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In The News
The Nome News
Nome, Alaska
Saturday, December 16, 1899
Vol 1, No. 11
Page 1.
IT WAS WRIGHT'S DAY.
Jos. H. Wright Elected Councilman.
Much Interest Manifested in the Election -- A total of 675 Votes Cast -- The
Ladies Turn Out.
J. H. Wright - 337
Albert Fink - 264
H. von Sohnen - 65
Scattering - 9
Total - 675
Ever where the light is thickest
Then art either licked or lickest.
The above couplet applies alike to a presidential contest or an election for an
alderman. It applies in Alaska as well as in New England. There are always the
vicctors and the vanquished -- the licked and those who lick.
Nome has had an election, not the first to be sure, but an election just the
same and the first to be chronicled by a local newspaper. The great American
citizen has had a chance to vote and to let loose a portion of the exuberance
with which he abounds. As long as the American people can give expression to
their feelings and opinion through the medium of the ballot-box, so long are
republican institutions safe. The right and privilege of voting is the safety
valve of the republic.
So the election for a councilman for the Second Ward on Wednesday evoked lots of
enthusiasm and exemplified fully the truth of the remarks made above. The
contest, especially between Messrs. Wright and Fink, was a keen one, while Mr.
von Sohnen polled a respectable minority vote. Fink, the bright young attorney,
had many friends and he inspired them with the confidence which he himself
possessed, and bets of two to one and even at as great odds as five to one were
offered but found no takers. Fink's friends made herculean efforts to land their
man, but it would seem as though Wright had the situation sized up the more
carefully, for when the polls were closed Wright had a plurality of 73.
Fully forty ladies availed themselves of the privilege of voting and cast their
ballots like "little men."
Election Notes.
L. L. Lane worked hard for Fink, but he was joshed unmercifully as "the poor
man's friend."
C. B. Heath, alias the "Hobo Kid" created lots of amusement with a Find ticket
and a $20 gold piece held with skill in thee hollow of the hand. Here's the man
to vote for, said the "Kid" as he exhibited the ticket and the double eagle.
And Dan Kane: There's a worker for you.
"Big Jim" Gibson was not a slow one himself and there were others.
P. J. Lauritzen and J. W. Donovan made an able bodied pair and worked hard for
Wright all day long.
Acting Chief of Police Lowe kept good order and when the time for counting the
votes began he wanted to fire all the people in the hall. But the people
objected.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEWS NOTES.
Fifteen cases of whisky were sold by Acting Chief of Police Lowe Tuesday
afternoon to satisfy a judgment of $350 obtained by Attorney Fink against the N.
A. T. & T. Co, for professional services. With a great deal of vocal labor Chief
Lowe succeeded in working the bids up to $20 a case and the whisky went to
Lackie & Allen.
Deputy Marshal Lee and John Siren were recently the recipients of a pair each of
genuine Lapland moccasins, made in Lapland after the most approved method.
Deputy Marshal Lee, who started out for Eglatula river on Monday morning, to
inquire into the reported murder of a man named Wright in that section last
June, was taken ill at Port Safety and compelled to return. W. Crowdy and
another man were sent on to the Eglatula.
Tomcod fishing is all the go at Port Safety. Key Pittman caught 75 pounds the
other day in a couple of hours.
Dr. King, the well known mining man is now associated with James H. Lee in the
mining and civil engineering professions. The new firm is Lee & King, whose card
appears elsewhere. [not transcribed]
Judge Bard has been appointed attorney for the recently organized Scandinavian
club of this city.
J. Foster arrived from the Keewalik river, Kotzebue Sound, on Monday. He and A.
Schisby will return today taking mail with them. They will return to Nome next
spring. Mr. Foster believes that good mines will be found on Fish river.
It is reported that two Swedes have made another rich strike on the beach about
seven miles above town. They took out $200 in two days, and the third day $20.
The pocket only covered a small area and is now worked out.
