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In The News
Fairbanks Daily Times
Fairbanks, Alaska
Tuesday, August 21, 1906
Volume I, Number 91
POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS TOOK HUMOROUS TURN
Quite a little business was transacted in Judge Erwin's court yesterday
afternoon, while the court and prisoners were all in the greatest earnestness,
the proceedings, withal, took a humorous turn.
John Anderson, the first called, pled guilty to being intoxicated and
disorderly. In response to a question from the judge, he said this was his first
offense here, but that he had once been fined five dollars for the same offense
in Dawson. Judge Erwin allowed that he could stay up with Dawson any day and,
therefore, gave him the same fine.
Spence Koonce was called next for the offense charged against Anderson. Spence
said he was guilty, but pleaded in extenuating that he had the toothache. As the
toothache became worse the drinks came faster and he finally became drunk. Judge
Erwin was not inclined to look with favor upon this method of curing and aching
tooth, and also said that such toothache was getting chronic, therefore, fined
him $20. Spence didn't have the $20, but after hearing the chief say that they
had a lot of wood to saw, he allowed if they would let him get out for 15
minutes he would raise the $20. After striking everyone in the courtroom who
looked like a live one, he made a run down to front Street and succeeded in
finding and "Angel," who assisted with the loan.
The next case was that of Arthur Davis, charged with the same offense as the
other two. After pleading guilty he asked for five minutes in which to speak,
which was allowed by the court. He began in spread eagle by saying he was an
American citizen and proceeded with such eloquence that put Leroy Tozier way in
the shade, and made Judge Erwin sit up and take notice. In fact, the judge
feeling himself going had to interrupt the man and find him $10. Someone said
afterward that if Davis had been allowed to speak much longer, he would've got
the best of the court and he would've been fined the minimum, the judge paying
the fine.
It appeared from Davis's remarks that he had been working hard for the past
season out in the lumber camps and had come in to see the boys and have a good
time. All of which he accomplished with a surplus.
Sam McNees, the faithful, hard-working express man, was then called up, charged
with driving a wagon over a sidewalk. He said he was guilty, but when the act
was done he did not know he was guilty of offending the city, furthermore he
didn't injure the walk. As it was his first offense, Judge Erwin let Mr. McNees
go, warning him to keep off the city walks in the future.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAFE THAT WAS IN FIVE FIRES
Epler and Kelly have One That Comes Out Each Time Looking For More.
IN DAWSON IN EARLY DAYS.
Went Thru Four Fires in That city Before Coming Here -- Nothing Within its Walls
Was Ever Damaged by Heat.
Five Stories in themselves are always interesting. And at times there are
occurrences at a fire that are deeply impressed upon the memory. Finally
incidents or relics are some such things are recalled or seen after a big blaze
with the result that it becomes of absorbing interest to repeat or show them.
Epler & Kelly have a safe. The paint which was put on a few days ago is not yet
dry. And yet, beneath that deep coat of paint there are huge blisters, telling
in their own peculiar formation of the intense heat that has been suffered by
the safe, not once, but five times.
It is a sourdough safe, having been brought into Dawson when that country was on
the boom. Billy Chappell, who owned many claims that were bringing him a fortune
every week, used it to store his dust. Then came the first fire and the safe
went thru it all right. Four other blazes warped its exterior, but the wooden
partitions on the inside were never blistered. It passed from owner to owner
until, the miners' demand for places to keep gold dust was confined to but
comparatively few men, the safe, like the gold seals and boilers and other such
things joined in the stampede to the Tanana.
Bert Epler needed a safe and got this one. Not that Bert had such an immense
amount of money that a safe was necessary, but his friends from the creeks came
into leave their pokes. It happened that on May 22, the day of the big fire,
Epler & Kelly had about $2,200 in it. In addition to this there was dust of no
less value than $17,000 belonging to miners. The safe went thru that
never-to-be-forgotten blaze and when several days later it was opened all the
damage that had been done was the drying up of the moose skin of the pokes.
Today it is as good as ever and ready to withstand another siege from the fiery
furnace from which it has come out on five occasions with an asbestos smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOOK HIS GUN AWAY
Thrilling Story of Hold-Up on Ester Creek.
It comes with all the thrilling details of the dime novel. It seems that Lee
Jessen, of Ester creek, went to No. 7 a few nights ago to get his share of a
clean-up. As a matter of precaution he took with him his trusty six-shooter.
Now, the story goes, that on his way home Lee was tackled by two men; it must
have been friends -- who rolled him around, [took his] gun, seized up the two
articles and gave him back the dust, telling him to hit the trail.
Lee was glad to get the poke, but felt annoyed in having hiss gun taken away
from him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BOUNDARY DISPUTE IN DISTRICT COURT
Case of Conrad vs. Berry, Which Was to Have Been a Jury Trial, Is Being Heard by
Judges, Both Sides Having Agreed to it.
The time of the district court was taken up yesterday with the case of Conrad
vs. Berry and others, a dispute over the boundaries of 6 and 7 on Ester creek.
Both sides had asked for a jury trial, but finally agreed to have the case heard
by the judge.
The plaintiffs in the controversy rested their case yesterday afternoon and the
defendants will present their evidence today. The ground in dispute is said to
be of high value.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STEAMER PUP BACK FROM UPPER TANANA
Made Good Time and Had a Big Cargo -- Will Leave Again Tomorrow.
The little steamer Pup returned yesterday afternoon from a trip to McCarty. She
took up a good sized cargo and will leave again tomorrow for the same station.
The Pup made good time on the way up and slid over bars as if such obstacles
were not intended to bar the way of the steamer.
The Pup will run in conjunction with the Florence S. the rest of the season.
Captain Smythe has declared that no matter what the rush of freight they will
not raise the rates this fall, but will take freight just as it is offered at
the same rate that prevailed during the present season.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FALLING ROOF BREAKS CHARLES BEACH'S LEG
Was Working in Drift on 16 Below on Cleary -- Big Chunk of Frozen Earth Comes
Down -- Taken to Sutherland's Hospital.
While working in the drift on 16 below on Cleary creek yesterday afternoon,
Charles Beach had the misfortune to break his leg. The accident was ccaused by a
good sized piece of frozen earth falling on him.
Beach was taken to Dr. Danforth's hospital. The accident occurred on the ground
being operated by Lieber.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WILL MAKE TRIP TO SEE OLD HOME IN PORTLAND
J. S. York, who has been the manager of the R. H. Miller branch store at Cleary
City for the past year, is in the city for the first time since he accepted that
situation. He is in on his way to Portland where he will spend the winter.
Robert Courtney, who arrived from Seattle about a month ago, has succeeded Mr.
York in the management of the Cleary store.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PIONEER PLUNGER OF KLONDIKE NOW HERE.
Dr. Le Blanc, well known in Dawson, in the pioneer days of that camp as a
plunger in mining and transportation schemes, is a late arrival in Fairbanks. He
is full of his old-time enthusiasm over a mining camp and says he was drawn back
by the fascination for the North, which so few people can successfully resist.
While here he is the guest of Dr. Varicle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FREE MOVING PICTURE SHOW.
The Golden Eagle and the Diamond dance hall having been combined, the management
will give a grand opening Saturday, August 25. The many friends and patrons of
both houses are cordially invited to be present as this will be the most
entertaining affair ever given at Cleary. No admission will be charged to the
grand ball and all round good time will be enjoyed. We will show for the
amusement of everyone present 6,000 feet of the latest moving pictures and
several dozen beautiful stereoptican views. These pictures alone will be worth
coming from any part of any of the creeks to see.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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