davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico Missouri message., 1900-09-06

Inc 1OllOWlnB Is laken from unc
Middletown Chips and was written
July II. 1900, from Ft. Gibbon,
Alaska:
My Dear Chips: The glorious
Fourth is past and gone; we have
done with our celebrations and
fire. works, and have gone back to
our weary, every day, monotonous
existence. We celebrated the
Fourth in truly regal style at Ft.
Gibbon, considering the country
we are in and the disadvantages
we have to contend with.
The Fourth of July is most al
ways ficld-day in the army; so
we had field day last 4th. The
first on the program was shoot
ing contest-pistols at 80 yards,
rifles at 100 and 200. Won by j.
ii. Keller, of st. Joseph, Mo.
The second was a canoe race a
cross the Yukon River. There
were six entries for the canoe race,
mostly soldiers. The race was
won by couple of civilians, Mr..
Thompson and Mr.. Huntington.
The other events followed in rapid
succession, but not until 1870 p.
III. did the sport cease, the day :
fun and frolic closing with base
ball game between Co.'S "E' and
IF" of the Sth Infantry, Co. +
winning Oh Il score of 90 to 2l.
About all the excitement we have
is an occasional steamboat. |
think, possibly excepting the FIJI
Islands, this is the worst country
in the world. The dogs absolute
ly refuse to bark ut strangers in
this country, and no sane man
would ever come up here. The
army officers make it worse on sol
dies by making them work out in
the cold of an Alaskan winter,
which is something that is awfully
hard on anyone. The thermome-
ter falls, in winter, to as low as 80
degrees below zero, and still sol
diers have to 90 out and work. 1t
is horrible to think of it; it is
something that the free-thinking
American public should not toler-
ate. This high handed despotism
and iron-handcd tyranny of the
bigoted army officer! But to re-
sumo my story of the country.
The whole place is II mass of
vegetation and muck surmounted
by what we term "nigger-hcads"
and moss 1 to inches thick; and
rain! oh, Heavens! it rains 30
days out of the month here during
the summer months; and the mos
quitos-they are about as large as
humming birds, and sting not un-
like a scorpion. When they bite
your face and hands they leave a
lump about the size of IL pea. En-
closed you will find a specimen of
the Alaska mosquito, which kind
ly request that YOU put on exhibi-
ton and let the people of Middle
town and vicinity get an idea of
what us poor fellows in Alaska
have to contend with.
The excitement of Cape Nome.
turned out to be a fake. There
never was much gold i'll the place,
and there never was enough for
30, 900 to make their fortunes with
at Cape Nome. Now there are a.
bout ID, 900 people who are tinan-
cialln "broke." | thank God |
have no friends who are foolish
enough to come to this country
for gold.
Well, | think | will break off
the ostracism of Alaska and go to
South Africa and fight with the
Beers, SO goodby till you hear
from me again.
Yours Sincerely,
HAL Il. SPEAS.
Mexico Missouri message., 1900-09-06
For Sale.

One of the best dwellings, in
Laddonia, Mo, House five rooms,
out buildings, % acre ground,
splendid water, plenty fruit, etc.
Address the MESSAGE, Mexico, Mo.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21
Aberdeen Will Arrive Thurs
day on Her First Visit
SHIRLEY COMING AGAIN
Barge Due Saturday With Full
Cargo of Railroad MateriaI--City
of Seattle Brings Many PaDsen-
gers--AI-Ki and Danube Duo.

The new Skagway>Seatte liner Aber-
deem is scheduled to arrive here on her
first visit to the port Thursday of this
week. The steamer has been added to the
fleet of the Washington & Alaska Steam
ship Company, also having the Ruth and
the CITY of Seattle on the run.
The skipper of the Aberdeen will be
Capt. John Roberts, formerly master of
the Farallon. The steamer will have a
full cargo north.
The barge Shirley will be due from the
Sound Saturday with 500 tons of coal and
lumber for the section houses, warehouses
and other structures to be built along the
railroad, and ties for the road.
The City of Seattle, which arrived and
sailed Sunday brought north los passen-
gers for Skag>vav and took out 80. The
steamer had all the freight she could carry
north. She brought 100 cattle for the
Arctic Meat company.
d, w. MOI gan, formerly second officer
on the Seattle, and lately first officer on
the Ruth, has been promoted to be first
officer on the Seattle
The Alike and the Danube are due. The
Humboldt will be due tomorrow.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21
Customs House Established
at White Horse.
NO DELAY AT BENNETT
Also Arrange for Ship
ment of Baggage Through to
Lower Yukon In Bond With Priv
iIege of Taking 1t Out at Dawson

