Chicken Correspondence.
Chicken Creek. February 2.8—A
special term of court lias been or
dered held a! Eagle City March 21.
Many of the jurors have been sum
moned from the Forty Milecountry.
Of course no man objects to leav
ing his claim in the winter, paying
a man $8 a day to take his place in
the mine, and walk about 100 miles
for the munificent remuneration of
f4 a day and 10 cents mileage, and
the satisfying knowledge that he
has fulfilled one of his many duties
as a citizen.
n e of this section of Alaska are
not complaining because a man’s
civil duties require his services as
juror in our courts, but it does seem
that it is rubbing it in rather hard
when we consider that at each term
of the court each petit and grand
juror loses 14 per day every day he
is away from home and the cost of
the trip less their mileage. Purely
a juror or witness should be paid "a
sum equal to the hire of a common
laborer in this section. In the
States the rule prevails to allow ju
rors an amount equal to the aver
age between common and first-class
labor. This is a good rule and
should be in force in Alaska. In
this way a juror when subpoenaed
could put another man in his place,
and perform his civil duties with
out incurring a financial loss.
Now our laws provide, if I am
not mistaken, that the fees for jur
ors and witnesses shall he fixed by
the secretary of the treasury. Why
not put the matter before him in
proper light and have liiin remedy
it? Let the \ aides Chamber of
Commerce take the initiative in
this mntter. As things now stand
the secretary of the treasury has
not given us a square deal, probab
ly through a lack of proper infor
mation on his part.
The report of the Senatorial Com
mittee on Alaskan affairs has cre
ated considerable discussion among
Forty Milers. Many points in the
report are warmly supported and j
others are equally condemned..
Our people seem to stand solid for'
good roads throughout Alaska and
especially support a road from Val
dez to this country, of course. That
road we are going to have if we
have to build it ourselves. -It is a
good thing and bona res impellet.
Ab to the proposition of requir
ing the expenditure of any great
sum upon a claim as a prerequisite
to the right to record, depends al
together u;>on the amount required
and brings about more talk. We
don’t deny the general proposition
that a high assessment camp is
quickest developed, but al»ove this
and all things else, must not be
forgotten the prinqil factor in our
life, that this country is now and
must always be a poor man’s coun
try as well ns a rich man’s, and
upon no consideration whatever
must the laws be made to work a
hardship upon the poor. The laws
must never be such as to make it
impossible for the poorest among
us rto slake, record and hold a
-claim, if acting in good faith.
Chicken and Wade creeks are
showing up well this winter. On
McIntosh’s elaim, 9 below Chicken,
O. J. Anderson recently took a pan
of dirt and got $103 in it. U. W.
Fish went down the drift and se
lected a pan which showed up $120
Later some boys panned six pans
from the same cluim and got $166.
Several self-dumping steam
plants are in operation on Wade
creed and a large amount of bed
rock is being uncovered. Very
good pay is being found below low
er discovery this winter.
Walter B. Allen.
Poisoned by Rhubarb.
Ben Bennett, the mail carrier on
the Fairbanks end of the Tanana
mail route, was laid up two days
on his last trip from the effects of
having euten rhubarb that had
been poisoned by the tin can it
was packed iu. He recovered suf
ficiently to reach Fairbanks on
time with the mail.
It is enough to make an Alaskan
shudder to read that at St. Paul
the temperature this winter reach
ed 36 degrees below zero, while
hejre in Valdez it scurcely ever gets*
below zero.
Flynn Objects.
Washinotox. p. c., Feb. 22, V.4.
Editor Valors Pttosrrt-roR:—Mv
attention lias just been called to
an article in the columns of your
contemporary, (the name of which
I have forgotten.) condemning the
memorial I hail introduced in con
gress praying for the suspension of
the statutory assessment work on
mining claims in Alaska for the
years of 1904-5.
If the editor of that paper had
read the bill referred to he would
have found that it not only pre
vented the acquisition of large bod
ies of land by syndicates who did
not intend to develop the property,
but furnished the basis for an ap
peal for a government wagon road
from Valdez, namely, the great cost
of transporting supplies to the in
terior, and the consequent inability
of the miners to develop their prop
erties. In proof of this I would ask
how many copper and other claims
have Wen developed in the interior
during the past few years?