Prof. and Mrs. Grant Vaughn returned Monday from a trip to Sinrock where they
located several mining claims.
Mitchell & Snyder are pospecting a bench owned by them on Anvil. They have
several holes down and have found good prospects in all.
On a tundra claim on Anvil opposite No. 2 King, McArthur & Herman, the owners,
have had flattering success. At the depth of ten feet gravel was reached and two
feet in the gravel a $1.80 pan was obtained. As Dr. King puts it: "This settles
the tundra question."
Mell Yates was among the stampeders to Port Safety this week. He didn't stake a
lot, but he caught fifty pounds of tomcod.
Capt. J. S. Worth, of the A. E. Co.'s fleet, will leave for the outside by way
of Katmai January 7. He will be accompanied by E. Ericsson.
Key Pittman is becoming an adept in the use of the Eskimo language. He can ask
for tomcod and other native articles in fluent Eskimo.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ACROSS THE DIVIDE.
From the Head of Nome River to Pilgrim.
A Party of Prospectors Return From a Three Weeks' Trip in a New Section of
Country.
A party comprised of Chas. L. Cole, R. S. Warren, Ernest Korthauer and Chas. E.
Lowe returned Wednesday night from a three weeks trip in Golden Gate mining
district.
Mr. Cole says it is about 50 or 55 miles to the head of Nome river, and a low
divide, easy to cross, separates the latter river from the Kosk-a-mapo, or, as
it is now called, the Pilgrim. A lake about ten miles in length is called
Minerva. "The country," said Mr. Cole, "shows every indication of gold. The
mountains are ragged and rough, the creeks and streams are well defined, and I
like the topographical appearance of the country very much. It is impossible to
prospect to any extent, the gravel being frozen harder even than on this side of
the divide, and there is no timber. I found one camp where men were using bacon
for fuel. Most of the creeks are staked within a radius of fifteen or twenty
miles from the head of Pilgrim. We went down the river about 25 miles. Farther
down there may be plenty of unstaked ground. Some of the creeks contain great
iron boulders as red as iron dust, and in many places I observed that the wash
gravel is identical with that of Anvil. At the foot of Lake Minerva we found
three Indian teepees, and the place had evidently been a fishing ground. We also
found some wood there."
Mr. Cole and party located a number of claims on Fox creek, and he will send
over a thawing machine and have the ground prospected this winter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For the Outside.
J. S. Kimball Co. will dispatch a fast express for the outside, via Dawson, on
January 1st next. Messrs. R. R. McRae and F. H. Nagle, the gentlemen in charge,
are in every way responsible, and their responsibility is further guaranteed by
the Kimball Co. Besides, they are sworn carriers of the post office department,
and have had large experience in the Yukon country. Good time and a safe
delivery of letters is therefore assured, the rate for which is $1 per ounce.
Letters may be left with the J. S. Kimball Co., Front Street.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Beach Question.
It is proposed to call a miners' meeting shortly after the holidays to consider
the beach question, at which a free discussion of the situation will be had and
plans formulated for the location of and working of claims. It is suggested that
claims be 60 feet each and that every resident of this section of Alaska, male
and female, be given an opportunity to stake one claim each. It is thought this
will work no hardship on those people who come next spring, as there will be
claims left for thousands of others.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TROUBLE AHEAD.
In order of restitution has been issued in the case of Park versus Brown for the
possession of the lot on which the well known as Brown's Hall is located. The
lot is claimed by one park, and suit for its possession was brought some time
ago in the Municipal Court, resulting in a verdict for Park. Mr. Brown has
improved a lot by erecting a building costing $10,000, and if an attempt is made
to enforce the writ their promises to be trouble. It is believed, however, that
the matter will be left in abeyance until the arrival of the District Court.
The sale of the Hunter building is advertised for next Monday. The sale is to be
made (if it takes place) to satisfy a mortgage of $5850 held by L. L. Lane, and
under the terms of a trust deed made by Dr. Wilkinson to A. Rawson. A protest
has been filed by attorney church on behalf of Dr. Wilkinson and Maj.
