One Do el ah Per Month. IDITAROD, ALASKA, SUNDAY, JULY 24, 1910. Two Bits Per Copy
MOSQUITO FLEET
MOVING FREIGHT
The steamer Delta, which arrived at
Dikeman on July 19th, with about 20
passengers and a barge of freight, has
departed for tke mouth of the Iditarod
for more of the same. She is plying
between the two points, and will be
used there the rest of the season.
The last consignment of passengers
and freight brought by the Delta to
Dikeman were taken from the Louise
which brought them to the mouth of
the Iditarod. It is reported that there
are 30 passengers at St. Michael wait
ing to come in and four barges at the
mouth of the Iditarod. This human
freight and one of tho barges will
doubtless arrive at Dikeman with the
next trip of the Delta which should be
starting back about this time.
The Mutchler Bros, arrived in the
city last Tuesday with a scow from a
l>oint seven miles below Richmond.
The craft was brought up with two
horses, tandem, and carried about nine
tons of lumber and corrugated iron
billed to E. R. Peoples, the Fairbanks
and Iditarod City merchant.
The Teddy H., which reached the
city Friday morning, after a week's
work on river improvement between
this point and Richmond, departed for
Dikeman Friday afternoon for a con
signment of freight. She expected to
bring up 35 tons on the prevailing high
water and is scheduled to arrive here
tonight.
The launch Helen M. reached Idit
arod City Thursday evening with 16
passengers and the mail, having con
nected with the Delta at Dikeman.
The passenger list, so far as could be
secured was as follows: Miss D. H.
Green, Julia Martin, Doris Raymond,
Fritzi Scheff, F. Alice, Mr. and Mrs.
Vieg, Rams Peterson, Bob Martin, Mr.
Oleson and Mr. Anderson.
On the arrival of the Delta at Dike
man, July 19th, Hutchison & Riley,
Dawson freighters, arrived at that city
with 13 horses. They are now coming
overland with the stock to Iditarod
City.
Steataers Pup, Little Delta and Lois
arrived in port about 11 p. m. Friday
The Lois has been engaged in river
improvements below here and brought
a small load of freight from a cache a
few miles below here. The Pup had
about 25 tons of freight for Rooney and
B., H. & K. Little Della brought 50
tons of freight from Dikeman, most of
which was liquors and bank fixtures
fo.* Nestor. These boats left for down
river as soon as their cargo was dis
charged, as they wish to take every
advantage of the present high water
to land at its destination the great
amount of freight now lying on the
river bank between here and Dikeman.
Steamboat men are greatly pleased
with the wing dam improvements.
FIRST WEDDING
IN IDITAROD
Before this paper hud made its bow
to the public of the new camp, and
long before it was commonly thought
that Cupid could move his heavy bag
gage to these diggings, the wedding
bells had rung out, but so quietly that
it took our news sleuth a long time to
get on to it.
The wedding in question is probably
the first to occur in this section, at
least it is the very first since the big
stampede of this spring, and occurred
in this city on the evening of June 27,
the sweet and delicate rites being most
solemnly and efficaciously performed
by Judge Alfred E. Maltby.
the contracting parties were well
known and popular people of the upper
country, the bride, Miss Lucy Carey,
being a society belle of Hot Springs
and Fairbanks, and the groom, Mr. C.
Larson, being a member of Larson
Bros.’ freight outfit of Fairbanks.
The wedding was a quiet affair and
was attended by only a few close friends
of the bride and groom, both of whom
were among the early arrivals in Idit
arod this spring. They are now resid
ing in the city.
Pioneers, Notice
A meeting of the members of the
order of Pioneers of Alaska residing in
this vicinity is called for 7:30 o’clock
tonight (Sunday) at the Northern build
ing, corner Willow and First, for the
purpose of discussing the advisability
of organizing a local igloo.
Committee.
" * Home Restaurant for sale.
French plate mirrors, store fronts
and windows of any design made to
order at Slippern’s. Third and Otter 1
I
HIGHWAY JUMPERS ARE VACATING
The chief matter of interest iu court circles during the
past week has been the nuisance cases, tried before Com
missioner Maltby in which the local authorities, backed by
the road commission have sought to clear Willow street of
old and recent locators on that thoroughfare, iucludiug in
their cases those who were among the first locators in the
city as well as those who changed their locations a few days
ago.
