A GAME COUNTRY WITHOUT
I RIVAL IN AMERICA
- j
Mount M’Kinley National Park
' • _
By STEPHEN R. CAPPS
|(Of U. S. Geological Survey, in National Geographic Magazine) |
The Mount McKinley region now
offers a last chance for the people of
the United States to preserve, un
touched by civilization, a great prim
eval park in its natural beauty. His
torically this country is new. It was
not until 1897 that W. A. Dickey, after
having explored in the upper Susitna
basin the previous summer, published
a description of Mount McKinley,
made his remarkably accurate esti
mate of 20,000 feet as the height of
the moun^in, and gave it the name it
now bears. In 1898 the first actual l
survey in the neighborhood of the j
park was made near its east side by'
George H. Eldridge and Robert Mul- J
drow, of the United States geological i
: survey. In 1899 an army expedition,
in cltirge of Capt. Joseph S. Herron,
F explored a part of the area near the
southwestern boundary of the park. :
In 1902 the first surveying party j
that actually reached the vicinity of I
Mount McKinley was conducted by Al-j
fred H. Brooks and D. L. Raeburn, of
the geological survey. This party en
tered the park at its southwest border
and traversed it from end to end,
bringing out the first authentic in
formation in regard to an unexplored
area of many thousand square miles
and determining the position, height,
and best route of approach to the base
of Mount McKinley.
Inspired by the information furnish
ed by the Brooks party, the first at
tempt was made in the summer of
1903 by James Wickersham, now dele-1
gate to congress from Alaska andj
sponsor for the pending bill to create!
this gr^at national park. Judge Wick-J
ersham’s party succeeded in reaching!
an elevation of 10,000 feet, but a lack1
of proper equipment and sufficient!
provisions prevented them from climb
ing to the summit.
The highest peak remained uncon
quered until 1913, when, on March 17, j
i
Archdeacon Hudson Stuck, Harry
Karstens. and two companions left thel
mouth of Nenana river, traveled by
dog sled to the Kantishna district to
pick up supplies landed there by boat
in the fall of 1912, and proceeded to
the basin of Clearwater Fork, at the
north base of Mount McKinley. After
preparing their own pemmican from
wild meat obtained near camp, they
i began the actual ascent about the mid
die of April and reached the peak on
June 7, 1913. Thus the mountain was
scaled seventeen years after its first
adequate description was published.
A Big-Game Paradise.
I As the game^refuge the new park
includes an area that is unique on this1
continent, and few regions in the
world can vie with it. Many parts of
i Alaska are famous for big game, and !
hunters have come half around the i
world to that territory to obtain tro
phies of their skill. It has been my ,
good fortune to visit several of the
choicest game ranges in Alaska, nota
bly that east of Nenana river, adja-'
cent to the Mount McKinley district,;
and the much praised White river
country. Both of these regions are;
well stocked with game, but for abun-j
dant sheep, caribou, and moose over;
wide areas neither of them compares j
with the area within the limits of the I
new game preserve.
The mountains at the head of Toklat;
and Teklanika rivers literally swarm ;
with the magnificent white bighorn |
sheep, which are elsewhere extremely i
wary aftd difficult to approach, but!
which in summer are here so little ]
disturbed that they move off only
when one comes to close range. A
day’s travel along one of these val
leys will usually afford the casual
traveler a view of many bands of
sheep. The sheep range on the lower
slopes of the mountains, especially in,
the upper reaches of the streams, near
the glaciers at the valley heads, or
even in the valley bottoms.
I hqpe counted over 300 in a single
(lay’s journey of 10 miles along the
river bars, and doubtless as many
more were unobserved in the tribu
tary valleys beyond my view. From
a single point at my tent door one
evening I counted nine bands of sheep,
containing in all 171 animals.
Thousands of Caribou Everywhere.
1 remember well my first big day]
for caribou. The pack-train had gone i
ahead to pitch camp at a prearranged
spot near the last spruce timber on the
main Toklat, and I was examining the
rocks a few miles east of the camping
place. Herds of sheep were scattered ;
along the ridges, some feeding on the
tender grasses, some sleeping in the]
sun. I was far above timber-line and ]
my view was unobstructed for miles
in all directions. With my glass 1 had
already counted half a dozen solitary
caribou, all young bulls, grazing
among the stunted willows of the1
stream flats.
