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Aurora Borealis
Healy, Alaska
Volume 2, Issue 3
March 1, 1899
Page 2.
FORT ST. MICHAEL.
Departure of the Troops.
Lieutenant Oliver L. Spaulding, Jr. 3rd Artillery, U.S.A., in command of a small
detachment consisting of Corporal Helms, Privates Callahan, St. Martin, Stansell
and Holmes, left February 23rd for Golovin Bay. The reindeer arrived the 10th to
transport the detachment and freight. Owing to the severe illness of the
Commanding Officer they were detained until this date.
There was considerable excitement over the departure of the troops, as is usual
when Uncle Sam's boys are called out for extra duty, and a large crowd anxiously
waited for two hours - after the Lapps announced they were ready - to see the
final start. The detachment was separated into three caravans, Lieut. Spaulding
in the lead. The second caravan soon became the first and the last, after
circling and cutting figure sights and losing the end man twice, finally brought
up the rear at the distance of a half a mile or more. Our gay and gallant young
officer seemed quite satisfied to retire to the humble duty of hanging on to his
sled, without regard to order of rank and file. It is a demonstrated fact that
an officer's command ceases when under the control of reindeer. This even
applies to himself.
-------------
Sergeant Dawson and Private Lester left the same day with the dog team for
Nulato, to arrest and bring down a party from there who is distilling liquor and
selling to the natives. This is not the first case of the kind this winter. It
is to be regretted that with all the white men now in this country they cannot
confine their troubles to themselves without demoralizing the natives.
---------0--------
RAMPART CITY NEWS.
Mr. Clinton Mayo, who is connected with the Alaska Commercial Company at Rampart
City, arrived from that station February 2nd. He had been sick with pneumonia
four days on the trail and was very weak and low upon his arrival. He reports
prospects for a good 'clean up' in the spring are very promising in the Minook
District. Last year the only creek upon which the pay streak was located was
Little Minook and below and above claims #2 to 10 it was lost. This year,
however, it has been picked up as high as claim #21. The pay streak has also
been located on Hunter, Quail, Hoosier and Big Manook creeks; in addition to the
foregoing Idaho Bar, which lies between Hunter and Little Minook and which is
considered to be an old river bed, is being energetically worked by a large
force of men who are obtaining paying results - many nuggets weighing from 4 to
20 dollars have been brought to town. Jamieson, from No. 5 Little Minook, found
a nugget weighing over $90.00 in December.
The saloons, gambling houses and dance halls report 'business' very poor and the
town 'On the Bum' as they express it. Our opinion would be that on the contrary,
it showed a very promising activity (on the claims) from which they will reap
their quota of the harvest in the spring.
There are about two thousand persons at this camp this year, eight stores well
stocked with solids, sixteen saloons well provided with liquids. Last year there
was very little actual mining done upon any of the creeks outside of Little
Minook, for the reason that the locators of claims had so many on their hands it
took them all winter to represent them, and bed rock was reached by very few.
This may be profitable news to some of the Cape Nomites, who have a
super-abundance of claims.
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Page 3.
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____________________________________
REMOVAL OF THE COURT.
The reports from Golovin Bay and Cape Nome Mining Districts have been of a far
more peaceful nature since the information reached the districts that troops
would be sent for their protection and the Court would be moved to Golovin Bay
for a short session. It is still an undisputed fact that claims have been jumped
and continue to be. Also, that parties have stated that they jumped the best
they could find and would make a fight for permanent possession. A few of the
chicken hearted withdrew in favor of the original locators. It may be that
others will wish they had done the same. The titles have become badly
complicated and whether a few test cases will suffice to straighten out affairs
entirely is a question.
There is another question which will require some attention, also, i.e., whether
certain lands located at the mouth of rivers are town lots or placer ground.