The United States through Henry Roden, acting as as
sistant district attorney brought suit on the relation ot A.
E. Light against Ernest Niehoff, Ollie Bourret, Angus
Sutherland and Robert Soutar charging them with beiug a
public nuisrnee iu blocking Willow street with their
habitations.
Niehoff is the proprietor of the Coffee House which
was moved about July 15, alongside ot the lot claimed by
Joe Green aud which was staked there some weeks ago in
front of Mr. Niehoff’s old location. Sutherland and.Soutar
are the proprietors of the Caribou Cafe located 011 the down
river side. Wm. South wick was also made a defendant in
the same action, his place of business being situated toward
the river and back of Niehoff’s coffee house.
The case came up for trial before Commissioner Malt
by on the afternoon of last Wednesday, counsel agreeing to
try the matter before a jury of six. A. F. Bigliam and F.
F. Becker appeared as couusel for NiehoS and Bourrett;
Soutar and Sutherland at first appearing for'themselves,
hut securing the services of Arthur Phelan before the con
clusion of the trial.
With the opening of testimony the government, by its
first Witness, A. E. Light, attempted to show that Willow
street had been formally dedicated by the road commission
as a public highway by John Zug, superintendent of the
road commission for the fourth judicial district, a few hours
after his arrival ou the morning of June ist. The plaintiff
also introduced witnesses to prove that Willow had been
laid out as a street by the first inhabitants ot the town as
early as March last, and that the actual survey was made
by L- S Robe on the 2d of June. They also introduced a
number of witnesses to show that when the defendants set
tled on the street its boundaries were plainly marked and
evidenced by fences, stakes and buildings. In making out
its case the government called a number of witnesses,
among whom were A. E. Light, F. A. Clevelend, L. S.
Robe, Dennis Parent, Tom O'Neil, Bert Phillips, J. D.
Barnes, T. L. McGrath and E. J. Gove.
Following the close of the case of the prosecution, the
defense made a motion to dismiss, which being overruled
by Judge Maltby, the case was continued until 7:30 o’clock
iu the evening.
The defense offered evidence to prove that Zug could
not have selected Willow street as a highway on the ruorn
ing of June ist since he could not have known at that time
that he would really build a road from Iditarod city at all.
They also tried to show that when the defendants moved
onto the ground in dispute there were no evidences of a
street there, and that the survey was not made until sev
eral days after their arrival. To prove their case, F. E.
Becker was sworn as were Robert Soutar, Angus Suther
land, Alex Patterson, Caroline Stoner, Ollie Bourret, Ern
est Niehoff, Thomas McDonough, A1 Hicks and Cbas.
Greer.
The evidence was all in by 9 o’clock, and following a
short recess argument was had, Roden opening and closing
for the government, Becker and Phelan speaking for the
defendants. Shortly before 10 o’clock the jury, consisting
of Tobiaa Fleischman, C. H. Brink, A. Gooch, Archie
Allen and Capt. A. P. Gilmour, took the matter under con
sideration, and after about an hour’s deliberation, returned
a verdict of guilty against all the defendants.
On Thursday morning, Commissioner Maltby rendered
judgment upon the verdict of the jury, fining each of the
defendants $5 and costs, and ordering the abatement of the
nuisance, or in other words the vacation of the street.
Niehoff, Soutar and Sutherland, immediately gave
notice of appeal, w hereupon the court fixed a bond of $2,ooq,
to stay the execution of the iudgment and pay the costs of
the appeal.
O11 Thursday afternoon the case against Joe Green on
the same charge was tried before a jury of 12, Green acting
as his own attorney. Practically the same evidence was
adduced as in the former case except that Green could not
show as early an appropriation of his ground as the first
defendants. The jury consisting of Jess Boubon, E. M.
Tanner, Cbas. Hoxie, Geo. Bery, J. T. Risser, J. Sher
lock, James Fay, William Tasker, J, Ryan and H. Heron
deliberated for about 15 minutes and aiso returned a ver
dict against Green.