Lippincott, owners of the building. There is a strong feeling against the order
of the Municipal Court in both the cases cited above.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First Bank of Nome.
The First Bank of Nome will be open for business on Tuesday next. The bank
quarters are located in the building occupied by M. R. Button, and it is largely
to Mr. buttons enterprise that the bank has been organized. Commodious quarters
have been fitted up, and a fire and burglar proof vault has been put in. The
bank will receive deposits subject to check. Buy and sell drafts and gold dust
and, in short, transact a general banking business. The bank is certainly a
great requisition to the business interests of Nome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fire in A. C. Co's Store.
Fire was discovered last night about 8 o'clock in the A. C. Co's store. The fire
had caught from the stove pipe through the roof. An alarm was turned in and the
department responded promptly. No steam was up in lanes well and no water could
be got from there. By the aid of buckets in a few minutes the flames were
quenched. Kimball & Co's pump and hose were in readiness with a big head of
steam up, but there was no occasion to use them. The damage was trifling.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 2.
JUDGE JOHNSON'S COMING.
The arrival of Judge Johnson, of the District Court, which, as announced in the
news last week, is shortly expected, is a matter worthy of note, inasmuch as it
indicates a vast amount of interest in this section. It may be presumed that the
outside world is picturing to its self and reign of the wildest disorder here,
and it is possibly for this reason that Judge Johnson and the other officials
who accompany him, were impelled to start upon a journey attended by many
hardships and some peril. We say that such may be the motive, but with an
organized local government in Nome and the presence of a detachment small though
it may be, of United States soldiers, we do not clearly see how such could be
the case. At any rate, if this conjecture be true, these officials will find
here a very orderly community, and a law-abiding one. They will be heartily
welcome nevertheless, and they're coming at this time will be a step ahead in
the betterment of conditions which have existed too long in this territory. It
shows that the eye of our Uncle Samuel is upon us and that he desires our
welfare.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Capt. Ferguson's Welsh Rarebit.
Capt. W. H. Ferguson entertained a few friends on Monday evening at his rooms in
the Lindeberg-Roth building. Capt. Ferguson is a most genial and thoughtful
host, and the Welsh rarebit, prepared by the genial captain himself, was a
feature of the pleasant gathering. Dr. Humphrey rendered a number of songs, with
guitar accompaniment, in his usual excellent manner, and Domino whist was also
played by the guests who included: Mr. and Mrs. Pepper, Mr. and Mrs. Strong,
Judge Rawson, Dr. Pohl, Judge McNulty, Dr. Humphrey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fire Department Notes.
A hook and ladder Company has been organized in connection with the fire
department. A. G. Shoemaker was elected Foreman and George Schultz, assistant
foreman. The organization will be perfected at the regular meeting tomorrow
evening. Miss Mary Corliss is the first honorary member of the ladies auxiliary
of the fire department, the honor having been conferred because of her the
interest she has taken in behalf of the department. The department now numbers
42 active members. The net proceeds of the ball on Thanksgiving night amounted
to $104. Secretary F. J. Kelly, on behalf of the department, wishes to return
thanks to the citizens for their generosity and contributing flags, bunting,
etc., For the declaration of Brown's Hall on the night of the ball.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 3.
PORT SAFETY'S HOPE.
Nome's Ambitious Neighbor On The East.
Wants to be Made the Port of Entry For this Section -- Railroad to be Built.
Port Safety promises to have a boom next spring. Already a town site has been
surveyed and steps are being taken to organize a municipal government. Among the
projects on foot is the building of a railroad between Port Safety and Nome. The
stock, it is said, has all been subscribed and none is for sale. The work will
be completed early next summer. Another move on the part of the Port Safety
boomers is to have that place made the port of entry for this section. They urge
their superior harbor and the ease and facility with which goods may be landed.
The railroad is to bring the merchandise to Nome. In other words, Port Safety is
to be the metropolis, if the plans of the Port Safety men do not miscarry.
