One Dollar Per Month. IDITAROD, ALASKA, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1910. Two Bits Per Copy
HE HAS A NARROW
ESCAPE FROM OEATH
John Kieland, who with Ben Andor
son discovered Julian creek and is per
haps the real pioneer of the new era in
the Kuskokwim, arrived in town today
(Saturday) accompanied by Billy Young.
Kieland tells of a trip to Georgetown
a short time ago with John Watch,
when they made the trip from Julian
to the Kuskokwim in nine hours with
a dogteam. When within three-quar
ters of a mile of Georgetown they at
tempted to cross George river, al
though the ice was badly overflowed.
Kieland in the lead, sounding with an
ax, broke through suddenly and went
into the icy water to his neck. He
touched no bottom, but saved himself
by throwing out his arms and finding
ice strong enough to support him from
the strong suction of the current. He
was able to pull himself out before
Watch could get to him.
He reports nothing startling from
the creeks in the vicinity of Julian, but
says that everyone is prospecting ener
getically. Willow, Spruce and Cari
bou are showing good prospects.
John Ness Has Not Been Seen
Contrary to the report that
reached this city two weeks ago,
John Ness, the man who disap
peared after leaving discovery Don
lan, has not been seen, and has
row been given up for lost.
Pete Jensen, his partner, si
washed in the hills five days after
tiis disappearance, but could find
no trace of him, and other search
ing parties were compelled to re
turn, after fruitless quest. It is
almost a certainty that the old man
perished in the hills,
Baird sells Book cigars.
FILED FOR RECORD
Saturday, November 12.
Deed—Jas. Esterbrook and K. Q.
Ayer to Jake Mutchler, lot, No. 7. block
2 east, 36x100, s. e. corner Black and
1st. $250 consideration.
Deed—Robert Pritchard to TCdythe !
Pritchard, one-eighth Free Gold as
sociation, Willow ck.: Mountain Boy
association on Willow ck. also three
quarters of one-eighth in Midnight as
sociation, Little creek; Ferry associa
tion, Haggerty gulch; Whitehorse as
sociation, Alder creek. $2000 consider
ation.
Deed—J. M. Madlock to Adolf Jest
land, one-half interest in East Corner
lot, Black and 1st sts. $15.00 consider
ation.
Deed—Adolf Jestland to E. Slippern
and J. A. Slippern, one-half interest in
cast corner lot, Black and 1st. $10
consideration.
Location—Dennis McGee and seven
others, amended location of Pioneer
association on Little creek, 160 acres.
Monday, November 14.
Location—Peter Jensen. John Shrop
shire and L. Sinclair, Blue Bell as
sociation on Little ck.
Location—N. H. Pearson, relocation,
20 acres, No. 6-b, left limit bench on
Chicken creek.
Deed—Geo. Roberts to Geo. Riley,
three-quarters of one-eighth in War
Eagle association on Slate creek. $1
consideration.
Option Agreement—R. T. Chamber
lain and R. L. Barclay, all of first par
ty's interest in Wiseman, Whelan and
< lhamberlain lay on upper 1440 feet of
Texas association, Happy creek. $1866,
67 consideration. $200 down; $1666.67
on Aug. 1st, 1911.
_ Agreements—Thomas P. Aitken and
Ellsworth C. Ives, for $1 and labor and
services, first party agrees to pay 10
tier cent of profits from lays in Marietta
association, Chicago association on Flat
creek, and lays taken over from Maher
and Britt. First party also agrees to
employ second party as bookkeeper at
$8 per day.
Power of Attorney—T. P. Aitken to
E. J. Ives; general.
Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Deed—Nels Perras to Peter St. Lau
t-ant, placer claim, Martin gulch, 3-a
discovery. $1 consideration.
Location—C. Lambert and 4 others,
Mule association, Little creek.
Special Power of Attorney—Thomas
McKinnon and H. Seddon to C. J. H ur
ley to mortgage two-ninth interest in
No. 1-b Flat at rate of $10,000 for whole
claim.
Thursday, Nov. 17.
Material Man’s Lien—Clark Lumber
Co. on Moose Cafe, amount $806.10.