Job Printing at the Pioneer shop.
Otter Claim in Litigation Over Lay Transfer
With the arrival of complaint, summons and writ of
attachment from Fairbanks early last week, followed
by service and levy by the United States marshal, the
works of Bates, Merritt & McKenzie, on the upper end
of 1 above, Otter creek, and figured one of the best lays
in the country, was closed down Wednesday night. Fol
lowing hurried legal proceedings, and the execution of
a redelivery bond, it was expedted that the lay would
resume operations at once.
The troublo grew out of a suit instituted in Fair
banks by Jack Goslow to recover §3,000 which he claims
- - ■ * - — ■
to be due him from Gil Bates, Jack Merritt and Angus
McKenzie, as the balance due him on the purchase price
of the lay. He had already been paid $3 000, but the
remaining half had been tied up by D. A. Campbell,
who claimed a half interest in the sale of the lay by
Goslow. Receiving notice from Campbell that he
claimed $3,000, the present laymen refused to pay the
money over to Goslow, preferring to allow them to fight
it out. As a result they brought suit upon themselves.
From the history of the difficulty it appears that
Goslow sold his lay on 1 above, Otter, to Bates, Merritt
& McKenzie last fall for $G,000, representing that he
was sole owner. Subsequently notice comes from Camp
bell that he owns haif, through having grub staked
Goslow.
The present laymen then refused to pay Goslow the
balance of the purchase price until they could find out
where they stood. Goslow then institutes suit against
them and has the property attached. In order to get
the attachment released they were compelled to put up
an indemnity bond of $4,000 to the marshal.
Work on River Proving of Great Benefit
The preliminary reports brought back after the fin
ish of the first relay of the work between Iditarod city
and Richmond which has for its purpose the deepening
of the river channel to facilitate the transportation of
the late season shipping, are most satisfactory to every
one concerned, since it is now announced that small
steamers will be able to traverse the upper section of
the river through the balance of the summer, unless the
water fails entirely.
Four hundred and fifty feet of wing dam has been
put in at Flat bar, Corkscrew bar and Home bar while
considerable work has been done at Zodiac bar just
above Richmond, the cost up to the present being fig
urged at approximately $1,100. The steamer Teddy H.,
in charge of Captain Heacoek-, has been engaged on
this section of the river for nearly a week with a crew
of 18 men. The steamer Lois has also been working at
the Zodiac bar during the same length of time.
It is figured that these wing dams, amounting to
about nine in number, have greatly improved the chan
nel between this city and Richmond, and that the action
of the water will make it better in the future. It is also
estimated that an equal amount of money to that al
ready expended will be sufficient to finish the work to
Dikeman.
The importance of this work can hardly be over
estimated since it is reported that there are between
600 and 700 tons of freight at Dikeman for this point
and about 500,000 feet of lumber, all of which will be
needed in this camp this winter.
Following the rains of the past week, the steamers
have left off on the river work to take advantage of the
raise, and have departed for Dikeman after cargoes.
The Teddy H. left Friday afternoon and expected
to be back to this city by Sunday evening with a load
of 35 tons, indicating that the mosquito fleet should be
able to bring up a large amount of freight at once,
The work of the committee on collection of the
sinews of war has been going on all week, and some
$1,700 had been subscribed with several large contribu
tors still to be heard from. It is confidently expected
that the money necessary for the completion of the
work to Dikeman will be forthcoming.
TOWN TRUSTEE SULLIVAN ORGANIZING FIRE-FIGHTING BRIGADE
After two ineffectual attempts to inveigle the busi
ness men and property holders of the city into a meet
ing to discuss the organization of some sort of a fire
department, the board of city trustees becoming des
perate, tried to figure out a little scheme of their own,
and have in fact devised a provisional chemical and
bucket brigade which may be of some slight effect if
called upon to exercise its powers.
Comment has been made before on this subject and
an explanation of the psychological phenomenon which
accompanies the almost complete lethargy of public
opinion. The public simply will not wake up to the
need of adequate fire protection until a fire has caused a
heavy loss. They they will get busy.
