Smallpox Epidemic
Is Growing Serious
A telegram received by Archdeacon Stuck from Dr. Grafton
Burke, medical missionary at Port Yukon, reporting thirty cases
of smallpox on the Porcupine river indicates that the quarantine at
Eagle was not established in time to prevent the spread of the
contagion from Dawson.
It is almost certain that the disease was carried by the bound
ary survey parties, American and Canadian, who passed through
Dawson and went up the Porcupine to the New Rampart House
early in June. The seriousness of the situation is due to the total
absence of local authorities empowered to enforce quarantine on
the Yukon river. Eagle is the only incorporated town on the
Yukon river in Alaska, and the board of health there, assisted by
Dr. Suggs, the army surgeon at Fort Egbert (who placed his ser
vices freely at the disposal of the board), acted vigorously as soon
as the epidemic had declared itself at Dawson. But, like most
quarantines, this one was declared too late.
There seems little resource save in an application to the mili
tary authorities, and Archdeacon Stuck proposes to apply to the
commanding officer at Port Gibbon--if this has not already been
done—for a detail of troops and army hospital corps men to handle
the situation and localize the infection so far as it may be possible.
It is most probable, however, that all such measures now will be in
the nature of locking the stable door after the horse is stolen.
It is fortunate that active steps were taken early in the sum
mer to vaccinate all the native population on the Yukon and its
tributaries, so far as they could be reached, and that a large num
ber of the whites availed themselves also of the opportunity for
securing such protection as vaccination affords, and it is certainly
highly desirable that every one in the country should take this
precaution, since it is altogether impossible to predict how far
and wide the infection may be carried or where it may break out
next. The physicians in Iditarod have a present supply of vaccine
points, and the hospital has telegraphed for an immediate ship
ment.
They've Hammered
The Golden Spike
It was a great day for the West when the last spike was driven
in the Union Pacific railroad in the 70’s. It was also a great day
for the Iditarod when the brothers Wilson hammered the golden
spike which linked Fair Flat to the coming world’s metropolis -
yclept Iditarod.
Last Wednesday7 saw the deed, and the ceremony was interest
ing. Precisely at 5:50 the hammer fell upon the golden spike on
the bridge which leads to the modern Golconda. Excitement
reigned supreme, anu, at the psychological moment, a lusty cheer
broke from the onlookers. It was a tribute to work well and truly
done and the people of Iditarod breathed more freely when they
realized that mushing over a soft trait was a thing of the past, and
that henceforth and forever Pullman cars had replaced pedestrian
ism in the pilgrimage to the creeks:
This tramway which we speak about means real progress. It
is a sign of confidence in the future of the Iditarod camp, and an
augury of its well doing. The Pioneer wishes it well.
Weighty Ordinanoa
Comes Before Counoii
Attorney Roden is a most serious-minded man, and when the
ordinance relating to the imposition and levying of taxes upon this '•
benighted community came before the city council for considera- j
tion it had a decidedly soporific effect upon the assembled multitude, j
But it really is a serious document, and you will understand j
our statement better when we say that you are liable to be taxed
to the extent of two per cent upon all your real and personal prop
erty—so soon as the assessor has got in his perfectly good work.
Moreover, your bank account is taxable, although that won’t cut
much ice so far as we are personally concerned.
The appraisement will be dated September 15, and if you have
anything portable there is still time to send it Outside and escape
the percentage.
We might mention further that the ordinance contains some
forty odd sections, and if you want to get round it you’ve got to go
some. It’s on file at the city clerk’s office, and may be perused by
the curious.
Seattle Lawyer in Town
Chauncey L. Baxter, a member of
the Seattle bar, is in our midst. What
ever Mr. Baxter's presence in this live
camp may mean, he is by no means
communicative. A trip to the creeks
during the week would indicate that.
Mr. Baxter's visit is not wholly uncon
nected with some big mining interests J
on Flat.
For goodness sake drink Gold Bell
sodas.
I Good paying restaurant, com- ,
plete, in fine location, must be sold ,
on account of poor health. Good ,
substantial buildings. Inquire of i
Mrs. Myrick, Dikeman, or Pioneer .
office. 1
Services Tomorrow
There will be no morning service at
the A. 15. hall tomorrow, in the even
ing, at 8 o’clock, Rev. Dr. Young will
preach. The text will be “He paid
tiio fare’’: a special sermon for the
times; a message for you.
Good music by the choir and congre
gation. Everybody cordially invited.
WE DON'T CARE whether it rains
or not; we will land your freight here
if the river dries up. Byers & Co.
Save the pieces; broken lenses re
placed at Simpson’s.
NOT FROZEN,
Only 25 Cases
Left,
Labels Damaged
by Water,
I )ikeman Iditarod
Mrs. J. Johnson and son returned to
Tditarod Thursday morning, having
spent the winter in Yakima and Se
attle. They will make their home on
1 below Discovery, Otter, where Mr.
Johnson is operating.
I
!
Tlie Sale Will Continue Until Ali Goods
Are Sold
-- t
$30.00 Persian Bilk Waists.
$2.50 and $3 White Waists...