Location—Mike Maher, 17-b. Midas
creek, Nov. 17.
Locatious—A. W. Appleby and three
others, Wild Goose Association Chicken
creek; same, 10-11-a. Prince creek,
Bellville group.
Location—Ralph Zabor and 4 others,
Prince group, 9-8 bench, left limit,
Prince creek.
Location—Ralph Zabor and five
others, Butte association, third tier
bench, Chicken creek.
Location—Ralph Zabor and six ethers
Side Hill association, right limit bench,
Cleary ck.
Location—S. H. Searing, second tier,
left limit, Chichen ck.
Location—Ralph Zabor, Triangle
Fraction, Cleary ck.
-.JThe Miner's Home sells Bock cigars.
Coal oil and candles for sale at An
derson Bros. & Norland's.
Manuel sells Bock cigars.
WILL BUILD TRAMWAY TO TH ■ CREEKS
Plans Brewing for the Construction of a Wooden Railway From Idit
arod City to Flat for Gasoline Cars—Hope to Cut Freight
Rate in Two and Pay for Line in First Season
l -
Transportation difficulties between Iditarod City and the creeks
will be resolved to a peaceful dream of smooth utility and close economy
if the plans of certain local capitalists, now fermenting actively in the
brain, are carried out. The scheme in question means no less than
the early construction of a tramway for gasoline cars between Iditarod
and Flat City, whereon freight can be hauled in t{ie summer time as
well as winter, direct from the steamer landing, taken to Flat in an
hour’s time and cheaper than by any method yet devised for this
route.
The idea has been incubating for some time and is being actively
fostered by Flarl Slippern the lumberman, and H. H. Ross, the owner
of the automobile that is now hauling freight up the river from Dike
man. It has met with enthusiastic reception wherever broached and it'
is confidently announced that the money necessary,—figured in the
neighborhood of $40,000.—can Ire raised right here.
According to the rough plans drawn up, the tramway will he laid
on top of the ground, without disturbing the moss, selecting the most
direct line to Flat consistent with the easiest grades.
Five by six timbers will constitute the rails, the same to be laid on
heavy slabs or ties fiom two to four feet apart. These rails are to be
properly braced and provided with high flanges, suitable for keeping
the rubber tired wheels of the car on the track.
Under present plans, timbers can be sawed at both ends of the
route and construction begun at both ends at once. Mr Slippern esti
mates that he has plenty of logs already on haad for the work, and that
the actual cost of construction, aside from the cost of the lumber would
he small. In laying the track, lumber trucks can be used, to be drawn
by horses and carrying the timbers to the end of the tsack as it is being
laid.
Should the construction of the line be completed before the spring
breakup, the Ross automobile will be used, pending the arrival of
special traction cars to be ordered in on tire first boats.
The further plans contemplate that these cars shall he specially con
structed for the work, capable of hauling 15 and 20 tons at a rale of 7
and 8 miles an hour with a trailer. If such cars are procured, it will
doubtless be found feasible to use the automobile already here for pas
senger traffic.
Should the cost of construction prove within the means of the pro
moters of the scheme, tire line will be extended up Otter creek and up
Flat, reducing the freight problem from the head of navigation to the
mines to the simplest sort of a proposition.
As has often been remarked in these columns, transportation is the
the most vital need ot the Idilarod. Owing to the high cost of food
stuffs during the present season, mining operations have been seriously
hampered, and only the cream of the ground could be worked at a profit.
Freight from Seattle to Flat City has cost in the neighborhood of $210
a ton, or almost as much as it costs to get it into the Koyukuk. For
that reason, more than half of the known gold-carrying ground of this
district could not he touched on account ot high cost of mining.
With the construction of a tramway such as is contemplated, it is
certain that the cost of landing freight at Flat could be reduced to about
one-half of the rate that prevailed last season. In addition to that, it is
almost certain that the cost ot constructing the line could be made in
one season with a profit for the promoters.
More than 5000 tons of supplies will he needed on the creeks next
season. Hauling freight from Iditarod to Flat for a cent a pound would
mean an income of $100,000 for the line, or more than twice its probable
cost in one season.
