CANVAS TENTS ^ A RPAUJLINS_^ ....^^HOSE
Good Clothes
l'EE
H. Bobs, Leading Clothier
HART. SCHAFFNER & MARX and CHESTERFIELD CLOTHES
A fire which resulted in the total destna
tion of the residence oi Sam Willmer. >n
Black street, and the damaging of neigh
boring houses occurred on Thursday even ;g
last, causing a serious property loss and,
more important than the tire loss, dem. n
strating the utter uselessness, hr the due
being, at iea-t. of the iire-fightmg appara us
which the city installed last summer at e m
shierabh1 expen-e. and which was called on
for the tirst time for actual use
The tire sianed in me kitchen <1 lie
Willmer residence. Mrs. Willmer was : 1 me
in the house with Iter two children, nd
discovered that the ceiling around the sii-.*ty
was on tire. (fathering up her children. she
rushed to her husband’s place of bus n v-s.
a block or so d - a. it. and gm e tin al.t.m
Mr W illmer evidently overlooked the i.e.-es
sity of sending in ail alarm through tin*
telephone office, and it was some tun • be
fore that was finally done. In the 1 n m
tiiiie he proceeded to his house and er. !• n\
oreu u* save hi' enecis. J\v mis in.. • me
house was a mass of dames, and lit 1' if
anything was saved from ihe building. The
blaze had by this time been seen by cl ers.
and a telephone alarm was sent i:i >- ght
Watchman Earl Byers, in charge of il • tire
apparatus, was at dinner when th • sum
mons reached him. and within three min
utes from the time he received the tele
phone message he. with the assistaiw* of
volunteers, had the chemical engine ; : the
scene of the tire. It was at one ■ seen, mw
ever. that the apparatus was useless far
as saving the Willmc; residence wa con
cerned, and the attention of the fire 1.-fil
ers was directed t> saving the adj rung
houses. In the meantime Mr. Byer pro
(-(•-• ied back to the fire station to g.-t the
pump and hose in readiness for operation.
After considerable delay a line of hose was
stretched from the lire station to wi ’ in a
few \ ards <if th< bur ling building ai -
the startling discovery was ma.de that the
pump refused to operate.
By this time the Willmer house was com
pletely enveloped in flames, and fanned by
a brisk northerly wind, was emitting smirks
and burning embers over a wide area. The
adjoining houses, occupied respeetiv *ly by
Pan Hartnett and Frank Keenan, were
quickly emptied of their contents by a
throng of willing workers who had b vn at
tracted t<> th.- sci ne. and Jim Blodgett, who
occupied th third house from the V 1 liner
residence, was prepared at a momei i s no
tice to remove his effects in case hi house
should be in danger, which proved to be un
necessary.
Upon the failure of the city apparatus to
work. Cyril Wood, manager for th* X. C.
Co., brought the chemical apparatus of that
Serge Dresses in Blue, Brown and
Black
Dress Goods by the Piece
Aprons. Hosiery, House Com.'ys
Arctics and Shoes
CLEANING AND PRESSING AND
PLAIN SEWING
MISS PETERSON, IDiTAROO
firm to the scene of the tire, and the efforts
of the fire fighters was directed to putting
out incipient fires which were continually,
springing up from the flying sparks. The
fact that there was considerable snow on the
roofs of the hou - - undouhte ily saved many
of them from destruction, as when the tin
was at its fiercest embers as large as a dill'
ner plate were hurled for considerable dis
tances, and constant watchfulness alone
saved many buildings
Mr. \\ dimer's loss will amount to several
hundred dollars The cotiage of Dan Hart
nett was seriously scorched, but the loss is
small, and Frank Keenan’s loss was con
fined merely to breakages incident to re
moving his goods. Blodgett's place was
not damaged.
Cause of Failure of Apparatus
Naturally, the failure of the fire apparatus
at the crucial moment has created much dis
cussion. and there is a demand that the
matter be investigated and the appliances
put in shape for use at any moment and in
an kind of weather. It has been the cus
• in iff Mr. Byers, under instructions from
hf» ji - * ( muni;tee of the city council, to
.' i . engine at tlie tire station each
o: v » s:,° that it is m working order. This
had 1 n done on the cl ay of the tire, at 2
o cl; cK. in the afternoon.. Everything at
that time seemed to be in working order.
