The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-27
A LAW THAT KILLS
q. S. Mining Laws Not Suited to
Alaska, Say Alaskans.
DEATH IN PROTECTION OF CLAIMS
Facts About the Winter in and
About Nome Told by Chas.
/ A. Mitchell.

Charles A. Mitchell, writing from Nome
OF life in the fer north for the past win
ser, says blizzards were less severe IN
Nome than for the winter previous, He
writes. ..s. H..' '.-..,.
The billiards of this winter were not so
bad at Nome they were in the winter OF
1900-1901, but on the vast tundra fields on the
outside OF the camp they were If anything
more severe than those of last winter. Many
cases Of freezing resulted. The most pathetic
case was that Of GeorSs H Carpenter. a we'll
known newspaper man Of Nome. who, while
on trip to Candle creek with three compan-
ions, was caught in one OF these terrible bllz-
yards. and, becoming helpless from the colo
and unable to pursue his way, begged MS
companions to leave him and save them
selves. He crawled into his sleeping bag,
and the two others, unable to oo anything for
him by remaining. pushed on to seek ASSIST
ance. After several hours fierce battling WITH
the elements, they managed to reach road
house, where thev dropped exhausted at the
door. Rough but kind hands took them In,
and when they made known the facts OF their
unfortunate comrades plight, searching
party was Immediately organized headed by
these poor men who were both badly frozen,
and after seventytwo bours searcn poor
Carpenter was found in an unconscious conol-
tion he having lain all that time IN MS sleep
ing bag in the snow with which they hao
covered
pushed his hands and arms through the snow.
In this way he was found. his hands and arms
frozen as stiff and as solid marble.
The intrepid miners who rescued him, not
being able to secure the proper medical as
sstance at that point, revived him from the
swoon into which he had fallen, an9 hastily
hitched up a deg team and started with al
dispatch for Nomel He reached mere the
night Of the charity ball The best medical
attendance the camp could afford was given
him. Both hands and both feet
frozen called for the ampu'atlon
of those limbs. For some re"
days after the operation he seemed to rally,
but his fate was the same as that OF all
others who are severely frozen in northwest
arm Alaska He became stark. staring mao'
and May IS death came as happy reile1 from
his sufferngs A number of other cases slml-
lar to this have occurred. In every instance
the unfortunate victim became insane.
Until congress sees fit to amend the mining
laws so they will become applicable 10 'n,s
northern country, just so long Will tne FOL
of victims be added to year by year ana WIN
ter after winter. The law throwing Ailne
ground open for relocation on JAN oS 'rea-
son of failure TO do annual assessment "orh
is not applicable to this country congress
should in the interest OF humanity cnange
this date to May 1, that 80 many llVeS VIII
not have to be sacrificed in the terrlole oilz
zards that ABOUT the nTSL Ol -he Sooi
making It almost impossible for man or dog
to travel.
Supplies Plentiful.
Provisions generally have been in good sup
ply and very low in price. We have had no
eggs for several months. and every sour
dough is smacking his lips in anticipation
of the eggs that the first boats will bring in.
One enterprising woman brought in bunch
Of chickens last summer an6 kept them IN
the house ali winter, with the result that she
had few fresh eggs to sell They sell read
tly at 50 cents apiece Coal has averaged s4o
besn short Other food has been plentiful.
= In 1899 there were comparatively no children
in the camp. In 1900 there were but few,
but last season witnessed the metamorphosls
of Nome mining camp. and with this the ad-
vent of the children, so that at the present
time there are several hundred children OF all
ages in our midst Our school department.
under the able management Of Professor j. A
Riley former California educator, cares
for 125 pupils. divided into high school, gram
mar and primary grades. Our main school is
a substantial affair. erected at a cost OF
nearly $4,000. This. together with two other
Buildings harbors all our school children.
Society Life.
OF balls and parties there have been several.