One Dollar Per Month. IDITAROD, ALASKA, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 15, 1911. Two Bits Per Copy
JOHNSON MAY BE
TWO-TIME WINNER
According to the report brought by
Chas. Ross who left the Yukon at Kal
tag on March 9, when the big dog race
of Nome was being run, Charles John
son, winner of last year’s sweepstakes,
had a strong chance of winning again
this year. The last news the party re
ceived was to the effect that the race
from Nome to Candle and return was
half run, and that Johnson was in the
lead by 39 minutes over all competitors.
The purse this year is $5000 and the
same interest surrounds the event as
formerly. The number of entries is
not known, but it is probable that John
son is in again with his fameus Siberian
dogs that brought home the bacon in
the last event.
Johnson is a brother of Dave John
son of Flat creek, and was in Iditaroda
few weeks ago with the finest team of
dogs seen here this winter.
Sudden Death of
“Sourdough Mike”
Hot Springs, March 13—Mike Engles
died at the Overland roadhouse on Eu
reka creek at 2:30 this afternoon, fol
lowing a severe attack of cramps.
{“Sourdough Mike” Engles was one
of the oldest and best known residents
of the Rampart district. He was en
gaged in the freighting business al
most continuously since the first dis
covery of gold on Little Minook creek.
At tlie time of his death lie had a eon
tract for carrying the mail between
Rampart and Hot Springs, and was
probably engaged in that capacity
when stricken by the fatal illness. He
was a typical Alaskan, generous, big
hearted and well liked by all classes of
people. There is not a mining camp in
the interior where there are not friends
who will learn of his death with deep
regret.]
Tramway Will Start
at Foot of Willow
A camp lias been established
on Caribou creek to be used as a
base of timber operations for
getting out the necessary mate
rial for the construction of the
IditarodFlat tramway. Dave
Mutchler and Curley McIntosh
went out early this week to lo
cate the camp.
The Mutchler brothers have
selected the foot of Willow as the
terminus or starting point of the
tramway, where they will have
docks and warehouses for the
storage of freight. It is pro
posed to run the line along First
street from Willow and out Otter,
leaving the town on the western
side. ___
Gotch Wins Contest,
Opponent Is Injured
Chicago, March 18 — Frank Gotch,
champion wrestler of the world, won a
decisive victory over Henry Bahn,
German champion, last Thursday night
before the Pastime club, and in so
doing, fractured his opponent’s skull
by tossing him to the mat in the last
fall. The German’s life is despaired of
and should he die from the injuries re
ceived, Gotch will be arrested charged
with murder.
Gotch feels terrible over the acci
dent, and vows he will never go on the
mat again.
AMONG THE SICK
Nels Pagaut, one of the witnesses of
the resent killing on the Kuskokwim,
for which George Tisdale is being held
for murder, is now confined to the
Regina hotel suffering from frozen
feet. Dr. Wortman is attending him,
but is unable to state whether or not
it will be necessary to amputate some
of the toes.
Mrs. Ray Brumbaugh underwent a
slight operation at a local hospital
today and has suffered little incon
venience.
Capt. Rounds is suffering from a
severe attack of bronchitis at the
Miner’s Heme hospital.
Champion Johnson As Aviator
San Franc'fseo, March 25—Champion
Jack Johnson will soon join the ranks
of the bird men. He has already or
dered a Curtiss machine and has com
menced taking lessons in the gentle art
of aerial navigation from a Curtiss in
iustrtHJtor._
Snow Glasses at Red Dross
FRAMING UP FOR ALASKA
TRANSPORTATION TRADE
Although the information received here up to the present time
is not definite enough to be the basis of absolute assertion, it ap
pears that a decided change will be effected this summer in the
matter of river transportation in Alaska, to the end that practically
all freight to be moved this season will be handled by two com-1
panics That the Schubach-Hamilton Company has entered the
inland transportation field is already known. They have purchased
the N. A. T. & T. Co. boats, trading posts and warehouses, and
will continue to operate those boats under the name of the Mer
chants Yukon line. This company and the Northern Commercial
or Northern Navigation Company will be the only other company
represented in the field, so far as known, and between them, it is
believed they will take over all independent boats important enough
to dispute their complete control of the situation.