Bonanza District is thought to be good and thus, in addition to its commercial
greatness, Port Safety promises to become the center of an extensive mining
district.
C. W. Garside is now making a survey of the town site. The streets are 65 and 50
feet wide, running north and south and east and west. Certain lots centrally
located have been reserved for public buildings and the building committee has
been appointed, and steps for securing a citizens' hospital have been taken. A
natural spring of pure water within the town has been reserved for public use.
No person is allowed to locate more than one lot, each lot must be state with a
steak at each corner with the name of the locator on each state, and the lot
must be recorded with the town recorder, and must be improved within 30 days by
erecting a building or a tent with the wood foundation.
A number of buildings are now under course of erection. Hale & McDonald have a
large roadhouse underway which will be open in about 10 days.
Mr. M. T. Burns, one of the pioneers of the district, purchased a lot on the
waterfront recently and will erect a business place on it as soon as possible.
Mr. Dozier, of the Butte restaurant, will shortly open a restaurant, and thus
the town booms.
With the possible exception of Port Clarence, Port Safety is said to be the
finest natural harbor on the northern coast. The entrance to the harbor is
through El Dorado Inlet and during high tide large vessels can enter the harbor
was perfect safety.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Kotzebue Sound.
W. H. Langdon and Axel Shipsby arrived from Kotzebue sound on Tuesday, having
come from Good Hope Bay by dog team. They report that there are 20 men wintering
on the Kowak River, near Reid River. A man who started for Point Hope from Reid
river is believed to have been lost. His name was not known. Another party in a
steam launch is in camp at Nugget Creek. No new strikes are reported. Mr.
Shipsby will return to Kotzebue in a few days with mail and he will immediately
return to Nome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINING NOTES.
Major Roth and Harry Dobson visited sledge Island this week, and located a
number of quartz claims.
The office of F. T. Riley, recorder for Sledge Island district, is located in a
cabin opposite steamer Quickstep, at the mouth of the Snake. Sam Marshall is
acting as deputy during Mr. Riley's absence from the city.
A good deal of interest is being manifested in the Top-Kok mining district.
A recording office for Golden Gate mining district has been opened at the mouth
of Lake Minerva, but recorder Sliscovich will still record claims at his office
on Dry Creek in this town. There has been a big rush into Golden gate the past
two weeks, and the opening of a recording office in the district became a
necessity. The deputy recorders are F. P. Ellis and R. V. DePue.
Jos. Schubert and Fred Sime returned this week from a trip to Golden Gate. They
report at least 100 men in the district who are staking everything in sight.
They discovered two new creeks on which good prospects were found. A claim on
Nugget Creek, in this district, was recently sold for $1200 and a quarter
interest in an Iron Creek claim sold for $300.
Jos. Sliscovich returned Tuesday from Solomon River, where he has been
prospecting the claim that he owns on Trilby Creek, a tributary of Big Hurrah.
He was unable to get to bedrock, but at a depth of 2 1/2 feet between five and
six cents to the Pam was found.
The easiest way to reach Golden Gate district, it is said, is to go up the Nome
River and then cross over the low divide to the headwaters of the Pilgrim River.
H. B. Matchett returned Sunday from a six week stay in the Cape Nome country.
Mr. Matchett has some promising claims in the Kanowgok and Arctic districts and
he thinks that many paying claims will be developed there next season. Mr.
Matchett made the trip from York to Nome in about 64 hours actual traveling
time. He reports that an Indian village, containing about 20 persons, 20 miles
this side of Port Clarence are without food. There is no sickness that you work
at which place there are about 30 people. He emphasizes the fact, already
reported by the news, that meant going to York should take at least a month's
provisions with them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE TIME SAVEDD HIM.
Councilman Pennington's Narrow Escape.
Regular Weekly Meeting of the Municipal Council -- Town Lot Ordinance Laid on
the Table.
