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In The News
Nome Gold Digger
Nome, Alaska
Vol. 1, No. 2
Wednesday, November 1, 1899.
Page 1.
NEW FIRE APPARATUS.
The Purchase of a Power Steam Pump, Piping and
Hose is Proposed.
Full Details of the Recently Bought Equipment for
Fighting Fire in the Camp.
Chief W. J. Allen of the Volunteer Firemen, will
recommend to the city council, the purchase of a powerful pump for
carrying a stream from the Lane well, in case of fire, to a point
anywhere in the vicinity. This pump he says can be obtained for $250. It
is a double acting duplex steam pump with two-and-a-half inch suction
and two inch discharge, with valves, fittings and sufficient piping to
connect it with the well.
It will be set up at the well, in first class
working order, for the sum named.
Chief Allen will also recommend the purchase of
150 feet of hose from W. Lane, which can be procured at but a trifling
expense. This pump and hose will equip the camp in much better shape for
fighting fire.
The fire apparatus hitherto purchased for the
city, and concerning which no mention has been made in the public press,
hitherto, consists as follows:
One thousand buckets, (fibre) [sic] six ladders,
four pull-down hooks, half a dozen fire extinguishers (filled with acids
and said to be efficient) three dozen hand grenades.
It is believed that the city council will at once
order the purchase of the pump and hose. This will put the camp in
better condition to stop fire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REMOVAL OF HOSPITAL
Elaborate Quarters for the Sick of St. Bernard,
in the Ryan Building.
The Ryan building, on Second street opposite the
mining recorder's office, has been secured for the new St. Bernard
Hospital. It was concluded that the A. E. Co. building was too far away
to answer all the purposes. The Ryan building is new and well fitted, so
that it should be warm and otherwise comfortable. It will accommodate
forty patients. There will be two wards, both on the first floor. Above
are rooms for private patients.
An abundance of linen, comprising sheets, pillow
cases, counterpanes and other bedding was saved from the recent wreck,
besides all the furniture, so that the new place will have about all the
accessories of a first class hospital.
Col. A. E. Davis, president of the Sour Doughs
and Mrs. B. F. Miller, president of the women's branch, are arranging
for an entertainment in support of the hospital.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wm. Robertson was among the passengers for the
outside on the Alpha. Mr. Robertson lost about $10,000 worth of liquors
by the recent sinking of the big barge here. Luckily the stock was
insured.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAN A NARROW RISK.
James Foley, Dan Kane and Bert Price Have
Trouble, and a Revolver is Discharged.
An exciting shooting took place a the Dexter
saloon about 3 a.m. Monday. Quite a crowd was gathered there, several of
whom had been drinking rather freely. A little later someone hit Dan
Kane, the bartender. He claimed it was James Foley, who with Bert Price
is interested in the big dredger in the Snake river bend, opposite Dry
creek. Kane retaliated on Foley, when Price, who was present,
interfered. Then Kane struck him with his revolver, and at almost the
same time discharged it.
Price ran out of the door and disappeared. He was
not arrested. Foley was locked up and the next day was assessed a small
fine and costs. Kane was taken before Commissioner Rawson, where he
furnished a cash bond of $150. On Monday his trial came up before the
same judge. E. R. Beeman appeared for Kane and Mr. Pittman for the city.
The result was that Kane was fine $50 and costs.
An interesting question came up in connection
with this case. Mr. Beeman argued that the municipal court did not have
jurisdiction to enforce an ordinance. City Attorney Pittman argued that
it did, and Judge Rawson so decided.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NOME LITERARY SOCIETY.
It is Organized at Brown's Hall with a Large
Membership Under Flattering Auspices.
The Nome Debating Society, with Francis McNulty
as temporary chairman, and P. H. Watt as temporary secretary, was
organized last night at Brown's Hall. The building was thronged, a
number of ladies being present. A committee on constitution and by-laws
was appointed to report at the next meeting to be held Wednesday
evening, the committee being as follows: Welby Clark, Francis McNulty,
M. R. Button, J. Shay and Chas. J. Campbell.
The programme committee was as follows: James
Wright and Raymond Robins. Permanent officers will be elected at the
next meeting. P. H. Watt read a long and somewhat pathetic poem on the
Kotzebue, by General Black.
The subject for debate was: Revolved, That the
Location of Lands in Alaska by Proxy Should be abolished. Welby clark
spoke for the affirmative, and Albert Fink for the negative. After this,
at the request of the chairman, several volunteers spoke on both sides.
M. R. Button was appointed critic, and amused the
audience with witty remarks. Misses Benton and Lanton sang a duet. Miss
Tiedemann gave a recitation, entitled "Children's Hour," and Chas. J.
