Iditarod Traction Go.] THitsiPi id f^i fiTiPPP I®1md Traction Co.
Will Open Iditarod and Flat Offices Aw A L CA A ’ * vA JL A \Jr A A V V/A Will Open Iditarod and Fiat Offices
on April 1st. ____on April 1st._
One Dollar Per Month. IDITAROD, ALASKA, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 23, 1912. __ Two Pits Per Copy
CAPT. PETERSEN
RILLS HIMSELF
Last Thursday forenoon, a fen min
ute* before 11 o’clock, Captain Axel
Harald l’etersen shot himself through
the head with a revolver, in his room
over the Miners and Merchants bank.
He died shortly after 5 in the after
noon without regaining consciousness.
Shortly before the tragedy Harry
Gardner went to Capt. Petersen’s room
and knocked at the door, and the latter
said he would be down stairs in a mo
ment. Capt. Petersen not appearing,
Mr. Gardner again went to the room
and opened the door. He saw Capt.
Petersen lying across the bed, a re
volver grasped in his right hand and
blood flowing from a wound in the
right temple. Mr. Gardner summoned
Deputy Marshal Sheppard, who went
to the scene accompanied by Deputy
Marshal Kelday. The revolver was
still clasped in the wounded man’s
hand, and there is no doubt that the
injury tiad been inflicted with suicidal
intent.
Dr. Wortmann was summoned and
examined the wound. The bullet en
tered the right temple, passed directly
through the head and emerged behind
tlie left ear. The doctor pronounced
the wound fatal, and the dying man
was not removed to the hospital.
Inquest Held
Commissioner Stanton summoned a
coroner's jury, and an inquest was held
Friday at 11 o’clock. The evidence
showed that Capt. Petersen had been
il -missed from his position as book
k:ept*;' for the Umpire Commercial
Company upon the arrival of the mail
last Tuesday evening. Thereafter he
drank heavily, and went to bed over
the Northern saloon about 11 o’clock
Wednesday morning, and staid there
until about 9 on Thursday. When he
left he was sober and did not appear
depressed. When Harry Gardner first
went to Capt. Petersen’s room, shortly
before the tragedy, Petersen said to
him: "I was drunk yesterday and pul
out some checks.” ‘‘All right,” Gard
ner answered, ‘‘we'll fix that up when
you come down.” The checks referred
to are probably two of $25 each issued
to the Northern saloon.
A note had been left on Capt. Peter
sen's table, bidding goodbye to Carl
Staluaker, bartender at the Northern,
and thanking him for favors and friend
ship. Written directions had also been
left regarding some small business
matters.
The evidence ail showed that the
deed had been carefully planned. A
mirror in the room was in position de
noting that it was being looked into
when the shot was fired. The jury's
verdict accorded with these facts.
Wa9 Very Sensitive
Captain Petersen was sensitive al
most to peevishness. His many friends
were aware of this characteristic and
made allowance for it. Aside from
this his disposition was gentle, and
anything like selGshuesi was foreign
to his nature. He was always cheerful,
and no oue seemed to take life easier.
He was born in Denmark May 25,
1.374. Two years ago he returned to
that country and served in the army a
short while, according to the rules
governing in such cases. He came to
Iditarod 21 months to a day before his
death, and had resided in Nome several
-jars where he held several responsi
ble positions.
The Funera I
The fuueral will take place at A. B.
hall at 2 o’clock Sunday, March 24,
under the auspices of the city council,
of which body he was a member.
NOTICE
The funeral of the late Axel Harald
Petersen will take place from A. B.
hall Sunday. March 24, 1912, at 2 p.m.
Services will he conducted under the
auspices of the common council of Idit
arod. J. D. BARNES,
Mayor.
The Star Coffee House
Felvig A Peterson, on Willow street,
will reopen for regular summer busi
ness next Tutsday, April 26, serving
regular dinners daily from 5 to 8 p.m.
BILL AHSLEY’S BIRTHDAY PARTY
William Ansley yesterday gave a
dinner party to a number of friends at
Keys' cafe in honor of his 45 birthday.
The dinner was fine, and was washed
down with wine of approved vintage.
Among tit039 present were Mr. and
MrS. Bob Sou tar t Mr. and Mrs. Manuel
Gulart*. Ft%ok Guiana and Paul
fEudwelsar) Reimer._
lnfinito, Humboldt, Cuerte Key, Op
timo, Lovera, Bock and a fine line of
Puerto Rico Cigars at Empire Com
wwrciRl Co
TEDDY CRITICISES TAFT
New York, March 22.—In his first real speech in his campaign
for the Presidential nomination, Col. Roosevelt declared here that
President Taft expresses lack of confidence in the people’s integ
rity and intelligence when they vote at the polls. Roosevelt will
take the stump and tour Atlantic cities and the Middle West.