It is learned, however, that it has not bei a
cust in ary to start the pump in freezing
weather, owing to the danger of ice forming
in the valves and pipes. The last time the
•.•■.imp w a - tested was ten days or more ago.
and at that time it was in perfect working
condition. On Thursday last the tempera
ture was in the neighborhood of zero, anti
consequently the pump was not tried dur
ing the afternoon test.
Chairman Currin's Explanation
All >orts of Kirmises were made as to
the cause of the failure of the apparatus
to work. John C. Currin, chairman of the
fire committee of the city council, said yes
terday :
"In my opine n the failure of the pump
to perform its work was caused by an acci
dent to the feed pipe at the time the suc
tion was lowered into the water. This pipe
is kept suspended above the river on a scaf
folding. and is lowered by means cf two
blocks. It takes two men to lower the suc
tion, and in doing this last night in the dark
ness the blocks were not lowered simulta
neously. causing the valve to be sprung.
This allowed the air to How freely in the
feed pipe, and obstructed the suction neces
sary to raise the water.
“This defect will be remedied today, and
I have no doubt that by tonight the pump
will be in working shape again
“I am as greatly disappointed as anyone
else at the failure of the apparatus to work,
but am confident that the machinery is
all right and will respond in future when
needed.”
Mayor Awaits Information
Mayor Baker, when seen yesterday and
asked what action if any he proposed to
take in view of the failure of the fire ap
paratus. said that he awaited an explana*
tif*11 if the matter from the officers in
charge. He was greatly disappointed at
the result of the demonstration, but was
not willing to discuss the matter until he
was made acquainted with the cause of the
difficulty.
It is quite likely that a meeting of the
council will be called at an early day to
discuss the matter and to take steps to
provide satisfactory fire protection.
Best Line ot WHISKIES AND WINES fn ihe Gamp
MONOGRAM, MARQUETTE, NATIONAL CLUB,
GIBSON RYE (ALSO SCOTCH), and all lines of Rfl
Whiskies bottled in bond, per bottle D^U
Imported Port and Sherry, Three Star Hennessey and Bulk Whiskies cut in
proportion
PHONE “RAMPS”
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Just Reeei¥@cS
A Cho ;ce Lot of the Latest
Victor Phonograph Records
Come In and Hear Them
SMITH'S ~GUN STORE,
IDI7AROD, ALASKA
FLAT CITY NOTES
Tlie entertainment committee of the
Moose lodge has decided to give a “hard
times” ball in place of a masquerade on
the evening of February 22, Washington’s
birthday. This seems to meet with popu
lar approval here, for the reason that it is
impossible to procure masquerade costumes
or even the material for making them. It
has been some time since the community
has had a “hard times” ball, and the com
mittee certainly has hit upon a capital idea.
There will be no expense for costumes or
dress, and a high stand-up collar will be
taboo, while gingham gowns and overalls
: will be strictly apropos A happy, merry
1 evening and a jolly good time, such as
marked the old-time husking bees down on j
| the farm, will be the order of the evening,
I and if anybody fail to have a good time
the committee will take it upon themselves
to see that they do. Good music has been |
secured, and a luncheon will be served, and
dancing will continue into the wee. sma’
hours.
Last Wednesday a Mr. Dickson, generally !
known as “Dick,” an employe of the Yukon |
Gold Company, while adjusting a belt at
the power plant on Flat creek, had the mis- I
fortune to be dragged with it. resulting in '
having his ankle caught in some manner !
and breaking both bones. He was removed j
to the hospital, and it possibly will be two j
months before he will be able to fellow j
his regular duties again.
Fred Harrison is some musher. A little I
trip from Ruby to Marshall City, which 1
died a-bornin’ when the first hole was sunk
to bedrock, has no terrors for him, even in |
the dead of winter. So likewise a little trip I
from Iditarod to Flat City every Sunday
evening to occupy his chair as an officer >
__
of the Moose lodge is merely an after
dinner stroll—no more to be thought of
than a trip to the postoffice for the mail.