During the next few days 1 saw j
more caribou than I dreamed existed!
in any one locality, including a herd of |
200 which was viewed at close range;
on the Toklat bars. In the pass be-]
tween Toklat and Stonv rivers the two!
*
pack-trains and eight men stood in the;
midst of a vast herd,'scattered for
miles in all directions.
Caribou Avoid the Mosquito 1’lains.
We counted with the naked eye over
a thousand within half a mile of us,
and hundreds of others couid be seen 1
too far away for accurate count. In
order not exaggerate, even to our- ■
selves, we estimated the number in <
sight at one time as 1,500 and 1 be
lieve that this number is an under-;
statement of the number actually
thef-e. Most of them were cows and
calves or yearlings, but there were a
few old bulls, conspicuous for their
towering horns. During the following
week we constantly saw herds of cari
bou, some of them numbering hun
dreds.
Most of these herds were on the
large gravel bars, where the strong
winds afford some relief from the at
tacks by flies and mosquitoes. Other
herds were high on rugged mountain
ridges, and several large droves were
observed far up on the glaciers, well
toward the snow-line, seeking a little
respite from insect pests.
In other parts of Alaska caribou at
times appear in huge droves as they
migrate from place to place, but they
stay only a short time in any one lo
cality. In the Toklat basin and in the!
vicinity of Muldrow glacier, however,
the caribou are at home, and they Re
main there throughout the summer to
rear their young.
Differences In Animal Behavior.
There is abundant indication that
this is a permanent range. Deeply
worn trails form a veritable lagby
rinth along the stream flats, and bed
ding grounds, old and new, occur ev
erywhere. The miners from the Kan
tishna report that caribou may always :
be seen in great numbers on this]
range.
There is a striking difference be-:
tween the actions of caribou and those j
of the bighorn sheep when surprised
by man. A sheep, once aroused, knows
exactly wheer to go, and usually
starts, without a moment’s hesitation, j
on the shortest route ot sornV rugged 1
mountain mass. He may stop to look
around and appraise the danger, but
he is sure to follow the route he first
chose.
By contrast, the caribou appears a j
foolish animal; he seems at a loss to i
decide whether it is necessary to run ’
away at all. Then, when convinced!
that danger threatens, he has difficul- '
ty in making up his mind which way i
to run. He has sharp eyes for any
moving object, but evidently refuses
to trust his sight until his nose con
firms his sense of danger.
I have many times seen a caribou,
after he has discovered me at a dis
tance of no more than 100 yards,
stand and look, snort, lower his head
half a dozen times, thep run wildly off
for a short distance, turn back toward
me, repeat the same maneuvers, and
make several false, zigzaz sprints, all
within easy gunshot, before he finally
ran to leeward, got the man scent, and
started off for good in great panic. In
this region, with proper caution and a
favoring wind, one can approach with
in 200 yards or less of a band of cari
bou, even in the open, before they take
alarm and move away.
Moose are very plentiful in certain
parts of the new park, but are not so
commonly seen at sheep and caribou.
As their food supply consists of wil
low and birch twigs and leaves and the
succulent roots of water plants, they
stay much of the time in timbered
and brushy areas, where they are in
conspicuous. By nature, too, the
moose is a wary animal and permits
much less familiarity than the cari
bou.
There are .some black, blown, and
grizzly bears in this district, but the
bear hunter has a much better chance
of obtaining a hide in other parts of
Alaska than he has here. All told,
only eight hears were seen by the
members of the survey parties dur
ing the last summer, und bear sign
was so little noted in this region that
it cannot be considered an especially
good bear country.
The park contains good trapping'
grounds for the fur hunter, and a
number of trappers spend part of
each winter there. Foxes are plenti
ful, and an unusually large proportion
of the pelts taken are of silver gray or
black fox. One trapper told me that,
in Toklat basin the winter’s catch for
a number of years has yielded one
silver gray fox skin for every eight
foxes caught, and of the remaining
seven, several are likely to be good
cross-fox. We saw a good many foxes
and found two dens around which
young ones were playing. Lynx are
also plentiful, and numerous mink,
marten and ermine have been taken.
Many and Busy Beavers.
Beaver were seen in the park, but
are exceptionally abundant in the
marshy lowlands north of it. On our
trip down Bearpaw river, in the fall,
while we were on our way to Tanana.
we saw everywhere along the banks
sikns of beaver.
Will It Bay?