The construction of a dirt road from this point to the creeks seems
impracticable in the light of last summer’s experience. Estimates are
made however, to the effect that a good wagon road can be put in for
$12,000 but many are skeptical of the result and brl.lly affirm that it
will cost at least $4,000 a mile for the seven miles laying between the
two points.
If such be the case, then tiie advisability ot spending a little more
money for a tramway suggests itself at once, as it means quicker,
handier, better transportation, and at the same time affords an oppor
tunity foi investors to get a return on their money.
The full details of the formation of the company which intends tak
ing over this proposition are not made public, yet it would seem a
certainty, that if they organize and put their stock on the market, the
operators and the merchants of the creeks and of this city would lose
no time in subsci ibing the required amount, to the end that construe
tion could begin at an early date.
It has long ago been forced home on the business men of this town,
that it something is not done to furnish cheap transportation of freight
from this point to the creeks, the commercial prestige of this city will
suffer severely next season. Freight can go up Otter creek much
cheaper than it can be taken over from here by wagon, wherefore Idit
aiod will be up against the uncomfortable proposition of seeing steam
ing steamboats go by our waterfront on their way to Otter City on tilt
high water of next season.
COMMISSIONER’S
COURT NOTES
The case of Thomas McDonough
vs. C. J. Sellander was tried last
Wednesday before Commissioner
Maltby wiihout a jury and a judg
ment rendered for the defendant.
The suit was for forcible entry
and detainer involving part ot the
lot on which is situated the Sellan
der hat bouse cn WTi!low street C.
J. Moody appeared foi the plaintiff
and J. S Harding represented the
defendant.
A suit in replevin for the re
covery of possession of three dogs
was instituted Tuesday when R. T.
McRae filed a complaint against
Alex Smith claiming the animals
The marshal took possession of the
dogs Thursday and the case will be
tried u~xt Wednesday when will
be determined the question of
ownership.
The case of U. S. vs Artel,
which is the old matter that came
up two or three months ago, will
be tried Monday morning at ro
o’clock.
This is a preliminary bearing as
the defendant is charged with as
sault with a dea !ly weapon, the
same being a felony, and subjects
the defendant to an appearance be
fore the grand jury, if the court
finds the evidence sufficient to bind
him over.
J. H. Rogers is the complaining
witness in the case, it being charged
that Artel threatened to shoot him
with a rifle. The trouble rose out
of a dispute over the ownership of
a lot.
The case of United Stales vs
Andrew Gulonvich wras to be cal
led up for bearing before Com
missioner Maltby this afternoon,
(Saturday), the defendant being
charged with assault with a deadly
weapon. The trouble arose about
six miles upriver at a wood camp
where the defendant is alleged to
have threatened Popovich and
Perovich with a rifle.
Warm doghouses at McDonald hotel.
THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
WHAT WE WANT
Next Thurs
day, November
the 24th, is
Thanksgiving
day. Like our
fore fat hers,
who were wont
to give thanks,
whether they
had any turkey
or not, it be
hooves us,turk
less as we are,
t o remember
WHAT WE’LL GET
the day.
And so, being without word or precept from our honorable
Governor, even at the time we are bereft of the comforting
savor of the national bird, we take it upon ourselves to direct
the attention of all good citizens and altruistic Alaskans to the
observance of that day, to the end that they may pause in the
sordid scramble for wraith and give thought to the blessings,
the benefits and the pleasures that are theirs
Solemnly, and with fitting humility, let us give thanks that
we are Americans and Alaskans. Proudly and with conscious
dignity, let us acknowledge our gifts and our opportunities, and
in grateful appreciation call back the stirring greeting of the
North.
Be we devout, let us give thanks to the All-Seeing One for
the privilege of life, and the joys of existence. Be we materi
alists, let us reflect on the compensations of right living and
right doing, feeling that our heaven is as we make it, and all
evil is its own recompense.