It is also knowm here that a deal was practically completed last
fall whereby the steamers Julia B, Minneapolis and Samson were
taken over by the Dodge Steamship Company of Portland and Seat
tle, in contemplation of an active bid for inland trade in connection
with ocean boats of the Dodge company. Later news, however, is
to the effect that the Julia B has been purchased by the N. N. Co.,
indicating an abandonment of its object on the part of the Dodge
company.
However well founded the supposition may be, it is hinted here
that both the Minneapolis and the Samson may be taken over by
the N. N. Co., and it is thought that the Schubach Hamilton Co. is
making negotiations to secure the Tana. With the exception of
the White Seal, this ■would practically close out all independent
competition with the exception of the mosquito fleet which will op
erate on the upper Iditarod.
Whether or not there is an agreement between the N. N. Co.
and the Schubach-Hamilton Co. is not known, but it is hinted at as
being very likely. That this will not redound to the credit of the
shipper is probable, since an advance in freight rates from Seattle
is already rumored.
PLANS OF THE MERCHANTS YUKON LINE
Seattle, Feb. 18.—An organization has just been perfected by
the Schubach Hamilton people for taking over the entire business
of the North American Transportation & Trading Company, oper
ating a line of steamers between St. Michael, Dawson, Fairbanks
and the Iditarod.
The new company will be known as the Merchants Yukon Line
and is organized with a capital of a quarter of a million dollars.
An option has been secured on the river boats of the N. A. T. & T.
Co- and their stores and warehouses at St. Michael and other
points along the Yukon and tributaries.
The new company is now advertising a line of steamers direct
to St. Michael from Seattle, connecting with their magnificent
river steamers for Iditarod, the greatest goldfields in Alaska today.
Already the effect of the competition of the Schubach-Hamil
ton Company is felt, and the Northern Navigation Company is of
fering rates from Seattle to Iditarod (or the head of navigation on
that river), Fairbanks and St. Michael, via. the inside passage to
Skagway, down the river to Dawson and way stations at greatly
reduced rates over last year.
The camp of Iditarod is attracting the attention of people here
at the present time, and quite a rush is expected to take place in
the spring.
The camp is expected to produce several millions in gold dust
during the coming summer and the steamship companies are pre
paring to take in hundreds of men to help extract this metal.
For the past two or three years the Schubach-Hamilton Co.
has taken no interest in the passenger traffic to the North, confin
ing their business to the transportation of freight, but they will
now branch out under the name of the Merchants Yukon Line, and
from now on will be a big factor in the field.
The first boats leaving Seattle for St. Michael will sail on or
about June 1, and many reservations have been made with the new
company, which is advertising the fact that it has several of it; fine
river steamers in winter quarters at St. Michael, from whence they
will be ready to sail immediately upon the clearing of the ice.
The White Pass and N. N. Co. are selling tickets via. Dawson |
to follow7 the ice down in the spring, and many of the old timers'
will return to the Iditarod that way. It is expected that a greater;
rush or stampede will be on to the Iditarod this spring than last
owing to the extensive advertising the country has received during;
the winter and the labor conditions here in the Northwest.
NEW TRAFFIC OUTFIT FOR LAKE LABERGE
The prediction is made that this will be the busiest season in
years in the transportation of freight over Lake Laberge.
More steamers are wintering at the foot of Laberge than dur
ing any other winter in the last several years. Some of them will
bring freight to Dawson, others will carry cargoes through to
Fairbanks, and some will take passengers and freight direct to the!
Iditarod.
The old-time teamsters have been making extensive plans for
hurrying freight over the lake, but now comes word of a new
fangled machine which will be in the running. The machine is at
Whitehorse, and the Star says:
“A fifteen-ton traction engine arrived at Skagway on a late
steamer, and is billed to the Yukon Transportation Company at
this place. It was brought here on yesterday’s train. While the
identity of the Yukon Transportation Company is not known here,
it is believed to be one of the lower-river steamboat companies as;
it is the intention to utilize the big machine in hauling freight over,
the ice of the river and lake from this place to the foot of Lake La
berge. The operation of the traction engine will be watched with j
interest as nothing of the kind has ever been successfully operated
in this part of the country.
