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In The News
The Alaskan.
By The Alaskan Publishing Company.
Sitka, Alaska Territory
Saturday, November 14, 1885.
Volume 1, Number 2
Page 1.
CURIOS.
The ALASKAN is a week old -- so is Curio.
Geo. Kastrometinoff, interpreter and special deputy marshal, went over
to Juneau on the steam launch, on official business. Lawyer Clark also
availed himself of the opportunity afforded, through the kindness of Lt.
Barnett, to pay a visit to Alaska's commercial metropolis.
Mr. A. T. Lewis, Clerk of the U.S. District Court, and ex-officio
Secretary of the Territory, is at Juneau enjoying an enforced absence
from his official duties. Just what his mission was to the mining
metropolis is not as well understood as is his mission when at home.
Next steamer day will be an important one to the heart as well as the
homes of many of the good people of Sitka. Let the arrival gun speak out
loud.
M. Travers is building a new house on Japonsky Island, to replace the
one destroyed by his native admirers during his enforced residence
elsewhere. Mr. Travers cultivates a fine garden on this Island, which he
claims under title received from Gen. O. O. Howard, but to secure which
he will, we apprehend, be compelled to take his chances under the
homestead or pre-emption laws when the general land laws shall have been
extended over the Territory. However, there is but one person who can at
present claim a better title than his, and that person is Uncle Samuel
himself.
Sitka jail also answers the purpose of a territorial penitentiary.
Although constructed as a "make shift," it answers every purpose for the
safe keeping of prisoners, and is so situated that it is easily guarded,
thus rendering an effort at escape difficult and hazardous, even if
attempted by the most desperate criminal. It is well cared for by the
marshal, who requires close attention to business on the part of the
guards and jailor, insisting on perfect cleanliness being maintained. No
better or more conscientiously honest man could have been selected for
marshal than was found in the person of the present incumbent.
Mr. John J. McLean, the astronomical observer at Sitka, is not only a
most worthy but, in his employment, the most promiscuous gentleman in
Alaska. In addition to his scientific duties, his other labors combine
those of an attorney, deputy recorder of mining claims, assistant
postmaster, and vice president of a business association. But the high
average of his status is materially impaired in his being an inexcusable
bachelor. Although he dwells in a castle, his forlorn state is to be
regretted. He should essay to a higher altitude; place his thoughts
above him, as it were. And in a like respect, Lieut. Barnett, although
wedded to his curios, is not leading a blameless life in keeping his
status in statu quo. He too, should cast his eyes aloft, and therein
seek promotion.
Mooney will have his new building ready to receive its stock of drugs
and medicines by the time the December steamer arrives.
Wanted in Sitka -- a skilled physician and surgeon. One who is not
himself an invalid, nor yet subject to the orders of a whimsical naval
commander, would find a remunerative practice,
independent of any government employ.
The public school now has an attendance of between thirty and forty
pupils, and the number is daily increasing. Miss Powell, the teacher,
appears to give general satisfaction, but with the
increased attendance the school should, and will have, she will need an
assistant.
We are pleased to know that an effort is being made to organize a
volunteer militia company here in Sitka. The material for a good company
ought to be readily secured, inasmuch as the
Governor promises to supply the arms and accoutrements, and to
commission the officers the company itself may choose on its final
organization.
At a meeting of the natives held in the "ranche" last Wednesday night
two fire companies were organized -- the Kok-wa-tons, and the Kak-a-tis,
for which the proper officers were designated
by the governor, who was present and requested thereunto. The companies
will, of course, have no other appliances than ladders and a full
complement of buckets, but with these they may be
expected to render very efficient service in case of fire in either
town.
Page 2.
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[The following is excerpted from a three-column article]
Relocated. -- On the 5th instant Messrs. J. N. Haley, R. Albertstone and
Simeon Lindquist went out to Silver Bay and relocated three claims
formerly known as the Mariann, Pinafore and Henrietta, and which they
have rechristened and recorded as the Reuben, Serebrennikoff and Pride
of Silver Bay....
....The claims relocated by the gentlemen named above are on ledges
discovered as long ago as 1872, by Nicholas Haley, Patrick Burns, and a
Russian named Herman.
