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In The News
The Klondike Nugget.
Dawson, Y.T.
Vol. 1, No. 51
Wednesday, December 14, 1898.
Page 1.
A JUVENILE ORDINANCE AND HOW IT WORKS IN DAWSON.
There are gigantic wrongs to be righted on the Klondike, but there are
minor ills so irritating and exasperating as to call for an immediate
and unequivocal remedy. Probably the sorest spot on the body politic
today is the "Dog Pound Ordinance," - an ordinance enforced nowhere in
the world except in metropolitan centers during the "dog days" of the
heated term. In all well-regulated cities of America, during the months
of July and August, dogs found at large are muzzled or impounded and
shot. The reason of such action is plain to all and the fear of rabies
justifies the act. But, with the thermometer registering from zero to 40
below, and with the entire country dependent upon dogs for their hauling
and freighting, the dog ordinance, as now operated, is an unmitigated
evil and flagrant imposition.
On Monday a Nugget representative made the rounds with a view more
especially to size up the operation of the dog or ______. That night
there were 38 dogs in the pound. During that one day the following
gentlemen were forced to appear before a magistrate and "dig up" in
order to secure their dogs:
R. H. Ennis $2.50
B. A. Mawlin $8.50
C. Paulson $2.50
J. L. Gray $8.50
W. H. Avery $10.00
T. Anderson $2.50
F. M. Robertson $9.50
H. H. Boorman $9.50
W .A. Hamilton $9.50
D. Gilchrist $1.75
W. A. Kennedy $8.75
F. W. Dungan $2.50
D. E. Johnson $8.50
F. Draper $9.25
J. Daniels $2.50
H. Shepard $3.50
A. Pierce $2.50
C. Stansfield $9.50
T. C. Healy $8.75
G. Reed $1.75
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PERSONALS.
Mr. J. W. Rogers on Monday last consummated the purchase of the
interests of Messrs. McConnell & Parker, his former partners, and is now
the sole proprietor of the Monte Carlo. Mr. Rogers is a business man
enjoying the confidence of the publis and will continue to make that
popular place more popular than ever.
J. W. Lewis came in from Forty-mile Tuesday night, having made the trip
in four days. Mr. Lewis will leave for the outside about the 24th. He
reports good trails on the way up and that when he left there a strike
had just been made on Stonehouse creek, a pop of Chicken, which comes in
a No. 2 above discovery.
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LOCAL BREVITIES.
Last Monday Gunden Smith was injured in a deep shaft on Gold Hill by the
basket falling and striking him when in a stooping posture. The bucket
______ ___ff two ribs near where they join the vertebrae.
(Louis Allen?), aged 27, and Lucy Kosonke, aged 24, were united in
marriage at the Salvation Army barracks on Thursday night by the Rev.
Mr. turner. The pair are part Indian and hail from Juneau and have
embraced the Christian religion.
Wm. Stocker, an ex-member of the Chicago police force has just returned
from Thistle creek. In an interview with him, Mr. Stocker complimented
very highly Recorder A. E. C. Green who is the recorder at Stewart
river. The very courteous treatment of prospectors and miners at Steward
is in marked contrast with the reception given visitors at the recorders
office in Dawson.
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Page 3.
SHE BLEW OUT HER BRAINS.
Myrtle Brocee Suicides With "Doc" Richardson's Revolver.
Story of a Long Struggle With Evil - Dawson Not the Golden Land Picture
For It - Myrtle ______ows to the Last - Dreaded Going to the Theater
After Her Illness - No Bright Clouds Ahead
Brings Despondency.
[From Saturday's Extra.]
Myrtle Brocee committed suicide at midnight Friday, by firing a
pistol-ball through the head. Myrtle was occupying a room over Sam
Bonnifield's saloon where she has lain sick since some three weeks ago.
For a week past she has been convalescent and expected to go to work
against the Tivoli next Monday - she and her sister Florence doing a
very neat double turn of singing and dancing.
The pistol used was a 32-calibre Smith & Wesson, the property of Dr.
Richardson, who occupied a room diagonally across the hallway from the
suicide, and who was out for several hours in the evening, when the
weapon was purloined.
Myrtle Brocee is a girl of but 19 years and the story of the struggles
which led up to the deed of Friday night make as sad a recitative as any
of the many unhappy fates of which Dawson is a witness.
Three weeks ago she found herself weak and nearly delirious with some
mysterious fever and called upon Dr. Richardson. He found her in an
acute state of pneumonia with a temperature which rapidly rose to 105
degrees and remained there three days. The thermometers outside showed
46 degrees below zero; her own cabin was frozen up, the hospitals were
far away and a chill meant sudden death. H. Woolrich offered the use of
his room across the hall, the room in which the dead girl now lies, it
was accepted for her and she was put to bed. A nurse was secured,
medicines and nourishment were bought and after two weeks of severe
illness the patient became convalescent. The occupants of the "loft," as
they style the quarters which are the scene of the tragedy, formed a
sincere liking for the girl who was such a "good fellow" among them and
Woolrich was welcome to bunk with them until his room could be vacated.