“It is now estimated that from 400 to 500 tons of freight will
be shipped here in the early spring for transportation to the foot
of the lake to catch the steamers wintering there, on the early trip
down the river to both Dawson and points on the lower Yukon and
Iditarod.”
Mayoralty ? a © Be Settled Tonight
In spite of the tact that there is said to haveaiisen some controversy
within the council itself regarding the placing of the mantel of mayor,
it is now generally conceded that the honor will fall upon Frauk Miller,
who received the highest number ot votes at the recent election, and
that thus will be preserved the traditions and the precedents of Alaska,
in confering the chief municipal honor upon the man who carries the
largest popular vote.
A meeting was to be held last night at the courthouse, but was
postponed until tonight, and considerable interest has attached to this,
the first deliberations of Iditarod’s city dads. Aside from the naming
of the mayor, the chief business to be transacted tonight will be the
reading of communications from candidates for offices. These com
munications will be taken under advisement, and no appointments to
office will be made until the next regular meetiug ot the council which
takes place Wednesday night.
Chief interest attaches to the appointment of the chief of police, as
there are a number of candidates in the field and the fight is waxing
hot. Among the candidates svho are known to be after the office are
Capt. Donovan, who recently sent in his resignation as deputy marshal,
Pat O’Connor, formerly chief of police of Fairbanks, J. S. McGovern,
K. J. Sliter, night watchman here during the winter, and formerly
police officer at Nome, and Grant Murdock, at one time deputy marshal
at Fairbanks.
These men have many partisans, but the councilmen are non-com
m ttal as to their choice, and it cannot lie said at this time which of
them will be successful, or whether a dark horse is being considered.
For city attorney, Major Albrecht and J. S, Harding have come
out, and it is possible that J. C, Moody will also seek this office. For
city magistrate and clerk, two offices that will be combined, Roy E.
Bighatn, Earl Hunt and Sam Adams are in the field.
The matter of fire chief has occasioned no controversy since it is
altogether likely that Gene Brunelle will be continued in that office, at
least for some time. The fire department has already been taken over
by the council in the name of the city, together with some small debts
attaching thereto.
1 he list ot othces necessary to be hlied has not as yet been drawn
up by the councilmen, but it is understood the intention is to restrict
them to the lowest possible number, by a distribution of duties upon
those whose appointment is absolutely necessary. Thus for instance,
the office of street commissioner has been mentioned, but it is probable
that no such office will be created. This can well be handled by the
council or by the chief of police.
The funds available for the use of the council through this year
cannot well be estimated beyond the income from licenses and poll tax.
The former is figured at about $14,000 under present conditions, and
the poll tax will amount to approximately $2000. Just when an assessor
will be appointed is not known, but it is probable that the tax lists
will not be made up until late in the summer.
ARCTIC COLD NUMBERS UNFORTUNATE VICTIMS
From the latest Nome papers brought in by Charles Ross and party,
it is learned that the winter storms of the lower Yukon and the Seward
peninsula have collected heavy toll from the mushers who have dared
their rigors.
Among these were Sergeant Bauer of Fort Davis, who had both
feet badly frozen while making a trip from Nome to the Flot Springs
with Captain Crimmins. They encountered two terriffic blizzards, be
ing compelled to sleep out all one night in a wind that was too fierce for
traveling. Bauer was brought back to Nome, but it was not known
whether amputation would be necessary or not.
Pete Desmore, former partner of “Alabam1 Laboyteau, and who
spent some time in the Iditarod last fall, was badly frozen in February
on the trail about 40 miles from St. Michael. He was taken in charge
by the Army Post hospital and every effort was made for him but it was
afterwards found necessary to amputate both hands at the wrist and one
foot above the ankle. An appeal has been made by F. B. Wright,
guard in the jail in St. Michael, to the Iditarod, staling that they will
soon be compelled to turn him out of the jail there, and asking if some
money cannot be raised here to send the unfortunate man Outside and
buy him artificial limbs.
Parguin, the man who died as the result of freezing, encountered a
severe blizzard a few miles from St. Michaels while on his way to
Gibbon, in February. He was an old-time Alaskan and was well
known in St. Michael and southeastern Alaska.