Campbell recited "John Manard."
On vote of the audience the debate was decided in
the affirmative. At the next meeting the subject for debate will be :
Resolved, That the Press has Greater Influence Among the People than
Oratory. Affirmative, J. F. A. Strong; Negative, M. R. Button.
The indications are that there will be a large
membership.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAVED FROM THE SEA.
Wm. Crowdy, who on Saturday noon left in his sail
boat, accompanied by four men, in search of three unknown miners who
were blown out to sea, returned here at 12 o'clock Sunday night. Though
Crowdy did not save the men, he learned to a certainty tht they were all
safe. Two of the men were in one boat with part of an outfit for Penny
river. Crowdy overtook them and offered assistance, but they declined.
Afterward Crowdy learned that they landed safely.
Then he went to Sledge island in quest of the
lone man in the other boat. There was a driving snowstorm and it was
with difficulty a fire could be maintained. Not finding the man he
returned to learn that the same boatman had made port here and landed
safely.
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Dr. S. Hall Young, of the Presbyterian church, is
in a rather critical condition from typhoid fever. The attack which came
on over a week ago has grown worse.
R. J. embleton has succeeded W. b. Goodrich as
manager of the N.A.T.&T. Co. during the winter. Mr. Embleton has been
for some time past connected with the company.
J. S. Coply, store-keeper for the J. S. Kimball
Co., on account of ill health, will return to San Francisco for the
winter.
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SAW MUCH GOLD.
Peter Nielsen's Story of Experiences at Cape
York.
A Townsite on Dry tundra, Surrounded by Mountains
- Beach Not Yet Worked.
Peter Nielsen, who with Henry Theilen and James
Sylvester, arrived here a day or two ago from Cape York, tells
interesting things about tht camp. He said to a Gold Digger
representative.
Our party found colors in several places. We did
not have time to prospect much, because all the miners were stampeding
and staking, and we had to get in and stake first and then size things
up afterward. The richest claim there was the original discovery on
Bhuner creek, found recently by the native Indians. The gold from it is
coarse, the biggest piece being worth 80 cents. Mr. Lopp, the
missionary, also has a very good claim.
All those I talked to said they had found colors
on the surface in the creeks. Several colors were obtained from
Moonlight creek, and they can be got anywhere. The creeks are rich but
to what extent is not yet known. In no case as yet has bed rock been
reached though nearly all over the bed rock is shallow, nowhere being
more than about four feet deep.
There will be some prospecting this winter, but
in most cases wood will have to be hauled several miles.
When we left there were 27 tents and 6 dugouts at
Cape York. The site of the town is much like the site of Nome, except
that it is all on the tundra, and the tundra is dryer than it is here.
The mountains commence a quarter of a mile back. They are similar to the
round mountains about here. The biggest river is the Anowkogok, which at
its mouth carries about half the water that Snake river does. Its head
waters are only twelve or fifteen miles from the beach. The harbor is
very similar to the one here.
The beach at Cape York does not seem to have been
prospected yet. Two men were doing out to try their luck there they day
I left. Our party will go back and winter at Cape York."
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Page 2.
GOOD PANS OF GOLD.
Some Showings From New Prospects Up the Coast.
J. D. Morgan returned Sunday on the Albion from
Cape York, where he went a few days previous with a large party of
prospectors. He thinks well of the camp. He said:
"I saw property which had been paying from 10
cents to $4.60 a pan. I also saw a man with $4.80, in dust, which he
said he got out of his claim in about forty minutes. Cape York is a very
attractive place. The miners there are as well pleased as they are here.
H. B. Matchett, Capt. Oscar Erickson, of the Albion and I made
locations. The country is staked back for about six miles. No beach
claims have yet been located."
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PERSONAL.
R. J. Negus, of Humbold, Cal., who arrived here
recently, has gone to Cape York in connection with the establishment of
the first store there.
Capt. S. M. Seibert of the National Guard of
Alaska, was among the arrivals here on the Alpha. He has been appointed
by the adjutant general a special recruiting officer for Nome, and
empowered to organize a company in case he desires.
Wm. P. Stanley, owner of the steamer Concord,
left on the Cleveland for Portland Me., to remain for the winter. Mr.
Stanley came out first on the steamer Guardian and went to Kotzebue.
Afterwrd he carried mail from Eshollz bay to the Koak river.
Dr. J. G. Humphrey, of the Owl drug store, is the
possessor of a fine baritone voice. In his home in California he has
been a leading professional singer for fifteen years. It is probable
that the public will have an opportunity of hearing him in a concert to
be given for the benefit of Dr. Wirt's hospital.
