The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-11
DICTATOR JARVIS, OF NOME.
How lie Cleaned Ont the ThuGs-Has
Nerve and Readiness.

nerve ana NeAutnehs
From the Saturday Evening Post
There Is one little man up at Nome
whose word is law. He has not as high a
legal standing as a town constable, but
by common consent he rules the camp
an amiable tyrant. II the tough popIla-
ton needs to be subdued, Jarvis does the
subduing. If money is wanted for the
public welfare, Jarvis announces how
much he win require, and 1t Is produced.
If an epidemic is to be averted, 1t is
Jarvis who issues the quarantine orders.
Lieut.. ID, II. Jarvis-for that is his name
is an officer In the revenue cutter SER
vice and is scarcely IS years old His po-
sition has kept him in Alaska for the
greater part Of the past ten years. aud
he thoroughly knows the country. There
are few Esqulmaux along the whole coast
whom he cannot call by name.
Eastern people first heard Of him two
years ago, when he made his great dash
over the winter SHOWS to Point Barrow
with relief for the ice-bound whaIers.
Arctic explorers have not yet ceased to
talk about that journey. But people who
knew the young officer merely said
That's like Jarvis"
When the rush to Nome commenced
the United States Treasury Department
decided to send man there to act as
agent of the customs bureau, and Jarvis
was dispa tched on the mission. His work
began as soon az he stepped ashore Nome
was overrun with murderers and thugs
VINO had taken refuge there from all cor
ners Of the earth The town was terror
lied. The law was powerless Jarvis had
hardly landed before the better class OF
miners hunted him up as an old friend
and explained the situation. Would he
ri he t.off 81 tt.a
Certainly" said Lieut.. Jarvis. although
he had no more authority than had the
'longshoreman@ on the beach. But lack of
authority did not bother him. That very
day he rounded up about a hundred OF
the worst q cters and placed them I'M
der guard Oh ...e beach. Then he made a
little speech.
Gentlemen" he said, as softly 20
though he were addressing a prayer meet
ing, I'm going to ship you out OF camp.
and | don't believe that II would be
healthy for any of you to return"
What right have you got TO drive us
out of camp" roared the astonished men.
You've got no right at all, you little
bald-faced Kid" Jarvis. II should be ex-
planned has the face OF a church and a
physique as fraiI in appearance as
girrs.)
Maybe not, maybe not" answered the
young lieutenant renectively, but you
are going. just the same"
A vessel was in the harbor without
more ado Lieut.. Jarvis assisted by the
better class of miners proceeded to load
the bad men on board. The ship sailed
away with the cargo OF angry criminals,
and they never came back 40 Nome.
That was the lieutenants first expeti-
ence at Nome. Theneeforth he was, by
common consent. made the dictator OF
the place. He had no liking for the role
but was ready to act when the occasion
demanded.
When a steamer with smallpox aboard
sailed into port Nome was almost mar
alyzed with fear. Among a population OF
10000 people, living under the most un-
sanitary conditions the disease would
STAY hundreds and thousands should II get
foothold. The people on the ship were
preparing to come ashore. when Jarvis
padded out to the vessel Climbing
aboard he found the captain
IL was no time for soft speeches. You
must put this ship and these people in
quarantine over on that island" said the
lieutenant simply.
WHO the blazes are you, and what au-
tnority have YOU got over me?" demand
ed the astonished sailorman
Wen talk about that after awhile"
sold Jarvis. but just now I'm going to
put you In quarantine" The captain and
passengers were furious and threatened
to throw Jarvis overheard, but the little
fellow stood his ground, and by sheer
force of will made the vessel 60 into
quarantine.
But there was need for hospital. also.
and for a detention camp, to care for the
passengers. That meant money. and Jar
Wis had none. So he went offhand to one
OF the big commercial companies doing
business at Nome.
II need $4,000 to put up some buildings"
he said. The money was handed over tn
him, the hospitals were built. and Nome
was spared the ravages of the plague.
-~--9s-e---~-
IT. p. OConnor saws that Sir Andrew