The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-11
FAIRFIELD
< Spectacular Fire-Dr. Potterton's Lec'
 ture-A Trip Through Alaska-The Two Flags Scarlet Fever.

The inhabitants of the, center or the
 bown were startled at about six o'clock
 bn Tuesday evening by a very bright
 hglt in the. north, which flashed up
 against tho dark sky. and then died
 Down only to flash up again. It was
 Ihought a part of Bridgeport must be
 hni Are; and as the whistle did not
 blow the usual alarm. although MT.
 Boyle had his auto ready to haul the
 ehemical engine and the pumps where r kVer needed, the conclusion was reacn-
 that the fire must be a longs ways off.
 If appears however. that a passing
 train set the tall and dry grass on fire
 In tho vicinity of Osborn hill. and that It spread with great rapidity. notw1th-
 ktanding the snow had begun to fall.
 Ehe fire was in swamp not far from
 tfle residences of the Wakeman family.
 and not far from the barns of MT.
 shultie. The neighbors all turned out
 kxtinguish the flames including the
 Burrs, the Wakemans. the Shult1es,
 and the Rykers as well as number
 of young men who were skating on
 three, feet high and burned furiously,
 md at one time it was feared some bodys barns and hayStacks might be
 consumed It is estimated that from to 8 acres were burned over.
 At least a trolley car load of people WcnL over IO 0OuLnpOIl 1OCoo1J OSSfA
 ing to listen to a lecture on Alaska, at the Peduot library by Dr. T. E. Pot terton, who hos spent several years in that country. The large auditorium of the library was well filled. many of the audience being pupils of the public bchools. Dr. Potterton threw upon the
 bcreen many magnificent and interest ing views of that wierd and strange country. The doctor first gave brief sketch Of the purchase of Alaska. tell Ing how in the spring of 1884 the third charter of the Russian American Com pany was about to expire. and the company being deeply in debt. wished khe Russian government to bear the cost of maintaining authority in Alas ka This Russia was unwilling to do,
 since she was herself hard pressed for money and received no revenue from Alaska. A new charter for the com bany was refused. and it having come ko the knowledge of Secretary Seward that some men in San Francisco were proposing to get a lease of Alaska for Do years for some five million of dol lars, it occurred to MT. Seward that it would be worth while for the United States to purchase the whole country. This he accomplished by paying Rus sia the sum of $7,200,0 900 in gold. The bargain was consummated in May, 1867. and was brought under the American nag on the 18th of October of the same year. When Russia sold out she sup posed she was transferring to the K ankees nothing but her good will. large wilderness of mountains. tundra moore and about 1000 poor simple na- lives. The area of Alaska is 512.OO0 Equare miles. equal to one sixth Of the entire extent of the United States. Uhere is a bewildering indentation and endless length of coast. thousands of Islands and inlets. numerous volcanoes end towering peaks and a maze Of large and small rivers.
 pr. Potterton first threw upon the screen the steamboat in which tour fists sail along the coast of the great country. For two days one passes by Che coast of British Columbia. which presents the same endless spruce for ests with peaks of the Coast Range From eight to 10000 feet high. Going north the scenery becomes more like tine f1ords on the coast of NorWay. Many deep .ravines are noticed in vast tecesses In the mountains. scooDed out by the, old glaciers. Here and there, along the shore. one sees the rude hutS Df trappers and hunters. Gulls. looms and scoters are seen at long intervals. tAt Fort Wrangell is a shabby town, These were shown to the audience. Devils Thumb. on the right of jWrangle Bay. is 1900 feet high, and rises from the top of a mountain 00o feet high. At Juneau are the famous mines. with some 800 stamps Tn operation in the mills. which crush 1 Q 900 tons of quartz rock every day. sThese stamping mills were thrown up- m the screen. pr. PottertOn said that 1 the Guggenheims now own or control vast tracts of gold bearing land. and | that there is little chance for an in dividuaI prospector to make @ living. | IA portarit of Miss Kate Ryan was shown, who is the government inspec- 1 tor of gold. two per cent. being paid to the government. The noise of these | crushing mills is so great that the Falls of Niagara seem but hum in | comparison. At Skagway the tides are as to IS feet. A long pier. running out Into the sea, is crowded with people | when the boat arrives. boys shouting, | girls in bicycle dresses. hotel runners 9nd those who are waiting for friends one can now go on a railroad excur- sion rom Skagway to the top of White eass. Fl miles distant. and thence on TO Lake Bennett. This train was snoWn upon the screen. For the most part the road runs on a shelf of rock IStOp it! Why c II Stop cOuQhinol Co,rohino rasnS