The statements that reach us by returning parties and by letter are very
conflicting. There is one point only agreed upon and that is the apparent
richness of the country. All this is very encouraging but a sample now and then
of the real stuff, or of the sand so heavy with gold that it cannot be
separated, would undoubtedly make a vast difference in the comforts supplied to
the prospectors by the capitalists of this Island. The main supply of money and
provisions has been furnished from this point. Many of the representatives sent
have washed out gold - that is a little (?) - but any flimsy excuse serves as a
reason for not sending any down to those who are really entitled to the greatest
consideration.
------0-------
The Judge Supreme and the Attorney General trotted off in high spirits this
morning of the 25th, at 8:20. We mention the hour as it was uncommonly early for
dignified personages to be seen on the trail. The military complement observed
better form by choosing the hour of 2 p.m.
There may be some dispute as to the Barrister's being in high spirits. He was,
the evening previous, but the morning seemed to have settled a sad expression of
regret upon his countenance. The cause is one of surmise, - whether owing to the
parting from friends or the prospect of drought for four months.
The expedition was well equipped with 900 pounds of freight, two sleds and 16
dogs. The freight contained all the luxuries of the season and modern comforts;
perhaps the most important of which were tamales, anchovy, olives, old cheese,
and lastly a 2x3 alcohol stove.
All the paraphernalia of the Court accompanied them, so there is now a
legitimate means of securing Powers of Attorney and Intention papers at Golovin
Bay.
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Page 4.
U.S. MAIL.
The U.S. Mail is still a problem of the future. February 14th a bold
announcement was made that the mail carrier had arrived from Rampart. All hearts
bounded with expectations - except a few of the wise - and a messenger was
started in haste to the post office. In due time he returned with a neat little
packet of letters from Rampart, and the head waters of the Koyukuk,, 800 miles
beyond Nulato, and from no less a distance than Herschel Island, to the effect
that the whalers were fortunate in getting out this season with the exception of
one, and that all had plenty of whalebone.
It is most gratifying to know of our fellow men from the fartherest [sic]
icebound point on the globe where it is safe for man to venture even for one
shot period during the year. Another year will bring us into semi-annual
communication with the North Pole.
If the news agencies were as well established for winter service between
Seattle, Dawson and this point, we would be quite in touch with the Antarctic as
well as the Arctic. Whether the fault lies with the postmasters at Seattle and
Dawson or with the mail contractor is not for us to say. Our opinion is that
each are at fault, and we will pray for their redemption.
------0------
A fracas occurred the evening of the 22nd across the Bay whereby both white men
and natives were lodged in the guard house. The natives unaccustomed to having
their liberty taken away and to being deprived of the sight of their friends,
stand in considerable awe of the guard house. It was enlarged none too soon to
accommodate its many visitors, both transient and long-stayers, even to the poor
soldier on sentinel duty.
KOYUKUK.
The first news this winter from the Koyukuk country arrived the 14th, having
left Arctic City the early part of December. Up to that time no strikes had been
made - but good prospects - in fact bedrock had not been reached. There are 500
miners hard at work and if there is anything beyond the prospects it will surely
come to the surface by the end of the season.
There seems to be some little rivalry between the company stores started this
season to supply that locality, and no little dispute as regards the gold
bearing districts. One party claims the Allaukakat river and its tributaries,
with Arctic City its base of supplies as the proper place, and the other
contends that the gold lies in the head waters of the Koyukuk, one hundred miles
farther up; the town of Peavy seventy five miles above Arctic City, its source
of supplies. The word town is used advisedly as there is a church 20x35 and a
school house 20x30 ready for use, which is sufficient to establish a townsite in
more civilized localities than Alaska. The distance from Peavy to Tramway Bar is
forty miles. The bars prospect unusually well and many of the dredging outfits
intended for the Yukon will probably be used on the Koyukuk instead. There are
eight steamers including the 'Laville Young' wintering at Peavy and as many more
along the Allaukakat.
