Iditarod Pioneer
One Dollar Per Month. IDITAROD, ALASKA, SATURDAY EVENING, MARGE 16, 1912. Two Bits Per Copy
DYNAMITER DYING
OF TUBERCULOSIS
Los Angeles, Mareli 15.— Ad
vices received here say John Mc
Namara is dying of tuberculosis in
San Quentin prison.
The Harrow tiial begins todav
REGULAR WEEKLY
INAUGURATION
Peking, March 15. —Yuan Slit
Kai has been inaugurated President
of China.
Hong Kong, March 15. — Chi
nese troops rebel, kill and burn at
Canton. _
FORTY-SIX DYNAMITERS
TO BE TRIED OCTOBER 1
Indianapolis, March 15.— Fottv
six of the fifty-four met: indicted
forcotnplicity in the dynamitejcases
appeared, pleaded not guilty and
their trial was set for October 1
ANARCHIST ATTEMPTS TO
KILL ITALIAN KING
_ I
Rome, March 15.—An anarchist!
J i
last Wednesday fired three shots at
King Victor Emanuel, but the
latter was unhurt.
DRAFTS IN CIVIL WAR
Editor Pioneer,
Sir:—Would you be kind enough to
settle a little argument for a few Fiat
heads in this burg?
During the drafting in the civil war
was there any distinction shown as to
who should be drafted, property own
ers or non-property owners? or was
there a law to that effect?
FLAT CITIZEN.
Flat City, March 12.
Answer.
The “Conscription Bill” passed March
b, 1863, but the Democrats held it un
constitutional and their arguments
were unanswerable. The Republicans
therefore had recourse to the right ,
guaranteed to congress by the consti
tution to “raise armies,” as implying
the right to fix the method of so doing,
and this was upheld by the supreme
court. All able-bodied citizens between
18 and 45 were summoned for enroll
ment by provost marshals. Quotas of
troops were to be filled by lot from the
enrollment. Conscripts could furnish
substitutes or buy exemption for $300.
All persons refusing obedience were
punishable as deserters. The rank and
tile execrated it as a class measure,
shifting the burden from the rich, to
whom $300 was a trifle, to the poor,
who could pay only with their blood,
and were least able to leave their
families.
RUBY 0 .OOK
NOT ENCOURAGING
Numerous letters from Ruby wero
received by Iditarod residents through
this week’s mail, A fear of the letters
were optimistic in tone, but by far the
majority contained views exactly con
trary. Some even said the entire dis
trict did not contain a single showing
that could reasonably be classed as pay.
Many were reported leaving up and
down the Yukon and a few for the
Iditarod.
The Pioneer has not received a Ruby
paper dated later than February 10. It
Is reported that one of later date has
been received by a resident, but its
version of the Ruby situation has not
been learned by us. To put it mildly,
from this distance the Ruby outlook is
not encouraging.
PAPERS IN SMITH CASE
HAVE BEEN RECEIVED
Commissioner Stanton has received
from Fairbanks the papers relative to
the retrial of the George Smith as
sault ca*e, the former trial of which in
the Iditarod justice court was decided
to be illegal, because the defendant
was denied the right of trial by twelve
jurors and forced to go to trial with
Six. The date of the rehearing has
yet bean set by the commissioner.
put Glass, jewelry. W. Taylor, Flat.
Dog mushers, attention.—I have cut
the price on dog feed. Ray E. McDon
ald. Inquire at. carpenter shop.
Select Outside Lumber, coiimitated
ton and roofing paper at Ross & Nes
tor’s.
NELSON BROTHERS’
BODIES ARE LOOKED
Deputy Marshal John R. Kelday arrived from the Kuskokwim
yesterday and confirmed the report of the finding of the bodies of
John and Gustav Nelson, the news of which had been brought in
by Jim Eagle last Wednesday.
The bodies had been buried in a grave three feet deep. When
exhumed they were found to be badly decomposed. The men had
been shot, but of the nature of the wounds the deputy marshal does
not care to talk at present, preferring to await the result of com
munication which he immediately entered into with Fairbanks upon
his arrival.
Reports brought by Eagle, and generally accepted by the pub
lic, are to the effect that each of the brothers had been shot through
the head.
The bodies were found on an island some distance above the
Indian village at the mouth of theTuluksak. The marshal's party
consisted of himself, Cap Hall, an old Kuskokwim prospector, and
Nels E. Nelson, brother of the murdered men. They were all
present when the bodies were exhumed, as were several Indians
from the village. Nels Nelson had offered a reward of $200 for the
finding of the bodies, and the Indians assisted in the search. Mr.