But, with returning
health, came a necessity of work at the theatre, and next Monday night
was fixed as the date of her reappearance. That she dreaded it is
evidenced by her expressions to friends.
On Friday evening she was called upon by Alex. McFarland and Mr.
Spitzell, who inquired after her health and noticed no unusual
depression or elation in her mental condition. She talked of the treater,
of what she was going to sing and sang over the tune for them. She
talked of the new dresses she was to have made on the morrow and
discussed them, as it interested. Picking up her novel she noted the
ending and remarked: "Look here! the girl is going to kill herself."
Later in the interview she promised to look in on him the following day,
remarking: "I'll come in tomorrow and give you a call."
At 10:30 the girl was alone and evidently disrobed. At midnight a number
of the occupants of the house heard a muffled shot which was yet so
feeble as to fail to provoke investigation. At 2 o'clock the sister,
Florence, was on her way home to her rooms at the Melbourne and decided
to give her sister a call. She was accompanied by two prominent citizens
who followed her upstairs. Florence opened the door, found the light
still burning and glanced at the bed. In a nearly sitting posture,
propped up by pillows, habited in a nightdress, and with the bed covers
pulled up a little higher than the waist, there rested her sister with
blood still apparently running from her temples. With a shriek Florence
fled from the room and in an instant all was hubbub and confusion.
Captain Starnes and Corporal Wilson were soon present and Dr. Richardson
was aroused from his bed in a twinkling. A touch showed him the girl was
dead and cold. A bullet had penetrated the right temple, had passed
through the brain and had crashed the skull on the other side, leaving
the brains still oozing slowly from the horrible wound. A policeman was
placed on guard and the crowd dispersed until the coroner should convene
a jury.
LATER - EVIDENCE TO THE JURY.
Florence Brocee testified that for the past few weeks her sister, the
deceased, had, she thought, been living with H.I. Woolrich. Her sister
was not erratic. Deceased had not attempted suicide before.
Dr. Richardson lived in the same building with deceased and had treated
her for pneumonia. Had heard the shot but had not located it. Had been
called in to see the dead woman about 2 p.m. by Alex McFarland. It was
his revolver and had been taken from his bureau. Had never known her to
drink much. ___ he had no reason to think she had been recently seduced.
She was not subject to fits of depression. Knew of no enemies. As far as
his knowledge went she was virtuous. Alex McFarland had known deceased
for the month she had been in the building. Last saw her alive at 11:15.
Was there with Mr. Spitzell and she drank a glass of beer. Thought she
was jollier than usual. She was reading a novel, "One too many," and
likened herself to the heroine who suicided at the end. Was the first to
recognize the "gun" as "Doc" Richardson's. The girl did not drink much
and he had never heard her ask for anything until the last evening. Had
a large unloaded pistol in his own bureau and had lately found it
disturbed. On leaving at 11:15 she had kissed Spitzell "good night" two
or three times. To the best of his knowledge she was a virtuous girl.
Adolph Spitzel had known her six or seven weeks. Saw her last about
11:15. She drank one glass of beer. She kissed him "good night" and when
half-way down stairs called him back and again kissed him several times.
She was not as lively as usual and hated to go back to the theater. She
was virtuous as far as he knew.
James Allan Aikman had known deceased since she was in Victoria. When
she first came to town deceased had occupied his bed but was absolutely
virtuous to the best of his knowledge. When a virtuous woman acted that
way he was convinced something was wrong mentally. She told him she had
attempted suicide in Victoria and would do it again unless something
turned up to rid her of the life which she hated and which brought her
the importunities of the men. Woolrich might have been sleeping in his
own room the last four or five nights. She had neither money nor
clothes. "I told her I would not marry her."
Dr. Thompson told of his examination of the body.
M. I. Woolrich swore the deceased had occupied his room when sick and a
nurse had attended her. Had occupied the room with her since
convalescent; but she was virtuous all the same. She had neither money
nor clothes and never asked for anything. She was worried because she
had not been able to send her mother any money. Was not sentimental.
Charles Bush had been sitting at a poker table with Woolrich when the
shot was heard.
Mr. Byington had occupied the next room and had been awakened by a shot
about 1:40.
Sanfield McDonald is porter at Bonnifield's. Had carried up the bottle
of bear spoken of. Saw deceased afterwards at head of stairs and looking
so lonely and melancholy tht he had
remarked upon it to a friend downstairs. The night previous had been
gathering up glasses upstairs. Deceased told him he couldn't get into
Dr. Richardson's room as things were all turned
over and a big chair against the door. She said: "We are going to move."
Sure enough he found the room turned all upside down. When he saw her at
the head of the stairs looking so
sorrowful she was singing: "Don't put me away, John."
Archie Grant was called to explain certain statements on the streets. He
knew nothing about the case.
John Bonnifield had head the shot.
Corporal Wilson told what he found when he was called to the scene.
Constable McPhail had examined the room and found the bullet.
Attorney Sheridan had been retained by Florence to protect the deceased
from an unqualified verdict of suicide. He had questioned all the
witnesses and the verdict was rendered in a very few minutes. They found
that the suicidal act was committed while temporarily insane.
LAID TO REST.