J. F. siener, the owner of claims on Cripple
creek and elsewhere, has gone out for the winter.
Dr. J. M. Miller of the U.S. military hospital
has been relieved by Dr. H. Newton Kierulff, off Oakland, Cal., who was
recently appointed by Surgeon General Sternberg, of Washington, D. C.
H. G. Shields, formerly of Indiana, receiver of
the U.S. land office at Seattle during one of the administrations of
President Cleveland, has arrived her accompanied by Mrs. Shields.
R. B. Dawson, one of the owners of the Cabinet,
has left for the outside to remain till spring. Mr. Dawson is interested
in a number of mining properties. He was formerly also an owner of the
steamers on the Yukon.
F. W. Butters, of the Chicago Cafe, took his
departure a few days ago for Stockton, Cal. He is interested in a lay on
No. 9 Dexter creek, owned by Leo Loewenherz, and will, on his return a
few months hence, bring a complete outfit of lumber and other supplies
for working it. The claim is said to be quite rich.
H. B. Matchett left on the Albion for Cape York,
taking along a small stock of goods. He expects to remain for a part of
the winter, his special object being to secure some mining properties.
T. B. Straven, owner of a large number of claims
on Moss gulch and Last Chance creek, left on the Aloha for San
Francisco.
J. Fred Blake, of Los Angeles, who has been
representing the San Francisco Chronicle for some time, left for his
home a few days ago. He has secured several good claims and will come up
in the spring to develop them.
J. H. Caldwell, of the N.A.T. Co., St. Michael,
who reached here a few days ago on the Portland bringing important
letters, has been frozen in, and in all probability will have to spend a
good part of the winter here.
Walter church, of Skagway, has decided to locate
here and engage in the practice of law.
Norman R. Smith, formerly of Port Angeles, but
more recently of Skagway, where he had been engaged in important
railroad work, was among the arrivals on the Alpha. He has been recently
appointed a U.S. surveyor of mineral lands for this district.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FOR SALE - Butter and Eggs; inquire of W. B.
Dean, City Recorder's office.
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Page 3.
PHILANTHROPIC LADY ILL.
Mrs. Foster, the Founder of the Kotzebue Mission,
Stricken with Fever.
Z. E. Foster, the Quaker missionary who, aided by
his wife, built the library rooms now used as the city hospital, has had
many responsibilities during the last few days. Mrs. Foster has been so
ill with fever that for a time it was doubtful if she could survive.
Besides this there are about a dozen persons ill at the hospital.
Charles Johnson, of San Francisco, a Swede aged tweity-eight and
unmarried, died there a few days ago.
Mrs. Foster is now improving slowly. The lady is
the founder of the Kotzebue mission, and for a number of years has been
engaged in charitable work.
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NOME'S FIRST WEDDING.
The first marriage in Nome occurred Sunday
evening, October 8, when Dr. Francis P. King and Miss Elizabeth Shirass,
M. D., were made one by the Rev. Dr. Young of the Presbyterian church.
Dr. King was formerly from New York, but for eight years until lately,
he has been a pioneer of Forty Mile and Circle City. Miss Shirass was
formerly from Hamton, Ontario, but was for some time at Council City.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eric Anland, one of the pioneers of Circle City
and Forty Mile, died a few days ago and was buried from his cabin back
of the A. C. Co.'s store Sunday. He was widely known on the Yukon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 4.
STOLE MUTHER'S SAFE.
Thieves Carry it From the Store While He is at
Supper and Take it to Dry Creek.
There they blow it Open and Get Nuggets and Dust
to the Amount of $150 - No Trace of the Miscreants.
While J. C. Muther was at supper above his store
between 8 and 9 o'clock Friday night, thieves broke into the store and
stole his safe, containing about $150. They entered the front door from
the street, using an ordinary key. Once inside they locked the door from
the inside with the same key, and then carried the safe out through the
back door.
The nickel-plated knobs from the hinges of the
safe were afterward found in an unoccupied tent a short distance north
of the store. It seems the thieves had tried to open the safe there, but
being unable to do so, they put it on a cart and carried it a mile and a
half further to Dry creek. There they rifled it of its contents - gold
dust and a sack of nuggets - and scattered the gold sacks on the ground.
They also left a parker from the store, which had presumably been taken
to cover the safe while in transit. Powder appears to have been used to
blow open the safe. It was wrenched and broken in places, and Mr. Muther
says it is now of little use.
"The robbery, though unlucky, came at a lucky
time for me," said he; "I had just sent out a considerable sum for
goods. Two miners, also, who had had their sacks on deposit with me had
fortunately taken them away a day or two previously. The authorities,
whom I notified inside of half hour from the time of the robbery, did
not show up till twenty-four hours later. Had they done so I feel sure
the safe and perhaps the thieves would have been retaken while in the
tent. As it was the ice man found the safe several days later on Dry
creek."
