One Doeeak Per Month. IDITAROD, ALASKA, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 13, 1911. Two Bits Per Copy
Water Flows
in Several Places
Sluicing may be said to be on gener
ally in practically all the places wha'-e
sluicing will be done until the scrapers
start to move. The dumps on Willow
creek are going into the boxes and
they have all the water they need over
there just at present.
Gove & Anderson, who have out
the biggest dump in the camp on 3 be
low Flat, began shovelling in during
the latter part of the week, and ex
pect to he there with a sizable poke
when the pyramid is all in.
On Otter the shovels are werking in
two or three places. Geraghty &
Goodwin started sluicing yesterday,
and C'apt. Worth and associates were
toying with their gasoline engine, try
ing to coax it to pump water.
It was prognosticated that something
like $200,000 in dust would be on the
market by June 1, and it is hoped that
the dumps live up to the expectations.
City Clerk Also City Auditor
By an ordinance passed this week,
City Clerk Hunt is also made the city
auditor, to whom all bills must he sub
mitted (or labor and material furnished
on behalf of the city, and when O.K.’d
by him they will be submitted to the
particular committe that ordered the
work done and will be ordered paid.
Accompanying his bill, the city’s
creditor shonld certify that the bill is
correct and that the prices charged
for labor or materials are the current
prices.
Any committee of the council may
authorise expenditures up to $100, but
over that amount the work or material
furnished must be by contract, and
after bids have been received and con
sidered. Bids shall be called for by
ordinance and the lowest bidder takes
the cake.
That Home Cooking
Tastes-Good to Many
With a place delightfully clean and
homelike, the Keys cafe, next to the
Iditarod hotel, opened last Sunday, and
has been catering to many who have
discovered the savor of home cooking
as temptingly manipulated by Mrs.
H. N. Keys.
That New England boiled dinner is
just the kind you’ve read about and the
pie has the crust that melts.
Joa Venus Rons Oot of Material
Joe Venus was chopping wood at
Discovery Otter last evening and
let bis foot slip. As a result the
ax landed on one of Joe’s big toes
and split the member grieviously.
Dr. Brooks was summond and
after restoring comfort as completely
as possible, was able to assure his
patient that he will be incon
venienced not a very long time.
Pony Express Enters
Field Once Again
Monday afternoon the Pony Express
will inaugurate its service between
Iditarod and the creeks, when S. M.
Dalby starts out wilh his light wagon
and his fiery steed or steeds.
The Pony Express means just what
it says, since it will carry express and
net freight. Dalby leaves this city
every other day at one in the after
noon, going from Flat to Discovery the
next day and return.
His object is to attend to all errands
and commissions that may be entrusted
to him and to perform all these multi
farious duties promptly and efficiently
His home address for a while will be
phone seven.
THE ICE HAS WENT
And we are selling memo books, photo
goods, kodaks, stationery, cigars and
tobaccos, blank books, receipt books,
draft books, rubber stamps, Yukon sou
venir books, new maps of the Innoko
Iditarod and Kuskokwim, Alaska, and
the Good News bay country, cardboard
and desk blotters, time books of all
kinds, letter files and carbon paper.
LANDAHL’S EMPORIUM, Iditarod.
Midget and other i ntermittent alarms
reduced to $2.50 next week at Simp
son’s. All coming early may bring
baskets. __
Wiseman, Whalen and Lynn on
-- fhe Texas association are ready to
start sluicing just as soon as they
get the requisite amount of moisture
from the head of Flat.
Wyandotte washing soda, Crow
ley & Porter’s.
Full line optical goods at Simpson’s.
FLAT CREEK BUYING
MEETS DIFFICULTIES
I
The reported attempt to purchase Flat creek by Thomas P Aitken,
Henry Riley, Frank Lawson and others, representingOutside capital, as
published last week, seems to be meeting with many difficulties, and
from all accounts is not apt to go through this summer. Negotiations
for different uacts and lays are still pending, but according to the con
census of opinion among mining men, it will be a long time before all
owners are lined up and in a selling mood, and that the deal will have
no effect whatever on the activity on Flat this summer as was at first
feared.
The purchasers are meeting barriers in the way of satisfied claim
owners and lease holders who are willing to do their own mining and
take their own chances. This is on account ol the fact that most of
them have assured themselves of the quality of their ground and can
figure out pretty closely what the yield will be. For that reason they
are of an independent disposition not conducive to bargaining.
