1P1TAROP PIONEER
Published Every Sunday Morning at Iditarod, Alaska..
FRANK E. BECKER„ EDITOR
111 I Oil. U. Arbuekli. FubHibtr Nl. B
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THE DAWNINQ PARTY
Returning from Washington, Col. Harvey W. Scott, tho famous
editor of the Portland Oregonian, in a Seattle Times interview pre
dieted that the Democrats will carry the next national house and
that the Republicans will be defeated in the presidential election
of 1912, but not by the old Democracy. Just what he meant by that
he did not say, but here is the talk:
“The Republicans will lose control of the house of represent
atives at the coining election and two years from now the opposi
tion—it will not be the old Democracy—will elect a majority of the
senate, of the house of representatives and the President of the
United States.
“Beveridge has no chance of election in Indiana because of
factional strife there, such as exists in Iowa, has started anew
the factional quarrels in the Republican fold. The result will be
that Iowa will rota in the primaries for the Dolliver-Cummins
slate, but the Democrats will elect the congressmen.
“The direct primary has created and will continue to create
factional dispute; which cannot be healed. All is chaos in Wash
ington, and the day of tho Republican party is about ended.
“I believe that Col. Roosevelt will mildly endorse President
Taft, and that he will not be a candidate for President in 1912.”
Now just what did the Old Warhorse of the Pacific
Coast mean when he said the Republicans would be de
feated iu 1912, but not by the old Democracy ? And if he
knew what party, why didn’t he name it for the benefit of
those who had not been down to Washington drinking at
the fountain head of knowledge.
Maybe Col. Scott was holding a little surprise party up
his sleeve for the folks back home. Maybe he counted on
spreading it all over the page when he busts iuto the edi
torial sanctum of the Oregonian once more.
There is no gainsaying the ability, brilliancy of style,
erudition and political foresight of the man whose pen has
made the Oregonian a household world throughout the
western states. We also believe he knew very well what
party will defeat the Republican, for we think we can pick
it ourselves.
Alaskans, as a rule, are not deeply interested in the
trend of national politics—they are too far away to hear
ought but the echoes of the strife. Neither do they have a
vote on national questions.
However, they should be interested to the extent of in
quiring how far the change of political complexion will
make or mar the beauty of our dreams for Alaska’s future.
From this viewpoint, then, the silent revolution now
going on in the United States is interesting. It is a pro
found and all-embracing change in political thought, a
change that has been working gradually for years, a fer
mentation in the national brew that gave off its first bub
bles in the outcry against the Payne tariff, the retirement
of Aldrich, the overthrow of Cannonism and the birth of
the Insurgents.
It presages the birth of a new political party. It means
the rise of now doctrines, clean and vigoious, from the old
and useless ruins of two schools of political thought; it
means a re-alignment in the battle array of the People
against the Interests.
Since the introduction of Bryan heresies threw disor
ganization into the ranks of Democracy, that faction has
not been a party. It has been a chaotic sect of individuals
so busy calling names they forget to adopt a program or se
lect a leader.
Since the year before the big wind the Republicans
have not been a party—they have been a bunch of auto
cratic highbinders who ran the country to suit themselves
and gave the profits over to the infantile interests, since be
come middle-aged and fat.
This is no peroxide lady’s dream, but is to be found
duly recorded in the Congressional Record and in the gro
cery book of every workingman.
Thus it came about that with a party on one Bide with
NORTH STAR
Horseshoeing Shop
^ Willow St., Iditarod Jake Mutchler, Prop.
. GENERAL BLACKSMITHING, HORSESHOEING,
■_BOAT WORK, fcc._
UnDCCCUnCIUP reduced to $6 for resetting,
HUnototlUtlllb *8 for new shoe*.
FIRST-CLASS WORK OUAHAMTEED
The iestPlace to Outfit
FRESH STOCK PRICES RIGHT
Crowley <& Porter
First Avenue, Between Willow and Richmond Streets, Iditarod
Slippern’s Mill..
R0II6H AND DRESSED LUMBER,
SASH, DOORS, GLASS AND
BUILDERS’ SUPPLIES
-—Iditarod
WATCH FOR BIG STOCK
Of Ladies' and Men's Goods now on way
from Dikeman coming for
ISADORE GOLDSTEIN
Front Ave., Between Richmond and Willow Sts., Iditarod
J
I
i
, CITY DRUG STORE
Z. J. Loussac, Ph.G.
PURITY QUALITY RELIABILITY
First Ave., Bet. Willow and Richmond 8ts., Iditarod
Riverside Hofei 1
; Iditarod City A. P. Morgan, Manager <
j FINEST EQUIPPED LOG HOTE* IN THE NORTH
s Furnished Rooms and Bunks at Moderate Rates j
| Every Bunk a Spring; j
RICHARD’S
New and Second-Hand Goods
WILLOW STREET
out defined doctrines, and a party on the other side with
doctrines defined but most of them rotten, the thinking
people of the country began going through next years al
manac and getting out the rabbit’s foot.
Aldrich made a fool mistake when he forced that Payne
tariff bill down the throats of the people. Taft made a
mistake when he went before the people in defense of it.