I
$3, $4 and $5 Waists. 2*0©
All Other Waists in Same Proportion
Ladies' Muslin Gowns, $4, $5 and $S values, going at.. $2,501
$2, $3 and $4 Auto Veils at $1.50
$8.00 Gingham House Dresses, $4.00
$8.00 Gingham House Dresees, $5.00
We still have lots of SKIRTS which are going at Half Price.
100 Silk Petticoats, SIO, SI2, SI5, S28 values, Going at Outside Prices
$18.08 and 12,SO Long Sill; Kimonos Going Now at $6.08
Boys' Billy Buster Heavy Shoes, formerly $5.00, now $3.00 j
Just Unpacked Swell Line of UMBRELLAS from SI.00 to $15,00
We Are Positively Going Out of the Ladies' Goods Business, So Now
Is ttie Time io Make Your Purchases
L GOLDSTEIN
First Ave. Phone 30
WHOLESALE !_ __ _ j- _i RETAIL
-E. W. GRIFFIN—
General Merchandis&
**■——^^MMMi1jMasaCS^SCM1PBaBgaiiaaMa53a5£Ufcw» .• ~83EZrz^arg,>t^.a»rsBJa
Hay and Oats Fresh Groceries
-^ Finest Line of Cigars at the Lowest ^_
w Prices Ever Shipped to Alaska
GOOD 600DS] FLAT CITY OTTER CITY
Would Help the
Poor Teamster
Teaming in the Iditarod country is
not what it should be. L,ong as we
have lived we have never yet met a
mule skinner who was making money.
It was probably a knowledge of this
condition of affairs which led Council
man McDonell to introduce a motion
providing that any teamster who ren
ders first aid to the chemical in time of
fire shall receive the munificent sum
of $15.
The suggestion met with a consider
able amount of opposition. Fifteen
dollars is a lot of money these days,
and the council was decidedly cautious
_they have been taught to be.
They discussed the matter thorough
ly, and the casual observer learned
that $15 will have to be earned before
the warrant passes the scrutiny of the
finance committee.
Councilman Barnes made a sugges
tion which might well be followed br
others who cater to the city’s needs.
He offered to haul the chemical to the
scene of fire at any time without cost—
provided he’s on hand at the time.
Who ever heard of an expressman be
ing on hand when wanted?
Anyhow, the motion died a natural
death.
Mayor Miller will leave shortly for
Fairbanks.
Get gasoline at Vachon & Sterling's.
Hydraulic Pipe
Tin Roofing....
Stoves of All Description Hot-Air Furnaces
Pioneer Sheet Metal Works
Willow St., Near Second Ave. Phone 13
Interior Alaska Personalities
George Turner, who has got out of
the mining game and is running a
trading post and woodyard at Holca
chaket, is putting up a fine building,
tiie largest between Dikeman and Red
Wing. George says lie will remain
there permanently.
Oapt. J. R. Bingham, who operated
the steamer Lois between IditarodC'ity
and Dikeman last season, is in the Gold
Mountain district, below Tanana on the
Yukon, where he wilt prospect during
the winter. His machinery was re
cently shipped up from Ruby City.
Pres Ireland and Abe Collins, well
known Rampart men, have opened a
large general store at Ruby City’.
J. C. Nelson, pioneer restaurant man,
who was stricken with paralysis last
spring, lias been sent Irom Tanana to
his old home near St. Louis. He was
slightly improved.
Slim Sheldon, who slipped on an icy
sidewalk at Tanana and broke a leg
last spring, has severed his connection
with *'"• Gn'd Mountain roadhouse,
thirty miles bolow Tanana, and gone
Outside to secure expert treatment for
the injury.
J. Russell Walle, until recently book
keeper for the Tanana Commercial Co.
(Vachon’s), is opening a general mer
cantile establishment on the site for
merly occupied by Ida Johnson in
Tanana._
Concerning Value of Diamonds
Have you read an advertisement
which appears in this issue regarding
diamonds? No? Well, a local firm is
offering to repurchase any diamonds it
may sell within twelve months of the
purchase. Philanthropic? Not at all.
The firm is simply working on an ac
cepted theory in the jewelry business,
viz.: that diamonds — like wine — im
prove with age
It has been estimated by experts that
diamonds earn dividends at the rate of
ten per cent simply by reason of their
growing popularity.
MoraJ: If you want to make money,
buy diamonds. Barn°y Barnato did.
FOUND—Pair of spectacles, pince-nez
style: owner’s name incase: can have
same on applying at Pioneer office
and paying for this notice.
Frank Keenan Holds Ticket 342
The drawing for Mrs. Hunter’s cabin
and contents took place last Wednes
day night at the Sherburne house. On
the first drawing 342 was the winning
number, while the second or contin
gency drawing, gave No. 125. How
ever, the second drawing was not
needed, as the winner has been located
in the person of genial Frank Keenan,
ebef at Martin’s place.
Has Arranged Definite Scheduls
Dr. S. Hall Young has now arranged
a definite schedule of preaching ser
vices for the fall and winter. He will
preach alternate Sundays at Iditarod
and Flat City. For example, the doc
will preach in the A. B. hall here to
morrow and at Flat September 3, and
so on. _
WHAT A HEADACHE
Cure it at tho Elite Steam and
Turkish Baths, Caribou street.
Tel. 74—siphons, sodas, ginger ale.