------0------
Reindeer transportation theoretically is the 'proper caper' also practically as
far as the 'capering act' is concerned, but it seems from the high-strung antics
they display when in harness that they would take kindlier to a football game or
to doing a buck and wing dance than to hauling man and freight.
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Page 5.
KOTZEBUE.
Mr. Fitzhugh Henderson, after a 30 hours walk from Unalaklik, [sic] finished his
long, hard trip from the Kotzebue country, arriving here February 15th. He
remained a few days to complete business matters then left for Cape Nome to
investigate that district.
He reports no gold found along the Buckland or Selawik rivers. At a depth of
five feet colors can be found and a little float gold, but above or below,
nothing, even to the depth of forty feet. The would be miners of that locality
are now of the opinion that the "gold discoveries of that part of the country
were but the dream of some poor sailor."
Later in the month Mr. Meyers and Mr. Knobelsdorf came in. The latter is known
as the 'Flying Dutchman' up there, having traveled 1900 miles this winter. His
statements agree with those of Mr. Henderson that the Kotzebue is a failure as
far as gold is concerned. There are altogether nearly 1000 people scattered
along the coast and rivers, with sufficient food to last them through the
season. The mercury had been as low as 65 degrees and many had suffered with
frozen hands, faces and other portions of the body, otherwise good health
prevailed.
The Cape Nome discovery has penetrated that country by this time and it is
supposed as many as can will stampede at once for the new fields.
-------0------
QUERIES.
California had her boom in '49 and with it we had our great cattle firm of
Miller and Lux. Cape Nome will have her boom and we understand a "Miller and
Luxury" for the handling of the 'juicy tenderloin.' Does the Storekeeper of the
A. C. Co. know anything about it?
If 'Jack in the Box' Stevens will handle the delivery wagon?
If the 'Knight of the Razor' will be a close neighbor to the genial 'cleaver
wielder'? If he will grow fat on the "succulent steak" from friend George's
Counter?
How is "Duffy's" Cape Nome venture? Does he possess the proper qualifications
for a Mining District Boniface? Will he "set em up" just as often?
When will Capt. Willet start out with his 'little pick'? "Will-it" be necessary
to have a grindstone along?
What is "Duffy's" opinion of the "Hand of the boss"? Is he not off the track in
his surmises?
If selling some dogs is not a "dog-gone: way of doing business?
Pro Bono Publico.
------0------
WEATHER for February: Lowest temperature 40 degrees below: Highest temperature
35 degrees above: From 1st to 10th, mild; unsettled: 3rd rain: 5th to 9th strong
winds; heavy gales. 11th to 28th, cold; fine. Light snow fall. The mercury is 68
degrees lower than March 1st, 1898.
The natives predict a late spring and that ice may remain in the Bay all summer.
__________________________________________
TEETH! TEETH!! TEETH!!!
Save you teeth by calling on B. D. Davenport
dentist at U.S. Barracks.
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Page 6.
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES.
Feb. 1st: Ferd Quinn and F. Koltchoff from Port Clarencce.
Feb. 2nd: C. L. Spangard from Cape Nome.
Feb. 4th: Frank McQuillan returned to Cape Nome. John Lacckstrom and Randdoline
left for Kadiak. Bill Moore for Vankekluk.
Feb. 5th: Capt. Lyle and J. O'Brien returned to Hamilton Station. Alosen Kaliner
returned to Cape Vancouver. G. Dunn and Kamkoff left for Kutlik. Belkoff for the
Russian Mission. Dutton and Murphy started for Cape Nome. F. Koltehoff returned
via Unalaklik. S. Menzies, Assistant Manager Transportation A. C. Co., and W. L.
Blatchford, returned to Andreafsky. G. Featherston, G. Vallan and S. S. Saunders
arrive from Str. Cudahy, N. A. T. & T. Co. Ferd Quinn return to Port Clarence.
Feb. 10th: J. Buirck, representing the longshoremen of the N. A. T. & T. Co.,
arrived from Cape Nome.