In other words I would ask the
wriier tne question—ll miners who 1
have gone there in the past and lo- i
cated claims, find it no hardship
to do the annual assessment work,i
which at the present time is of no
value to the property, why do they
want a government wagon road?
In drawing that bill I expressly
provided that it would only apply ’
to claims lawfully acquired prior
to Dec. 31, 1903, and not to entries1
made after its suspension features j
had Wen made known. My object j
was to afford a deserved relief to
actual miners who could not devel-1
op their properties in the absence I
of transportation facilities. Its
passage of course will preventprofcs
sional claim jumpers from follow
ing their usual occupation, thereby
deprive the “oldest inhabitant” of
a popular means of securing a lit
tle reaily money, but it would have
afforded the actual miners of the
country a relief to which they are
entitled. So far as the charge of
being interested in some scheme to
gobble up the land is concerned,
I will say that I do not own a foot
of land in the country, or a dollars
worth of stock in any company or
ganized for that purpose, my sole
interest in Alaska being in the
North American Telegraph & Cable
Co., which proposes to place Val
dez in connection with the oriental
world by way of Dutch Harbor, the
capital for which, amounting to
•5,000,000,1 have procured from
men who have “never been in
Alaska.”
In referring to the statement
that I have never been in Alaska,
will say that I was there thirty
years ago, and probably know as
much about it as the gentleman
who presumes to speak for it in
this particular instance.
Respectfully, J. T. Flynn.
Fairbanks Clippings.
An old channel has been located
on the left limit of Cleary creek,
containing good pay. As high as
$4 to the bucket was found. The I
pay is deep, one shaft being down '
fifty odd feet.
They are having trouble at Fair
banks with thieves. Several cases
have been reported where cabins
and caches have heen robbed.
Chenoa had a narrow escape from
being wiped out by fire in February
The warm storage warehouse of
Hendrick & Belt caught fire and
only for the hard work of a bucket
brigade the result would have been
disastrous. The loss was about
11,000.
A volunteer fire department has
been formed at Fairbanks.
Considerable work is being done
on Goldstream. The best pay is
on 3, 4, 5 and 8, where good dumps
are out.
A girl was born at Fairbanks on
February 17th to Mr. and Mrs. Joe
Roberts.
Fairbanks now has telegraphic
communication with the outside.
The wireless system is being used
considerably, owing to the trouble
keeping wires up.
Parker Bunk House on Keystone
avenue. Bunk, stove and wood,
all comforts, 25 cents per day.
s
RAT VERSUS SNAKE.
Rodent That Objrctrd la rwalii a
Perliea af a Rita Constrictor's
Dlaaer.
The leading animal dealer of Wash
ington, D. C\, has for some time past
l»etn in the habit of feeding his Ima
constrictors, bull snakes anti black
snakes on white rats, rabbits and
guinea pigs—animals that multiply
so rapidly that this is the only mean*
he has of disposing of those he can
not srll. As a rule these animals are
very cowardly and no match for the
reptiles, but occasionally a rat will
prove almost a match for his tor
mentors and make thing* an inter
esting that for a time it will appear
doubtful whether the snakes will
make a meal off the rat or whether
the rat will make hash meat of the
reptiles.
It is only on very rare occasions
that such a thing occurs, the genernl
rnn of albino rats being cowardly and
wenk in the extreme. One day late
ly the dealer In question, in feeding
hi* ophidians, pave the black snakes
a guinea rig and a white rat as their
share of the rations snd ttey lost no
time in fnlling to with a relish.
The guinea pip wns disposed of In
short order, hot the rat did not pro
pose to he downed so ensile. lie
pitched into the snakes with such
vigor, says the Washington I*ost. that
the dealer was ohllged to remove him
from the cage before he killed on
of the rentiles, a* he wn« evidently
bent on doing.
BEST OF DRUMS MADE HERE, j
Asivlua Manufacturers Parslah m i
literlor Article far the
Wsrld'i Armies.
