■ HE SD5TAROD PIONEER
Pul ! shod Every Saturday Morning at Iditarod, Alaska
Vol. 7 CHARLES A. DERRY, Editor and Publisher No. 15
Subscription Rates
Cnr Ycrr $10.00
SI* Wen I s 5.00
one monm ^\
Single Copy -25 |
Advertising Rates on Application
THE LATEST STAMPEDE
It \ ould be extremely umvise a* this time, with
the amount of knowledge at hand with reference to!
ilu- .a w strike in the Innoko country, for any person ,
or newspaper to make predictions as to the extent,
or value of the new find. That good pay has been |
uncoxcred in two shafts sunk to bedrock, that the
the formation is fax’orable, and that indications oi
mold in paying quantities are to be found oxer a
large .area, is the sum total of information at present
at haiyd.
[lie Pioneer will make an ebort to secure tiom
time to time reliable news from the new district, and
to publish accurate information to the world on the
subject. At the present time li can safelv be saia
that Mastodon creek, with its tnbutaiies. Boob mid
Hurst, furnish every indication that new deposits of
mine a’, of extensive value will be developed, and it
is not at all unlikely that one of the most important
finds ri years has been made.
♦
THE PRESIDENT’S POSITION
Those who are inclined to criticize President V,il
son lor his attitude on the submarine question and
the nterference with our commerce by belligerent
nail, 's mav find material for serious thought in Mr.
V i! • .:;'s reply to Senator Stone. It must also be
ren - nbered that the President’s attitude on these
ques ions is fully indorsed by many of the most able
men in congress, without regard to political affilia
tion The letter is as follows:
yj j i,,;. y, >• I vi'iv warmly .e-p'-ir c y ur kind, frank
>,-, 'r day. ami fed that if Vail- f r all equally frank reply. You
, • . hi assuming lhat I .-hull <lo everything in my power 1
. ■; . - 1 think the <• .untry will feei no une-.'.-iness about
.... , >a— in tlis-.l respect. Through many anxious month.- 1
| .-riven for that object amidst diili.nl ies more mnml. 1.1
tin,-i an have l.,.1 .-ii a:-- oi-nt upon tile surface, ami so far I have
Mh.c 1 I,..- ham- that 1 -hall continue to succeed.
"ii a course \vl ioh the central Kuropean powers have anmmnceii
ther mc.ii :i of .'olio wing in the f fur.- woh rev rd to undersea
waif e seems for the moment to threaten insuperable ob-tacies.
but 1 s apparent meaning is so manitestiy inconsistent with ex
I lie i■ assurances recently given us 1 >y th“se power- with e-gaid
to r -ir treatment of merchant \ — Is on the higl
mu;- relieve that explanations will presently ensue which will put
i' I rent aspect on it. We have no reason to question their gi od
fai i .r their fidelity to their pr ntises n the past, and 1 t 1 one
feei iiifident that wp shall have none in tin future.
'I it in any event, our duty is dear. No nation or group of
nan is has right while war i- in progress to alter or disreguro
prim-.pies which all nations have agreed upon in mitiga i -n oi
thj riTOft and .till. rings of war. and if the clear right of Amen
can , itizeus should ev.-r unhappily be abridged or denied by any
sud action we should, it seems to me. have in honor no choice as
t■ ■ v ; at our own course should 1"'
' ,r my own part. 1 cannot consent to any abridgement of the
right of American citizens in any respect. I he imte.r arid - i;
re.-p -t of the nation is involved. We covet peace, and shall pr-1
sc:\ it at any cost but the loss of honor. To forbid our people
to f -rcise their rights so far a.- we mighi be o:d!.-d upon to vindi
tl . hem would be deep humiliation. Indeed, it would be an im
pi .. all but an explicit -acquiescence in the violation eu the
rial ’ - of mankind everywhere, and whatever the nation or allegi
am .1 would be deliberate abdication of our liberty and proud
j os t un as spokesman, - veil amid the turmoil of war, for law and
ii :!t. It would make everything this government has attempted
i •-. everything that it has achieved during this terrible struggii
u! i. itions meaningless :.nd futile.