The unfortunate girl was laid away as she would have desired had she
been a witness of the circumstances. A shapely casket, covered with
white cloth, with massive silver plated handles and trimmings held the
remains. The interior was upholstered with blue and white silk. The dead
girl was habited in a beautiful trimmed dress of white satin with
needle-worked ruffles. White satin shoes adorned the feet which have so
often tripped the light fantastic for the amusement of Dawson. The
absence of flowers in this land of gloom is painfully apparent. The Rev.
Grant read the funeral service where the body had lain in state. The
pall bearers were Dr. Richardson, J. A. Aikman, Adolph Spitzell, Charles
P. Heath, Alex McFarland and David Fox, Jr. A large number of friends
also followed and saw the remains laid away in the grounds overlooking
the Klondike.
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FOR THE OUTSIDE.
H. T. Roller, resident agent of the S.Y.T. Co., left for Seattle
Wednesday, accompanied by the Rev. Bale. The pair will proceed to where
the company's boats are tied up for the winter and will pick up the
captain of the Seattle No. 1, and the trio will continue the journey
together.
On Thursday, about noon, Charley and Harry Worden left town for the
outside amid cheers from a group of friends. Joe Brand is using his dogs
to take the gentlemen out and has already engaged to bring in another
party of travelers in January. Brant has a team of ten native dogs, all
with tails up and feeling gay when they left. Charley Worden has been
holding farewell services with his numerous friends for many days and
the first couple of days out are not expected to be his best.
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OUT OF LUCK.
Mr. George Gaisford is being pursued by an irresistible streak of
ill-luck which is hard to depart. In bringing in his outfit to work his
claim, No. 7 below on Bonanza, the scow was swamped and everything lost.
At Dawson more supplies were purchased and stored in the cabin on the
claim. Fire came and again a clean sweep was made. Consoling himself
with the reflection that as long as he had health, etc., he proceeded
about his work without visible discouragement. One day last week while
descending a shaft, something got wrong with the rigging and he went to
the bottom in a hurry. He thinks no bones are broken and that he will be
ready to try it again, as soon as a few sprains get "limbered" up.
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ST. MARY'S.
The report for the week ending December 7th, shows 15 new patients, 14
convalescents discharged, leaving 86 patients still in the hospital. The
deaths were as follows:
D. Goudy, aged 45, of New Brunswick, N.S., on the 2d.
J. Park, aged 25, of Los Angeles, Cal., on Dec. 3d.
J. Hickey, aged 58, of Seattle, Wash., on Dec. 4th.
J. Tyler, aged 50, of Stockton, Cal., on Dec. 6th.
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POLICE COURT ITEMS.
Arthur Kreiner paid $5 and costs for committing a nuisance.
J. Corwin paid $50 and costs for too many chances in making a living.
H. McDougal over estimated his capacity, fell all over himself and paid
a fine of $25 and costs.
C. Cochran developed a penchant for other people's property. For six
months nothing will be allowed within his reach.
M. Fagin had a gun. He couldn't keep that fact to himself and as a
result paid $25 and costs - and he hasn't got the gun.
Jenkins Llewellan is accused of using his word carelessly and will have
to stand his trial in the superior court for that same.
George Hurley is partial to a "wee drop;" the "wee drop" asked for
company and so on until the magistrate called a halt with $25 and costs.
J.P. Worden borrowed $250 from a man named Keith and gave security on
two claims which it is claimed is fraud unless he substitutes his
ownership. He was committed to the higher court for trial. This man is
no relation to the popular Charley Worden.
Prisoner O'Brien, serving five months for receiving stolen goods, got
away from his escort on Wednesday evening while shoveling snow in front
of one of the public buildings and has not yet been recaptured. A swift
special policeman has been dispatched down river to overtake him if he
has gone in that direction.
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JAKE KLINE FOR THE COAST.
Jake Kline leaves tomorrow morning for the outside carrying special
express matter for the Nugget. Jake is also taking with him mail matter
for the Alaska Commercial co., the North American Trading &
Transportation Co., the Alaska Eldorado Co., and other of the large
mercantile houses. He has one of the finest dog teams that has yet left
Dawson, and expects to give other fast travelers who claim records for
speedy travel, a close run for their money. He takes out with him as
passenger, Mr. J. S . Hurst, an Australian.
Jake came to Dawson with the big rush which occurred in the summer of
'97. Being a hustler by nature he took the first thing that came to hand
and spent some time packing up the gulch for owners of Eldorado and
Bonanza claims. during the early part of the succeeding winter he took
part in a great many of the numerous stampedes which occurred and by so
doing acquired interests with the value of which Jake is quite
satisfied. He also fitted up and conducted a lunch counter in the old M.
& M., and from this venture realized a nice little thing.
During the past summer he ran the Hoffman cigar store handling an
excellent line of goods. He worked up an excellent business through his
large acquaintance and courteous treatment of customers, but upon the
approach of cold weather concluded to close the cigar store out
preparatory to his trip to the coast.
Jake will return sometime in March and promises to bring with him
something that will be a pleasant surprise to the old Sour Dough. His
many friends in Dawson wish him bon voyage and a safe return.
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