Nelson himself found the grave, and on that account the Indians
were satisfied to receive only half the reward.
Previously to the finding of the bodies, the marshal’s party
••.refully inspected the dead men’s effects, which had been cached
by the murderers on the island four miles below the village
several miles below the island upon which the bodies were found.
The effects were fully identified as having belonged to the mur
dered men. The personal papers and letters contained in valises
had been ransacked and stuffed back into the valises, indicating
that robbery was the motive for the murders.
Bodies Reinterred
Before leaving the vicinity, the marshal’s party reinterred the
bodies and took precautions against their being molested or uncov
ered by dogs or wild animals. It is the intention of Nels Nelson
to send the bodies Outside for final interment after an inquest has
been held and the officials have completed their inquiry into the
matters relating to the murder.
It will depend on word from Fairbanks, which may be received
today, whether the inquest will be held on the Kuskokwim or at
Iditarod. In case it is held at Iditarod, it will be necessary to
bring the bodies here.
Other Rumored Crimes
Deputy Marshal Kelday was asked what steps would be taken
looking toward the investigation of the rumors of other murders
supposed to have been committed on the Kuskokwim, especially
those to which Wada the Jap has given some attention. Of course
the deputy could give no definite answer to the question, but inti
mated that the matters would be gone into, as a matter of course,
under instructious from Fairbanks.
Besides the Jap trapper, known as Allen, who was undoubtedly
murdered, it is believed, two years ago, and two white men who
had met their fate previously to that, the strange disappearance of
John Ness, who started from Flat to Georgetown summer before
last, is being recalled. Ness is believed to have had nearly $2,000
on his person. He has never been heard of.
Suspected Parties
The name of the man called Crane in this paper l ist week in
the story of inquiries made by Wada the Jap should have been
Kline. He is not identical, as some believed, with the man Camp
bell supposed to have been implicated in the Nelson murders.
Neither is the man Coynt, in jail at St. Michael for robberies com
mitted along the Yukon last fall, the same person as Campbell
going under another name; at least, in all probability he is not. Of
course the officials will not talk about suspected parties or their
own surmises and conclusions; but the men here named have been
so much talked of that what is here recited can do no harm.
The Investigation
Deputy Marshal Kelday left Flat to begin his investigation
February 7. In one month he had proved that the rumored mur
der of the Nelsons was a fact, had found the bodies, had secured
evidence that robbery was the motive for the crime, and, suppos
edly, had gained evidence pointing to the identity of the guilty
parties. This is a great deal accomplished in small time. No
official action had been taken before and he and his assistants had
to begin at the ground. With so much done so quickly, it is hoped
the crimes of the Kuskoawim may be sifted to the bottom and the
guilty ones brought to justice.
ENOUGH MESSAGES TO PUL k BOOK
Washington, March 15.—In a special message President Taft
says the high cost of living is a world wide problem.
President Taft in a message relating to Alaska recommends an
investigation of Alaska cable tolls, and that 10 per cent, of the
liquor and other license moneys collected go to the relief of per
sons incapacitated by old age, 30 per cent, to the support of the
school system and the remainder to roads and trails, in lieu of pro
visions contained in the bill introduced by Delegate Wickersham,
NOME DOSS TO RAGE FOR $5,000
Nome, March 15.—The Alaska sweepstakes, to be run April 1,
will be one of the biggest events ever pulled off here. The Nome
Kennel Club is offering a purse of $5,000. The club is busy making
arrangements for the race. Many entries are promised, and one
| is expected from the Iditarod.
RACE STARTS
AT 9.30 A.M.
TOMORROW
The board of directors of the Idit
arod Kennel Club last night changed
the hour of startnig tomorrow's race
from 11 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This was
done in order to insure plenty of day
light in which to complete the race.
Four entries were booked, as follows:
Grand hotel, Flat, 8 dogs, to start at
9:30.
John Holmes, 10 dogs, 9:40.
Charley Foster, 9 dogs, 9:50.
Summit roadhouse, 9 dogs, 10:00.
At the post the teams will be made
up and enrolled by the judges.
No post entries will be allowed.
AMUNDSEN
AUSTRALIA
Hobart, Tasmania, March 15.