These three claims having been abandoned for a longer period than five
years, they were subject to relocation, and have been taken in the firm
belief that they are exceedingly valuable....
....Patrick Burns, the original discoverer of the Reuben lode, was a
Sitka saloon keeper. Believing he had a property of great promise, and
being a man of small means, he associated with himself in a joint stock
company three officers of the 2nd Artillery, who were then stationed
here, and who had no other money to put in as working capital than that
which they were able to save from their salaries.
Nicholas Haley was employed by this company to open and report on the
lode, and his report not being indicative of the immediate development
of a bonanza which would return millions on an investment of an equal
number of hundreds, the work was stopped.
Afterwards, in the summer of 1879, Geo. E. Pilz, a mining shark and
adventurer - swindler, would perhaps the better designate his true
character, in view of the fact that when last heard from he was well
started on the road to the California penitentiary on a charge of
forgery -- in some way secured control of all three of the claims, and
under his management the drifts mentioned were run into the mountain
side. In the meantime, Pilz, by representing the ledges to be much
larger than shown by the workings, and by claiming ownership to various
other valuable claims in which he had no interest, succeeded in securing
the promise of all the capital necessary to their development. A couple
of gentlemen named Hall, brother-in-law and representatives of George
Roberts, the New York and San Francisco capitalist, came to Sitka,
bringing with them plenty of money, mining tools, explosives, &c., with
a view of commencing operations on a large and permanent basis. They
found, however, on investigation, that the ledges were not nearly so
large as Pilz had represented them; that he had gone on and recklessly
incurred debts for the payment of which they would be held, if not
legally, certainly vi et arm is by the miners and workmen in the absence
of all law; that it was questionable if, indeed, he had any legal title
to any of the claims in pretended to own and control, and which he
purposed turning over to them....
That Pilz purposely and deliberately set about wrecking the Alaska Gold
and Silver Mining Company, by whom he was employed to manage the Stewart
mine, there is no room for doubt; that he plundered his employers, and
so managed affairs as to cast a grave doubt on the value of the mine, is
equally certain. Following close on his inglorious career at the Stewart
came his failure to enlist the Halls in the nefarious scheme he had
concocted to feather his own nest by the sale to them of claims he did
not own, and suddenly finding that a longer residence in this particular
section would not be conducive to his physical health, he gravitated
southwards to where prison walls will for some time restrain him from
the active exercise of his swindling propensities....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nicholas Haley has claimed the water privilege on Saw-mill creek
adjacent to the gold discoveries at the entrance to Silver Bay, together
with the old Russian dam and mill site -- a valuable property, should
the ledges develop one or more paying mines.
Prominent among the attainments of the Alaska Indians is that of
artistic carving. "Annahoots" is the poetical name of the chief of the
Sitkas, and he has set at work the most expert of his tribe in carving a
cane which he proposes to send as a present to President Cleveland. The
cane will be of yellow cedar, a most durable and beautiful wood,
peculiar to Alaska, and the designs to be carved upon it will be
legendary imitations of the idols long-worshipped by the devout of his
people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Russian Bath House.
John N. Schmakoff, Proprietor,
Sitka, Alaska.
Open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Baths ........ 25 cents.
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Page 3.
New Hotel. -- William Millmore, steward on the Pinta, having purchased
the Corcoran building, will leave the ship and open a hotel, for which
we understand he has already purchased a large part of the furniture.
[Following is an excerpt from a two-column article]
Presbyterian Missions in Alaska -- Wrangel. -- The first of these
missions was planted at Wrangel, and Mrs. A. R. McFarland was the
pioneer missionary. Accompanied by Dr. Sheldon Jackson she arrived at
her post by the August steamer of 1877, and began her earnest work at
once. The ground had been for a year and half in course of preparation,
for, in the spring of 1876, nine Tsimpsian Indians from the Crosby
Mission at Fort Simpson, had been exerting their influence towards the
awakening of the Stickeens. Cutting wood for the Government all the
week, on the Sabbath these faithful men met together for worship. They
were encouraged and protected by Captain Joselyn, of the U.S. Infantry,
then stationed there, and his aid was given to Rev.