Grand Forks, N. D., March 22.—Senator La Follette received
12,000 majority in the Presidential primaries in North Dakota,
beating both Roosevelt and Taft.
Boston, March *22.—President Taft declares for Presidential
primaries if the people want them.
Columbus, March 22. —Presidential primaries will be held in
Ohio May 21.
Lincoln, Neb., March 22.—As between the Republican candi
dates, William Jennings Bryan says La Follette deserves to win.
PLOT TO ASSASSINATE PHILANDER
New Orleans, La., March 22.—A plot has been discovered
having for its purpose the assassination of Secretary of State Phil
ander C. Knox, who is on a tour of South America. The assassi
nation had been planned to take place while the Secretary was in
Nicaragua. It is said many leading liberals of Nicaragua will be
put to death on account, of their connection with the affair
Washington, March 22.—There is no confirmation hereof the
reported plot to assassinate Secretary Knox in Nicaragua.
TO HOLD INQUEST IN NELSONS CASE
The inquest in the case of the Nelson brothers murder will be
held at Georgetown by Commissioner Ed J. Stier. This is in
accordance with instructions received from court headquarters at
Fairbanks.
Deputy Marshal John R. Kelday is leaving today to be pres
ent and assist in the proceedings. After the inquest has been
finished the bodies will be given in charge of Nels Nelson, brother
of the murdered men, if he wauts to take charge of them; other
wise they will be buried by the officials.
Bodies Will Be Taken Outside.
It is understood that Mr. Nelson will start over to the Kusko
kwim Monday morning, prepared to care for the bodies and pre
pare them for shipment Outside later, with the object of having
them finally buried at their old home in California.
Place for Inquest Was In Doubt.
While officials at Iditarod were awaiting instructions from
Fairbanks as to what steps to take with regal'd to the inquest,
Nels Nelson sent a message to Attorney General Wickersham at
Washington, urging that the investigation of the case be proceeded
with without farther delay. Thereupon the Attorney General
by wire advised Commissioner Stanton at Iditarod to proceed to
hold the inquest. Commissioner Stanton referred the Attorney
General’s communication to court headquarters at Fairbanks, well
knowing the great expense it would entail for him to hold the
inquest here, or even to go over and conduct it on the Kuskokwim.
It is to Fairbanks he would have to look for the money to defray
such expense, and without orders from that place he knew the
liabilities incurred would probably never be approved. So far as
the Pioneer has learned Judge Stanton received no response from
Fairbanks, but it may be that the instructions to Deputy Kelday
and to Commissioner Stiar were accelerated by his message.
If Mr. Nelson’s activity in the matter does nothing else, it may
service to bring to notice the delays that cannot be avoided in such
cases while the present line of red tape remains unbroken. As it
is now, about the most powerless set of men on earth in cases of
emergency are the lesser officials of Alaska, such as United States
commissioners and deputy marshals.
SUPERINTENDENT
VISITS KUSKOKWIM
Superintendent Evans has lately
been over on the Kuskokwim look
into the affairs pertaining to the
reindeer industry iu that region. It
is said by parties arriving from the
Kuskokwim that the native herders
will be benefited to the extent of
several hundred head of deer by
the superintendent’s visit, and that
they will have a larger percentage
of young deer and fewer old, played
out animals to their share.
Rev. J. H. Kilbuck, in charge of
the native school at Akiak, is
superintendent of the herds, which
are under the general charge of the
Moravian Mission. It seems that
Superintendent Evans has been
arbitrating some differences be
tween the mission and the native
herders, and the mission came out
not quite so well off as it was be
fore the arbitration took place.
mCTIOI CO. OPEHIHG OFFICES
The Iditarod Traction Company, in
praparation for spring business, will
have its offices at Iditarod and Flat
open the first of April.
Who is Boas? Whv. leading clothier.
MOSHERS GOME IN
OVERSEW ) TRAIL
George Rich, of Mahoney & Rich,
Flat; John Folsom, of Moore creek;
Hutchins, of Ophir, arrived at Flat
City over the Seward trail Thursday
evening. They came through in I
eighteen days.
They report that Eddie McArdle and
Charley Knell were to leave Seattle
for Seward on the steamer Sampson
March 5, and expected to come right
on through. Also, that Sam Shequin
is on the way.