The Interests made a bad break when they insisted on put
ting the screws on a little harder; the Republican leaders
made poor medicine when they went back on their promises
to the people.
The present fight going on in the ranks of Republi
canism will disrupt that party. The Insurgents will carry
the day as sure as God made little gOBliugs for they stand
for the advanced political thought of the day and an en
lightened people are behind them.
That insurgent wing of the Republican party will be
come the newr party. It will draw to its banner those who
have been dreaming of a new democracy, for it has ft den
all the good thunder from both the old factions, leaving
them but a poor rumble on a deserted stage.
The new party will have its headquarters in the middle
west, the most enlightened portion of the United States
today. It will not need to go to the people, the people will
come to it, for behold, it is the spontaneous outburst of a
people who have found out what they want and how to
get it.
This party will revise the tariff, and it will be a sure
enough revision downward—no Aldrich-Cannon hokus
pokus, cold-deck, flim-flam, ad valorum shell game, Then
they will get busy and administer a few swift kicks to de
serving corporations—no more Mellin’s food soothing syrup,
sugar-teat applications to hog-fat infant industries. They
will take the pick of popular approval and gently puncture
some of these swollen fortunes and let out a little of the
gas.
The new party will give heed to the needs of Alaska.
It will believe in the conservation of natural resources, but
not for the third generation following the second coming of
our Lord. It will provide that the riches of Alaska be de
veloped, taking care to see that a crowd of banditti with a
cave in Wall street does not get all o it.
Therefore let us get behind that party, casting toward
it our waves of moral support. Let us think on its doc
trines and shout for its principles for it heralds the coming
of a brighter day. _
THE FIRST SPIRITUAL NEED
It is probably a safe bet that the first spiritual need of a new,
rough, thriving gold camp is the binding of its physical wounds.
A clean bandage, disinfectant, warm water and a kindly touch will
do much for a sick body—it will also soothe a rankling sore in a
sick soul.
This is a rough mining camp just being turned from the lathe
of Time. In it men strive and batter their sterner selves, and on
the rim of night, when bright gleams light the path of bizzare emo
tions, the voice of license and of vice ia heard where in other glimes
the gentle winds sigh sweetly through the drooping elms.
In other climes the tolling knell of evening curfews sounds
down wooded avenues. Staid citizens retire to a restful couch,
their daughters kneeling in gentle humility before the throne of an
all-seeing God—here the savage cry of the malamute cuts athwart
the night, and savage man laughs in pleasanter moods.
In such a place as this mere word? are but the passing of the
tundra breeze. In such a place as this the word of God but brings
the slightest pause; in such a place as this the deed must dare its
stern result less ribaldry snatch up the futile effort and hurl it
hence, a forgotton, an unworthy thing.
What then of the missionary of the good ? What then of th«
servant of the Lord ? What then of the kindly heart that would
place the impress of its good intention upon this rugged cast tc
mold it to a nearer semblance of the finer things ?
Why! To the deed, man. To the thing itself. What of prating
from shaded altars about it and about ? What of cloistered choirs
and smoke entwined censers ? What availeth it in a land of haste,
\of strife, of adventure ?
Music we love, but far more than the solemn tones of ttie deep
throated organ we want a haven for the sick, the bleeding, the
destitute. Eloquence we admire, but far more than the well turned
phrase.falling to our idle senses from a crimson pedestal, would we
see the sick room dressed in snowy linen where gentle-voiced
nurses move silently, carrying the word of God in its sweetest
sense.
Two dignitaries of the church hare been here. They talked
about the glory of the Lord and the far-reaching hand of Divine
Providence we wonder what they thought of a hospital for the
Iditarod?
Down in our hearts all of us worship a Divine Power, caring
as 'ittle as may be for creed and theological strife. Down in our
hearts we all love our fellow men; we grow tender and sympathetic
in the presence of suffering and of pain. Down in our hearts we
would all like to see the first church built in the semblance of a
hospital and with generous pockets would we give to see the air
within kept pure and clean.
Wednesday morning early, a high wind struck town and moved a
couple of buildings out into the street of our beautiful city. Wcdncs.
day night a higher wind came along and moved them back again.
As a result of the visits of these boisterous elements, property has
been destroyed, several men have been jailed under serious charges,
public sentiment has been ruffled, enemies have been made, and some
'mall portions of cuticle lost forever. g?;
Moral : Better let the law take its course. Our forefathers knew
it when they laid down the foundations of American jurisprudence, and
we are no wiser than they.
Observant young man, noting recent uneasiness on the streets, en
tering a local jewelry store :
“I say, have you observed all these beastly malcontents ? ”
Grizzled prospector standing near, catches full purport of the re
mark : “Wall, by Heck, were goin' to put them there tents back.'’
We are perfecting a ready alarm system whereby inhabitants of the
city can notify the office ot the Iditarod Pioneer ot sudden changes of
residence. If you are here today and there tomorrow just drop us a
wireless and say which. This system works at night as well as day
Admiral Rodgers Still
Looks for His Son
On August 2 ist. Rear Admiral |
John A. Rodgers of the United
States navy, visited Iditarod City,
still prosecuting the mournful
search for his missing son, Alex C.