Considered as a purely business
measure, without taking account of
the esthetic value of such a perma
nent national reserve in its influence
on the development of the American
people, the Mount McKinley National
park will be a tremendous asset to
the territory of Alaska and to the
United States as a whole.
Prodigal as nature lias been in en
dowing us with unrivaled scenery, we
have until recent years been blind to
the money value of this resource.
Other nations not so blessed with fer
tile soils, vast forests, and mines of
almost fabulous value have widely ad
vertised their natural beauties in a
way to attract the tourist, so that for
years American travelers have spent
abroad millions of dollars that might
have yielded them no less pleasure if
they had spent it in seeing America
first. The good roads, well-equipped
hotels, and beautiful mountains of the
Swiss and Italian Alps attract the
traveler like a magnet. Even our near
er neighbor on the north, by judicious
advertising and careful attention to
the comfort of the traveler, attracts
great numbers of our people to her
western mountains.
If the United States wishes to share
in the profits of the tourist business
it may readily do so, for any well
chosen expenditure made in building
good roads and hotels ;n our national
parks will return large dividends not
only in dollars and cents, but in the
health, enjoyment, and education of
our people. And the traveling public
will soon learn that one of the grand
est of our parks, one of those most
worth visiting, is that which, let us
hope, is soon to be established in the
Mount McKinley region.
Shoe Repairing. All work guaran
teed. Gus George. Now at Brown &
Hawkins. 973
Fine Job Priming at Times Office.
The place to meet everybody—at
Peterson's. 2
NOTICE TOR PUBLICATION
Department of the Interior, I*. S.
Land Office at Jum-au. Alaska, April V,
1917.
NOTICE is hereoy niven that Oliver
C. Miller, of Knik. Alaska, who on Oc
tober 14, 1916, math- norm-stead applica
tion No. 03320, for SK h Sec. f>, W V?
H W V4 Sec. 4. K'iNKi, See. ft, W 4
NW1,. Section 9, Township 1ft .V. Range
1 E., Seward Meridian, has filed notice
of intention to make five year Proof, to
establish claim to the land nl>o’ e de
scribed, before? l#eopold David. United
States Commisstoner, at his office at
Anchorage, Alaska, on the lath day of
June, 1917.
Claimant names as witnesses:
Albert Crocker, Carl Johnson. Ed
Mullin, all of Knik, Alaska.
L. S. Sears, of .Matanuska, Alaska.
( . IT _W A I.K ER. Reg 1ster
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION.
Department of the Interior, 1*. S
Land Office at Juneau, Alaska. April 7,
1917.
NOTICE is hereby given that Rudoph
K. Weiss, of .Matanuska, Alaska, who on
October 18, 1915, math* homestead appli
cation No. 02489, for NK’,« Sec. 21, SKV*
Sec. 16, Township 17 N., Range l E.,
Seward Meridian, has filed notic*- of in
tention to make five year Proof, to es
tablish claim to the land above de
scribed, before Leopold David. U. S.
Commissioner, at his office at Anchor
age, Alaska, on the 15th day of June,
1917. The Territory of Alaska is hereby
Specially notified.
Claimant names as witnesses:
Hugh McCaughey, (Purge Nyien, Mar
tin Leckbold, F. F. Winchester, all of
Matanuska, Alaska.
__C. I» WALKER, Regist er.
ALIAS SUMMONS.
IN THE DISTRICT COURT FOR THE;
TERRITORY OF ALASKA, THIRD
DIVISION.
Marie A. Farrington, Plaintiff, vs. Fay I
F. Farrington, Defendant. No. A- . j
The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES.
To the above named defendant Fay F. 1
Farrington. GREET I N<;.
You are hereby summoned and requir
ed to appear in the District Court fori
the Territory of Alaska, Third Division, |
and answer the complaint of the above- j
named plaintiff, n copy of which is
herewith delivered to you, within thirty j
days after the service of this summons j
upon you: and unless you so appear and ;
answer the plaintiff w ill apply to the i
court for the relief demanded in said j
complaint, to-wit: For a decree of cli- i
vorce dissolving the bonds of matri
mony existing between plaintiff and de
lendant. The service ot this summons
by publication is authorised by order
of the court tiled in said cause, dated
April 10th, 1917, directing the publica
tion of summons one**. ;t week for at
least six weeks, and the defendant must
appear and answer within thirty days
after the expiration of said period of
publication.
