GOLDEN GLOW BUTTER
THE FINEST BUTTER PRODUCED
All Our Goods
Are the Best in the Market
Every Article
Is of the Highest Grade Only
Sam’l Applebaum
HATS!
HATS!
HATS!
WHY GO AROUND WEARING
A "BUM" OLD HAT WHEN
YOU CAN GET A NEW ONE—
FROM $1 TO $6—
THAT WILL MAKE YOU LOOK
LIKE A PRINCE? LIGHT
AND HEAVY SHOES. SOX,
OVERALLS. WORK SHIRTS,
AT
An leys
IDITAROD, ALASKA
BARGAIN SALE TO CONTINUE
Appreciating the liberal patron
age of the ladies of Flat, the Spe
cial Bargain Sale will be continued.
The Flat store will be in charge of
Mrs. Robert Lowrie.
MRS. L. C. THORNTON
Watches and Diamonds
STRICTLY OUTSIDE PRICES
J. L. SALE
BEST LIQUORS AND CIGARS
Three-Times-Move Bar
(Formerly the Stanley House)
JOHN BAGOY, PROP.
GOOD ROOMS CLEAN BEDS
_FLAT CITY_
THE PASSING OF RASTUS
“Rastus,” the old malamute dog who
has been the pet of the river men for years
past, and who was known to every resident
of the city, is no more, having come to an
untimely end in the river yesterday morn
ing.
For years Rastus had made a practice of
shipping on board some vessel of the river
fleet as soon as navigation opened, and stay
ing with the craft until the freeze-up, when 1
he would attach himself to gome kindly-dis
posed person and worm himself into a w'in
ter home. During the past winter his abode
was with A) Fox. but the recent opening of
navigation sent him looking for his summer
berth, and in attempting to swim the river
to the Little Delta he was carried under the
cold storage barge. His lusty cries for help
were heeded by many of his gasboat friends,
who put out to Ins assistance in small boats.
He was dragged ashore, but was too far
gone to be resuscitated, although the river
men are said to have worked over him as
tenderly as though he were a human being.
Many tales illustrative of the sagacity of
the old animal are told, and his friendly
and ingratiating ways gained for him the
friendship of all. Only a dog- but his sud
den taking off in the element which he loved
will cause regret to many.
ALONG THE RIVER FRONT
Bill Atkinson is taking a big team of
horses to Marshall City on the steamer Little
Delta.
Earl Byers and Ira Wood announce the
departure of the Nancy Bell for the Tolstoi
today, with freight and passengers.
Frank Kern is preparing to load his fast
launch, the Alice, with mining machinery
consigned to operators in the Ophir district.
The Edna, owned by Messrs. Gritlis if:
Haley, will be among the first vessels to
leave for the new strike, ohe may get away
today.
The launch Comet left Thursday evening
for Mitchell's sawmill, at the mouth of
Moose creek, for a scowload of lumber for
Iditarod.
There have just been completed at the
shop of A1 Palmer two nifty launches for
river service. One is for Jesse Rogers and
the other for Charlie Denton.
The steamer Pup has about completed her
repairs, and is preparing for a trip to the
new diggings on the Tolstoi, in connection
with the Comet, Captain ’Gene Norton.
The Little Delta is preparing for her trip
to Marshall City with a big load of mining
machinery. She also may have some pas
sengers. Captain Atwell expects to get
away early next week.
The Iditarod river front has assumed a
new air of activity since the break-up is
complete, and appearances indicate that
there will be plenty of business for the
river men for a while, at least.
The gasoline problem is a serious one to
the river men this spring. There is a gen
eral shortage, and the movements of vessels
may be restricted somewhat until the ar
rival of a fresh supplv from the Outside.
---+
POPE IS MOVED
LONDON, May 18.—The pope has asked
Kaiser Wilhelm to abandon the submarine
warfare.
--♦
Fresh Olympia and Eastern Oyster* 11.50
per can. Iditarod Meat Co.