It is said the party passed nearly a
hundred people mushing in over the
trail. _
SIBERIAN DOGS SUPERIOR
IN SPEED AND ENDURANCE
In commenting on the Solomon derby,
run at Nome on Washington’s birth
day, the Nuggst says: “Again have the
little Siberian dogs proved their su
periority over all others in the ques
tion of racing and endurance. A year
ago Charles Johnson won the Solomon
derby in 6 hours 5 minutes and 52 4-5
seconds, clipping off something like 40
minutes from the Solomon derby of the
year before, and today he reduced hta
record of last year by making the dis
tance of 04.72 miles in less than six
hours.” The actual time was 5 hours
45 minutes 24 3-5 seconds.
Cut Glass, iewelrv. W. Taylor, Flat.
MASS MEETING
NEXTTUESDAY
All voters and citizens generally
who have the welfare of the city at
heart, are requested to meet at the
old stand of Gularte & Fontas,
First avenue, next Tuesday evening
at 8 o’clock, for the purpose of
nominating candidates for mem
tiers of the council, to be voted on
at the election to be held Tuesday,
April 2 _
WAPPENSTEIN
MOST SERVE
Olympia, March 22.—The sen
tence imposed upon Charles W.
Wappenstein last year has been
confirmed by the supreme court.
While chie: of police of Seattle un
der the administration of Hi Gili
he was accused of grafting, con
victed and an indeterminate sen
fence imposed ranging from three
to ten years in the penitentiary.
TWO CONTESTS
IN PUGILISM
Sydney, Australia, March 22 —
McVey easily defeats Jim Barry in
twentieth round
San Francisco, March 15 —(De
layed. } — Harlem Tommy Murphy
gets a decision over Abe Attell in
20 rounds. Both fought hard and
Attell was bleeding.
TO TURN MAINE
INTO A DESERT
Augusta, March 22 —For the
first time since the civil war the
Maine legislature has been called
to meet in special session, The
object of the call is to frame a new
liquor law that is guaranteed uo.
to leak. The prohibitionists have
a majority in the law-making body
ANARCHISTS TO SUFFER
FOR ATTEMPT ON KING
Rome, March 22.— Anarchists
have been arrested suspected of
plotting to kill the king.
Vienna, March 22.—The king
will visit here, and all anarchists
are being arrested.
HEALTH AND HYGIENE
TO BE LOOKED AFTER
Washington, March 22. — Past
Assistant Surgeon Krulish of the
bureau of health has been ordered
to Alaska to conduct a campaign
in the interests of health and liy
geine.
READY TO SIDETRACK
UNWHOLESOME LAWS
Phoenix, March 22.—The legis
lature has organized with Samuel
Bradtier, a railroad switchman, as
speaker of the House.
EQUAL SUFFRAGE GRANTED
TO CHINESE WOMEN
Nanking, March 22 —The Chi
nese parliament has granted women
suffrage on an equality with men.
MISSING PEOPLE
INQUIRED FOR
John Brogan, last heard of 16 years
ago at Juneau; reported to have been
in Iditarod about a year ago. Inquired
for by his son, W. J. Brogan, S. E.
corner 28th and Silver streets, Phila
delphia, Pa.
Fred Wintner, formerly operating in
Susitna. Inquired for by Geo. F.
Kuentzel, Portland, Ore.
W. A. Ford, has been written, to at
Iditarod without eliciting reply. In
quired for by Mrs. J. P. Munson,
Barnet, B. C., care Steel Works.
George B. Wesch, of the American
Bank of Alaska, arrived from Fair
banks last- Tuesday.
REMEDIES FOR ALASKA
Washington, March 22.—Secretary Fisher of the Interior De
partment, after a trip to Panama, has returned and is advocating
the passage of a measure by congress authorizing the removal of
railroad material from Panama to be utilized in the construction of
lines in Alaska.
Senator Jones has introduced a bill intended to prevent
Asiatics from fishing in Alaska waters.
Senator LaFollette is on a trip to the Pacific coast and has
adopted as his slogan the government ownership of Alaska coal
mines; also a steamship line from Alaska through the Panama
canal and on to New York. _
DR, WILEY FINALLY FORCED TO QUIT
Washington, March 22.—Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, occupying the
position of chief chemist in the Department of Agriculture since
1883, has resigned. For several years past an unrelenting war
fare has been waged against him on account of his activity against
the adulteration of foodstuffs and drugs. The immediate cause of
his resignation was pressure brought to bear from within the De
partment of Agriculture.