Feb. 11th: D. E. Huyck returned to Hamilton. Featherston, Vallan and Saunders
left for Cape Nome. Fred Heidrick, of the Dusty Diamond Co. arrived from Council
City, and stated that the disturbance reported at that point was very much
exaggerated.
Feb. 12th: R. Hamilton, T. Kinmar and J. Maitland arrived from Str. T. C.
Powers, N. A. T. & T. Co. G. Dunn and wife from Kutlik.
Feb. 14th: W. A. Hudson, Purser of the Susie of the A. C. Co. and Capt.
Malynquist left for Andreafsky.
Feb. 15th: Otto Polte, representative for the Pen-Dennis Mining Co., arrived
from Cape Nome, having located 20 claims for the company, the best of which are
on Boulder Creek. Mr. Lindblom arrived the same date in company with Capt. Polte,
having co-operated with the latter in prospecting. Wm. Conway, F. H. Neal, Dan
Cox, G. Bull, J. Shubert and C. Chapman arrived from Hamilton.
Feb. 16th: Messrs. Hamilton, Kinmar and Maitland left for Cape Nome.
Feb. 18th: Wm. Conway for Cape Nome. Messrs. Eagan, Rask, Russell and Johnson
arrived from Andreafsky.
Feb. 19th: G. Bull and C. Chapman left for Cape Nome. J. Shubert returned to
Hamilton.
Feb. 20th: F. H. Neal and D. Cox for Cape Nome. G. Harbeck and P. Ryan from
Andreafsky.
Feb. 23rd: Capt. Chas. Peterson, Capt. Lancaster, Str. Rock Island, and Capt.
McQuinley from Andreafsky. G. W. Pike an employee of the A. C. Co. at that
station was brought down to answer the charge of petty larceny, the punishment
to be four months detention. A. Fredericks from Andreafsky.
Feb. 24th: Messrs. Morgan, Fredericks and Sherman returned from Cape Nome.
Feb. 25th: G. Harbeck, P. Ryan and E. O. Lindblom for Cape Nome.
Feb. 26th: Capt. Lyle, F. E. Miller, T. Hughes, Wm. Ellis, J. Sliscovitch and J.
Cahill from Hamilton. T. Finnegan from Str. Weare.
The redoubtable Mr. Burleigh, who showed his great presence of mind by throwing
snow balls at the burning warehouses at Hamilton, is now here enjoying the
comforts of a first class hotel with fire extinguishers beaming upon him from
every turn.
F. Kamaroff returned from
Kuskokwim river, having delivered the N. A. T. & T. Co. mail to the Bethel
Mission. He reached there in time to make connections with their carrier for
Kadiak.
Feb. 27th: C. A. Sherburne from Cape Nome.
Feb. 28th: J. O'Brien and C. Newby from Str. Powers. Capt. Vigneron, Scarbury
and Maurice Johnson from the Yukon.
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Page 7.
LENTEN SEASON.
This year the Lenten Season of 40 days which is observed by many of the
religious sects of the world, commenced on Ash Wednesday, February 15th.
"Mardi-Gras" or Shrove Tuesday, which is celebrated in New Orleans, Nice, Rome
and other large cities by masked parades, dancing and general revelry, passed
off very quietly on St. Michael Island. Many of those who intended to keep up
the religious custom of making some personal sacrifice during the period spent
most of the evening endeavoring to decide what pleasure or enjoyment would be
the easiest to abstain from. A few of the resolutions made are given below,
mostly from hearsay, hence we are not responsible for their correctness: --
Mrs. Vawter will play poker but once a week and will devote the balance to
sewing for destitute miners.
Mrs. Emerson will also only play 'occasionally' and spend most of her time
perfecting herself as a trained nurse.
Mrs. Wilson will not play at all, but will make salted almonds, sweet meats and
other goodies for the "Kids."