1 is important to reflect that if in this instance we allow ex
0 - . -ncy to lake the place of principle, the door would inevitably
pen to still further concession-. Once accept a -ingle abate
- . o. rest, and many other humiliations would certainly follow,
: i the whole fine fabric of the law might crumble under our
hards piece by piece. What we are contending for in tins matter
i- -1 e very essence of things that have made America a sovereign
ua , in. She cannot yield them without conceding her own im
|0 ncy as a nation, and making a virtual surrender of her inde
1 ei lent position among the nations of the world. I am speaking,
i.r dear senator, in deep solemnity, without h".it. with a clear
eoi rciousness of the high responsibilities of my -mice, and as your
. a -re and devoted friend. If we should unhappily differ it must
lie as friends, but where issues so momentous as these are in
vol-ed, we must, just because we are friends, sneak our minds
without resri'vauon. W OODROW WILSON.
V
REGULATING THE FISHERIES
The bil! which has been introduced in the national
house of representatives by Mr. Carlin of Virginia,
to regulate the fishing industry of Alaska, and which
is indorsed by Secretary Redfield of the department
or commerce, continues to agitate the residents of
this territory as no other bill in recent months has
done. The measure seeks to take from the terri
tory the power to tax the products of the fisheries
and to prescribe rules governing the catching and
propagation of fish.
No very exhaustive defense of the views of the
secretary of commerce on this subject have been
circulated; but it appears that the theory is that
dual taxation of the fisheries is unjust, and that as
the federal government reserves the power to regu
late the industry it should not be interfered with in
its dealings with the men engaged in the business.
There is very justly a strong feeling that the men
engaged in the fishing industry in Alaska are not
paying their just share of the territory’s expendi
tures. They are enjoying the benefits of one of the
greatest natural food resources with which a coun
try ever was endowed, and immense fortunes have
been made in the business. Despite the fact that
stringent regulations have been enacted for the reg
ulation of the business, it is well known that the in
adequate official force has been unable to enforce
them, with the result that streams have been ruined
as spawning ground and there has been wanton
waste of fish. It is with the view of properly con
serving the fish resources of the territory that the
new bill has been introduced, and to make provision
for the proper policing of the waters adjacent to
Alaska’s shores.
No one will quarrel with the department as to its
endeavors along these lines. Alaskans more than
any others are interested in rightful efforts in this
direction, and they should receive the co-operaton
of our officials and the legislature. But these indus
tries are peculiar in one respect--they contribute
less in an indircet way to the upbuilding of the ter
ritory than any other industry, while reaping crim
inous benefits. The canneries along the Alaska
coasts are operated in great part by men who reside
elsewhere; the men employed by them are brought
into the country each season and returned to the
Outside at its close; the supplies used by them in the
season’s work also are brought here by them. Prac
tically no business man and but few laborers of
Alaska are benefited one cent by the enormous
salmon-canning industry which annually takes from
Alaskan waters millions of dollars’ worth ol fish
products which would seem to be m some measure
the natural heritage of the residents of this territory.
If is for this reason that what might look like dual
taxation to the federal authorities is a poor recom
pense at best for the immense privileges enjoyed by
these men.
Delegate Wickersham is said to be working stren
uously lor the defeat of this measure. No man m
congress is better able to speak authoritatively on
the subject of Alaska fisheries than he, and there is
little doubt that his words will carry great weight.
