C PATRONIZE 1 A ! ADVERTISE
HOME INDUSTRIES j V? J\ _ _ ^IN THE (ATE A AY
\ olj 7. SEWARD. ALASKA,TlHDAV EVENING, DECEMBER 8, 1911 KO- 101
_ _ .a————’w
ADAM BLOCK
NOTED PIONEER
OF THE NORTH
Speaking of Alaska's uncrowned j
“king*." the Alaska Sourdough says of
Adam Block, of Seldovia:
The observant .traveller in Alaska
will notice that each little settlement, i
no matter how small, has its own
“king," This honor i* not one that i*
conferred by vote or otherwise, but is
simply the natural place the strongest 1
man in character and will assume in
the community. His word is law, es-i
pecially so where there is no coin miss-;
inner or other otlicial of the depart
ment of justice. Before him are laid
all the disputes and petty troubles
which always exist in those com muni
ties and, as a rule, hi* decision is ae- j
cepted a^ final. Sometimes the “king" j
is unaware of the position he occupies, 1
but generally he is alive to the situa
tiun. In the case of the latter, it is
rare that the holder of the position
abuses his powers, as he knows that
chaos will rule in the social life of that »
community and make it an unfit place |
for man or bca*t to abide.
In the little town of Seldovia Adam
Block, the United States post master,
holds the regal n ins. Mr. Block is
known ail over the western Alaska)
coast and fairly well known among the
sourdoughs of southeastern Alaska, j
He is a Civil War veteran and came to
Alaska as sergeant of one of the com- j
panies that took possession of Alaska1
when formal transfer was made by
Russia. He was m charge of the de
tail of soldiers that raised the first flag;
at Sitka and when it was hauled down |
in tire evening, he was detailed to fold
it up and get it ready for shipment to j
Washington, L). C., where it is on pub
lic exhibition in the trophy room.
After his discharge Mr. Block liked
Alaska >o well that he made up his
mind to stop here, and entered theem- •
ploy of the Alaska Commercial com
pany, with which company he remain
ed for many years. After having lived
in various parts of western Alaska he
finally returned to Seldovia where he j
has a substantially built home and
store, the latter containing the post
office.
While Mr. Block is modestly reluct
ant about talking of bis own personal
experience and know ledge of the coun
try, yet there are times, especially on
one of the fine summer evenings with
which the Cook Inlet country is favor
ed, when he may be persuaded to tell |
a yarn. This happened generally in i
the evening on the porch in front of
the store when his “pfeife" (pipe) is
pulling good and Shorty, Lee, MeKwan
and the rest of the bpys have been on
their good behavior.
Mr. Biock is American born of Ger- ,
man extraction and, considering that
he is over seventy years of ago, is well
preserved, indeed. His mind is active
and his memory for names and faces
and dates would put many a younger
man to shame. In his speech he is very
blunt and plain spoken and does rut.
try to conceal his real meaning by any
ambiguous terms. An illustration of
this is an incident that happened a
number of years ago during the time j
of the “rush" to Tyonic Spit when Mr.
Block was agent at Seldovia for the
Alaska Commercial company. A party
lots just landed at Se dovia enreute to
Drink Dwight Dependable Coffee.!
Seward Commercial Co. t
Good things are not cheap, and cheap :
things are often not good—buy your
stationery of Hoot.
Fresh vaccine jxjints at the Old
German Doctor s. t
Meet me at the Branch.
__
— ,
Fur trimmed parkas $2 50 at B. H.
Oyster cocktails at the Branch. *
Drugs, Toilet articles, Thermos Bot- j
ties—Everything in our line at The
Alaska Pharmacy. t i
WITNESSES BY
WHOLESALE TO
BE SUMMONED
Valdez, Dec. T.--Tt is stated here that
United States Marshal Sullivan has in
his possession some two hundred and
eighty subpoenas for witnesses in the
various coal conspiracy cases to be held
in the near future. The cases to come
on for hearing soon are those against
Frost et ah, in Chicago: McAlpine et
ah, in Detroit: Monday et ah, and
Shiels et ah, in Seattle. Witnesses
will be taken from Seward, Katalla,
Cordova, Valdez and Cook Inlet points.