Mrs. Nesbitt will play the machine only week days and devote the rest of the
time working for destitute Indians.
Mrs. Gregory will devote herself to charities and care of the sick, even to the
exclusion of parchessi.
Capt. Walker will continue to thank Providence and ___________(?) [sic] for a
safe recovery.
Mr. Vaut has reformed his ideas in regard to Powers of Attorney and thinks they
are a good thing - perhaps.
The Sin-Lyng Laundry Co. have increased rates so as to meet a large Easter
offering.
Mr. Allen will lead the song services Sunday Evenings.
Mr. Lane will only argue the Power of Attorney question when hard pressed and
then in a modulated voice around the stove at 5 A.M.
Mr. N. P. R. Hatch will quit losing at poker by jumping the game.
Lieut. Spaulding will do penance in the suburbs.
Mr. Wilson will hold Bible classes and continue his philanthropic work.
Mr. McGavack advocates the including of Sundays to the 40 days fast.
Some of our neighbors have made a heroic sacrifice in abstaining from cream.
Mr. Zook will sell the 'whole cheese' for a '$20.00 freeze out.'
Capt. Lyle will make a pilgrimage to the gold fields.
The Marshall has resigned himself to the position of Lord High Executioner.
The Commodore has ensconced himself in a literary circle with only occasional
diversion or excitement.
Mr. Edwards will make no more dog sleds at 7c an hour.
Professor A. W. Barr thinks the 'soles' of the wicked should rest these forty
days.
Mr. Helmich will take 'good' care not to 'shoot' any ptarmigan during Lent.
Mr. Ansell will forage poetic license.
Mr. E. T. Hatch will continue to collect the customs of Alaskans by study and
profound research.
Mr. Hastings is now in a spiritual frame of mind and his 'lucky star' is in the
ascendency.
Mr. Depue has left P. P. C. cards at the village good for six weeks.
Mr. Irving is soaring on the Celestial plane with a view to canceling accounts.
Mr. Nash will continue to hold a 'cinch' on the Presidency of the P-D Co.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 8.
St. Michael, Alaska, February 25th, 1899.
Dear Editor: -
There seems to be a grave misunderstanding regarding the facts attending the
discovery of gold at Cape Nome. As my nom de plume suggests, I am ever in quest
of the glittering sprite, Truth, and I apprehend the following as a summary of
my information:
Mr. Lindblom (not Dr. Kittilsen) while prospecting on the Sinrock River early in
July,, found gold. He showed it to Messrs. Hageline, Bryntson, Hultbert and
Blake. they left for the scene immediately after, by soon returned, reporting it
a "wild goose chase."
Thereafter Hagleline, Brynton and Lindblom prospected around Council City and
though they staked a few claims, found nothing rich.
It was then that Lindblom decided to again look ever the region between Nome
River and the Sinrock and with that purpose in view, Lindblom, Lindeberg and
Bryntson left Golovin Bay, September 11th, 1898, arriving at Snake River on the
15th. Proceeding to the head of that stream they prospected very carefully back.
Results justified them in staking Anvil, Snow, Mountain, Rock and Dry Creeks,
with best prospects on Anvil.
The three men panned out $30.00 in two hours. Shortly after this discovery they
returned to Golovin Bay and for a time refrained from reporting it to Dr.
Kittilsen - fearing his well-known gift of oratory and dwarfed bump of
secretiveness.
However, something had to be done so he was let into the game and with Messrs.
Price and Tornensis they chartered a schooner from Mr. Anderson and sailed to
Snake River about October 15th, 1898, when they organized what is known as the
Capt Nome Mining District.
In closing permit me to add, that I believe the credit of the discovery belongs
to Mr. Lindblom.
------0------
Quite naturally the gold excitement continues a topic of conversation here, but
since your last issue several developments along a different line of research
have caused our sluggish life-fluid to bubble and simmer and perhaps ere long,
boil in anticipation of something greater.