Crosby also, when he visited them the next September....
Mr. Crosby returned to his work in Fort Simpson, after arranging with
Clah, one of his Christian Indians, to conduct a day school and Sabbath
service....
....Mrs. McFarland at once entered the school, retaining Clah as her
assistant until he died from consumption the following December. As the
military had been withdrawn, the place was becoming lawless and wild,
and, when Clah's death left her thus alone she performed the duties not
only of teacher and mother, but of pastor and law-giver to the Stickeens....
At length, after having been the only missionary in Alaska for seven
months, Mrs. McFarland was joined in March, 1878, by Mr. Brady, who had
been secured for Sitka. For a month he stopped over at Wrangel, both
giving and receiving help and encouragement, then, with Miss Kellogg,
proceeded to Sitka, leaving Mrs. McFarland again without a companion.
....But in August, just a year after her arrival, long deferred hope was
realized, and her heart made glad by the coming of the Rev. S. Hall
Young, who entered the work with zeal and enthusiasm, relieving Mrs.
McFarland not only of the pastoral work but also of the day school.
Entering at once into her plan for a Girls' Home, he urged her to devote
herself to that work, and encouraged her to undertake it at once, though
nothing had as yet been pledged for its support. While she hesitated the
children were thrown upon her for protection, and so the Home was begun
in September. Then help came. Mr. J. M. Vanderbilt (the leading merchant
of the place) and his wife, who had been helpful and kind in other ways,
now paid the rent for one year on the old hospital building, and into
that Mrs. McFarland gathered her family of girls.
By the marriage of Mr. Young in December, Wrangel gained the teacher
that Sitka lost, and she carried with her much new life and energy....
... During the same year Miss Dunbar came to take charge of the day
school, and soon proved herself a most efficient and successful teacher;
a native church was organized also, and, in June the working force of
the mission was increased by the arrival of Rev. W. H. R. Corlies and
wife, who, independent of church or society, had come to enter upon
missionary work at their own expense. With loving consecration of their
all they settled at Wrangel, where Dr. Corlies acted as missionary
physician, taught a night-school for adults and greatly assisted Mr.
Young in pastoral work. Mrs. Corlies opened a day school for the
stranger Indians who visited the town in great numbers for the purpose
of trading, and who during their stay camped on the beach.
In the spring of 1882, Mrs. McFarland's nephew, Rev. J. W. McFarland,
joined the mission, and Miss Kate A. Rankin from the Training College of
Bethany Institute, N. Y., came to assist in the Home. Thus the work grew
and the number of laborers increased until the fire in 1883, which
entirely destroyed the Home building, and sent Mrs. McFarland and her
family out into the world again. For a time they went back into the
hospital building, remaining there until it was arranged to remove the
institution to Sitka, where it should become a part of the Industrial
Training School. Pursuant to this plan, Mrs. McFarland, Miss Ranking and
twenty-four of their girls joined the Sitka mission in the fall of 1884.
Rev. J. W. McFarland and wife -- nee Miss Dunbar -- also left Wrangel to
take care of the mission to the Hoon-yahs....
Mrs. Eugene S. Willard.
Sitka, Alaska, Nov. 10, 1885.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Dick, the dude," is home from Juneau, where he has been working in the
mines the past summer. Dick is a good looking native, speaks good
English, and boasts the largest and handsomest canoe in these waters. He
is the same Dick who is so favorably spoken of in Captain Beardslee's
report, and we are inclined to believe his fully deserving of all the
praise the captain
gives him.
"Pete" the native Shaman, who was shorn of his unkempt locks at the
behest of Capt. Glass, a few years ago, is back again, and is about as
handsome and honest appearing a rogue as ever robbed a smoke house. He
will only need to perform one or two of his old time antics to merit and
receive further attention in the way of a tonsorial operation designed
to make him a better looking, if not a much wiser man than he now is.
Page 4.
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H. C. Read, M.D.,
Physician and Surgeon,
U.S. Marine Hospital Service.
Sitka, Alaska.
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