However, during the last week, practically all of the lower end of
Flat from the Glen association down has beeu tied up. This takes in
x, 2. 3, 4 and 5, 5 Fraction and the Mohawk association. It includes
the interests of the Lucky Nine Mining Company, Britt, Maher, Hagen,
Stewart, Albrecht and Duncan.
Options to the roth of July have been taken on most of this ground,
but as far as can be learned, cot a dollar has changed hands. In the
meantime, the option-holders have the privilege of prospecting the
ground and on the date mentioned are to pay down one quarter of the
purchase price. This in turn becomes another option, and they either
lose the first payment or take up the whole on August x.
Above the Glen, deals are apparently at a standstill, and there will
doubtless be little doing in the selling line until next fall The owners
are holding out for prices which would bring the total for the whole
creek to an enormous figure, and although the would-be purchasers are
supposed to represent a large wad of coin, it will make even them hesi
tate until next winter or next year. In nearly every case and on every
claim work will go ahead as formerly proposed. In fact on the lower
end of the creek, the options are so constructed that it is to the inter
ests of the claim owners to go to it faster than ever to get as much out
as possible before the purchasers step in.
FLAT CITY PEOPLE PROUD OF BRIDGE BUILDING
_
They are all swelled up over their bridge at Flat City, and although
it cost them twice as much as they originally figured on, they are well
content. The structure has been opened to the traffic and meets with
the approval of the travellers. This will be especially true when tne
southern approach to the bridge is relieved of some of the superincum
bent moisture.
The main span of the bridge is 40 feet with a 25-foot approach on
the right limit and about 65 on the left. The pier is a substantially
built affair 12 feet high and 16 long in a V shape. It is built oflogs
bolted together and filled with rocks, the intention being to have it
stick on the job for some time. The roadway is planked and a hand
rail keeps the wandering wayfarer from falling into the creek, the en
semble presenting a very nifty appearance.
The bridge will cost in the aggregate between $1600 and $1800
but they have nearly all the money and can get the rest. The cost is
much more than they first figured it, but they have a bridge that will
last and that is a credit to the town, so, as previously remarked they
: are satisfied.
To Run Tow-Path Along Shores of Otter Creek
With $700 already in the poke and a few more hundred to gather
in, the people of Otter and Flat are getting ready to put in a tow-path
from Discovery Otter to the mouth, and are actually starting the work.
Men are being sent out to cut out the brush before the ice goes down,
so that the discard will not remain to embarrass navigation.
Discovery folks are as much interested in flie proposition as are
Platers, and George Riley, who is greatly interested in the landing of
his heavy machinery, contributed $250 to the pot.
In addition to the cutting out of the path, obstructions, snags and
boulders will be blasted out, making it possible to bring large scows
and heavy loads with little difficulty. Some of the machinery to be
landed at Discovery weighs many tons, and it is bound to be a difficult
proposition at best.
The work done last year, and the traffic that passed up the creek
resulted in a very good path, but they ran out cf money before the job
could be thoroughly finished. With the money already raised, they can
begin where they left off, and the early season will see much activity on
Otter.
Mosquito Fleet Busy
Putting on War Paint
The big family of small craft to used in the freight and pas
senger business between this city and Dikeman has been under
going spring treatment lately and nearly all launches and small
steamers are ready to go into commission, waiting for the belated
breaking of the ice above the city.
The Dominion Commercial company’s barge, which has lain
opposite ths city all winter, has been dropped down around the
bend, to be out of the way of the oncoming march of the ice cakes.
The N. C. company’s barge Fox will be moved up-stream close
to the sawmill, in order to get her out of an exposed position.
Among other craft, the gasoline launch Comet has been
lengthened ten feet, under the direction of Eugene Norton, owner.
The X.L.C.R. has also been treated in the same manner and both
are ready to put to sea.
The Edna, Ross and Healy owners, will be able to handle fifty
tons at a good stage of water, it is figured. Frank Larson will
act as pilot of this boat this summer.
The Cecil, belonging to Mrs. Jack Baird, will be put in com
mission just as soon as the guy who swiped the propeller, brings
back that necessary portion of the machinery.
The Marathon, formerly a side-wheeler, has been remodeled
into a stern wheeler, and will be ready for business with Bill
Sherman on the job.