It is a well-known fact that besides the festive tomcod the waters hereabout
harbor an occasional leviathan. It remained for our friend Al to discover the
presence of a new species of the latter (in his room) which he very
appropriately named "Red Whale or Gargler,"
It has been scientifically demonstrated that IXL Bitters, taken by the bottle,
will rapidly relieve cases of -------- [sic] their contents.
What caused the professor's heated remarks and undue haste in the matter of
leaving his room the other evening? Cayenne.
Alcohol will probably not play an important part in the future of paper hanging.
Ice water has been found just as effective.
It was the original intention of the company to paint the new hotel and office
buildings, but I believe the idea has been abandoned. Most of the paint has been
used in the manufacture of a very pungent cocktail known as the 'Cyrus'. It is a
way they have in Milwaukee.
The new school of navigation and gastronomy and tent making keeps Walter busy.
George is satisfied he'll make no misteak [sic] venturing in the butcher
business.
As knight of the corkscrew "Old Black Joe" is a popping success. Canteen him,
he's over thirty.
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Page 9.
The past week has been a red eyed one in society. Receptions have been held
nightly by returned Cape Nomers and in no instance did the absence of the famed
wallaby rejoice the heart. It seems to possess and intuition truly wonderful.
King Gambrimes can boast no more loyal subject. Of course there'll be a hubbub
over this, but then he's from Boston.
Tommy "Angel" will essay the role of baker at Cape Nome. His English accent will
be 'out of sight' when it comes to selling hot cross buns. How about that Frank?
Fiat Lux.
PROPHETS AND TALK.
We have read of the old prophets - the Old Testament prophets - men who applied
the good sense with which they were gifted to explain the signs of the times and
problems, which to the masses seemed so many Sphinxes. They always had a most
harrowing and (the prophets). A great deal could be written about prophets. The
masses like them dished up one way or another. In these degenerate days they
hang them up to dry like fish, - or they hang them in effigy which must be bad
or worse. Sometimes a prophet is called a 'boomer', but that is mean slang used
only by dyspeptic skeptics. Oh! As I said, the masses are stupid, and in prophesy
they imagine something divine, whereas it is all matter of fact, - common sense
applied. A good business man is a prophet. He forsees - or smells -
investigates, invests and reaps; but doesn't gabble. If he talks, the masses, -
to whom he is a prophet invest and reap. Everyone ought to be his own prophet.
I met a prophet. He spoke most naturally - no high down scripture English -
about the gold at Cape Nome, and knowing him to have prophesied formerly on some
trivial matter, involving the happiness or a thousand homes, and he being one
who talks - afterwards, I 'took the tip and forthwith prepared - at an awful
coat - for the journey. Oh my! It was cold! but the pleasure of it ? [sic] why:
I felt as though my feet had wings so lightly did they tread the 'niggerheads'
and tundra. My mind's eye penetrated ten feet of gravel, went through 'hard pan'
and lit on 'bed rock' where Fortune in icy letters had been waiting for her
liberator - ME - since before I was born. I am sorry for her, it is very cold,
and I am not quite ready, - desire along failed to get her to the surface.
I met others, ordinary mortals, like myself, buoyant, with springing steps and
eyes with hunger in them, and there was such a brotherly, warm (?) feeling. We
knew we were walking ever sweet certainty - volcanoes - alas, long extinct. But
their handiwork lay hidden under moss and soil, bright little particles, by the
aid of which we shall feel warm and snug some future day. It is true I felt the
ecstasy of a stalker, - a kind of fever with chills in the pauses. Now it has
wore off to a degree (I had to subsist on frozen fish and seal-oil on my way
home, owing to the delirium while staking.)
A book could be written on the subject of staking, re-staking, grub-staking and
other means of steak-i but I am turned over and done with it, and, except for
the recollection of that last oil, which "haunts me still" I would not have
missed it for a quarter interest in No. 10 on 'Dexter.' Indulgent Reader: I am a
simple hearted would be miner, and tongue-tied. But, Attention! to the signs of
the times, and list to the Prophets!
