Yukon Valiev News
New Series
TANAXA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19. 1910
Vol. I. No. 9
BE SURE YOU GET SIX PAGES. All the News a Week Earlier Than Ever Before!
GRIM REAPER
WINS BATTLE
Private Elmer Skaggs Dies After
Plucky Fight for Life.
Priv. Elmer Skaggs, company A, 16th
inf., died at the post hospital Monday
afternoon from obstruction of the bow
els. In the hospital for over two months
following an operation for appendicitis,
he was too weak to take on anaesthetic.
Private Skaggs made a plucky fight
for life. His courage and cheerfulness
won the admiration of all. He died like
a man and a true soldier.
He had several attacks of appendicitis
before he told the physicians, and, al
though everything possible was done for
him, in his weakened condition death
was merely a matter of time.
Born at Hopkins, Ivy., Private Skaggs
enlisted at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., in
1008. He leaves a mother—Mrs. Sallie
Moore—at Herrion, 111.
The body was buried with full mili
tary honors Wednesday afternoon. Dr.
Loomis, of the Mission, held services in
front of the post hospital. The remains
were interred in the post cemetery.
Three volleys we,-e fired over the grave,
and taps sounded.
STAMPEDE IS ON.
There are now over 30 men on Prospect
creek, near Fish lake, and more coming.
Four boilers from Sullivan are already
on the ground. Jack O’Brien left Tana
na for the new strike Thursday this week.
(See page 3.)
Upheaval in England.
Special to the News.
London, Nov. 17—A revolution against
the monarch and the house of lords is
imminent should King George refuse the
demands of the people that the privi
leges of the house of lords be curtailed.
Strike is Ended.
New York, Nov. 17.—The express
men’s strike is at an end. The union
men will return to work.
Canal Opens 1913.
Panama, Nov. 17.—Col. Goethals has
informed Taft that the Panama canal
will be completed in December of 1913.
If your heater does not hold fire at
night, it may be the fault of the wood.
Try Simpson’s wood and notice the dif
ference ; $7.50 a cord; $7 in 5-cord lots.
TAKES POISON.
The woman whose cabin on Sullivan
burned last week, took poison when man
she loved was arrested. Dr. Conley
saved her life with a stomach pump. Al.
Prescott was arrested charged with bur
glary, and taken to Hot Springs.
The Temperature.
Furnished by Mrs. E. F. Warren, offi
cial U. S. weather observer, wireless
station.
1910
1909
Max.
Nov.lt. —13
12. -11
13 . — 2
14 . 4
1?. 7
16 . 12
17. 12
Min. Max. Min.
—28 16 6
—23 18 12
—14 22 12
—12 28 18
—22 26 —10
8 12 —12
—13 18 8
About the Mail.
Hot Springs, Rampart, Fairbanks untl out
side departs Saturday A. M. Closes Friday.
Down river departs Wednesday.
Rampart, Hot Springs, Fairbanks and out
side mail due next Tuesday.
Down-river mail due Friday this week.
Cordova sailings for Seattle;
Alameda—Nov. 16.
Northwestern—Nov. 24.
Jack Cavanaugh delivers ice to your door
at reasonable prices. Light express. Prompt
service.
THREE CHILDREN
BURNEDJO DEATH
Little Tots of Wm. Vachon, at Tolovana,
Cremated in Fire Which Destroys
Building. —Pitiful Screams.
Their pitiful screams heard al>ove the roar of the flames, three children of
At m. J. \ achon were burned to death in a fire which totally destroyed the trading
post at Tolovana Tuesday morning.
At hile the agonized mother stood by helplessly wringing her hands, the father
forced his way into the seething flames and rescued the oldest boy—Hayden, aged
four. He then made a second trip and carried out the charred body of little Jose
phine, aged 2. Mr. Aachon was badly burned in the second attempt and is now
in St. Joseph’s hospital, Fairbanks.
The bodies of the two children remaining in the building were burned beyond
recognition. A few charred bones were taken from the ruins Wednesday by Peter
A achon, who came down from Fairbanks. The ruins were too hot to permit of
further search.
The loss on stock and building, owned by Peter, Andrew and Wm. J. Vachon,
is estimated at $12,000. It was partially insured.
