The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-05-12


Washington, May Acting Secrs>
retary of War Meiklejohn has giveL
out a report from Capt. w. !. Richards
son, OF the Eighth infantry, who COM.
mands the post at Circle City, Alaska,
together with n brief report from
Lieut.. i. 5. Walker, OF the Eighth In
fantry, in command at St Michaeis,
Alaska, upon the conditions existing
along The Yukon. According TO Capt
Richardson's report the advent OF the
United States troops at that place mel
with considerable disfayor from the
majority of the people at Circle City,
while at st. Michaels. on the OTHER
hand, Lieut. Walker reports that the
business men desire the retention OF
the troops. and he recommends the
continuation of the garrison at that
point
Opposed to Local Government
Capt Richardson made several Mt
tcmpts TO induce the better element
Of the community TO establish some
sort of local government, II several
meetings were held during November
and December, but in January, at a
big mass meeting. all his work vas
overturned and by a large majority
the town decided TO reject every form
of town government suggested. The
sentiment OF the meeting, Capt. Rich
ardson says, was the people of the
town already have too much law II
government
The Opposition Explained.
Capt. Richardson explains this cp-
position to the establishment of local
government on the ground thai few oi
the Inhabitants expect TO remain
longer than n few months or years NJ
most. The only general regulations Is
sued by Capt. richardson up to the
time Of the report have been for clos
ing saloons, dance halls and gambling
places from 6 n. m. until 8 p. m. OIL
Sunday, and against the carrying Of
concealed weapons. He says he may
be obliged TO prescribe, In addition
some general regulations upon santa
tion and police With the coming o
spring.
a Patrol Established.
He established a patrol Of one non
commissioned officer and six men II
the town. and reports that this wor'
has been satisfactory and acceptable
t. the better element He commend
the work Of the commissioners cour
at Circle City. which. he says, ma
maintained itself with dignity and ha
administered the law within the lin
its of its authority. At the time Capt
Richardson sent his report no nial
had been received over the Ice from
the states.
4 Mail WINS Lost.
He understood that the first mai
son through early in the season wa
lost Local and delayed mail from I'll
outside was received from Dawson !
November and December. He direct
attention 10 the advantage OF n cross
country route from Circle City
Cooks Inlet. or some other point o
the coast The up-river and lake cour
try Is also safe for travel during Nv
or three months Of the closed season
wheras. the overland route could /
u.ed while the river is closed.
All quiet md supplies Plentiful.
Lieut. Walker reports everythin
, quiet along the river on February
Supplies were plentiful and there wei
few cases Of restitution. The commnr
at Rampant was reported in GOO
health. Lieut.. Walker urgently r
, quests that the garrison be maintain,
at st. Michaels. The business me
want tibet roops there, not only b
e cause they afford protection. but b
cause difficulties are more quickly ~
less extensively arranged, and the pc
! pie feel thai the decisions made |
military officers arc just and cquit
BILE.