Although the property holders will not attend the
meeting to discuss fire protection, each is most enthusi
astic on the subject when visited by the city trustees,
and unhesitatingly endorsed anything that the trustees
may do. But there is no money forthcoming. Besides,
each property holder visited wants a hydrant sight in
front of his property.
The scheme now under consideration by the trus
tees contemplates the installation of a pipe line from
the river to First street about the middle of the city,
with 200 feet of pipe running along First up and down
street. With 400 feet of hose at the ends of these lines,
it is deemed possible to get effective action within the
radius of the nozzles.
A boiler is available and a three-inch pump, but the
serious question involves the propositien of keeping up
continuous steam, since it must be admitted that the
apparatus would be ineffectual unless the pump would
be immediately available on two or three minutes’ no
tice. This is considered an expensive luxury, and under
the present state of public indifference, probably can
not be carried through.
The board of trustees last week appointed E. M'
Sullivan fire chief and he has been busy organizing his
chemical and bucket brigade. Five stations have been
established, three on Willow street and two on First,
each station having six men and a captain. A code of
signals is being devised, whereby the whistle at the mill
of the Clark Lumber Co. will give the alarm and by the
number of toots locate the fire. All stations immedi
ately respond with some 15 chemicals and buckets
whereupon a bucket line will be formed from the river
while the chemicals are being trained on the blaze.
It has been suggested that efforts be made to en
large the chemical brigade, but there are not enough
of them in the city at this time. Money should be sub
scribed to purchase a large lot of these handy little
engines and have them sent in at once. They greatly
discount any possible bucket brigade, and will probably
be the most effective system that can be now devised.
VASELE WON
JHE MATCH
A crowd of about 250 persons
filled Bert Phillips’ new log build
ing on First avenue Friday night
to witness the first sporting event
in Iditarod City.
The game started out with a pre
limiuary between Joe Dukich and
Paul Walton. The bout was distin
guished by the earnest hard work
of both meu, rather than science.
Walton was the cleverer, but Joe
the stronger of the two, and he had
Paul down twice before he got the
first fall. Joe seemed to be unable
to understand that he must-have
his opponent pinned down by both
shoulders before he could claim a
fall. In the interval matters were
explained to him, and in the second
go they went at it with a rush.
The Austrian soon had Walton
on his back again, but before he
could get both shoulders to the mat
to the satisfaction of the referee he
quit and refused to proceed. Tom
McCrae, who was referee, decided
it no contest and declared all bets
off.
At 9 o’clock Tom Vasele and
Jack O’Connor, the principals in
the main event, appeared on the
mat and after choosing Fred Carter
to referee the match, the big thing
was on. The first fall was won by
Vasele in ji minutes, every instant
of which was replete with action,
good clean wrestling which kept
the spectators' enthusiasm at top
notch from start to finish.
The second go was of shorter du
ration but fully as interesting as
the first while it lasted. After five
minutes' struggle Jack’s shoulders
were again forced to the mat aud
Tom was declared the winner.
None are more popnlar in the in
terior of Alaska than the O'Connor
boys, and Jack made lots of new
friends last night even if he did
lose. Vasele had the advantage in
weight and experience, a combina
tion hard to beat.
Mrs. Balton, has sold out her busi
ness here and will leave this week to
join her daughter, Mrs. Capt. Boerner,
in the Kuskokwim.
French plate mirrors, store fronts
and windows of any design made to
order at Slippern's. Third and Otter.
GREEN FINED FOR
CONTEMPT OF COURT
Following the verdict of the jury
rendered Thursday afternoon in tho
case of the UnitcdStates vs. Joe Green,
by the force of which Green was de
clared guilty of obstructing Willow
street, the defendant deliberatefy put
up his tent in the building he had al
ready started and nailed on a few more
boards, indicating a determination to
stay there in spite of the order of the
court.
He was arrested by Deputy Marshal
Donovan Friday morning on an order
of Judge Maltby, charging him with
contempt oi court, his bond fixed at
J500, in default of which he was placed
in the federal jail.
On Saturday morning he was brought
before the court for hearing, being
'represented by J. W. Dunn, and fol
lowing his examination was declared
guilty. His punishment was fixed at
$25 and costs.