YUAN SHI KAI IS
MAN OF THE HOUR
lYkin, Dec. 8.—Yuan Shi Kai is the
man of t in* hour in the Chinese empire,
due to the abdication of tlie prince re
gent, Chun. Peace negotiations will
be entered into forthwith, according
to common report here. The rebels
have accomplished their prime object,
namely, the removal from power of the
Manchu dynasty, and it is believed
that the leaders will very readily come
to terms with the present ruling pow
ers.
Tyonie and were awaiting transporta
tion. One morning while Mr. Block
was taking an airing in front of the
.store lie noticed one of the party down
on the beach evidently intent on find
ing something which lie had lost.
Block with hi-* usual bluntne ss asked:
“What have you lost, stranger?" The
reply was “Nothing." “Well." said
Block, “what are von doing down there
kicking around in that gravel for?"
“Well." said tin* stranger. “1
thought 1 might find some nuggets or
gold dust on the beach here while we
were waiting for the boat to take us to
Tyonie."
Block gazed at ilie stranger for a
minute and then said: “Well, you poor
fool, do you think I would he here
working in a store if I could go down
on the beach and pick up gold as easy
as that? You had better have a guard
ian appointed over you before you go
any farther."
After Block’s meaning dawned on
the stranger he meekly hied himself to
where the rest of the party were en
thusiastically planning how they would
spend all the money they were going
to make that summer.
Great Pomp and Ceremony.
Delhi, Dec. 8. — Great pomp and cere
mony attended the arrival of the kiig
and queen in this city yesterday after
noon. A monster reception was given
the royal guests in the evening.
Majority Over 30,000.
Los Angeles, Dec. 8.—Mayor-elect
Alexander's majority over Job Rarri
man, socialist-labor candidate, will ex
ceed 30,000 votes.
Provides Absolute Divorce.
Manilla, l\ I . Dec. * -The Philip
pine islands assembly has passed a bill
providing for absolute divorce.
Watches, docks, rings, snaps and
buckles at J. L. Graef's. T
The Fairbanks. Rooms 50c. Fifth ave.
Meet meat the Branch.
Nettleton shoes at Brown & Hawkins.
Heiger's California perfumes, now all
the rage in the states, may be procured
at the Alaska Pharmacy.
To get orders tilled quick just ring
38.—Seward Commercial Co.
Cse Giro everlasting interlocking vit
ritied clinker chimneys. Immediate
delivery. Brown & Hawkins exclus
ive agents. *
One Dollar a Day at the Commerce
Cafe, lodging included.
L. Levin, Propr.
BURNS AFTER
GOMPERS, HEAD
OF FEDERATION
New York, Dec. 8.—Detective Horns j
is here. Jlr sa\s he is working to con
nect Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor* with
the dynamite outrages. Burns says I
that Mayor-elect Alexander of Los j
Angeles was the first man in that city i
to he employed in ferreting out the i
perpetrators of the dynamite outrages
and that he performed valuable aid.
Los Angeles. Dec. 8.—A federal
grand jury has begun a probe into the
dynamite cases. The McNamara
brothers remain defiant and declare
they won’t talk for publication, and it
is doubtful if they will give evidence
before the grand jury.
MIMICAL TELLS
OF DYNAMITING
Los Angeles, Dec. 8.—Ortie Mc
Manigal was before the grand jury for
two hours yesterday afternoon, volun
teering information in regard to the
dynamite outrages. It is predicted,
though not eon tinned, that one of the
leading labor men of the country will
he arrested, following his revelations.