HALF-PRICE SALE
On Screen Wire Cloth, Wire Screen Doors, Adjustable Wire Screen
Windows were Now
24-lnch Wire Cloth, per yard. $ .50 | .25
28-inch Wire Cloth, per yard.. .00 .30
36-inch Wire Cloth, per yard... .70 .35
2- g.6- 8 plain Green Wire Doors. 5.00 2.50
2-10-6.10 Plain Green Wire Doors. 7.00 3.50
2- 8-6- 8 Fancy Heavy Wire Doors. 9.00 4.50
2-10-6-10 Fancy Heavy Wire Doors. 10.00 5.00
Wire Screen Windows, 20x24. 1.50 .75
Wire Screen Windows, 23x24. 2.00 1.00
Screen Door Hinges, per pair. . 1 00 50
Screen Door Sets. 1.50 .75
SMITH'S CUN STORE
IDITAROD, ALASKA PHONE 6 SECOND AND WILLOW
HALF PRICE
SCREEN DOORS
AND WINDOWS
C. R. PECK - - FLAT
CONTRACT FOR AERIAL MAIL SERVICE
(Concluded from Page One)
gation in (his section, and they are able to
put their plans into execution. At the pres
ent time, as is well known, the cost of trans
porting merchandise over the trail from the
coast to Iditarod in the winter season is
prohibitive. It is thought that the fact that
the trip from Seward to Iditarod can be
made within forty-eight hours by aeroplane,
carrying from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of
freight, will make possible a reduction in
the cost of transporting light merchandise
which will be the means of working up a
large business. The possibiities are most
inviting.
The contract on which bids were called
for, and which the local men may secure,
is for service between Seward and Iditarod,
380 miles, twice a week all the year, for
transportation of 1,000 (or 2,0001 pounds
of mail each trip; running time, two days.
The cost of the present service between Sew
ard and Iditarod between November 1 and
April 30 (time of dispatch of last mail! is
$22,865 yearly. The figures submitted by
Byers are not made public.
Department Greatly Interested
In the March number of The Postmaster’s
Advocate, a publication devoted to news of
the postal service, is a comprehensive article
by Carolyn Cross on aerial mail service,
from which the following extracts are taken,
showing the great interest taken in the sub
ject by the officials:
“Seriously, though, only they who have
lived in the great spaces of the earth, away
from crowded ultra-civilization, can appre
ciate the welcome change of getting a reply j
to a letter in sixteen days rather than wait
ing the weary interval of from two to three
months.
“At a hearingbefore sub-committee No. 1
of the committee on postoffices and post
roads, house of representatives, Second As
sistant Postmaster General Praeger gave, i
under questioning, some interesting data
concerning the prospective aerial mail routes
in Alaska He stated that at present the
principal methods for transporting mail
there are by water routes, horse sleds, dog
sleds, some reindeer service and a minor
percentage of railroad service. He also told
that the average rate of cost travel for star
route service is $1.04 per mile, regardless of
weight.
“During the hseal year 191a the cost of
Alaskan mail service was $29,424.96, which
was $8,000 less than the appropriation al
lowed, but Mr. Praeger explained that the
service was not satisfactory, although the
department did its best, because of un
avoidable weather conditions as well as that
of the roads.
“ ‘This spring,' said Mr. Praeger, ‘we will
relet the contracts for steamboat service in
the second contract section, and there is no
way to tell definitely v.hat the new con
tracts will cost, because it will be the first
general letting of them in that part of the
country since the nauguration of the parcel
post. * ■ *
“ ‘Under inland transportation by steam
boats or ether power boats we include mail
carried in steamboats or other boats plying
upon the waters between the ports of the
United States, including Porto Rico, Alaska
and Hawaii, and a part of this money saved
is to be added to what was asked for Alaska
this year.’
“He explained that would cover the esti
mated cost of exporting the mails to and
from Alaska and on the waters of Alaska,
but that something like $300,000 requested
from congress to be used in Alaska did not
include that feature, but was meant for
star route service only; that is, after the
mail reaches the land in Alaska, lie did
not make any definite mention of the pro
posed aeroplane mail service beyond saying
that the department proposes going into
Alaska and having investigations made this
spring ‘with a view to seeing what im
provements can be made in the matter of
competition for the routes there and in
order to eliminate many of the complaints
that arise. For this we are asking an in
crease of $2,000, which I consider a very
small amount.’ ”
heasiDility cf Plan
In another portion of the article the
writer says:
“It is believed that the large sums being
now spent under contract to provide the
present Alaskan service are adequate, in
connection with prospective private busi
ness, to induce private capital to organize
companies which will enter the field of
serial transportation in Alaska on a busi
ness basis. Correspondence received by the
postmaster general shows that the latter
step is already being seriously considered
by responsible private parties. It has been
pointed out to the department that- recent
tests of a new biplane demonstrated that
the machine will carry 1.000 pounds useful
load at approximately fifty miles an hour.