This is one of the boldest robberies ever known
here. It demonstrates that some desperate characters are in and about
the town. No trace has been found of the thieves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEPORTED ON THE ALPHA.
John Givivan, who has abused his wife a number of
times hitherto, was sent out on the British ship Alpha by order of Judge
Rawson. Mrs. Givivan is a hard working woman with two little children.
She lives in the east end of town. With Givivan was deported a man named
Beetle, by the United States authorities.
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WILL TAKE THE CENSUS.
Special Agent Becker to enumerate the People in a
District 150 Miles Square.
Special Agent Ryland J. Becker, of the twelfth
U.S. census, who has been appointed to take the census for District No.
3, or from Top Kok to Port Clarence, will begin his work about Nov. 1.
"The district comprises a region abut 150 miles
square," said Mr. Becker, yesterday, "and there are about 3000 white
persons in it, most of whom live at Nome and vicinity. There are,
however, men scattered over long distances. There are about fifty men at
Port Clarence and probably a hundred men up on the river and on the
lakes. I shall probably begin the work in the Bonanza district. Indians
as well as whites will have to be enumerated. The Indians are mainly out
now, however, on their hunting trips. They are in the hills hunting
caribou, foxes and other game. Cape York is just outside of my district.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RECOVERING FROM A RIFLE SHOT.
On Friday evening on the water front, John Dugard
and John Hickey, mining partners, who had been drinking, became involved
in a quarrel. Dugard shot Hickey with a rifle through the hands, the
ball also grazing and slightly wounding the right side, Hickey was taken
to the city hospital, where he is recovering rapidly. The bullet which
cause the wounds was found in his clothing. Dugard claimed his partner
first drew a revolver on him, and also that the rifle was discharged
accidentally. He was on Monday fined $20 and costs by Judge Rawson.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Surveyors J. M. Davidson and Geo. M. Ashford will
pass the winter in California and the East.
Tracey H. Robertson, owner of the ill fated
schooner, James G. Swan, left on the Roanoke with a well filled poke.
Prof. Angelo Heilprin of Washington, D. C., a
noted scientist and geologist, paid a brief visit to Nome this week.
Col. C. M. Sheafe, one of Nome's pioneers and a
member of the town site committee, accompanied by his son Ralph, has
left for Seattle.
Book lovers will find their Mecca at the Post
Office News Stand. A selection from their stock of 3,000 novels will
help to drive away the gloom of the long Arctic nights.
Dr. J. G. Humphrey, of San Francisco, has a
completely equipped dental office at the Owl Drug Store, and no doubt
will be in great demand this coming winter.
Postmaster Geo. N. Wright left on the Roanoke.
After a few days spent with his family in Seattle, Mr. Wright will go to
Washington, D. C., to confer with the post office department concerning
a winter mail service.
E. G. Abbott and J. M. Nipper, who have been
engaged in merchandising in their building on Main street, took their
leave by the Cleveland for Southern California. They will return next
spring with a new stock of goods.
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THE SOLOMON RIVER.
Important Discoveries Lately Made There and
Elsewhere in the Bonanza District.
Nuggets Worth $2 to $4.50 Each Found on the Upper
end of shovel Creek.
Much interest is developing in the Bonanza
district, which was established last winter, and which extends from Cape
Nome to Top Kok. Flambeau, Eldorado and Bonanza rivers and California
creek, all in the district, were well staked last winter. These streams
all show good gold indications. Next comes Solomon river, and beyond
this little or nothing is known of the country.
Solomon river has had more development work done
than any other part of the district. From discovery, which is about
fifteen miles from the mouth, both up and down the river it shows very
rich ground.
Special mention should be made of Shovel creek,
which enters the Solomon about three miles below discovery. Shovel
creek, it is believed, will prove itself the Snow gulch of the district.
Going up stream there are Boston, Mystery, West, Adams and several good
pups coming in from the east, and Kasson with its rich tributary, Top
Notch, coming in from the west below Adams. Messrs. C. E. Kimball, R. J.
Becker, A. J. Ingalls and J. S. Coply have claims on many of these
creeks and intend to open them up extensively.
Nuggets of $2 to $4.50 have been found at the
upper end of Shovel creek, and 15 cents to the pan has been taken out on
No. 16 below. The gentlemen above named have thoroughly prospected this
creek and tributaries and are satisfied that they have got into the
right territory. H. J. Harding, who left on the Roanoke to remain out
for the winter, is recorder of the district.
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