New York, March 22. — Dr. Wiley has accepted the editorship
of Good Housekeeping magazine.
HOPES OF ANIAK
ARE REVIVING
George Hoffman, of Hoffman’s, j
Kuskokwitn, is in town this week
and is bearer of the news that Aniak
is not altogether a “dead one.”
J' e Cheney and John Barnette ar
rived at Hoffman’s March 15 and
“■aid there ss no doubt about the
pay being on Marvel creek. Tony !
Zimmerman, they said, had pay on j
the lower end of the Yellow Jacket j
association, Fisher & Buhro’s
ground, that will go $2 the foot—
80 feat wide, 1,500 feet up and
down stream; bedrock 5 to 9 feet.
Cheney was out for supplies for
the supplies for the summer and
said he had pay that will go $20 to
the shovel on the Hornet associa
tion, Marvel creek.
Perry, on the upper end of the !
Plornet will open up and put some
men to work.
Mr. Hoffman seems to think
these men may possibly be over
estimating the value of their
ground, but believes Marvel will
be a producer all tight. He is re
turning to bis post today.
LOWES TAKOTNA POST
IN CHARGE OF SDNDBORG
Walter Sundborg, N. C. agent at
Kokrines at the time the company's
store was destroyed by fire there Feb.
23, arrived in Iditarod last Tuesday
afternoon on his way to assume charge
of the lower post on Takotna, relieving
Mr. Carlson, the former agent.
Mr. Sundborg cam* from Nulato,
where he had charge while H. W.
Strangman was absent in Iditarod get
ting married and 'tending to other
minor matters.
HOW ODR FERGY LOST HIS GOAT
Fisher senior, father of E. T. Fisher
of Aniak fame, was a visitor to Flat
and Iditarod during the week. He re
cently went into the Aniak from Nome,
and this week came in direct from
Marvel creek.
While over here he purchased A. B.
Ferguson’s interest in a lay on the Yel
low Jacket association, Marvel, at a
j price well dowu into three figures.
After the bargain had been concluded
i Mr. Fisher remembered he had a letter
for Mr Ferguson, and when the latter
opened the letter informed him the
Yellow Jacket is looking fine and
promises to be one of the warmest
things in the country. The boys say
that for a little thing Fergy took the
matter powerful hard.
SHIRLEY TO COME NORTH AGAIN
George R. Shirley, who was lucky in
getting in on some good ground on
Happy creelc in the infantile days of
the Iditarod, writes the Pioneer from
Seattle that he will return North this
spring and will probably be in Iditarod.
Mr. Shirley's acquaintances last sum
mer understood that he intended to
head an exploration party for the Mac
kenzie rirer region this year, but he
does not mention that matter in the
letter. _________
Harry Ashland and Jim Fullerton
returned from a hunting trip last
Saturday loaded down with game and
exuberance of spirit. Their trip ex
j tended below Dikeman and lasted a
! week.
ICE BREAKS UP
IN BERING SEA
—
Nome, March 22.—With a strong
wind blowing the see went out last
Monday. The roadstead was clear
:xcept for too feet of shore ice; but
.he pack is now returning.
The weather is very mild and
springlike.
The All-Alaska sweepstakes are
:o be run April 4. There are many)
;ntries.
The Sjcialists have put a ticket :
in the field for the city election, j:
Dthernise there is little political),
activity and nothing stirring.
MINERS IN TROUBLE
BOTH SIDES WATER
_
Indianapolis, March 22.— The:
demand for an increase of to per
cent, in the wages of coal miners j
has been denied by tbe operators,!
and 600,000 men throughout sev- !
eral states threaten to go on strike;
April t.
London, March 22 On accouut I
of he strike of the coal miners,)
railroads have curtailed their train j
service, all the harbors are full of |
idle sdiips, and business is stag-)
naut. Cold weather prevails, and )
there is much suffering.
MBS. LARSON’S CONDITION
IMPROVED THIS MORNING
————
Mrs. Charles Larso* has been dan
gerously ill at the hospital this week.
Her condition was much mproved this
morning.