NOT IMPLICATED
SAYS FEDERATION
Washington, D. C., Dec. 8.—The
American Federation of Labor basis
sued a statement denying responsibility
for the McNamara dynamite outrages,
or crimes of like nature. The feden
tion declares it does not approve or en
dorse such methods, and takes occas
ion to Hay Detective Burns for seeking
| to throw the responsibility upon the
federation. Gompers, the president,
| says he invites the most complete in
! vest igat ion on the part of the govern
! ment, of the methods employed by the
labor organization, but will tight any
probe instituted by detectives on the
part of private corporations.
WANT FARMERS
FOR TRIAL JURORS
__
Chicago, Dec. 8.—The government j
attorneys in the case against the meat |
barons are seeking to get a jury com
posed of farmers to try the matter, j
The attorneys for the packers prefer |
city men.
| •/ ... —
Felix Boucher, Steve Grosso, Earl
Overby, 1. A. Engdal and Charles
Johnson composed a party ot Iditarod
mushers who arrived here last evening, i
I handle only first class goods and |
my prices are right. George the Jew-j
eler, at Alaska Pharmacy. +
Finest line of candies at Hoot's. *
Ice skates at J. L. Graef’s.
—
We have about $300 worth of Rib-1
bons at cost from now until Christmas, i
25 per cent otT on all Ladies Furnish- i
ings. 25 per cent off on Ladies’ and ;
Children’s shoes. For every $5-pur- j
chase you get cup and saucer, value !
50c; for every $7.50-purchase you get j
cup and saucer, value 75c; for every j
$10-purchase you get cup and saucer, :
value $1. We have 200 of them. Sew
ard Commercial Co. *
Oyster cocktails at the Branch. *
We never sleep at the Commerce
Cafe. Home-made Bread, Cake and
Pies for sale. j
PROMOTER ON
TRIAL CHARGED
WITH FRAUD
—
Seattle, Dec. 8.—Venires have been
issued for jurors to try the case of A.
It. Moore, charged with using the
United States mails in promoting the
Kldorado Ditch company, at Nome, j
, Alaska. The promoter secured $7o0,- I
000 through the sale of stocks in the j
concern, the greater part of which, it
is alleged, was converted to his own
j use. Many of the stockholders went
to Nome on a promise of work on the
ditch at a high rate of wages, but
never received a penny for their ef
| forts. Many were absolutely stranded
! and it became necessary lor the gov
! eminent to detail a revenue cutler to ;
j bring them outside.
OTHER SIDE :
OF THE STORY!
:
The local railway officials take ex
ception to tho statement printed in
yesterday’s issue, in re the Iditarod
n.ushers. It appears that Mr. Wheat
ley was called by telephone from Kern
creek Wednesday night and asked if
he could send a train to the front to
bring in the mu>hers, and the cost
I therefor. He replied, in efloct, that
! the cost would be about $200, if indeed
I the train could go at ail, it depending
' upon the condition of the track. The
i price stated was not a definite one and
| was not intended to be quoted to the
mushCTs, and Mr. Wheatley told the(
inquirer that he would consult* the
train crew, inquire as to the condition
of the track from tho roadhouses, and
then call him up again, giving him a;
definite price. After making inquiries
and finding that it would he necessary
to take extra men along to clear tlie
track, in places, Mr. Wheatley noti
fied Kern creek that the cost would he
$240. Later, this amount was reduced
I to $22o. It is evident that the conlro
; versy is due to a misunderstanding, the
mushers gaining the impression that
the price was definitely fixed at $200,
which they agreed to, while, as a mat
ter of fact, Mr. Wheatley was in no
position to quote a definite rate the
first time he was called, as it would
depend upon conditions upon which he
lacked complete information at the
time. _
Harlan Re-Appointed.
Washington, D. C., Dee. 8—James
Harlan has been re appointed, by the
president, as a member of the inter
state commerce commission. Harlan
' is a son of the late Associate Justice
! Harlan. As a member of the commis
sion, lie has been the objeci of such!
criticism, and it was a question as to
| whether or not he would receive a re
appointment.
Fowler Nears Beaumont.
Beaumont, Tex., Dec. 8—Aviator ;
Fowler, enroute from ocean to ocean, j
alighted within tifteen miles of this i
city last night.