A
THAT NEW DISTRICT
The Fairbanks Times of February 28 contained
the following with reference to tire new recording
precinct of Reindeer, on the lower Kuskokwim:
Si me lime ago there appeared in the Times an article t-lling
,.f the creation of a new district in the lower Kuskokwim vmil y
w:’h Hi ini •*er a> the recording point, and the naming of a ci m
n is.-ioner f.»r the new district by Judge Brown "f the Ihiru divi
-ion. Judge Bunnell has received from Judge Brown the follow
ing telegram, which is self explanatory:
“1 ast Julv I created Reindeer r.immi.-sioner precinct, with
I'cadouarters on Canyon creek, about one hundred miles ('ast of
Bethel. Description a.- follows: Beginning at a point on Ku.-ko
kwim. which is northwest point of Third judicial dividon, which
i- thp dividing line of tin Third division, thence eagerly to the
i.i!.* hundred fifty ninth meridian of we-; l-rngitude. thence - >ut.'i
\ j tlie watershed rat the vvat
nto Bristol bay from th.se flowing into Kuskokwim river and
Bii mg >ea to Cape .\ewenham. thence northerly ah ng the coa. :
line of Bering ,-ra and Kuskokwim river to place of b-pinmng on
the Kusl: »kwim. I have ;.l o recommended tha’ this territory i •
included in the Second divi.-ion. BROW \. Judge.
The country ab »ve de-enb'd general!;, spet.kuig. cut <d
from the outer world, exca pt by a reativ hard trip with d"g- In
the summer the schooner Bender Brothers makes a trip it two
into the country, but generally -peaking, there is no wav 01 ( uu ,
municating with the outer world at all. It i- re: !iy in no divi
.-ion. allhougli the lines are defined w 11. and there i< seldom ;-.ny
thing in a mining line there, although them are a few men whs
have wandered there and have been "living there for sum* y-am.
Tin above is the first authentic report ihat iia b-m reco.wd in
the Interior regarding the creation of the new di-trmf.
The news that the Canyon creek country is "cut
off from the outer world, that it “reaiiv is m no divi
sion," and that "there is seldom anything in a min
in'? !me there” will be of interest to residents of the
Kuskokwim country, who have been watching devel
opments m that region for the pa. t two years. I tie
statement that “the above is the first authentic re
port” regarding he creation of the new d,.strict is,
not consistent with the fact that tne creation of the
new district was noted in The Pioneer at the tune,
and tlial the j lines' original news item on the sub
ject came from this source.
<*
Tli:' m'\v ■ ;ui! li.-hed in The Pioneer 1:.-’ week, to tire effect that
t).. Greek i hurch authorities had determined to abandon their
missions in Alaska is of much significance to the natives of the
lower Ku-kukwim and Yukon valleys, as well as u die whites of
thorn regions. There has, of course, been -nine reluctance on the
part of other church denominations to send missions into fields
already occupied by the Greek church, and as a n-ul the natives
for the most part are adherents of that faith. Now that the mis
sionaries are to be withdrawn it is probable that the field will lie
invaded by teachers and preachers of other denominations. The
C t.-r-qurnce will be that the simple mind of the native will be
confused, as he will have to unlearn a l it of religion.- beliefs and
ceremonies villi which lie has be n familiar, with the natural con
sequence that his faitli will be undermined to a creat extent.
<8
The engineering commission has asked for ju-t 1 170.000
pounds of meat for the year beginninig July 1. and the question
now is, how many men will be required to eat it? Does a work
ingman eat two pounds of meat a day? Let us say he does, and
that would make a little over 700 pounds for each man during: the
year. This would mean that the commission figures on employing
more than 1,000 men on railroad work in that division alone in
the coming year Reward Gateway.
In these warh .e/times the Gateway should know that the gov
ernment ration calls for 1'4 pounds of fresh meat, and might also
know that this is a great plenty, so that 456 pounds would give
a man his full quota for each of the 365 days of the year. This
would call for 2,565 men instead of the measly 1,600 as computed
bv the Gateway.
----
There is something peculiar in the fact that Delegate Wicker
sham has introduced a bill for “full territorial government” fur
Alaska, the agitation for which measure was started as a weapon
against the delegate himself. It may in time be explained; but at
present it looks as though the astute Wick were stealing the thun
der of his enemies,, The Juneau Empire says: “If the friends of
Delegate Wiekersham really desire to strengthen the delegate’s
position they will endeavor to aid and encourage him in securing
the passage of the bill increasing the governmental powers of the
people of Alaska, and quit attempting to throw dust in the eyes
of the people.” And there are those who would like to know
whether the Juneau paper really desires to "strengthen the dele
gate’s position.”