The much wished for customs house at
White Horse was opened at that place yes
terday. d. Menzies, who has been the
Canadian customs representative at White
Horse since the opening of navigation in
the interior this year, is in charge of the
newly created port of White Horse.
The establishment of this customs
house obviates the necessity which has
existed for some time for the clearance at
Bennett of all goods destined for White
Horse. Ever since the opening of the
wear, goods shipped from Skagway or
other American ports for White Horse
have of necessity been cleared at Bennett,
and merchants at White Horse found it an
inconvenience, on account of the delav
caused by G. ecking.
The opening of the new port was an
nounced Yesterday by E. S. Busbv, super
vsing agent of Canadian customs for this
district,
Mr.. Busby also announced that there
had Just been placed into effect by the
Canadian government Yesterday new
system by which travellers from this port
for the lower Yukon can have their trunks
and other baggage bonded through from
this port to the lower Yukon, by way of
Dawson In regard to this Mr.. Busby
says;
Before making this arrangement bag
gage had to be corded and sealed and sent
through under special letter from this
office. Now, one can have baggage
checked through from this point, saw to
Forty Mile, and if he should change his
plans upon reaching Dawson he can there
have the baggage taken out of bond and
cleared. If the baggage contains dutiable
goods, he will, of course. have to pay the
duties upon clearance at Dawson.
1--WE have two styles of checks for
checking baggage through in bond, one
color of check being used for dutiable par
sells and another for free"
A car load OF liquor was bonded through
Yesterday by T. H. Beaumont, to Fort
| Yukon,
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21
Petition For Clemency For
jim Hanson Not Decided
EXECUTIVE REFERS CASE
President Turns the Petition For
Communication of the Murderer's
Sentence to Life imprisonment
Over to the Attorney General.

The petition recently signed by Skag-
wavans and sent to President Mckinley
asking for the Communication to imprison-
ment for life of the sentence of Jim Han
son, to hang for the murder of Bert Horton,
has been referred to the attorney general of
the United States.
J. J. Paulsell. of Skagway, counsel for
Hanson, has received a letter from the
president stating in effect that the petition
had reached the executive, and had been
referred to the attorney general.
Nothing further in regard to the matter
has been heard here. Mr.. Paulsell eX-
poets the attorney general will in turn res
fer the matter to the district attorney of
Alaska, and that a recommendation will
then be sent by the district attorney to
Washington.
Hanson is under sentence to hang next
month, but his attorney feels that there is
time enough for the communications in res
gard to the communication of his sentence to
go the rounds.
The prisoner is at Sitka. ln letter to
his attorney, received within the last sew
eral DAYS, Hanson writes cheerfully and
expresses his adherence to his religion, but
makes no reference to the efforts for COM
mutation Ct sentence.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21
LIMIT IS NOW FIXED.
Ladies' Athletic Club Will Have No
More Than Fifty Members.

A meeting of the Ladies' Athletic Club
was held Yesterday afternoon and stand
Ing committees appointed. 1t was decided
to limit the membership of the club to
fifty, and to have all applications go
through the hands of the membership
committee and passed upon before pre-
sentation to the club for ballot.
Three candidates were voted in as mem
bers. who, with those previously enrolled,
bring the membership within five of the
limit.
The Y. M. c, A. has rendered the use of
annex to the club on the DAYS appointed
for class work, for business meetings and
dressing rooms. This gives the women a
direct entrance from the street. The ques-
ton of an evening class was referred to
the gymnasium committee.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21