Capt Roald Amundsen has reached
here, and says there is no doubt
about the discovery of the south
pole Hobart is 140 miles south
of the southeastern extremity ot
the Australian continent.
WASHINGTON BRIEFS
Washington, March 15.—Con
gress stops the shipping of war
material to Panama.
The senate has confirmed the ap
pointment of Mahlon Pitney, ol
Jersey, to the supreme bench.
Governor Clark says Alaska is
solid tor Taft.
NOME POLITICS
NOT WARMING OP
Nome, March 15 —“Obscurity”
defines the political situation as lai
as this part of the territory is con
cerned. Wickershamites are be
coming very uncertain as to
whether tbeir favorite will be a
candidate again or not. Mayor
William A. Gilmore denies that he
is a candidate for the Republican
nomination. There is a rumor
here that W. T Burns, of Fai .
banks, may be a candidate for the
Democratic nomination
GERMAN COAL MINERS
STRIKE FOR MORE PAY
Berlin, Ma ch 15.—A hundred
thousand Westphalian coal miners
are on strike for higher wages
MEXICAN REBELS TAKE JIMINEZ
Chihuahua, March 15- Rebel
have captuied Jituinez Not a shot
shot was fired
TRAIL PROMISES
TO BE HEAVY
The equinoctial storm which set
in yesterday morning shows some
sign of abatement at noon today
It i-- not seve-re, but the accompany
ing snow, soft even unto the melt
itig point, promises to cause a
heavy trail for the dog race to
morrow.
Remember that beaus are to
be counted af the Miners’ Home
tomorrow. The one guessing
nearest the number of beans in the
jar gets half a gallon of whisky or
a box of good cigars.
Get the habit, go to H. Boas.
Jim Eagle, who first reported the
finding of the bodies of the Nelson
brothers, started on his return to the
Nushagak Thursday afternoon accom
panied by his partner.
Get your new hat of H. Boas, the big
clothing store on the corner.
Annual assessment work blanks a
Pioneer office,
PUTTING ROOSEVELT
ON THE DEFENSIVE
Oyster Bay, March 15 —For the first time in his career Roosevelt
has been compelled to assume the defensive in the campaign now on.
'Faft speakers in the Middle West are aggressive and their cause seems
to be gaining strength. It is believed Roosevelt will take the stump
in his own behalf.
Washington, March 15 —Taft has ordered his campaigners to stop
attacks on Roosevelt. He advises stand-pat leaders to make Miird
termism a leading issue and touch lightly on the questions that are
causing division in the party ranks.
Los Angeles, March 15.—Governor Johnson has opened the Roose
velt campaign in this state.
Washington, March 15 —Much improved in health, La Follette
has gont to the Middle West to resume campaigning.
Madison, Wis , March 15 —La Foilette, upon arrival here, spoke
in favor of federal ownership of railroads and coalfields.
Columbus, Ohio, March 15.—William Jennings Bryan in a speech
here was a strong advocate of the recall of judges.
Minneapolis. March 15 —Bryan dodges the question as to whether
or not he would accept if nominated.
FAIRBANKS PRIMARIES
Fairbanks, March 15.—The Republican primaries were held
lsst Saturday and 474 votes were cast, numerous Democrats and
creek men assisting. Nobody was challenged.
Before the decisive day arrived the forces had lined up in tri
angular array—Taftites, Rooseveltites, Wickershamites. Then the
formation was squared by the Democrats and creek men appearing
as allies, and the standpat committeemen were demanding that all
participants pledge themselves to support the nominee of the con
vention. Bion A. Dodge and Tom Marquam were the generals
anxious to command. The fight settled down to a contest between
the Marquam committeemen and a ticket consisting of a fusion of
Dodgeites and Wickershamites. The Marquam ticket wTon by 65
average majority.
Dodge created a revulsion of feeling by printing a sample bal
lot labeling the opposing ticket the “Barnette Overfield Marquam
Ticket.” Cecil H. Clegg, on the Dodge ticket, was an active can
didate for delegate to congress.
On Sunday, while drowning his sorrow in the Fairbanks buffet,
Clegg applied an opprobious name to Judge Overfield, which Mar
quatn resented with a blow- that felled Cecil to the floor. Clegg
was suspended as assistant district attorney, and resigned the posi
I lion on Tuesday.
Marquam and Territorial Committeman Herron will leave for
Cordova next Monday.