Plagiator Rex.
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Page 10.
A VALENTINE.
Dedicated to __________ a friend.
I've written this, dear, with a stiff pen,
For the geese, I understand,
Are so learned now that their quills, I know,
Don't supply their own demand.
I don't send it to you by Cupid, dear,
For Cupid, I grieve to hear,
Is afraid of the cold and has grown old,
So he goes not out this year.
But the valentine is ever the same, dear,
While its duty it fulfills,
Though to me and you it may seem new,
'Tis the same old story still.
-------0------
The last shall be first and the first shall be last. So in this case, the
Captain reserved the privileges of succumbing to the infantile malady last and
then in its severest form.
------0------
When Jonah was thrown on the beach he laughingly told the whale that he couldn't
keep a good man down, and the whale 'blubbered'.
------0------
The evening of the 11th the heavens presented a magnificent display of the
Aurora Borealis. The finest witnessed in several years. The pale shafts of light
began to illumine the sky at 9:30 o'clock and from that hour increased until the
circling and serpentine rays extinguished the light of the stars in their path.
The waves of rainbow shades were marvelous, fascinating, - and unequaled by the
skill of man in the grandest pyrotechnic display the world has ever seen.
------0------
Several of the Healy 'bloods' have expressed a desire to be present at any
further Raspberry Vinegar suppers after whist given by the Editorial contingent.
------0------
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY.
The 167th anniversary of the birth of our illustrious Washington was
appropriately honored by the pupils of Prof. Feely's class at St. Michael on the
22nd. The parents of Prof. Feely's pupils were entertained with song and story
thoroughly patriotic, while the marching drill to the taps was effective and
soldier like. Mr. E. T. Hatch in his usual happy vein, delighted his hearers
with a good natured and liberty loving address. The programme is as follows:
Introduction - Prof. Jas. J. Feely
Essay "The Man who led to Independence" - Andrew Lackstrom
Song "My Country" - by the class
Recitation "Dreams of Washington: - Howard Lyng
Recitation "Don't Wake the Baby" - Effeem Kojevnikoff
Song"Columbia the Gen of the Ocean:" - By the class
Recitation "Mary had a little lamb" - 'Little' Helen Lyng
Recitation "Im Memory of Concord" - Ella Lackstrom
Address "The Day We Celebrate" - Mr. E. T. Hatch
Closing son by the class.
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Page 11.
[NOTE FROM COLLEEN: There are a lot of misspellings in the following letter -
far too many for me to continuously [sic] each one. The letter is transcribed as
it shows:
Dear Aurora:
I wint up a Friday night to see me frind Bob on the hill and like the foine lad
he is he gave me a dhrop of the crathur. After the custhomary sloothas, Bob sez
to me, sez he 'Terrencce its lonesome, this is a hill of a place for a bhoy wid
blood in his veins nothin goin on, no girls to delooder and no where to go on
Sunda' sez he. Box sez I 'mebbe yere right but I can find divarsion up here as
will as I cud on State Sthrete.' 'You must be a philosapher' sez I, 'open yere
eyes and ears to the things happenin around yere, thin ye wont have a kick comin.
I cum acrost a cupple last night who give lots of amusement to a man of me
calibre, as the Frinch say. I had bin over seein me frinds at the N. A. T. and
was tickled wid the raindeer I saw dhere. The gassoons war shtanding round
lukkin at the bastes but Bob sez I 'd'ye know what I think the lads wur not
thinkin av how good the animals wur for dhrawing the little boats the Laps use.