Rodgers, who was generally be
lieved to have drowned in the Tan
ana rivei near Salchaket last Aug
ust, while journeying from Valdez1
to Fairbanks. Vague rumors after
wards heard respecting the young
man’s appearance in this part of |
the country are believed to be re-1
sponsible for Admiral Rodgers visit.
The presence of Admiral Rodgers j
was known to but few people, and
unfortunately, it was not until after j
his departure two days later, that;
it became known tnat W. S. Ken
nedy of Iditarod City claimed to
have seen young Rodgers in Nome
in the latter part of Sept'-mber.
Mr. Kennedy did not know Rod
gers at the time, but upon his ar
riyal here immediately recognized
his picture as the man lie had seen
there.
Many stories concerning the dis
appearance of young Rodgers were
printed in the Fairbanks papers
during the course of the search
along the Valdez trail prosecuted
by the U. S. Signal corps, and later
by Lieutanant John Rodgers who
came to the Tanana valley for that
purpose. From all the information
procurable it appears that Alex
Rodgers had a hard trip along the
summer trail, starting from Valdez
in early July, twice losing his
clothes in attempts to raft acros*
glacier streams.
He v.cs last heard of at Mitnaon’s
roadhoi se on the upper Tanana
and started from that point on a
raft on August 5th. His brother
believed he met his fate but a few
miles below that point, but a search
by Indians failed to discovtr any
trace of the body.
MCDONALD’S
Lodging House
FURNISHED ROOMS AND BUNKS
Front Street Jditarod City
Capt. Allison’s Place
Cigars, Tobaccos, Soft Drinks,
Confectionery and Fruit
IDITAROD
Fort Gibbon’s Up-to-Date House
Golden North
HOTEL
Finest and Neatest Rooms
Cater* £»p«clally to Family Trade
No Bar
£I> V. L££, PROP.
Gossip From
Upper Iditarod
Ronald Morrison whose arrival
from the head of the Iditarod was
announced some weeks ago. has
returned to Little creek, about
150 miles up river, taking with
him his winter’s outfit of grub, a
prospecting boiler and tools ex
pecting to get busy at once on what
he thinks is a good proposition.
I.ittle creelc, a right limit tribu
tary of the Iditarod is a wet stream,
the prospecting work thus far done
bnving been a hole on the rim
where they found three cent pans.
McGrath & McNeil, who with
Godwin & Kilroy went up to the
head of the Iditarod last March,
and who were the original locators
of the creek, are returning to that
section with winter outfits.
De Courcey aud Bloiidiuo are at
present prospecting on Montana,
Silver Bow, Grouse aud other
creeks in that vicinity.
Harry Buhro has started work
on Montana aud will remain there
through the winter.
DR. B. F. BROOK8,
Physician and Surgeon
Opposite Red Cross Drug Store
Telephone 30
Dr. Heinrich Wortmann
Physician and Surgeon
Office at City Drug Store,
First Are., bet. Willow and Richmond
DR. E. T. BRADBURY,
Dentist
Opposite Red Cross Drug Store
CHAS. D. CARTER,
Dentist
Offices, Pioneer Drug Stores,
rial and Otter
Will >« «t fl>t Unt >« wttii at ml aMtt
HENRY RODEN,
Attorney at Law
Iditakod, Alaska
McGowan, Clark k Albrecht
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Iditarod, Ala-ka Phone No. 1
The Pioneer Attorneys of This Camp
ALFRED E. MALTBY,
[ l*. S. Commissioner]
Attorney at Law
Notary Public
I Practice only in District Court. IDiTAROD
F. E. BECKER,
I Attorney and Counselor at Law
Oflice—Richmond St., near Second
CHAS. E. TAYLOR,
Attorney at Law,
Notary Public, ('onveyaneinjr,
Abstracts of Titles
P'lat Creek
J. S. HARDING,
Attorney at Law
j Iditaiiod, Alaska
j When you visit Flat creek call at
I Carroll’s Globe Bakery and Coffco
j House, for a lunch.
“Shorty" Davenport's
Discovery
Lodging House
Opposite Celeoe Fraction,
Otter Creek
Warm, Clean Spring Beds
McMAHON
MINERS’ OUTFITS A SPECIALTY
EVERYTHING IN GROCERIES
Full Stock of Overalls, Rubbers, Cloves, Boots.
Undeawear, Etc.
FLAT CREEK
J. A. SLIPPERN,
Carries the LARGEST and MOST COMPLETE Stock of
Sash, Doors, Glass,
MIRRORS AND BUILDERS’ HARDWARE IN IDITAROD
Store Fronts and Fancy Windows
Of any Size and Design Made to Order
LOWEST PRICES GUARANTEED
Telephone No. 5 Cor. Third and Otter
Pony
Express Co.
Telephone 22 Eric Palmen
Daily Trips to All Greeks With Passengers, Eipress, Freight
Ship Your Valuables With Us Also City Service
Clark Lumber Co.
IDITAROD
New Wharf Now Ready to Receive
Freight and Steamers