BUM RUMORS CERENT
The Guggenheims will come to the Iditarod and on the ground
continue the negotiations which have been under way on the Coast
more of less all winter. Work on some of the best-producing Flat
creek properties will not start up until after the Guggenheims and
the operators have either concluded the deal or declared all dicker
ing off.
This is the truth of the matter as it now stands, and will con
tinue to stand until the next important move is made.
The Guggenheim talk was renewed in local circles by negotia
tions known to be on between A. B. Ferguson and E. J. Ives at the
beginning of the present week. From these negotiations came a
report that Ives had acquired the Ferguson interests in the Bo
nanza association on Flat, but this has proved untrue. Whether
the terms upon which the interests may be transferred later have
been agreed upon or not the public does not know. Nor doe? it
matter, for it is but one of many comparatively small details that
enter into a pretty big scheme of industrial organization, which
may, or may not, be consummated in the near future.
NO WORD FRO® BOLIVIA RECEIVED
Up to noon today no answer had been received to the request for
iifoitnation cabled to La Paz, Bolivia, March 5. It may be that Mr
Hoi ace Greeley Knowles, w ho represents the Uni ed States in th
principal camp of the southern republic as minister plenipotentiary and
envoy extraordinary, is not the genial, accommodating official w-e took
him to be and does not intend to recognize us at all, or he may have
got knocked off his feet at a roof garden or something of that sort.
Quien sabe, as they say in Bolivia If he answers, then we will imme
diately bulletin his reply and telegraph it all over Alaska. If he don’t
we will apply to the Bureau of American Republics at Washington.
Having commenced, we don’t piopose to stop till we get authoritative
information about Bolivia placers and impart the same to the people of
Alaska.
Nl GIBBON WIRELESS TO SUPPLANT WIRES
_
Seattle, March 15 —The government is planning for the hand
ling of the telegraphic business -between Nome and Fort Gibbon
by the wireless system. With the improvements to be made the
coming season in the new wireless station at iNulato and the
changes contemplated at the Fort Gibbon station it is calculated
that the wire line between these points may be dispensed with
without detriment to the service. The wire line has been a costly
| one to keep up.
1
PASTIME AT NOME
ALL THEY THINK OF
Nome, March 15.—There is little
doing here in the way of mining.
Theatricals, dances, card parties
and other amusements are receiving
more attention than ever before.
ALASKA WEATHER
STILL SALUBRIOUS
Nome, March 15 —We are en
joying regular spring weather here
today, with light showers of rain.
Cordova, March 15—The open
winter continues here. There is
not ice enough in town to cool a
cocktail.
NEW TIMBER REGULATIONS
HAVE BEEN DECIDED ON
Washington, March 15. — New
regulations under the Alaska tim
ber law allow cutting within 30
days after making application with
out waiting for appraisements.
AMERICAN MINING CONGRESS
TO MEET AT SPOKANE
Spokane, March 15. — The Amer
ican Mining Congress will hold its
1912 convention in this city, prob
ably about the middle of Novem
ber. _
AT IDITAROD HOSPITAL
Giles Carlton was admitted yes
terday for treatment for a comp>i
cation of diseases, and will probably
be confined for some time. He was
formerly a waiter in an Iditarod
restaurant and is well known at
Flat.
A1 Berg, recently brought over
from the Kuskokwim, is steadily
improving.
MASQUERADE AT
FLAT CITY TONIGHT
Many Iditarod people are going out
to Flat City tonight to attend the
great St. Patrick's Eve Masquerade,
which is to be held at A. B. Hall. It
is rumored that several original and
striking costumes will be seen and a
big attendance is expected, as this will
probably be the last big ball of the
season.
The following prizes will be awarded
Best dressed lady, sugar and cream
china set.
Best dressed gentleman, gold match
box.
Best sustained character, lady, cut
glass cream and sugar set.
Best sustained character, gentleman,
gold fountain pen.
Most comical Irish character, lady,
cut glass olive dish.
Most comical Irish character, gentle
. man, gold stick pin.
Most original character representing
j business house of the district, lady,
| sugar shell; gentleman, silver match
; 1)0.*. _
Come once and you will cotne again.
| Arcade Cafe, Flat City.
Who is Boas? Why, leading clothier.
SI, PATRICK'S EVE
Mask Ball
TONIGHT
Auspices of
CAMP FLAT NO. 26, A. B.
Valuable Prizes
Gaod Music Fine Floor
Admission to Dancer and Suppec
Gentlemen $5, Ladles Free
■ Must Raise Masks at the Door