The steamer Little Snug, owned by Captain Tucker, has been
undergoing an overhauling both inside and out, and will be prac
tically a new boat when completed. She will be a big factor in
the shipping this summer.
The Zodiac, over which the owners are now squabbling, has
been fitted with new machinery, and will be ready with the rest of
them if the question of title is settled in time.
Brumbaugh, Hamilton & Kellogg are the owners of two fine
j launches in the Joyce and the Alaskan, both of which are in shape
| and ready for fast trips up and down the river.
The Emerald, owned by Charles Martin, is lying about 35
miles below town with her barge Krin. She will be towed to the
city by the side wheeler Gertrude, as soon as the river clears, and
will be overhauled and made ready for business.
The Helen M. and the Flyer, both big money makers of last
season, are being treated to a mustard plaster or something at
Dikeman and will come sailing in most any time with a bunch of
cbechakos.
Near Dikeman are the Samson, Teddy H., Little Delta and
the Pup, all being made ready. The Lois was sunk while being
cut out of the ice, but will probably be saved.
Up at Otter city two large scows for Otter creek tranportation
are being built for Sam Sanderson, Charles Gobel and Doc
Mading. _
George Riley is busy putting in
flumes from the end of his Slate creek
ditch, which was put in by Sam San
derson last summer. Flumes will be
run from the ditch to One above, Ot
ter, One above bench and Discovery,
The building operations on the A. B.
hall in this city have ceased for the
time being, owing to lack of lumber.
It will be necessary to wait until the
requisite material can be brought from
Dikeman.
Stampede Time Bilks
Few Gullible Ones
Last week this paper published a story concerning an alleged
strike down on Good News bay, a place where they have been
finding a little gold for the past ten years, The news was pub
lished as an item of interest about Alaska, but it was never
dreamed that the most fantastic-minded stampeder could find.war
rant there for pulling up his stakes, especially in view of the fact
that the description of the country was written by a man many
miles from the scene of the supposed strike and who had never
been there.
The story was taken from the Nome Nugget, and to show how
much they think about it at Nome, Coke Hill, the attorney who ar
rived here from Nome last week, and who is the last man in over
the ice, says they have paid absolutely no attention to the oft
repeated report, for Nomeites think Good News has hollered
“Wolf ! ” much too often.
In spite of this, however, the news from the creeks is to the
effect that a number of men have shouldered their alpenstocks
and a're now on their way over the lump to the Kuskokwim.
Some of the operators have been apprehensive, fearing that much
needed labor would thus be lost, but these fears seem to be un
founded. It is inconceivable that men will jump up wholesale to
chase a rainbow far away when they are already in a prosperous
camp and the beginning of the active season just at hand.
There is only the one explanation, and there will be only the
accepted few to answer the call. It is “Stampede Time,” and the
seasoned stampeder only needs a suggestion to start him on the
big hike, for he would rather do that than anything else.
In the face of the last Kuskokwim experience, which was
costly and time wasting, it would appear wise to wait for some
thing definite from Good News bay, before hiking down river to
land on that inhospitable shore.
Minneapolis May
Come to the Iditarod
"With the breakup on the Yukon it is possible that the steamer
Minneapolis will come direct to this city, to deliver the remainder
of the cargo she took from Fairbanks late last fall, and which has
been held all winter at Lewis Landing, where the Minneapolis was
caught at the close of navigation.
She had nearly 200 tons when she left Fairbanks, and most of
it is still with her, with the exception of the large consignment of
fresh meat that finally reached this city after harrowing experi
ences on the trail.
It is possible that the Minneapolis will stop at Holy Cross and
discharge her cargo, and then proceed on to St. Michael for re
pairs. In that event her freight will be brought up by the Sam
son. Her route this summer will be from St. Michael to Fairbanks,
and if she does come up the Iditarod on high water it will doubt
less be her last appearance this season.
The Samson, now at Dikeman, will follow the ice to Holy
Cross and bring up 240 tons of machinery and supplies left there
last season.
Ice Goes Out
in Small Doses
The declared official time for the
breakup was 6:57 and a half o’
clock, Thursday evening, May 11.
At least that was the lime some
body saw the ice start and that is
just as good as any other opinion
for not even the champion ice ex
perts could tell whether the ice has
gone out or not.
The first section of congealed
moisture moved silently out with
out comment and nearly made a
getaway before anybody noticed it.
