The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-18
MIN 1lES' CODE.
Laws Adopted for the Government
of Conner CITY, Alaska.


Seattle Wash. March IA most unique
code of laws has just been adopted
at Copper City, Valdes Bay, Alaska, for
the government of the citizens of that
city The laws are to be in effect all
over the Copper River country and cover
but three crimes-theft. murder, and as
sault and battery. At Copper City officers
have been elected to see that the laws are
enforced and other officers are to be
elected as new camps grow up throughout
the country. The code is absolutely orig
inal as to phraseOlogy and punishment,
but there is no doubt that they will be
enforced and to the letter
The meeting at which these laws were
formulated, written out and unanimously
adopted was held in Copper City. at { p.
IN. on February s. The news reached
this city by the steamer Alliance, which
is the first vessel to arrive from the
mouth of the Copper River for a month.
The meeting was held in n small cabin.
and the place at once became known as
the court house. The meeting was at
tended by large number of miners VINO
are waiting at that point for a chance
to proceed back into the hills along the
Copper River in search of wonderful gold
lodges about which so much has been
said and so little is really known.
After the code of laws had been written
out and adopted, an election of officers
was held which resulted in G. a. King
getting the office of judge. Dalbert Stew
ems. sheriff and Frank p. Reed clerk.
a copy of the code came down on the
Alliance. The manner in which it is writ
ten is almost as interesting as the laws
and penalties. 1t reads as follows:
THE LAWS OF COPPER CITY, ALASKA
Whereas the citizens of the United States. on
their way into the Copper River country. Alaska,
/ realizing that have protection under the
law OF the land, deem it necessary to enact a
code of laws to govern our conduct during our
journey and stay in Alaska; therefore,
BE it resolved !. That any person guilty of
murder, upon conviction thereof, shall be pun
ished jury of twelve men shall decide.
>. That any person guilty OF assault, assault
and battery, aggressive assault or assault with
intent to kill, shall be punished as a jury OF
/ twelve men shall decide.
/ .. SnV person charged with stealing any prop
erty whatsoever shall be tried 10y jury OF twelve
! men, and, upon conviction shall be sentenced TO
restore the property stolen and to repay the party
injured all damages sustained directly or indi-
+ rccty in consequence of the theft. In case the
/ guilty party shall not restore and make good all
! damages aforesaid, the injured party may take
sufficient property of the defendant to satisfy all
! damages and dispose of il in any way he may
deem proper The defendant shall also be ban
! ishcd forever from the country, and he, failing
! to leave Immediately upon notice shall receive
not less than ten nor more than fifty lashcs, and
failing 10 leave within ten days after such punish
ment he shall abide by the consequences. Should
( the amount stolen exceed 500 in value he shall
be punished as in a case OF murder
l. Any person charged with the crimes as de
( scribed above shall be tried by a jury of twelve
men of the district and. in all trials, shall ht
/ entitled TO three peremptory challenges Before
/ person shall be adjudged guilty not less thar
ten of the jury shall agree his guilt
;. The officers elected to enforce these law
shall consist OF judge, sheriff, and clerk.
This completes the remarkable docu
ment which is signed by the officers elect
ed Immediately after the code of laws hac
been adopted. 1t is very evident that NJ
lawyer had a hand in the drawing up o
the laws of the Copper River country
but the two passengers who came bacl
on the Alliance believe that there will b.
less trouble about enforcing them than i
the best lawyers in the States had writte1
them out. r