It is stated that with good equipment, with
landing places constructed along the routes,
and with competent aviators to operate the
planes and with machinists to keep the en
gines in repair, a regular and dependable
service can be established.”
-♦
COULDN’T STICK MR. DUFFY
The resourcefulness of the old-time sour
dough Alfiskan, begotten of long years of
battling against adverse conditions, is well
exemplified in the case of C. A. Duffy of
this city, who has been in Alaska ever
since Mount McKinley was a hole in the
ground. The recent stampede to the Tol
stoi developed the fact that there was a
scarcity of prospecting boilers in the camp.
Recently Mr. Duffy received a request from
his son, W. E. Duffy, who is at the new
diggings, to send him such a boiler. Mr.
Duffy Senior at once set about the business
of supplying the want, and finding that
none was to be purchased, he proceeded to
build one during his spare moments. The
result of his skill and industry is as neat
and handy a prospecting boiler as one would
care to see, and it is a credit to his work
manship and ingenuity. It will be shipper!
on one of the first boats.
ICE IN THE IDITAROD I
BROKE UP LAST SATURDAY |
AND RIVER IS NOW CLEAR
About 9 o’clock last Saturday evening
the ice in the Iditarod river, which had
been in a more or less disintegrated condi
tion for two weeks or more, began to run
out,'as a result of a slight rise in the river.
Although the ice in front of the city broke
on May 1. there was merely a local move
ment at that time, and the succeeding cold
weather delayed the general break-up In
the meantime the waters had receded many
feet, allowing the ice to drop onto the banks
and bars, and leaving it in a generally
broken up condition, so that when warmer
weather started water Howing again it was
but a short time until there wa^ a general
ice movement. The ice continued to run
intermittently during the early part of the
week, and the river is now apparently clear
of ice.
Lacking the high water which generally
accompanies the break-up, there was noth
ing at all exciting in the occurrence. The
river craft moored to the banks were at
no time in danger, and the ice passed out
without inflicting even nominal damage to
river front property.
As compared with previous years, the
date of the break up is the latest since any
record has been kept here. The latest pre
vious date was in 1911, when the ice moved
on May 11.
No reports have been received here as yet
concerning the break-up on the upper Yu '
kon, with the exception that the steamer :
Washburn was reported to be leaving the !
foot of Lake I.aberge on the 18th, which ;
would indicate that the river is open. From j
Nulato there was received on Monday last
the following, showing that navigation is
about due to commence on Alaska's great
commercial artery:
“Yukon breaks at Melozi. Running at
Gibbon. Water low. Raining at Nulato.
Ice holding other points. Looks like two
or three days before break-up."
LOCAL AND PERSONAL
Mrs. Garrison Costar, who is critically
ill, was reported yesterday to be somewhat
improved.
Silas McConnaughey was an arrival in
the city yesterday. He Is on his way to
the Tolstoi.
Earl Hunt will he one of the passengers
of the Edna on the trip to the new strike
on the Tolstoi.
George Hamilton, who has been suffering
from a badly poisoned thumb, visited Mat
on Thursday last to obtain surgical relief.
Jonas Brewis was down from Willow
creek early in the week, and reports work
in that region rather backward this spring.
Mrs. Herb Riley, who has been seriously
ill, is reported to be improving, and hopes
are entertained that she wall soon be able
to be about.
Mrs. Joseph McDowell, who has been in
attendance on Mrs. Guv G. Gergahty, prob
ably will leave for Flat creek today to take
care of Mrs. Costar.
No word has been received from the be
lated Seward mails, but it is probable that
they may arrive by water soon, as did the
last trail mails last year.
A party consisting of Henry Weir, Harry
Yeager, “Smithy" Benbrooke and George
Marsh left on Wednesday last on the launch
Hunter for Dikeman. They will return to
morrow.
While no word has been yet received by
The Pioneer as to movements of vessels
on the Tanana or Yukon rivers, it is re
ported that a vtssel is to leave Fairbanks ]
today with freight and passengers for this
city.