and General Manager Sehlbrede OF the
Shore Line company, who says that the
work already commenced will go forward
until Skagwav is the terminous of two
railroads to the interior.
There might not be SO much immediate
excitement and development in Skagway."
said Mr.. Kinney at the Chllkoot Pass
Railway office Yesterday, las there would
have been had Mr., King and his associates
gotten their franchise at once, but even
that is not certain. But you can saw the
road will be built. We have commenced
and have no idea of quitting. Work is
now being prosecuted, and it will not be
discontinued for single instant until 1t is
done.
''The Arctic Construction COMPANY has
purchased the old Chilkoot wharf and Is
going to reconstruct it.
Engineer Bell, recently of Tacoma, and
first class railroad civil engineer has a
gang of nine men with him and is now in
the field making the permanent survey
between Dvea and CANYON CITY.
"The contract has been let for the ten
miles between Dyea and CANYON, and the
scrapers will be here before the end of the
month with which to commence the work
which will be pushed to completion.
1--WE are putting in our commissary at
Dvea The buildings have all been Sc
cured, repaired and painted. Our com
pany has secured scow which will be
kept busy taking supplies, lumber and ties
from Skagway.
"You see we are going right ahead maxi
ing contracts, closing deals and working
men We have the money to paw as we
go, and we propose to go until our scheme
is success fully consummated.
Judge Sehlbrede, president and manager
of the Shore Line said
"Al the arrangements have been COM
pleted to build the Shore Line upon which
active construction work will be commenced
in due time. Some plans may have to be
rearranged as to some of the details on ac-
count of the peculiar position of the Brit
ish Columbia government, but thew are
secondary to the main proposition.
THE work will not cease until we have
through connection with Dawson"
The committee having M. Kings appli-
cation in charge decided last Tuesday by
one majority to report the application ad-
verselv. This was subsequent to the
decision of the cabinet to oppose the APP
plication.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21
Talk of City Buying McCabe
College Building.
TENTATIVE STEPS TAKEN
President of the Municipal Board
Favors Purchasing, But the Other
Two Do Not-Public Schools are
Now Crowded-More Room Needed

Negotiations have been opened in ten
tative wav for the purchase of the Nc
Cabe college building in this civ by the
CITY of Skagwav for the public schools.
For some time it has been known that a
feeling has existed among certain ones
connected with the management of the
college that under favorable circumstances
the building would be sold to the citv.
President Wilcoxen of the city school
board last evening stated that the atten>
ton of the board had been directed to the
matter, and he feels that were public senti-
ment to support the proposition and the
way could be opened for clearly financing
the deal that probably it would be con-
summated. He said further;
'For my part, favor buying the COL
lege building if we can see the way clear
financially. Others of the city school
board are not with me.
Mr. Walter, superintendent of the af>
fairs of the Methodist church in this dis
trlct, under which the school is operated,
tells US the college cost $4,000 and could
not be duplicated for $40 900. 1t is good
stone structure provided with hot air heat
ing apparatus, and could be kept warmer
than wooden building.
"Our present quarters with the excep-
tion of one room, are much crowded and
more furniture is needed. A site proposed
for a new structure would cost $4,000
alone, and then suitable wooden builds
ing would raise the cost to perhaps 10000.
THE college building would furnish
ample room and is in good location. The
cost of heating would be cheaper in the
warmer building and one good janitor
could do all the work
1--WE expect money from the federal tax,
but whether that tax will be in existence
next year so we could continue to relv on
it for further payments on the college
were we to buy it, is question. Congress
no doubt will do something with the tax
matter.
"No formal offer has been made the
board. If deal is made the city counti
would be asked to act on it. No public
vote would be necessary, but public senti-
ment expressed may help to erystalize
opinion.
eff the sale is made the Methodists
would probably disburse some of the
money in Skagwav in building a new
church."
--<SS
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21
FALSE ALARM ON RATES
Fare Not Gut But Much Talk Created
in Steamer Circles.

The announcement was posted on the
blackboards in front of all the offices along
steamboat row Sunday that rates to Sc
attic had been cut The fun started by
someone first putting the words cheap
rates" on the Seattle board. Then, to
keep even, the men in the other offices
posted "cut rates."
However. the Seattle office was the only
one open during the dav, and although
Agent E. Toby Pope got all the passen-
gers in sight, it took him hours OF extra
time explaining that the other lines had no
ships in port, and that the rates were not
cut and that he would have to charge
standard rates.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21
Complete Surrender.