WITNESS, the lion. Fred M. Brown.
Judge of said Court, this the 10th day
of April, 1917, and of our Independence
the one hundred and forty-first.
ARTHUR IaANG, Clerk.
By T. P OERAOHTY, Deputy.
(SEAL)
First Publication April 14, 19J7.
Last Publication, June 2, 1917. ft 11
ARTHUR FRAME, Plaintiffs Attorney.
ftfiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaif
1 Reliable Laundry 1
jjj Fifth Avenue. Near I\ St. yj
* bfi
* Work Called For jfj
!fi and Delivered. $
jfj jfj
* CLOTHES CLEANED *
jjj AND PRESSED jfj
iaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat
| Geo. F. Forrest jjj
jjj Juneau, Alaska. jjj
jjj REPRESENTING jjj
ijj American Radiator Co. jjj
jjj Standard Gas Engine Co. jjj
a Bowles Company. !fi
jfi Fairbanks Morse Co. jjj
jjj Pelton Water Wheel Co. jjj
jjj Brinkley Supply Co. jjj
jjj Valvoline Oil Co. jfj
jfj Rex Metal Works jfj
jjj Wood Drill Works jjj
jjj Hydrex Felt & Eng. Co. jjj
^ Burt Manufacturing Co. jjj
a Edison Storage Battery Hi
jjj Supply Co. *
jjj Western Farquaar Mach- jjj
Sfi inery Co. a
jfi tfi
£ Truxall Chemical Co. y; •
a a
jjj M L. WOODARD, *
a Salesman a
yj Hotel Parsons y;
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall
Temple Auditorium
A. L. U.
TO-NIGHT
Fun Galore at
the Circus.
One of the funniest shows ever pul
led off in Anchorage will be the bur
lesque Bamum’s Circus at the Labor
Temple this evening, May twelfth.
The interior of the auditorium will
have the appearance of a circus tent,
with the ring in the middle of the floor.
There, under the control of their train
er, the animals will perform their weird
and wonderful tricks, while a big bunch
of clowns will add to the general mer
riment. Doors open at 7 o’clock.
ADMISSION- TWENTY-FIVE CENTS
RECREATION
Bowling Alleys and Pool Parlors
YOUNG VIKING R. HEGSTROM
Next to Harmony Theatre.
SPECIAL PRICES!
Every Saturday
-ON- g
Fresh Fruit and
Vegetables g
COSMOPOLITAN MARKET! j
Garfell & Popodopolos. j
_ _ U
Courtesy and Fresh Goods at 1
Robarts’. 984 i
Only best of everything and courte
ous treatment. North Pole Bakery. 15
Peterson's new solo pallors now
open. 2
Hiych-Wickwire and Style-Plus:
i
Clothing, the very latest. Have you
seen them? At Brown & Hawkins.
Cooks’ and waiters' coats and aprons
at C. Me Felix. 790
Phone 43-Y for car, day or night.
Wood and coal a specialty. Universal
Taxi and Transfer. 126
.11 ST OPENED
I Village Inn Cafeteria :
;i At 919 5th St. West ;!
| $
. Short orders and regular meals, ti,
Vi Luncheon 11 a. m. to 2 p. in. V
•
TABLE BOARD
(•) ®
•’ Three Meals $35 per Month. v
It Two Meals $25 per Month. •
<• • • • ••
Cameron threw his key away. Open
night and day. 796
The popular North Pole Bakery for
your noon lunch. Why not? 15
!| S Spring Dress Silks S
[Among the staple Silks for which the season is developing a steady demand are
the following:
^ Crepe de Meteors, Taffets, Gros-de-Londres, Taffeta de China, Crepe de Chine
!i and Wool and Silk fabrics, which we have a goodly supply.
i | The new plain and fancy Georgette in high colors is the correct mode for Mouses
! and collars.
j | .Inst Received—A big shipment of dress Shoes. Black and light shade. Also
j« walking Boots, and low Canvas Shoes.
■ | The craze of the hour is beads and novelty Jewelry to match the garment worn.
■ ! THE STYLE SHOP has these as well as bags to match the Hats,
i { Madame Tylor will make your gowns to order,
jj Miss Hale gives a wonderful shampoo. Also facials and manicure.
I[ S The Style Shop S
COURTESY AND QUALITY OUR MOTTO.
I i New Masonic Block.