On last Sunday evening, as usual, at the
close of the meeting, Fred rambled up over
the hill, poking a none too trusty head
light ahead of him. Somewhere on the
summit it went on a strike and refused
to lead the way any further, leaving Fred
where Moses was when the light went out.
Three years ago the versatile Tommy Mc
Smart lost his way on the summit in a
snowstorm and spent the greater part of
the night roaming around until he finally
came in contact with a friendly telephone
pole. But unlike Tommy, Fred couldn't
climb a telephone pole that would enable
him to pierce the inky blackness about
him and perchance perceive the glowing,
glittering lights of Iditarod, nestling in its
accustomed place on the banks of the river.
But in due course of time a lazy moon
rose over the hill and Fred got his bear
ings, and as he wended his way back to his
home town he vowed vengeance on all new
fangled contrivances in the way of electric
bugs, and will go back to the time-honored,
ever-faithful and humble old tin can, that
glows like a Twentieth Century Limited s
headlight when you meet it on the trail,
and never fails to do its duty.
During the week Neil McLeod, who had
the misfortune to have both his feet frozen
some time ago, necessitating the amputa
tion of a portion of both members, was
removed from the hospital to Dr. Moore’s
office this week, where he will be taken
care of.
H. H. Porter, of the firm of Crowley Sc
Porter, spent a few* days on the creeks this
week, renewing acquaintances.
FOR SALE—Two 10-months-rld pups and
one leader, small sled and harness com
plete; 535 if sold within a week. Apply
G. Wada, Second street, rear of Pioneer
office.
06
Pure and sweet. Once you try it, you will eat no other. §
on getting it jjj
. ' g
Sam’l Applebaum |
Dog Bacon, 15c.
Dog Ham, 10c.
Bog Butter, 10c.
C. R. PECK, FLAT CITY r-„ ™
GERMAN ARMY OFFICER
GLORIES IN BARBARISM
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 12. An amazing
exposition of German militarism is given
by Major General Von Disfurth in an arti
cle contributed to the Hamburger Nach
richter, in the course of which this distin
guished retired officer of the German army
writes:
“No object whatever is served by taking
any notice of the accusations of barbarity
leveled against Germany by our foreign
critics, f rankly, we are and must be bar
barians, if by this we understand those
who wage war relentlessly and to the utter
most degree.
“It is incompatible with the dignity of
the German empire and with the proud
traditions cf the Prussian army to defend
our courageous soldiers from the accusa
tions hurled against them in foreign and
neutral countries. We owe no explana
nuns iu immune. nine is iiuiiimg iui us
to justify and nothing for us to explain
away. Every act of whatever nature com
mitted by our troops for the purpose of
discouraging, defeating and destroying our
enemies is a brave act and a good deed, and
is fully justified.
“There is no reason whatever why we
should trouble ourselves about the notions
concerning us in other countries. Certainly
we should not worry about the opinions and
feelings held in neutral countries. Germany
stands as the supreme arbiter of her own
methods, which in the time of war must
be dictated to the world.
“It is of no consequence whatever if all
the monuments ever created, all the pictures
ever painted, and all the buildings ever
erected by the great architects of the world
be destroyed, if by their destruction we pro
mote Germany’s victory over her enemies,
who vowed her complete annihilation. In
times of peace we might perhaps regard
the loss of such things, but at the present
moment not a word of regret, not a thought
should be squandered upon them. War is |
war, and must be waged with severity, j
The commonest, ugliest stone placed to mark i
the burial of a German grenadier is a more '
glorious and venerable monument than all
the cathedrals in Europe put together.
“They call us barbarians. What of it
\W .corn them and their abuse. For my j
I hope that in this war we have mer
ited the title of barbarians. Let neutral
peoples and our enemies cease their empty j
chatter, which may w ii be compared to the
twitter of birds.
“Let them cease their talk of the cathe
dral at Rheims and of all the churches and
all the castles in France which have shared
its fate. These things do not interest us.