Thereupon Mr. Dunn made an elo
quent plea for the young man asked
for a suspension of the fine, agreeing
that steps would be immediately taken
to remove the obstruction from Willow
street, which was accordingly done,
and the incident closed.
NOTICE TO EAGLES
About 40 members of the Fraternal
Order of Eagles in this vicinity met in
the Clifton building last Monday even
ing, and after electing Henry Roden
as temporary chairman, and Chas. A.
Newton as temporary secretary, it was
voted to meet again last night in the
Phillips building to form a social club.
At the meeting last night very few at
tended as the members could not be
notified through the press in time,
and it was decided to adjourn until
next Saturday evening, July 30, at 8 p.
m. at the Phillips’ block. All Eagles
are requested to attend and take an in
terest in this matter._
Slippern has finest screen doors in
town—get his prices.
SOCIAL ORDERS
GETTING BUSY
With the members of the Fraternal
Order of Eagies already meeting to
form a branch of the organization here;
the Arctic Brotherhood discussing the
probability of a camp at Iditarod City
and the Pioneers of Alaska talking of
starting an Igloo, the outlook for a
winter Ailed with social activity for
this town and the creeks is particularly
bright and opens up a prospective vista
of many delightful times.
With the falling of the first snow*
and the closing of the rivers, the Idit
arod, with its large family ef old-timers
and cheechacos will be shut ;off from
the Outside world. Unlike Fairbanks,
there will be no ready communication
with old folks at home, and the camp
will be thrown in upon itself for its
pleasures and its recieations. This
condition of affairs has always, in the
experience of seasoned Alaskans tended
to a closer social intercourse between
the inhabitants of any particular sec
tion, driving them to seek enjoyment
in the society of each other, and mak
ing them unusually active and ingeni
ous in devising and carrying out suc
cessful dances and parties.
With the freezeup also comes great
er facility of communication between
towns and creeks, and makes the mat
ter of distance-covering one of enjoy
j ment rather than of labor.
There are a number of live creek
towns out at the diggings. Each one
of these can be confidently counted up
on to furnish its quota of the winter’s
amusements. The real live ones in
those places can be relied upon to pro
vide the proper quarters for dances
and other social gatherings, while the
other places will not fail to furnish the
people.
Here in Iditarod City we have a
large number of the fair sex, and the
city is already assured of a large dance
hall in the bank building, now under
construction. With ample facilities
for entertaining creek friends, it ap
pears likely from what has been heard
that the creek people are willing and
anxious to respond.
Winter in tlie North is a period of
more or less suspended industrial ani
mation, and the jteople have ample
time to devote themselves to the
pursuit of pleasure. For that
reason, dog teams and sleds will
be In great demand when the
trails get good, and the answer em
phatically is, “There will be some
thing stirring.”
Big Bank Building
Foundations Laid
For the last week a large boiler
has been steaming at the corner of
Bonanza and First streets where
Nestor & Ross are laying the foun
dntions for the Miners & Merchants
bank building.
Posts are being sunk to a depth
of 10 leet io support a two-story
structure too feet square. The
bank will occupy th* corner, arid
store space will also be reserved on
the ground floor. The upper story
will be divided into offices and a
large assembly hall 50x60 feet.
The actual building operations will
begin with the arrival of the Nestor
lumber, now at Dikemau.
Friends Will Send
Him to the Outside
Suffering from catarrh of the
stomach in an aggravated form, J.
J. Corbett, and old-timer of the
Northern country, is lying at the
Miners’ Home lodging house in
this city, where he is being treated
preparatory to his being sent Out
side to go under the care of a,
specialist.
Corbett has been in the North 14
years and is known from the head
to the mouth of the Yukon and all
its tributaries. He is now in the
charge of his friends who are mak
ing arrangements to send him to
Seattle where he can be given the
proper treatment.
NOTICE.
The Rev. J. Logan Sample, of Pitts
burg, Pa., will preach in the court
house at 11 a.m. and at 7:30 p.m. today
(Sunday, July 24). Everybody welcome,
bring your friends, anti help a good
cause'. _
Largest stock of sash and doors at
Slippern’s. Prices right. Cor. Third
and Otter. Tel. 5.
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