Dom Paul Kruger has not Surrendered,
but have. did not believe nv ad in
the morning paper would create the inter
est it has. Those fountain and stylo-
graphic pens worth 81 that | am closing
out at soc created small commotion, but
when put these solid gold pens with
exquisite pearl holders in the window at
SOC, worth from two to four dollars. then
the rush came and think about one day
more will close them out. Don't forget
the holidays are coming.
Keelar's Diamond Palace,
9th Avenu. near State.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21

Drink Red Star bottled beer. he finest
on the market. S2 per dozen, delivered,
telephone 40.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21

Call and inspect the new Autumn line of
clothing at Chenev's Boston Store. If
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21
WORK On CA|LkOOI
MILL NOT STOP
Defeat of Franchise Does
Not Alter Plans.
DYEA DOCK PURCHASED
Permanent Location Survey Is Being
Prosecuted, and Kinney Says
Grading Will Commence Before
September 1-Plans Completed.

Promoter l.. d. Kinney of the Chilkoot
Pass Railway, the Lynn Canal Shore Line
and the Arctic Construction Company
saws there will be a railroad built from
Skagway to Lake Bennett via the Chill
koot pass Notwithstanding the attitude OF
the British Columbia provincial govern
ment, He is corroborated by President
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21

Some swell patterns in suits Just re-
ceived at Cheney's Boston Store.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21
New Time Card in Eject.

The new time card of the w P. & Y.
went into effect Yesterday morning. The
train from White Horse was several min
utes late, but Is expected to hereafter run
closer to schedule.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-08-21

Fine grade Cumberland coal. Stock up
for fall and winter. Big lot on hand.
Pacific Coast company. I'm
Carpets in great variety at Peoples. S 5tf
The Pioneer cigar factory of Skagway,
wholesale cigar and smokers supplies. II
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-11-07
Haines Telephone to Be In
 Operation By Dec. 15.
CONNECT WITH BENNETT
F. o. Caswell Has a Force of Men at Work on the Haines Telephone Have Purchased the Lines From Dyea to the Summit and Will Continue It to Bennett.

Work on the telephone line 10 Haines was started yesterday morning just south of Skagwav, across the bay, by force of men under the direction of E. Valentine. The line is expected to be completed before Dec. IS. Manager CasweI said vester- day that Wm. Workman ot Dvea had pur- oh ased the lines from Dvea to the summit and would operate them In connection with the Haines line. They have also secured the right to use the Chlkoot railway line between here and Dvea. In referring to just what he was doing Mr. CaswelI said:
 ''Work was started on the Haines line today and it is expected to be finished by the 18th of Dece mber. shall expend S2oo or $500 on the construction and will then call upon the merchants for the sI,25o sut- sidv.
 "Wm.W Workman, of Dvea has purchased the two lines from Dvea to the summit and they are now being overaauled and re- paired to be operated in connection with the line to Haines. We have made an agreement whereby he is to take stock in the whole concern for payment for the lines to the Chilkoot summit
 The line will be extended from the summit to Bennett ank before long we hope to give Skagwav communication with the interior by way of Dvea.
 "The line between here and Dvea, owned the Chilkoot railway will be used by us and we may possibly build a line of our own.
 Supplies are coming from below shortly but until they arrive some wire which Was recently purchased from the Chikoot rail- way will be used. We have in all about six miles of wire. .-...s.,..,4.s,-.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-11-07
THE CONSOLATION PRIZE.
The Nebraskan Will Get Something Anyhow to Remind Him That He Was a sCandidate--The Cup Will Be Mounted With a Porcupine Nugget and Be Silver and Gold.

The Skagway democrats will present w. J. Bryan with a souvenir of the election just held in Skagway. It is proposed to mount silver loving cup with Porcupine gold nugget and ap- propriately engrave the cup, reciting t1e events of the. election and setting ,foith .. hns M 4 illssr r'y
 The idea of souvenir originated with w. E. Root, manager of the Broadway pharmacy, and was talked of last week when Bryan was ahead, but was dropped after Mckinley took the lead on Saturday and not discussed again until last night. The result of the final count determined them to carry it out, and it is said most of the money required has already been sub- scribed and promised. The silver cup and gold nugget will represent l6 to 1
 "The souvenir may never grace the White House." said a democrat last night, "but if it does not it will serve as sort of consolation prize. It will earn for Skagway the personal interest of an influential man, anyhow. whether he be the next president or not"
 P E. Kern will do the work.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-11-07
Yukon FrOze at Selwyn and
 Again Opened.
IS NOW MUCH WARMER
If River Does Not Freeze at Daw- son Today the Record of 1897
 Will Be Broken-Belief h Gen eral It Will Be Open Some Time