An incident showing the necessity of having uniform time in Nome developed at
the regular meeting of the municipal Council Tuesday evening. Councilman
Pennington was 25 minutes late according to the clock in the City Hall. The
mayor had just called the Council to order and had issued an edict directing
acting Sgt. at arms M. P. O'Sullivan to search the municipality and bring in
Councilman Pennington, when the latter appeared. He blamed the diversity of time
as it exists in Nome for his dilatoriness and then the Council settled down to
business. Little was transacted, however. Mayor Cashel said that he would act in
Councilman Dam's place on the audit committee until the Councilman's return.
Lowe reported that the plat of the town now being prepared by the city surveyor
was not yet completed. The mayor said that the town Lot ordinance had been
submitted to Judge Rawson for his approval, and the judge had informed city
clerk Harrison that there were two or three sections which he did not approve.
On the mayor's suggestion the ordinance went over for future consideration.
The municipal clerk was instructed to care for the physical needs of the
notaries who acted with him as a canvassing board at the municipal election.
Lowe said that more teams were necessary to secure fuel for the City Hall. At
present the City Hall requires about two cords per week, the price paid for the
wood down the beach being nine dollars per cord; it was necessary, he said, to
have a supply on hand in case of bad weather, but with the facilities they now
had this could not be done. The City Hall committee was instructed to act in the
premises, and the Council adjourned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Page 4.
WISDOM OF SOLOMON.
Exemplified in a Case Before Judge Rawson.
The Records of Cripple River and Granite Mining Districts Segregated and the
Trouble Settled.
Judge Rawson has demonstrated that he is a man of Solomonic wisdom. In order to
settle the case of the rival recorders of Cripple River mining district on
Thursday he cause the books containing the records of Cripple River and Granite
districts to be divided, the Cripple records going to John P. Jacobson, the
granite records to James McCoskrie, recorder for that district. The story of the
trouble in Cripple River district has been told in the news. John P. Jacobson
was elected recorder on November 15, defeating James McCoskrie, the old
recorder. McCoskrie claimed that the books were his by right of purchase, that
the election was illegal, and he refused to deliver the records to his
successor. Several minors meetings were held and formal demands made upon
McCoskrie to handover the books. He refused. Then a warrant was issued for his
arrest. In the meantime a meeting of the district was held last Monday and the
election of Jacobson was declared legal.
The case against McCoskrie came up before Judge Rawson on Thursday, and after
hearing the evidence he decided the ease by segregating the records of the two
districts, they having been kept in the same books. The decision was
satisfactory to both parties and Mr. Jacobson will assume duties of recorder for
Cripple River.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FIRST BIRTH IN NOME.
A bouncing baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles E Gordon Saturday evening
last at 7 o'clock. Mr. Gordon lives on the sand spit across the Snake from Dry
Creek. He is the pioneer white man of Nome, having arrived here on June 12,
1898. He is also the original discoverer of the beach diggings having located
the first claim at Sinrock. He also located the first beach on Anvil.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mrs. Thomas' Whist Party.
Mrs. Thomas, housekeeper for the N. A. T. & T. Co., was the hostess at a
pleasant gathering Tuesday night. Progressive whist was played and Dr. Humphrey
entertained the guests with several pleasing vocal selections. The ladies booby
prize was secured by Miss Cody, the gentleman's booby prize, a harmonicon with
the inscription "maybe you can play this" becoming the property of Dr. Rininger.
The gentleman's first prize was won by Dr. Pohl and the ladies, a handsome
mirror, by Mrs. Worn. Those present were: Miss Cody, Mrs. Worn, Mr. and Mrs.
Bard, the Misses Saunders, Mr. and Mrs. Ehields, Miss Courtney, Mrs. Thomas, Dr.
Humphrey, Dr. Rininger, Dr. Pohl, Mr. Mettler, Mr. Embleton, Mr. Bosqui, Mr.
Crane, Mr. McCabe, Mr. Dennis, Mr. Graeber.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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