Americans being the greatest
drummers in the world, it is entirely
consistent that they should lie tin
best drummnkers. lloth in Chicago
and St. Louis there are large fac
tories, but in these all kinds of
drums are made, most of which arc
of the cheap variety and low in
price. There are only three fac
tories in the United States which
make the kind of instruments manu
factured in this city, says the Chi
cago Chronicle. These drums are
distinct from the others in thnt they
have a sharpness in tone required
only in orchestra nnd band work.
The drums that are used in corps
nnd in military work must have a
tone which ia duller and the drum
must not be so sensitive to the
touch.
Drum-making is a curious industry
snd as complicated as it is curious,
for the d#mn has many parts. A
drum of the best construction hns
248 pieces, not including sticks, hooks
snd belts. All materials must lie of
the best quality, for the things from
which a drum is constructed arc
what give it its tone, nnd as the
drum is subjected to rough usnge it
must be strong enough to stand the
strain.
CARRY THEIR OWN DRUGS.
Two-Tht*4o at the Doctors tawatsr!
Aro to the Habit of Supplying
Tholr Mcdleloea.
Of late year* there ha* hern a
marked decrease in the number of pre
scriptions sent to the druggist*. "Ten
or fifteen year* ago.” said a com
pounder the otner day. reports tl.t
Chicago Chronicle, "it was li e eiiston
when a doctor called upon a sick pi,
tient. to write out a prescription nr.:
have it filled at the drugstore. .Now
ailays two-thirds i f the doctor* carry
their own medicines, no matter wi n
school they belong to. and the pri
scripllon business has thus practically
been taken away from the dm •'gist
Modern invention in the preparation
of drugs and medicines is what ha>
done it. Doctors are now enabled ti
carry a good-sized drug store right
along with them in,tablet fornr and
the number of prescriptions is grow ing
fewer each year.. There is now not
much necessity of the prescription
clerk staying all night in the store.
Druggists ar e nowadays depending for
their income* on the soda-water ei un
tcr. proprietary articles, perfumes,
toilet suundrie*. the public telephone
booth, the investigator of the city di
rectory and the postage stamp buy er.”
NEW PROCESS
STEAM LAUNDRY.
McKinley street.
Finest Work. Prompt Delivery.
Fully Res|>onsible.
For Assays Send Your Ore To
J. H. MORRISON.
Aaaayer Ellamar Mining Co.
Gold, Silver and Copper $3.50
Gold and Silver - 1.60
Copper - - - 2.00
Lead - - - 2.00
Ellamar, Alaska
Ellamar
Mining
Company
Powder, Caps, Fuse,
and all other nec
essaries for the
Prospector.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
Prices Reasonable.
Ellamar. Alaska.
The Mm\m Line
Operates the finest trains in the
world every day in the year, be
tween
Minneapolis,
St. Paul,
Chicago,
Milwaukee,
OMAHA and KANSAS CITY,
making direct connections with
through trains for all points East
and South.
As cheap as the cheapest and the
best to he had. For rates or reser
vations, call or write,
F. W. PARKER,General Agent,
151 Yesler Way, Seattle.
Notice ot Forfeiture.
Valdes, Alaska, Jan. 1,190J.
To Walter L. White anil K. F. Willi*:
You are hereby notified that the undersigned,
A. II. Utley, has expended during the year
1903, lour nuudred (1400) dollars In labor upon
the Lost Chord, the Helen, the Gold Dollar and
the Black Bear mining claims titualed on the
benehea of Slate Creek anil Miller Gulch, in
the Chlana mining district, Alsska, In Val
ue* Recording District, the location notices
ol which claims are now of record in the
office of the United States Commissioner at
Valdez, anil to which notices reference Is made
fora more particular description thereof, in
order to hold said clalma under provision of
Section J3J4. Revised Statutes of the United
States, and the amendments relating thereto
concerning annual labor upon mining claims,
being the amount required to hold said clalma
luring the year 190:), ending December *1,
1903. And If at the expiration of ninety
rlays from the publication of this notice, you
fall or refuse to contribute your proportion of
inch expenditure, your interests fn said rlaitna
will become the property ot ihe undersigned,
your co-owner, who has made the required ex
penditure by the terms of said a»e'ion.
A. H. UTLEY.
First publication Jan. 7.
Last publication April 7.
