The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-02
Noted English Mining Expert
Dies Aboard the Portland.
REMAINS BURIED At UNALASkA.
Deceased Was . Man of Wealth and
Long Experience in His Chosen
Profession-SpentM Many Years in
South Africa-Went North for
London Railway Promoters Last
June-Relatives In That City.

James R. Gsrling. a wellknown English
mining expert, who went north last June
on the Roanoke, In the interest OF the
Anglo Alaskan syndicate. died on the
downward trip OF the Portland Just before
the steamer reached Dutch haroor on the
evening of October y. The cause OF nus
death was typhoid fever. which Mr.. CIR
ling contracted at Nome City. along with
MANY other prospeetors there While I'LL at
Nome MI Girling was attended By DR..
Miller the army surgeon. and seemed In q
fair way TO recovery, but being destrous
OF going 10 San Francisco. he was taken
aboard the steamer Portland. attended cy
his nephew. James Blair and nurse. A
change In his condition became apparent
soon after the steamer left Nome. and
shor, time before reaching Dutch haroor
ne hreathed his last.
The body was taken ashore Tuesday
morning October "a. at Cnalaska, ana con-
yeyec to the Jessie Lee Home. where II
was prepared for burial Il was held un-
til the arrival of the Roanoke. the same
afternoon and during the evening funeral
services were held. attended ny friends Oh
deceased passengers aboard the Roanoke.
The services were simple but impressive
In one room OF the home lay all that was
earthly OF the once rugged geld seeker,
while in the other was gathered together 4
group OF friends who had known and who
had roughed 1t with deceased when Nome
was in her swaddling clothes. Rev. DR..
Newhal, In charge OF the Jessie Lee
Home. conducted the burial services. Sew
eral hymns were sung by native children.
and after the Lords Prayer the solemn.
even weird funeral cortese began its
march to the burial ground. No hearse or
black plumed horses were there TO convey
the body to its last resting place. such
things as these are unknown TO primitive
Alaska. In their stead were six friends.
each with a strip of canvas over his shout
der. stumbling along over rocks and grass
tufts but always surefooted and thankful
for the opportunity of showing parting re-
spect to the memory OF their late comrade.
The little ourying- ground with here ard
there a mound marking grave. Is luily
half a mile from the home and overlooks
the arm of Boring sea that forms the shell
tered harbor. Here under the fickering
light of a lantern. thousands OF miles from
home and loved ones. In a strange country,
The body 81 MIR. Girling was consigned 10
Mother Earth.
Those assisting in the services were Or.
IL G Wilkinson, OF Chicago: NJ. n. Whit
tlesey. Of Seattle, DR., Miller, L, $. A: K
5 Echols of Seattle. Capt. +. f. Brown, of
Seattle. G. T Newcomh. purser Of the
steamer Roanoke. O. Lonstorf. of Milwaa-
kee, and J. T. Parkinson, of Seattle.
Mr.. Griing was 30 years of age, bach
elor and man OF considerable means. For
the past eighteen or twenty years he had
spent most o. his time in South Africa. oc
casionaNy making a trip 10 London. to see
MS mother. who lives there. and 10 report
to the capitalists whom he represented. In
1895 he sent 10 Alaska 10 examine into
the feasibility of constructing a railway
from Cnalaklk to Nuiato. which would
mean a cutoff OF several hundred miles
between Norton sound and the koyukuk
and Upper Yukon rivers He had with MIN
a large surveying party. which made the
survey between the Two points named and
worked out other data necessary 10 the 10
cation Of the road
~ the close Of navigation a portion Of
the party was grubstaked by Mr.. Ciirling.
and during the winter many valuable
claims were taken ny them in Nome and
Bonanza districts. After returning TO the
states. Mr.. Girlins made n trip 10 London
aud submitted his report 10 his principals.
and on his return last spring IL was re-
ported that h would carry out the railway
project. Upon his arrival at Nome on
June -. however he dropped the railroad
proposition and devoted all HIS time and
energies 20 mining securing all told fully
ljn claims In the district.