Our troops must achieve victory. What
else matters?”
DR. BEHLA, THE DENTIST,
TO RETURN IN THE SPRING
A letter received in last week’s mail from
Dr. J:i. Behla, the Flat City dentist, states
thawile will return here early in the spring
with all the latest methods of his profes
sion. The doctor left here last fall, and is
spending the winter at the University of
Chicago medical and dental schools.
D| APARnS big anti small, printed on
i Lnwilvl/O paper, cardboard or cloth,
on short notice, at Iditarod Pioneer omee.
Pioneer.
TOM KILLEA
WAS MOT LOST
The many friends of Tom Killea were
agreeably surprised when he quietly put in
an appearance at Hat City yesterday after
noon, having just arrived from the lower
Kuskokwim country, where he had been
prospecting during the summer. Fears had
been entertained for his safety, for while
it is not unusual for Killea to spend a
summer alone on a prospecting trip, he gen
erally showed up early in December.
Killea has a host of friends in this com
munity, and on learning that he was con
siderably overdue, A1 Walsh fitted out a
dog team and loft here more than a month
ago in search of him.
Killea left here early last March for the
lower Kuskokwim country. Outfitting at
Bethel, he went over to Canyon creek, and
from there cut across country to the Togiak
and Quinhagak rivers, which empty into
Bristol bay 'between the Kuskokwim and
Nushagak rivers. He prospected all
through there on various side streams, and
found colors in nearly every prospect, but
not in paying quantities. All summer lung
he never saw a white man, but he heard
from natives who were on a num.nj- 1110 |
that about forty miles from his camp, over
on the Quinhagak river, there were two
white men prospecting. Dropping down J
later to see them, he found they were not
at home, but he learned that they were
Jimmy Orr and Herman Oman, both well
known here. On his way back this fall he
stopped at Togiak, which is a small Indian
village close to tide-water, where is located
a government school for natives. Here he
was marooned for nearly a month, owing
to the exceptionally mild fall weather. The
streams overflowed their banks and flooded
the country, and it was impossible for him
to leave.
Upon his arrival at Bethel he learned
that A! Walsh was in search of him, and
that Walsh had left for Canyon creek, so
he laid over at Bethel, awaiting his return.
In the meantime Welsh was joined by Mc
Cann at Canyon creek, and both proceeded
across country to the Quinhagak. Here the
natives told them that Killea had passed
through on his way to Bethel. Walsh
joined him there shortly afterward.
Killea left Togiak, which is about 450
miles from here, soon after New Tears,
and reports that the trip was nothing out
of the ordinary. It had been an exception
ally wet season, ami this retarded prospect- j
ing to a s-reai extent, hut the general out- j
look of the country was not encouraging. !
Big game was scarce, hut there were plenty |
of birds, and for dog feed, he said, it was j
great sport shooting salmon as they nosed .
their way over the riffles to the spawning [
grounds
Killea came from the Fairbanks country ■
in 1SIFJ, and has been prospecting in vari
ous parts of the country ever since, always
going out alone in the early spring and re
turning in the late fall. In 1912 he spent
the summer in the Aniak country, and in
1913 prospected on the Kiserolic river,
which is also in the lower Kuskokwim
country.
Killea says that A1 Walsh and Manager
Joaquin of the Kuskokwim Commercial
Company at Bethel will arrive here today.
Mr. Joaquin is on his.way to the Outside
via the Seward trail. Bethel is short of
provisions in some lines, and also clothing.
Aside from this, there is little news of in
terest from the lower Kuskokwi mcountry.
OSE d
NEXT METIS
Iditarod Igloo No 10, Pioneers of Alaska,
is preparing for a grand rally at A. B.
hall next Wednesday evening, when the
charter list will bo declared closed by Or
ganizer G. E. Austin. There will be a busi
ness meeting during the fore part of the
exercises, after which a social session will
he enjoyed. The “sours that attended the
first two meetings of the igloo are still
talking about them, and they will all be
present at next Wednesday’s gathering, and
many more with them. The membership
committees at both Flat City and Discovery
have been busy since the last meeting, and
have succeeded in rounding up a large num
ber of the “old ’uns” for initiation.