If the day find us prosperous, healthy in mind and in body,
cheerful and kindly, let us give thanks to the Maker of bright
days, and the Inventor of honest endeavor. If we are down on
our luck, sick at heart and discouraged, let us smile at adver
sity. and give thanks that there is still strength for another
trial.
But, be we care free or sore pressed, above all, let us give
thanks to the god of things as they should be, remembering
that ws are the builders of a future empire, the chosen sons of
the North and the inhabitants of the moA glorious country on
earth.
Harry Hadley and T. Howard, who
nave been prospecting in the vicinity
Happy all fall, were in the first of
;be week looking into the machinery
oropositiom_
See Johnstone for La Verdad, Opti
mo, Lovera, Bock, El Preceedo cigars
ind tobaccos—"wholesale distributors.”
Mace Farer came in from Julian
creak Thursday for a stay of two days.
He is interested with Cole McDougall,
Charlie Worden and Walley Owens
and tells of the big cabin they have
over there and the cache full of eats.
Have your nuggets made into souve
nirs at Simpson’s, the pioneer jeweler.
TA A BED
DEVIL WITH HIM
With the intention of attending the
' annual automobile meet at Ormond
Beach, Florida, where he has not
missed the races for a number of sea
sons, Biiiv Gilcher, the man with the
; tin, will leave next week over the Sew
ard trail, dogging the footsteps of a
i number of canines.
Billy always makes it a point to buy
a new racer when he goes to Ormond,
and this time she will be a humdinger
warranted never to miss sparking and
always plenty of benzine in the tank.
He stops first at Seattle, and will
; then jump to Portland. If not going
too fast at this stage of the journey he
will stop at Frisco, taking a side trip
j out to see if Uncle Tom’s and the Cliff
! house are still there.
Proceeding on his festive way, Billy
will drop unostentatiously into Los An
geles, and from thence will hike to
Chicago, Louie-ville, and Florida, inci
| dentally visiting a few of his birth
! places on his way.
According to the schedule laid out it
wiil take Billy all winter to do the
continent properly, allowing time for
the viewing of historic ruins and old
: cathedrals. Should he fiud the going
i too hot for him he will swim back to
| the Kuskokwim in the spring, or in
case that camp fails to make good he
will meet, his partners (Hamilton and
Allen) in that picturesque Cordova.
Worden sells Bock cigars.
_"
A Word to the Wise Is
Thermos bottle is comparatively a
new invention. F’or travel on the trail
it is incomparable. The uses of it are
many and varied. Boiling tea or soup
can be poured in it and still be hot after
48 hours and longer, even in the rigor
of an Alaska winter. When outfitting
for a long journey do not forget the
“Thermos.” The City Drug Store ic
Iditarod has it fer sale.
Casey sells Bock cigars
WANTED—Party going to the Yukon
via. the Dave Lewis cut-off to call at
Pioneer office before starting on trip.
Call for Bock cigars.
Meet me at Johnstone’s for a social
game of pool or solo.
H. Main builds and repairs houses—
See him. First avenue, near Black st.
HE SLIPPED ONE
OVER ON LOSSEY
An incoming musher from Dis
kaket tells a good one on Loss Ber
nard, the newspaper . man and
musher who left here recently for
a supply of shorts from Gibbon and
Fairbanks and who took out Deputy
Marshal Stevens and Fr ink Jensen
the insane patient who is being
taken to Mt. Tabor.
The traveler met the cavalcade
about a hundred miles out, and as
they moved along the trail Jensen
was at the handle bars while Ber
nard was riding in the sled. Stop
ping to pass the time of day he en
quired as to their destination, and
Jensen answered :
“Oh, we’re just going up to
Fairbanks and Outside. Iv'e got
a man here,” pointing to Bernard,
that I’m taking out for treatment.”
Frank Wallace Mentally Sick
Frank Wallace, the young man
who was recently acquitted of
blame in the matter of the acciden
tal killing of Wm. Triseo, is now
in the custody of the marshal at
Georgetown, for he is believed to
be insane and it is considered un
safe lo allow him liberty.
He has been actingly queerly
since the unfortunate tragedy that
resulted in the death of bis partner,
and it is even thought by some
that he might have been insane at
the time of the killing. His actions
have been wholly unaccountable,
and they now think over there that
lie is hopelessly insane.