The takeoff started about the foot
of Willow street and an hour later
another section about a block long
cut its moorings. This departure
was witnessed bj' a considerable
crowd who had gathered for the
purpose of becoming sourdoughs
and to renew their youth. A blast
of the whistles gave the parting
salute. Outside of that there is
little ice breaking news, but it is
expected to be coming dowu in
chunks for the next few days.
L B.'s Will initiate a Bunch
There will be some tall doings at
! the meeting of the Flat Arctic
i Brothers next Tuesday night, for
! they have several choice ones to put
! on the goat,—likewise on the bum.
I The victims this time are “Yim”
Hagen, the well-knowu Swede who
lives on Flat creek, Jack Sargent,
j Dave Johnson and some others
' whose name could not be secured
at the last minute.
They have a large stuffed club
ready so it is said, and they have
been feeding the goat Seidlitz
powders for a week to make him
1 effervesce.
FILED FORJECORD
Friday, May 5
Deed— W. D. Stewart to John Holm
gren, Wildcat association claims ; also
all other mining interests of grantor on
Flat creek.
Lease—Robert Simpson et al to Jake
Mutchler, lot 1. block 1, and ground
floor of building thereon, except portion
11x12 ft., Iditarod; 1 year $3,600.
Power of Attorney—Alex Alima to
Axel Johnson.
Water Right Protest—Alfred Matt
son et al to W. Knox ; involving appro
priation of water from slopes of Rag
mountain, near head of Happy creek.
Sub-lease—W. F. O’Connor and Jno.
O’Malley to M. A. Mahoney and G. A.
Rich, second 500 feet Wildcat associa
tion, to Sept. 15, 1911; 65 per eent.
Option—W. F. O’Connor and John
O'Malley to M. A. Mahoney and G. A.
Rich to purchase said sub-lease for
$11,000, $2,500 cash ; expires Sept. 15.
Tuesday, May 9
Chattel Mortgage—G. ValleeandJoe
Nolet to Joe Roy, horse team, cabin
and stable on Willow street, Iditarod,
$320.
Wednesday. 31 ay 10
Mortgage—J. E. Fullerton to Jos. A.
i Smith, lot 5 and 6, south side Black
street, Iditarod, with improvements;
$650.
Deed—Greg Steward et al to Jos. H.
Smith, part of lot 1, block 1, block 7,
Fairview Trading Post, Iditarod.
Location—Jos. H. Smith, lot 50x112
feet east side Black street, Iditarod.
Deed—Eric Palmen to Geo. W. Al
brecht, north half of south halfof lot 4,
block 7, Iditarod; consideration $175.
Location—H. N. Keys, lot 2and east
1 erly half of lot 3 in block 4 west front
ing on Third ave.
Thursday, May 11
Location—E. Hammer, 22-a Otter
creek.
Location—Georgia Wilson, W. S.
Clark, J. N. McCain, 2000 inches of
water, outtake one mile above forks of
Otter creek and from North Fork to
be used on Flat creek.
Location—Pat O’Connor and seven
others, Woodworth association on
Umphrey gulch, Slate creek.
Option—Frank Conway auc| Jno Coyle
to W. II. Mockler, 2-3 of upper 540 feet
of Ray fraction, Happy creek. Pur
chase price, $7000; $2000 cash. $5000 on
Sept. 1. 1911.
Option—Mike Ferry to \V. H. Mock
ler. 1-3 of upper 540 feet of Ray frac
tion on Happy creek; $1000 cash,' $2500
in 60 days.
Protest of Water Right—F'red J.
Chapman,Tom Forrest, Joe Martindale,
Geo. F. Kilroy, Pete Jensen, Archie
Mitchell, Joe Davis, W. J. Beaven to
Wm. Knox against appropriation of
water at head of Flat
Deed—Pete Claustrap to Mrs. A. V.
Thurston, lot 6, block 3 west, Iditarod;
consideration $1.
Iditarod Express Company
will make daily trips to all points of
the creeks, leaving Iditarod 9 a.m.
Temporary office, Red Cross Drug
store. Prompt delivery guaranteed.
Joe McNameeandC. O. Fowler, agents.
The Dean & Mulligan store
building on Front street, Flat, is
practically completed and will soon
be ready for the reception of goods.
Caustic Soda tor wet-cell bat
teries for sale at Crowley & Porter.
List your property for sale or
rent at the oostoffice.