Mike Lucey, one of the best-known min
ers and prospectors of Interior Alaska, who
is now on Moore creek, by the last mail
rit his application for membership in the
igloo, accompanied by the necessary ma
zuma ($8) to pay for initiation fee and six
months’ dues. In his letter to the igloo
Mr. Lucey states that he came to Alaska
in the rush of 1X98. and hasn’t smelled salt
water since that time.
From present appearances Igloo No. 10’s j
charter will contain at least 130 names, j
but there is room for many more.
All the members of the igloo and all who
are eligible to membership are expected to
b^ on hand next Wednesday evening, when j
game is called, for the reason that there
will be lots of good, old-fashioned fun.
SAM ADAMS IN RUBY
The Ruby Record-Citizen of January 2 j
recounts the arrival there of Sam Adams '
during the latter part of December, and ■
states that he intends to remain there in- j
definitely. Sam told the citizens of Ruby j
all about our inadequate mail service, and
improvements may now be looked for.
Max Minard, well known old-timer, who
has been receiving treatment at the Crosby
massage parlors for rheumatism during the
past few weeks, has recovered sufficiently
to allow him to return to his work on the
creeks.
A HAMILTON WATCH
price you pay for it. Wm. Taylor, Flat.
STANDARD G
GES
Bayles Clothing Co.
5DITAR0D DISCOVERY, OTTER
DEPUTY MARSHAL CONLIN
IS SUMMARILY REMOVED
A. II. Conlin, deputy United States mar
shal at Flat City for the past year, received
a telegram last Friday removing him from
that position and instructing him to turn
over his office to Deputy Marshal Charles
of Iditarod. The transfer was made last
Tuesday, and Flat City is now without a
peace officer.
It is not known what reason was as"
signed for Mr. Conlin’s removal. So far
as known here, no charges had been filed
against him, nor is any intimation given
as to who was responsible for his dismissal.
Marshal Erwin was supposed to be on the
Outside, but may by this itme have re
turned to Fairbanks. Neither is there any
statement made as to whether or not a
successor has been or will be appointed to
the position occupied by Mr. Conlin.
It is known that the government officials
are making strenuous efforts to reduce ex
penditures throughout Alaska. The depart
ment of justice recently reduced the num
ber of deputy district attorneys for this dis
trict and it is quite likely that the same
economies may be instituted in the mar
shal’s office. It will, however, be a diffi
cult matter to combine the posts at Flat
City and Iditarod under one deputy, owing
to the lack of proper transportation facili
ties.
MINSTREL SHOW COMING UP
It seems quite probable that some time
in the near future the people of Iditarod
and vicinity will be given an evening of
genuine fun and entertainment in the shape
of a minstrel show. It is learned that the
several amateur musicians and Thespians of
the community have in preparation such
a program, and that the entertainment will
be given for the benefit of some worthy
charity. As something new in the way of
entertainment here, the enterprise will be
most heartily welcomed, and the eSorts
of those getting up the show will be greatly
appreciated. The Pioneer is not able to
give (he plans in detail, but promises to
publish them as soon as they are ready for
the public.
Iditarod is fortunate in the possession of
some real talented musicians and vocalists,
and no doubt the other talent necessary for
a genuine, old-fashioned minstrel show will
be on hand at the appointed time.
ADVERTISED LETTERS
The following list of letters remain un
called for at the Iditarod postoffice. Iditarod,
Alaska, for the week ending January 30,
1915. When calling for these, please ask
for advertised letters:
Abel. Muiis. Lodger Holland, Mrs. Basalind
Abbott, 0. W. Hogan, Tbomas
Allen. Harry James, Sam Frank
Allain, Alons. Henri Jensen. H.
Awdoben. Mrs. Jos. Johnson, Claude (3>
Bainter, Clarence E. I.eneban, Jas.
Bergman. Chas. I.ongdoii. \V.