The fire was discovered at 7:50 Tuesday morning by Priv. Kaplan and others
of the Tolovana telegraph station. It was mail day, and Mr. and Mrs. Vachon
had gone over to their new roadhouse, recently erected, for breakfast, leaving the
children asleep in the living quarters over the store.
A\ hen discovered, the flames had gained considerable headway. The only en
trance to the living quarters was through the store, and when he heard the cries
of “Fire! Fire!” Mr. Vachon dashed into the building for the children. The
sound of their heart-rending screams will never be forgotten by those who heard
them. Hayden, the little boy saved, is uninjured, although suffering from the
effects of inhaling smoke. It was impossible to enter the building the third time
and little Otis, aged 3, and the baby, Margaret, aged 6 months, were cremated.
Although the signal corps men did everything possible, the fire raged una
bated until the entire srructure was in ruins. The new roadhouse building, about
100 feet back, was saved.
Andrew \ achon at Tanana, and Peter at Fairbanks, were notified, and Wm.
A achon was at once taken to Fairbanks. His face and eyes will bear no lasting
efiects and his lungs are uninjured; but his hands are badly burned. It will be
several months until he recovers. Peter Vachon left Fairbanks Tuesday, with
medical aid. He started back to Fairbanks Thursday this week. Mrs. Vachon
and the boy saved are now on their way to Fairbanks. Clothing for the child was
secured at Hot Springs, as everything was lost in the fire.
It is believed one of the children overturned the lamp, causing the fire.
A\ m. A achon was for 11 years chief of the Dawson fire department. Last Au
gust he bought out J. C. Riley at Tolovana, and moved there with his famity.
LINE ABANDONED
Fairbanks, Nov. 17.—The Gulkana
Eagle telegraph line has been aband
oned as the Fairbanks wireless can now
communicate with Eagle without relay
ing at Circle.
Be sure you get six pages of the Xkws.
STEAMER DOOMED.
Valdez, Nov. 17.—The str. Portland,
with 83 souls aboard, seems doomed off
Katalla. A terrific northwest gale is
lashing the waters into a tremendous
fury.
The News contains straight news.
STRIKE MADE
ON LYNX GREEK
Paystreak Found at Upper End.***
$30 Nugget Taken Out.
Pay Lias been struck at the head of
Lynx creek, (Told mountain district, by
Sam Sakoticli and Ids partner, “Heinie.”
The strike has caused considerable ex
citement as it marks another milestone
in what is predicted will develop a camp
which will boom Tanana.
At a depth of 16 feet a paystreak some
three feet thick was struck. The pans
average 17 cents. The men have sunk
seven holes, but have not as yet traced
width of pay.
The wet ground is hampering work,
but the men have succeeded in tunnel
ing 600 feet, establishing a bedrock drain.
“Jleinie” this week brought up several
ounces of the gold, which fs very coarse
and will run probably $18 to ounce. He
also exhibited a nugget weighing twoozs.
Some pay was struck further down the
creek last spring, but prospectors are of
the opinion that the best pay will be
found at head.
“Heinie” was baker in tlie 22d infan
try. He “bought himself out” last sum
mer. Sakoticli has been working on the
claim since last year.
BASKET SOCIAL.
The total receipts of the Catholic church
basket social at the A. 15. hall Wednes
day night were over $400. The baskets
netted $284. A more amplified account
of the social will be given in The News
next week.
To Oust Gompers.
St. Louis, Nov. 17.—The Federation
of Labor is in session here, wilh 28,000
local unions represented. The Socialis
tic members are again seeking to depose
Samuel Gompers.
Prices Falling.
New York, Nov. 17.—Throughout the
country the price of meats and food sup
plies.is falling.
Mexico Excited.
Mexico City, Nov. 17.—The uprising
and rioting here against Americans, as
the result of the lynching of a Mexican
in Texas, has subsided.
Senator Clay Dead.
Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 17.—U. S. Senator
Clay is dead. The entire state is in
mourning.
DAY OF THANKS.
Thanksgiving occurs next Thursday.
Pres. Taft has issued that annual proc
lamation. Tanana stores will be closed
all day. Turkey dinners will be served
at both the Tanana and Golden North
restaurants.