KES&m Siting JO
261 Broadway,_Now_Ycrk
EVERY WEEK. !C5 TO 136 PACES~
SUBSCRIPTION, $3.00 A YEAH
(Including U S., Cann'n crA^x'n pc stage)
The engineering and Mining Journal
is now la Its Oii$ j\*m. IU 2 JH)4\ can*
ecruiiri nvnbrr will be issued fehortiy.
i oi h o wrter of a century It luts ijecn pi0
tnluentiy tbe !«* Jin< a-nodial,
wlt4: a world-?- Me circulation. Editorially
itw inp r k* pnrti<atilttiiy strong aurt hrrid
fbu T“, Si;u ripUnus '*an begin at any time.
Hain^Je capita free,
_/1d’iftrriijtnf§ rate* on application
•
Call for
VALDEZ
BEER
X Pure Home Product
For Sale At
" •
Al. Whites The Nizina The Senate
The Pulman St Elias The Elk
The Montana and all Restaurants ‘
Valdez Brewing Com|>ang
Alaska Pacific Kaviyaiion Copy
Carrying U. S. Mail and Express.
E. E. Caine, President
Cl. I.. IV II *?or VALDEZ, bv the outsiile rout*. «twt
JIL JQji Vvml Kir«t railing Feb. A.
Str. Excelsior
Str. Santa Ana
Str. Newport
From Seattle for Valdez. Cook Inlet and
way |>orts. let of each month. From Val
dez for Scuttle and way ports, 16th of each
„ month.
From Scuttle for Valdez, Cook Inlet and
wnv (torts 16th of each month. From Val
dez for Seattle and way ports, 1st of each
, month.
from Valdez to I'nalaeka and way ports
•Jtith of e»ch month, connecting at Valdes
with S. S. Sunta Ami
Company reserves right to change steamers or date of sailing
without nodes. •
Seattle Office— 618 First Ave. J Martin
Agent.
PHONE 16.
A. B lies, Pres. F. M. Brown, Tress. F. J. Kingl.orn. Sec.
Valdez Dock I! Warehouse Company.
GomU may b. In »nr ere .ml led In warrhouae nil
railed fur. Panic, a In* I. tue Interim will fl»d itt-envem
lent to leave consignment, with mm l.» forwarded to am It
point, and ai »uch time a. I hey may direct.
Our storage is safe, being i-4th mile from nearest building
McIntosh & Duncklee
Horseshoeing and Blacksmithing
All work will receive prompt attention. High class
blacksmithing made a special feature. Give us a call.
Cor. Keystone and McKinley. Valdes
Home Restaurant : •
Keystone Ave. Opp. St. Elias Hotel.
Meals At All Hours From ft O’clock A.M.
to 9 O’clock P.M. Regular Dinner From
5 to 7. Sunday Dinner A Specialty.
Ice Creamand Soda Water Parlor
HRS. L. H. ALLEN.
C C. BOQARDUS
Assayer and Chemist
Gold and Silver $1.00 Gold Silver and Copper $2.50
GO Columbia St., Seattle, Wash.
"10 YEARS STANDARD" "
RUBCROlb
(Trade Mark Registered.)
Has demonstrated that it is the mest durable and efficient ROOFING
for all sorts of buildings, weathers and conditions. Made of the strong
est, best wool felt, thoroughly saturated with the well-known Rul>eroid
Compound. Proof against heat, cold, water, steam, acids, alkalies,
gases, fumes, etc. Outlasts metal. Fire-resisting. Contains no tar or
paper. Will not melt, rot or tear. Easily laid. Booklets, samples
and prices upon application. A large shipment now on hand at
SHEFFER & BORTON,
McKinley Street.
Valdez Electric Light, Power & Telephone Co.
Incorporated.
We have on hand a large assortment of Electric Fixtures,
Plain and Fancy Shades, Call Bells and Annunciators.
Estimates given on all kinds of electrical work. Phone 39.
Where Do You Stop? Why of Course at
MINERS’ HOTEL.
COMFORTABLE QUARTERS.
McKinley st. and Keystone av C. Johnson, Prop
McKinley Hall
Cor. Reservation Av. and Hobart St.
Sliable for Balls, Parties,
Receptions, Banquets, etc.
t Dates Booked With
A. M. EDWARDS, White Block.