Lavoy and Aten, of the Parker Mt.
' McKinley expedition, departed with
sled load of supplies this morning.
The prices on those Diamonds at |
George the Jeweler's are the same as j
in the states.
__
Swift's Premium Bacon, slab, 30c per j
lb.; Swift’s Empire Bacon, slab, 25c per ,
lb. Gold Medal Hour, $2.25 per sck. ;
Hill’s coffee, 45c per lb. Wolf robes, ■
7x8 feet, $65. Galloway robe, 7x8 feet, :
$45. Finest line of useful holiday1
presents in Seward. Prices right, j
Seward Commercial Co. t j
.
For reliable information write Can- j
non, Pioneer roadhouse, Knik, Alaska.
Rosewood, the king of all Dandruff
Cures, at Sherman’s barber shop. * i
Only Restaurant In town that’s j
open day and night.
Commerce Cafe, i
HEALTH OF THE
NATIVES SHOULD
BE CONSIDERED
“For the education of the aborigines
of Alaska, $250,000,” is oneofthe items
asked for by a department secretary,
the funds to be used in maintaining the
various native schools throughout the
territory. Now, this appropriation is
all right, as far as it goes, but as the
Gateway understands it, not a penny of
this amount may he used toward main
taining the health of the native inhab
itants. The government is apparently
seeking to do some good for the abor
igines, but the effort is not directed in
the right course. First, as this paper
has repeatedly urged, the native should
be taught the art of right living. He
should especially be iaught sanitation:
how to care for and protect his body
from the ills and diseased which uillict
mankind.
The government should know, and
probably does know, that the advent
of the white man in Alaska has chang
ed all for the original inhabitant. The
food which was found in plenty in the
sea and on the land, is fa>t disappear
ing before the ravages of tlie white
settler. The native now has to hustle
to subsist, and his living is a precarious
proposition—a hand to mouth struggle.
To confront the new conditions the na
tive should have manual training
schools, and schools where sanitation
and hygiene are taught, hospitals
where he may he sent in case of sick
ness. The ordinary A. B. C. school is
wholly incomplete and inefficient, if
tin* best results are sought.
For the protect ion of the health of
the native, little is done. For this con
dition, the men in charge of the edu
cational work in Alaska are not to
blame. They have no funds available
for the purpose. The appropriation is
solely for the “education” of the na
tive, not for t lie protection of his
health.
Here is a sample of many cases which
have been called to the Gateway’s at
tention:
Dr. .1. H. Ilomig, Seward, Alaska:
“Is there no place where we may
send little Max, the native hoy who
has the very bad eyes, where he may
receive proper treatment? He is grow
ing worse and will ultimately be blind.
Our great trouule here is in Keeping
him isolated from the other pupils (to
prevent contagion). In a place of this
kind, it is simply impossible to do
that. * * * Would you advise our
t iking any children left orphans by
that sickness in Chignlc? I have had
one application for the admission of
four.” George A. Learn, Supt.,
Baptist Orphanage Mission. Kodiak.
ITnder the system which prevails,
the government has provided no place
for little Max, or any other native,
young or old, who may he visited with
affliction. Little Max may go to school
and learn his A. B. C.', hut the great
atfiiction which awaits him cannot be
attended to, unless at the expense cf
private individuals. Somebody in au
thority is responsible for this barbaric
state of a ffairs.
Those Diamonds are all gems at
George the Jeweler’s. i
Kiderdown comforters. Twelve dif
ferent numbers in white cotton Tilled
comforters to select from. And pil
lows—enough to put you all to sleep.
Seward Commercial Co. t
Wool and leather mitts and gloves,
all prices, at B. & H.
Our choice tomatoes, two cans, 25c.
Dog salmon and dog tallow. Seward
Commercial Co. t
Hofman sells china ware suitable
for Christinas presents for less than
half price. t
hot Waffles with Maple Syrup at
the Commerce Cafe. Open day and
night.
Twenty-five per cent discount on all
boys' shoes at B. & H. *