| The Yukon closed for short time near Selwvn Monday, when the thermometer touched 90 below, but it soon opened up again and is now open down the stream. The temperature has been steadily rising all along the line. The wind was from the south yesterday. and a general snow storm was being experienced throughout the entire length of the Yukon valley.
 As vet no word has been received in Skagwav of the rivers freezing over this side of Forty Mile, except the temporary stop of the floating ice at Selwvn Monday. and it IS generally believed that the warm CT weather will delay the close up few days longer.
 If the river passes today without freez- ing at Dawson, 1t will be the record fall. In 1897, the Yukon closed at Dawson on November 7. In 1898 t was November }, and last year, October g. The condition of the weather along the line yesterday lead to the belief at the railroad offices and at White Horse that the record would be broken this year.
 A cipher dispatch received by Canadian Customs Agent Busbv, on Monday, stated that the rlver was running full of ice and was momentarilv expected to close, but the weather moderated after that.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-11-07
MAYOR GARDEN MAY WIN
Clifford Thinks There Is a Chance
 for Conservative Candidate.

c. w. D. Clifford, member of the provincial parliament for the Cassiar district, is in Skagway, awaiting a steamer to the south. Mir. Clifford has been among his Atlin constituents on 8 political tour, though not in the inter. est of himself. He is campaigning this time for Mayor Garden, of Vancouver, who is candidate for seat in the Dominion parliament.
 Mir. Clifford is very popular in the Atlin district. Although that district is supposed to favor the liberal party Mir. Clifford, conservative, carried il by large majority last summer. How ever. partisan politics was not then an issue. Mr. Clifford's popularity with his constituents caused his selection to make the campaign for Vancouyer's ambitious mayor, who is conservative nom inee for parliament.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-11-07
Captain Moore Will Return
 Early Next Spring.
EXPECTS GREAT RESULTS
He Has Secured Several Claims Which He Thinks VsiH Develop Well-Next Year Onzy the Real Workers Will Be There Plenty Food and Fuel For Winter.

Captain Wm. Moore, the old Alaskan pioneer, who recently returned from a trip to Nome, said yesterday that while he spent very unprofitable summer there this year he expects to return early in the spring to work Iome prop erty that he. recently purch5sed.
 Ia An Interview he said; 4 z II didn't make any moniy at Nome .i xs '. 4 rrs..sxss # properties that will pay we'll when worked. The principal fault with that country this year was its crowded con- dition, but next year when the crowd is not there, and only real workers are left, expect great results.
 q expect about 5000 people to win ter in Nome. There are plenty of pro- visions and fuel. Wood is particularly scarce and will be used only for kindling It will sell for about $30 cord.
 "I left on the 18th of October, and up to that time there had not been any cold weather, but it was very wet.
 ''The storm demolished the entire water front and swept the sand spit clear of everything. had moved my goods from the spit only few days be- fore or would have lost all of them.
 q shall winter here and leave for Nome early next spring."
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-11-07
ADOPT STANDARD TIME
The Railroad Is Just One Hour
 Behind Pacific Time.

The railroad company has adopted stand ard Alaska time and all their trains are op- erated y it. The time is just one hour later than standard Pacific time, and is about six minutes faster than local or sun time at Skagwav.
 Officials of the road and others urge that the time be generally adopted. 1t is kept by P. E. Kerns chronometer and from him secured by the railroad people
 Capt. Hovey's morning and evening gun which is fired at 6:5o a. m. and AIS D. n. is by the sun time. Bv railroad time it is fired at 6:S6 a. m. and APT p. m.
The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-11-07
Elected oko.r..

The Arctic Brotherhood met last night in its hall on Broadway and elected officers for the next fiscal year. Considering the inclement weather the election was well attended.
 Following are the officers:
 Arctic chief. Capt. Hovev; vice arctic chief, Jas. NerSles; arctic re- corder. J. T. Hayne; keeper of nuggets, H. Holmes; artic chaplain, E. T. Pope; trustees, F. M. Woodrutf, E. Rudd, G. Chealander, F. B. Mcdonald and E. B. Quinn.