Captain J. J. Donovan, the deputy
marshal, has been laid up for two or
three days with an attack of the grippe.
It is the prevailing fad on Flat creek
now, and it may be that “el eapitan”
picked up a stray germ on his recent
visit. _
“Alabam” Laboyteau and “Mazoo’’
Chambers returned from Julian creek
Thursday. They constituted a geodetic
survey while there and found the water
much to their liking.
HOTEL ARRIVALS
RIVERSIDE HOTEL
Pete MeCuen, L T Chambers, Wm
Guttsehick, T L Jackson, Jas Roberts,
Andy Evans, Ed Golden, Ben Derrick,
A1 McMullen, John Kretz, F O Allen,
T S Grimsmore, Geo Foy, J Balls, An
drew Dundash, Capt Green, H Howard.
REGINA HOTEL
A Hatolv, A J Estland, W Canavan,
John Hanson, W Collingwood, II Phil
lips, Victor Matson, G A Bishop, J II
Smith, B McGregor, A Olson, P N
Sire, Oscar Letourman, S Bullard, R
Hart, E A Mitchell, W Leorv, G J G
I Rueter, Miss E E Jones. Doc Mading.
IDITAROD HOTEL
E E Aubert, Erie Palmen, Mr Ring
wald, John Lakse, .T Medal, M O'Rosh,
I Neulson, M Ora, P Fleming, J John
son, Oscar Olson. F S Osterholtz, M
Enberg. M Mattson, Erick Orn, Chas
Ecklund, Eli Jarve, Hans Roy, Wm
Aveiv, J F Shropshire, Joe Peterson,
j Gus juuth. H Martin. Mr Linsett., Chas
j Johnson, Henry Jacola. Joseph Nick,
Martin Holmes, Geo Vig, Chas Beck
| man, P Ernon, Doc Donaldson, MrTay.
lor, Gus Olson.
BEATTIE HOUSE
J Bidwell, Dan Sheedy, O Olson,
Geo Emery, N Mulberry, N Stewart.
I Jim Hagan, Ed Britt, C Wyman, C ,T
| Sullivan, D Colquham, Wm L Ray,
Mrs A McMorry, Dr Craig, Joe Boisses,
P McGinn, Geo Bittel, J E Esterbrook,
J Perry, Billy Wise, Ed Wolff, R R
j Henderson, Lee Parries, J T. Vallaird,
j Ed Schmelzel, Wm Goodair, John Lar
| son, E Adams.
M'DONALD HOTEL
James Lynch, John Donnelly, Jas
t Kelly, Daniel Foley, Ed St Clair, Geo
' Keith, M J Kerns, Dan McKenzie, R
i McIntyre, J D Gannon, J H Sutton,
Dikeman; Peter Ekman, Wm Bristol
J Wilks, Wm Foley, Jonk Olsen, Thos
| E West, Carly Overly, Geo Belt, S
i Sweeney, M Diggins, F Finn, M Olsen.
| Chas Christ, O Hainer, Tom Frobin,
W S Reese, Flat; M Johnson.
GILMORE HOUSE
Mr and Mrs Thos DeCarap, Jack
Pomeroy, W Robinson, M Olson, Geo
I Mutchler, Otter creek; Pete Scott,
Dave Marshall, Mace Farrar, W Ow
ens, Dan Nelson, Kuskokwim; Emil
Peterson, Mat Jensen, H J Davis, Tom
Jones, J Brevis, E H Fields, Joa Miller,
Fred Lowry, Frank Videvide, Flat
creek. _
Ramps sells Bock cigars.
SPECIAL
HOLIDAY GIFTS
Manila—H ERMAN AS—Cigars
Tin Foil
25 to Box
All Dealers Sell Them.
BARRETT & LEWIN, AGENTS,
TURKEY
No turkey for Thanksgiving, but Bill
Ansley says he will give a big Thanks
giving dance at Ansley’s hall the night
before Thanksgiving day, for the ben
efit of the Iditarod fire department.