A1 Berg is doing as well as can be
expected._
AVAILABLE TIMBER
FOR CITY COUNCIL
Joseph' H. Smith Morris Friedman
Capt. Albert Wile Isadore Goldstein
George Hamilton Charles Hoxsie
Joseph Bradley Charles E. Miller
H. H. Porter Jacob Slippern
A. E. Maltby Martin Popich
Claude Baker John Holmes
William Ansley Sam Applebaum
H. M. Keys Andrew Norland
Angus Sutherland Frank Keenan
Robert Simpson Charles B. Hanover
Harry Panter Manuel Gularte
A recent arrival from the Aniak re
ports having sighted the Baird-Wada
expedition en route to Bear creek, and
says their going was fine, and that
Major Baird's shoes were still good.
Miss Anna G. Anderson has been
visiting friends on Flat creek during
the past week.
Robert Martin, one of the big hold
ers of property in the Ruby district,
arrived in Iditarod from the new camp
Tuesday afteroon.
Capt. Boerner and Walter Sundborg,
for Takotna, and Deputy Marshal
Clyde Coleman, are departing in com
pany today._
It is estimated that over one hundred
Iditarod people will attend th# opening
j match of the inter-town basketball
1 games at Flat City tonight.
| Get the habit, go to H Boas.
I. D. SCHWARTZ
DIES SUDDENLY
Last Monday night, March r8,
|\ D. Schwartz, of Otter creek, died
suddenly at Ruby Roadhouse, Bo
■ anza creek, 15 miles from Dis
covery City. In company with
Henry Roden Mr. Schwartz had
started to Ophir via Takotua.
1'hey reached the roadhouse, had
supper, and sat around smoking
and talking for some little
Mr. Schwartz then went o
water the dogs, and when he
to return in a reasonable timt
Anderson, of the roadhouse, t
i lantern and went out to look for
him, thinking he might have taken
1 wrong trail in the darkness and
failed to find his way back to tbe
house. He was found in a sitting
posture leaning against the dog
house. Mr. Anderson spoke to him
and shook him by the shoulder, but
received no response. He sum
moned Mr. Roden and the two car
ried the stricken mau into the
House. Upon laying him down
:here was an appareut gasp, and a
stimulant was poured into his
«outh, but there were no further
signs of life and all efforts to
revive him were in vain.
The body was brought into Idit
rrod on Tuesday, and an autopsy
showed an enlargement of the heart,
which was probably the cause of
ieath.
Mr. Schwartz was 53 years old
He was married in Iditarod last
summer to Miss Alice Wiusted, who
survives him. He was a prosper
jus and highly-respected citizen:,
md his death is deeply regretted by
many neighbors and friends.
The funeral took place at A. B.
Hall Thursday afternoon at 2
j’clock. A great many people
were present, among whom were a
large cumber horn tbe creeks,
friends and acquaintances of the
deceased. Judge A. L Maltby
read the funeral service and a male
quartet sang appropriate hymns.
Henry Roden made a short and
feeling talk to the funeral assem
blage, in which he paid a high
tribute to the personal qualities and
fine character of the deceased.
The pall bearers were Pete Rob
lin, James Frazer, Tom Heuuessy,
Chas. Peterson, Fred McCloskey
and Lem Groner.
CARD OF THANKS
Mrs. J. D. Schwartz, of Discovery
Otter, wishes to thank all those who
participated in the funeral services of
her late husband, Mr. J. D. Schwartz,
and who sympathize with bet in her
hour of distress.
Dis. Otter, March 22, 1912
New Barber Shop In Tcwn
Joe Kermend, the well-known tonao
rialist who was lately associated with
A. Stoner, on Willow street, has opened
first-class bartering and hair-dressing
parlors in the premises on Willow
street formerly occupied by J. J. Mc
Grath. Mr. Kermend has had wide ex
perience in many of the larger cities of
Europe and the United States, aud
formerly conducted an establishment at
1706 Market street, San Francisco. H#
is prepared to guarantee the best of
treatment and most courteous attention
to all customers, and trusts to be fa
vored with a liberal patronage from
old and new friends. Don't forget the
location: The Royal cafe building, next
to H. Boas' clothing establishment, on
Willow street.
Deputy Marshal Tom Howell, of
Flat, has been in Iditarod during the
week.
Dog mushers, attention.—I have cut
the price on dog feed. Hay E. McDon
ald. Inquire at carpenter shop.
Select Outside Lumber, corrugated
iron and roofing paper at Ross & Nes
tor’s. _
Nothing but the best and popular
prices. Arcade Cafe. Flat City.
Best nou-astigmatic snow glasses at
Simpson's. •
NOTICE
All person* owing" the City Drug
! store are hereby notified that their ac
! count-, have beeu assigned to the under
| signed, to whom they are hereby re
quested to make payment.
CYRIL P. WOOD.