♦ -
While it seems more likely every day that Roosevelt will be
the Republican candidate for President, he seems determined by
his undignified utterances to make it impossible for the old-line
Republicans to follow him. In a recent interview he is quoted
as saying: “I am not for any particular Republican candidate for
the presidency. But I am against the re-election of Woodrow'
Wilson. He has deadened the conscience of American people by
his foreign policy. There are only two things he is afraid of. I
am one and the kaiser is the other.”
--♦
The chief objection to the delegate’s bill (to provide “full ter
ritorial government” for Alaska I is that it is not a law, and that
is a defect that the delegate can remedy if he will throw all of
his energy behind it.” So says the Juneau Empire. The great
ability ascribed to Wiekersham by his opponents is a tardy recog
nition of what has been apparent to the majority of the people of
Alaska for years.
-♦
In announcing the terms upon which he would “accept” the
Republican nomination for President, Roosevelt uses almost the
exact terms of that famous Iditarod dispatch. Only his extreme
modesty prevented his use of the phrase about the prophet, etc.
THE STAMPEDER
The following verses have been sent to
The Pioneer anonymously for publication, j
They probably have been printed before,
but will lose nothing by repetition. We ire
not advised as to the author's identity:
When Prospector Bill tired of earthly exi.-t
ence,
Of tramping the hills and the deserts
with 1 ate,
He gave up tin* struggle with I n!- re
sist ance
And lot the lone trail to the :rn ai, pearly
gate.
Si. Peter, one eye at the peep lml \ espied
him.
“And what have you done to earn rest
in the fold?”
Bill answer: d, with visions of heaven denied
him,
“1 peopled earth’.' d *-ers hv locating i
p'-i-i.”
“ A orrspector! Mercy'.’' his voice was un ]
at each
“Bold pilgrim,” he questioned, “hast <'V<-r
been told
That heaven is full of your brethren n
ready7
Thev ruin our streets digging hopes to find
g' i l.”
Old Bill scratched his head, then a gleam
lit his features.
“Just let me come in.” he entreated; “I1
know
A way to rid heave i of all of those crea
tores.
And. failing. I promise to gel out and go.’
1 St. Peter looked puzzled, half doubting, half
hoping.
"If cr.ly you could. Bill!” he said with a
sigh
“You Know not the trouble with which you
arc coping.
But. anyhow, enter you might as well
try.”
'Hie portal swung open. Bill lost not a
minute.
Approaching the culprits, all digging pel!
null,
if!" -or. ad f no r. .'d lidu n i *r an mere w a
in it
‘ That l !•! ha i been struck m the vortex
( i' hell!
And then something happened, as Bill hail
exoected.
1 Bela v’iiir the yarn of this angel pro tern.,
j The n id throng stampeded, and heaven re
jected,
Began a wild race to the dev 1 • iwn
realm.
• W'fil i'i’iu1," 'aid the sain*, in hi> happiest
humor;
-IP ■ Bill he continued. in words topse
j uih! low.
, (• ,,-j i thpj ! s aveii ■ wirewtle t, be fin It
by a rumor?
i Per1 ■ t- there i- gold in the reahn down
below."
| B 11 tot k ' ip- inrig breath as an angel mi
inert al.
Vet saw the will tumult! Act hi ard ihi
dm swell!
“G d 1 V( ! ’ h * yell 1 but k, is he dasl 1
thr ugh the Mortals.
Ynd r u ht in the r«a r on the stampede
to hell!
! GEORGE GRIGSBY OF NOME
INDORSED FOR DELEGATE
Chari ‘s Seizor for member of the no
11••!!:. 1 committee; George Grigsby for del"
•j;; - »,) congress, and Hugh tlN'oIl for at
1 t-ii’cv guv-ral of The Territory of Ala-ka.
were the indorsees of the Democratic dele
! gates of me Second divi.don at Nome, ac
f ordmg to the Cordova Time- of March 4
The meeting was a hot session, and there
| was n ) di ly fl;.living with any <ji:e-gi.m. The
i delegates seemed unanimous on the u rk be
j tore them.
| The appointment of ‘outleaders" to fed
| era! officer was strongly denounced, but the
I ieiew*.;: n solidly pointed with pride to the
appoint inputs to the judicial bench of R. V\
fennings and Charles IT Bunnell.
cs.