FOR SALE — North Star restaurant,
Dis. Otter, completely equipped. In
quire Shonbeck, Discovery.
Oplinos, $3.50 3 hnx of 50. a) Lanriahl's.
Aponta, Pluto and Hunyadi Janos mineral
waters at Red Cross Drug Store, First ave.
Garden seeds on display. Sickinjrer’s.
Garden seeds on display, Sickinger’s.
Snow Glasses at Bed Gross
Midgetand oilier intermittent alarms
reduced to $2.50 next week at Simp
son’s. _
Oplimos. S3.50 a bo* of 50, at Landabt's.
JACK HUNTER OEAO
IN THE KUSKOKWIM
In a letter to Capt. Donovan, written
at Georgetown April 10, Deputy Mar
shal Siebe reports the death of one
Jack Hunter on the Hohiliknuk, which
occurred recently and which appears to
be a suicide. Siebe says that he is com
pelled to make a trip of 250 miles to
subpoena witnesses on the inquest, and
that there is great danger that the
Hohiliknuk will open before he is able
to get back. No information is given
concerning the dead man, nor can his
identity be placed here.
Siebe has been an extremely busy
individual of late, as he reports having
traveled more than 000 miles on the
duties of his office in the latter half of
March. _
Warren's Team Breaks
Reindeer's Fast Time
Nome, March 22—Twenty-nine min
utes after Gene Hose, with Sol War
ren’s fast team of bird dogs, left the
scratch at the foot of Lane’s Way, on
the run to Port Davis, he returned to
Nome, breaking all previous records
over the course, thus placing “’Dan
Patcii,” that much-touted reindeer who
covered the same distance in 33 minutes
and 8 seconds, in the background for
ever.
Hose's run was phenomenal consider
ing the weather conditions and the
heavy trail. Tiie Warren dogs proved
their worth this afternoon and estab
lished a record that will undoubtedly
remain for some time to come.
E. Coke Hill ran second, covering the
course in 31 minutes and 2<i seconds.
Fay Delezene grabbed third honors,
making the run in 33 minutes and 31
seconds.
Boss Says Stampede
Sure From Outside
Accompanied by Bob Griffis, Jim Ha
iey and Dick Button, Charless Ross, of
Ross & Nestor, of this city, returned
last night from Nome, having left the
Bering sea on March 28 and the Yu
kon at Kaltag on March 9. They ex
perienced heavy storms around the
lower Yukon, where the blizzards of
the past winter have been the most
severe experienced in the history of
the country.
He says that the Iditarod is holding
the center of the stage in the Outside
papers, and he looks for a big rush
here this summer. Quite a number of
Nome people will come, and new ar
rivals will drift in from all parts of
Alaska.
Bob Griffis brought in a load of drugs
for the City Drug store. Mr. Button
will be employed in the M. & M. bank.
Rumored That Many
Will Sssk Iditarod
It is rumored about town that within
the next thirty days several old-time
Nomeites will leave for the Iditarod.
As it is reported that the r.ew camp
will loom up in the limelight this sum
mer, there are several here who are
already making preparations to get in
on the ground floor.—Nome Nugget.
Nome Has Chance
For Aviation Meet
Nome is at present much perturbed
over the receipt of a letter from J. E.
Seotford, manager of the international
aviation meet at San Francisco, in
which he offers to send an aviator to
Nome for an exhibition of flying, if the
people of Nome will deposit the mod
est sum of $15,000 in the bank as a
guarantee for each man, making a to
tal of $100,000 for the event.
In Isis letter lie states that the
Wright brothers are willing to send
men on those terms, having in mind
a trial flight across liering straits, fol
lowing the stunt in Nome.
Although the Bering sea metropolis
is immensely flattered over the sugges
tion, they do not see a way of raising
the money at this time.
A trail report has it that Joe. Hea
cock, commodore of the Independent
fleet that did much good service in the
Iditarod last summer, is reported to be
on his way from the Outside, accom
panied by “StetT" Peck, his partner in
the lumber and sash and door business
here. They are said tube coming from
Fairbanks and should arrive here with
in a few days.
Snow Glasses ai Red Gross