Mrs. I-ottie Thornton, who has been
conducting a special sale in Flat for the
past few weeks, returned to the city this
week. The store at Flat will be continued
in charge of Mrs. Robert Lowrie for the
present.
-A
MEAT COMPANY’S BARGE
BADLY DAMAGED BY ICE
The barge Trinder of the Pacific Cold
Storage Company probably was the only
craft on the river to suffer in any degree
from the effects of the break-up, but the
damage sustained by her is considerable,
and has caused the employes of the com
pany here considerable uneasiness and much
protracted labor.
When the ice in front of the city moved
on May 1 the Trinder was lying close in
shore, to avoid the moving mass. She was
uninjured by the ice, and was in what was
presumed to be a safe berth to withstand
the expected general flow of ice. When the
water fell as a consequence of the subse
quent cold weather the barge was found to j
be resting on a mass of anchor ice, and as ]
the water dropped still further, the ice acted j
as a pivot on which the heavy craft was j
suspended almost out of the water. It was j
impossible to move her, and the result j
was that many of her timbers were broken, !
leaving an immense hole in the bottom, j
When the river ag=in began to rise during
the latter part of last week the barge made
water fast, and despite the constant opera
tion of the pumps it was impossible to
clear her. Finally, with the aid of the
steamer Little Delta, which supplemented
the work of the Trinder’s own machinery,
she was cleared of water sufficiently to float
her to a position of safety, -where the needed
repairs can be made.
Charlie Denton, the engineer of the barge, I
had a most strenuous week.
Where You Can Get Just What
You Vtfant in the Line of Shoes
A. A. CUTTER’S SHOE PACS
STRONG & GARFIELD SHOES
THE FELDER SHOE
BaammmasaBBmma
AND THE FL0RSHE1M SHOE
A.J. WEISS,FLAT
THE HOME OF HART, SCHAFFNER & MARX
STATEMENT OF THE CONDITION OF THE
Miners & Merchants Bank, of iditarod, Alaska,
AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS, MAY 15, 1916
Ro8ource«
I.nans and discounts.SI 54,208. M
(mrilcaris . 2,570.95
cash, bullion and cxrhangv . 55,:no.o4
*2 1 2,17 5.40
Liabilities
Capital and surplus.$1 Go,000.00
l uciitdfMi profits
1 11 s . 109,971.10
#2 I 2.1 7 3.4 0
I, R. c. Button, cashier of the above-named bank, do solemnly swear trial
tile above statement is true to in.; best of my knowledge and belief.
H. C. BUTTON', Cashier.
subscribed and -worn t.o bcf; >r« me this iOth day > !' May, PMC
(Seal- c. (i. (J.r.RACHTV.
Notary Public in and for Alaska.
My Commission expires Oct. '1, 19 19.
Will Leave Tomorrow, May 21, for the
New Strike on the Tolstoi
Loading Will Commence Today
She will work in conjunction with a shallow draft scow,
and will get freight as close as possible to the strike. All
freight offered will be carried at prevailing rates.
MAKE RESERVATIONS ON BOARD THE EDNA
THE STEAMER
LITTLE BEL TA
Will Leave for
MARSHALL CITY
as soon as the river is clear of ice. For freight end passenger
rates,
APPLY ON BOARD
SI ATWELL, Master
LAUNCH STEAMER
COMET PUP
Will Leave for
Head of Navigation, wi" leave for the new di,tr,ct about
Tobtoi District, June I. to connect with Launch Comet
as soon as ice conditions on the Ditna River
will permit
FOR FREIGHT AND PASSENGER SPACE SEE
HARRY WATSON
FOR
GOOD POTATOES AND CIGARS
CALL UP
iinrairTsALddir
We Still Have Some to Wholesale
THE HOUSE OF QUALITY
Will Have a Complete Stock or Miners Supplies at the New Town
of Cooper
RING US UP ANY SERVICE WE CAN DO YOU f RING us UP
PERFECTION MONOGRAM BLUEBERRY WINE, Five Years Old GIBS0N RYE
NATIONAL CLUB and MARQUETTE WHISKEYS_
GEORGE MARSH BUDWEISER 1DITAROD FLAT CITY THE BRANCH A. D. CURRIE