Bmlwell. H. EE. McDonald. William
Bolin. Mrs. G. M. Prighini, Frank
Binning. Mrs. Janey Price, J. J.
Calafaith, John Began, Leonard (2:
Clark, George II. Shequln, Simon (4'
Conway, Frank Thomas, William 12)
Carled. Mrs. F. Vizo. W. A.
Dean, James Whitney, C. D. (2‘>
A. With Postmaster.
IDITAROD CITIZEN A WAR PRISONER
A Whitehorse (Yukon) dispatch of Nov.
15 says:
Wiiliam Otto, a German, who arrived
here early in October on his way to the
Outside front Iditarod, Alaska, is detained
here as a prisoner of war. He declared his
intentions to become an American citizen
and received his first papers in Iditarod in
1911. As “first” papers do not make Amer
icans of foreigners, he was not allowed to
pass on out lest he might return to his old
home to assist the kaiser. Otto now claims
he wanted to go to Portland, Ore., but no
farther.
Location Notices at Pioneer office.
! IDITAROD POSTMASTER’S
EFFORTS BRING RESULTS
The following letter, a copy of which was
addressed also to the postmaster at Takotna
and to H. A Stockman, the mail contractor
on the Takotna-Ruby route, was received
by Postmaster Wile last Thursday:
“Sirs: This office i in receipt of wire
from postmaster at Iditarod, Alaska, that
states: ‘People here indignant; received one
mail from Yukon since close of navigation,
same being brought by public subscription.
(Signed) Albert Wile, P. M ’
“The postmaster at Takotna will please
j state how much mail for Iditarod has
received, and why it has not been di-patched
on route 78149- Seward to Iditarod.
“Mr. Stockman will please give me an
estimate on cost of putting Iditarod mail
to that postoffice from Takotna per pound
rate.
“One of the inducements why the post
office department established the Ituby-Ta
kotna route was for supply of Iditarod from
the Yukon river. It will not do for a fail
ure at this time of the winter and on the
last 100 miles or more of the distance.
“The postmaster at Iditarod will please
make a full report by mail of the failure
fo receive Yukon river connections via
route 78149, if possible giving any reasons
therefor. “A. R. RANDLRS,
“Chief Clerk.”
BACON SAYS GERMANY BROKE PACT
BOSTON, Dec. 16.—The Boston News
Bureau says:
“Robert Bacon, formerly secretary of
state, has issued a statement that in violat
ing the neutrality of Belgium, Germany
broke a treaty which she had made with
the United States when she signed articles
1 and 2 of the second Hague conference
He says: 'Are we to suffer a nation to
break a treaty with us, on whatever pre
text, without entering, at least, a formal
protest? It is our solemn duty to protest
against a violation of pledges formally en
tered into between this government and
any other government, and we assume a
very heavy moral responsibility when we
remain silent.’'
A letter from a member of the United
States Geological Survey party which was
here last summer in charge of Messrs. Sar
gent and Smith states that the same party
is detailed for work in this region next
summer.
Fresh Olympia Oysters, for cocktails, $2
can. Iditarod Meat Co.
For Drugs, Rubber Goods,
and Pool Table Supplies,
Typewriter, Photograph
Kodaks, Safety Razors, Soaps,
Tooth Brushes and Blank
Books, Smokers’ Supplies,
Candies, Nuts and
Fruits, call at
Ansley's Book Store
Iditarod
i Where you can always find a good
supply at reasonable prices
The House of Quality
For Best Goods
and Right Prices
CROWLEY 8l PORTER
IDITAROD The Hou80 of Quality
KING US UP____^ANY SERviaWECAN ^DOTOIJ_____R1N_G—US ^
WESTERN UNION AND BEDFORD-McNEIL CODES NO TROUBLE TO FORWARD YOUR MAIL THE AMERICANA—16 VOLUMES FIRST EDITIONS OF THE NEW ALASKA MINING CODE
Minced Clam Cocktails, Oyster Cocktails, Clam Tea
GEORGE MARSH BUD WEISER IDITAROD FLAT CITY THE BRANCH ED ANDERSON |
L__ mrwn _ _^vva ______