Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs and Records <
TOEACCO CIGARS STATIONERY <
CONFECTIONERY AND BILLIARDS
C. R. Cameron Jas. F. Finnegan 4
Groceries Hardware
Glass ware China ware
Clothing
Leather and Rubber
Footwear
mcmahon
FLAT CITY