EDITOR THOMPSON ON THE JO?
The Seward Hutew.v of March 11 says
tha: \V. 1. Thompson, editor ol the T • ir
hanks News-Miner. was an arrival in that
: ci'y on the Alaska, and is spending a few
' days in town before hitting the trail t »r
(Trdova and the Interi or. He has been in
; the States during the winter.
| Try the Regina Hotel for : nod bed-.
CLEANING AMD PRESSING
ALL KINDS OF FUR WORK
Suits Cleaned and Pressed, Fur Coats and
Robes Lined, and All Kinds of
Fur Work Done
W3RS. CHAS. LARSON
Orders may be left with Mrs. Thornton
If You Are Interested in
life f n s u r a n c e
Let ms talk it over with you
EARL 3. HUNT
Bros.
GENERAL
FREIGHTERS
DAILY STAGE SERVICE
FLAT CITY HOHBACK & DURAND
Bst. the Grand and Bagoy's Bars
THE BEST ALL THE TIME
WE ARE HERE TO STAY
I
Best of Everything
ALL TIIK TiMi: AT TH K
ik rpp d& 3
b i & ''rf- Co w vta^ Cz. a w»
FL.AT CITY
Open Day ami Night
Mr. Business Man: Don’t allow your
stock of siaiir rierv nr other printed matter
to be entirely i! ■ leted before ordering a
n ■ ;Ut : ly Do i. n w Toe Pioneer.
I )rofe«suonfcil
Michigan, 1881 Alaska, 1V10
Kentucky, 139 1
George Woodruff Albrecht
COUNSELOR AND LAWYER
1DITAROD, ALACKA
The I'lonpfr Mtomey of Jditarod
E. M. STANTON
Attorney at Law
OfTitri*: (‘orner Willow and Second Sts.
P itarod Pioneer Building
CHAS. E. TAYLOR
Attorney at Law
BANK BLOCK
First Avenue Iditarod
i_
Fre d Ha rris o n
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Room 1 Over Merchants Cafe
DR. MOORE
PHYSICIAN AMD SURGECN
j
DR. H. E. AURJf^SER
i
Off.ce: Flat City Hospital, Fiat City
^ Cnnsul'.a'.S.H I! urs in F renjona and by
A;,; ointment
DR. H. BEHLA
FLAT CITY
Will Arrive n Iditarod by the first boat -
1 the spring
F77M F
f' * -« r '' f»s!& *cp!xii>\ t* ■-]
Si h 'im!? <*ije B B
Eoiondc.lDiTAROD MEAT
Gold St., Flat City
t lip 6 wpgb
u iiU ^8?^ y felEtyi Mrs. Gee. Mutchler, Prop.
Nicely Furnished Rooms Cam for Horses and Deg: Baths in Connection
HARRY DONNELLEY
EHE2I GENERAL MERCHANDISE
DISCOVERY, OTTER
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME
fTS" FE
GOOD MEALS _
zsso&smzSHORT ORDERS msms^sxa^s
r.n-nri rs i i ..iriiT Si§S18SESS8a8SiE!80
FIRST AVE. OPEN DAY AND NIGHT
Prop.
We Have a Complete Line of
In Hardware we carry Axes, Saws, Mads, Wedges, Picks, Shovels, Sluice Fcrks, Stoves and Stove
pipe, Door Locks, Hinges, Files and other small hardware.
We have a Clothing Department where you can be supplied with Bib and Waist Overalls, Khaki
Suits, Woollen Pants, Overshirts, Underwear, Rubber Boots and Pacs, Socks, Mitts and Gloves,
It you are making the usual spring repairs on your house we can supply you with Building Paper,
Burlap, Oilcloth, Paints, Oil and Varnish.
Me MAHON
GENERAL MERCHANDISE FLAT CITY