The divils wur all thinkin of the aitin there wuz in thim. I noticed me frind
McQuinlan, ye know Mc., will it wuddent take a moind reader to til what wuz in
his nut. If I wuz a frind of thim Laps I'd be afther tellin thim to count their
deer about three times an hour, speshally if they wur near the pump house. I
wint up to Mc and I sez 'Mc' sez I, 'if ye succeed remimber yere frinds on the
point.' He giv me a funny luk and thin he sez 'yere a divil of a quare man
Terry, cum and have a dhrink.' Where we got the shtuff and I wont say, Bob, fur
those are matters to be kept quiet these days on acount of the Captain, d'ye
moind, - if he got nixt, some of the lads wud have dhry troats before the
Roanoke got here agin. Will I shuk hands wid Frank and Shtarted back over the
tundhra on me way home, me insides wur nice and warm wid the dhrink and whim I
cum to the village I saw the cupple I shtarted to tell ye about. Av coorse they
wur differnet sexes, there would be no interest widout they wur. One of thim wur
a soger I knew him by the bufflo coat and the other was a shlip of a gurl I'm
knowing in the village. She has a brother about up to my knee and I'm a shmall
man ye know Bob. Well they two wur shtandin before the succond house as ye go
down the hill and I cud see and hear thim plain widout there seein me. The soger
wur thrying to get the gurl to shkip wid him, where they do shkip I dinnaw. He
sez Mary, dez he 'I'll give ye a new red dhress and a pair of brass earrings.'
The faymale understood him better nor he did her, but her answer wuz no puzzle
to me, fur ye must know Bob I belong to the Ancient order of the Red Men and
these dilects come aisy to me. I'll thranslate her spache to ye Bob, she talked
like a buk. She sez 'shall a swate scinted daughter of the dlwraggletail
Mamateuts tek up wid a brave who puts wather on his face every day, nivir nivir!'
He sed something else but I cuddent hear him, a and thin he thought to make an
impression be openin his big coat to let her see the brass buttons on his
uniform. Now ye know Bob, the glitter of the regalia will catch the faymales,
but the buttons of my laddy bucks didn't glitther worth a cint. Rally I must
shpake to the liftenant about the matter that poor bhoy lost his chance on that
account. Will that soger did everythin he cud think av to delooder that squaw.
He wint thorugh more moshuns than 'Furida' the Turkey dancer, but it wuz no use
and he wur gitting desprit, when the notes of a bugle reached our ears and he
flew for the barracks like the divil wur afther him. Jist about that time the
injuns kem out of the dance house and the gurl chased herself. I had a little
convarsewid the braves and wint home, and afther puttin out the growler for the
milman in the marnin, I turned in and wuz soon in the arms of me frind Murphy as
Shakespeare sez. Will sez Bob afther hearing me shtory, 'I believe I'll shpend
some of me time in the village meself afther this,' so he and meself hed another
dhrink to keep us warum and I lift him.
Terrence O'Toole.
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Page 12.
THE NORTH AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION AND TRADING CO'S.
Wholesale and Retail Store
Still continues to offer unsurpassed
Inducements to incoming prospectors,
Miner's Outfits a specialty.
A full and complete line of
Dry Goods, Clothing, Parkies, Mucklucks, Shoes,
Moccasins, Native Curios, Hardware, Stoves,
Yukon Stoves, Fancy Groceries, Cigards,
Tobacco, Guns and Cutlery.
SNOW GLASSES, DOG CHAINS, POCKET GOLD SCALES AND MAGNETS.
Always to be found in stock.
GRAND REMOVAL SALE now on - preparatory to the
Opening of our new Store.
------0------
Established 1898.
HOTEL HEALY.
HEALY, ST. MICHAEL ISLAND, ALASKA.
FINEST HOTEL IN ALASKA and the SOCIAL CENTER OF THE ISLAND.
Rate $3.00 per Day. Capacity 280 Beds.
Unsurpassed Cuisine
Rapid Service Electric Bells
Polite Attendants.
Extensive Alternations and Improvements will be
made preparatory to the summer's business.
NORTH AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION AND TRADING CO.
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