The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-04-02
GOVERNOR SwINEFORD

branches Od as az IHfhOr aud Tciis of
AlasIa.
Hon. A. p. Swineford, ex-governor
of Alaska, who is well known by all
Oklahoma people who were residents
of the territory in 1894, has branehed
out as an author. The Leader is ia re.
ceipt OF a neat volume entitled ALAS
ka, Its History, Climate and Re-
sources" The book is the product Of
the pen Of Governor Swineiord, and it
is, indeed, valuable work. During
the opening OF the Cherokee strip
Governor Swineford was the special
inspector Of the interior department
and had charge OF the various booths.
He made his headquarters In Guthrie,
and his brusque, yet good natured, dis
position won him many friends The
governor has won and lost several for
tunes ia Alaska and his long residence
in that cold cline enables him to tell
a story of exceptional interest.
In the opening pages OF the Cover
nor's timely and valuable work one
makes the pleasant discovery that IL Is
a dignifed and proper history of Alas
ka, and not a hand book for miners
nor guide book for tourists. And
yet, after reading it, one feels like ad-
vising both miners and tourists to give
this book careful reading before TAX
ing the journey TO the far northlAnd
1t is the first and, thus far, the only
work containing full aud reliable in.
formation on Alaska
Reading on, the pleasure Is deepened
by increasing evidence that the matter
presented is no dry compilation from
government reports and statistics. Tc
the readers delight IL proves to be @
well-digested study Of Alaska, rs TO itf
history, climate and natural resources,
bya gentleman who, as governor, re.
sided in the territory several years,
and personally visited all the different
sections referred TO for the special pur'
pose of investigation.
Long before he has resched the mid
idle the reader discovers that this book
y OF history is one to be read for luxury
as we'll as for information. Not every
good governor can write worthy his
tory But Ex-Governor Swineford pos
sesses that rare constellation Of facul'
ties which qualify an author 10 see and
portray the facts and events belonging
TO the annals Of country and race
without eliminating the elements oil
poetry and romance whi h enter intC
human life wherever and whenever II
is lived. And he Is as fearless in spirit
rs he is happy in literary style. Hi'
stern arrAignment OF the military
absolutism" which prevailed In Alasks
for seventeen years OF gloon and ig
nominy" after its transference TO the
United States reminds one OF Macau
lays treatment OF certain episodes IL
British history.
The scope Of this fascinating worl
includes all that can be known OF tho
subject il treAts-the discovery, settle
meDt and colonization of Alaska by
Russia; native traditions; purchase by
the United States; the military admin
istration under the United States gov
ernmsnt; the district legislation pro
vided; the scenery, climate and re
sources Of the countryi and, not leas
in attractiveness, charming voyage OF
10000 miles along the coast and among
the islands OF this new and valuabl,
acquisition TO the territory OF thl
United States.
-AlaskA Its History, Climate an1
Natural Resources. by Hon. A. 2
Swineford, ex-governor OF Alaska
Rand. McNally & Co., Chicago ant
New York. Cloth 81.