The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1914-08-27
AIN ALASKAN CELE-
BRATION OF The 4TH
(By A. B. Jonesl

In my last letter | had reached the
grand celebration of the Fourth of
July that was held at Fairbanks the
past summer. | have never enjoyed a
celebration any more than | did that.
We had ball games, horse races, motor
and chariot races and other games.
The sports lasted for three days and
nights. The saloons we're all running
but no gambling was allowed. | only
saw one drunk man during the time
and there was not single arrest.
During the celebration / saw an un-
usual sight. The speeches were deliv-
cred from a stage erected opposite the
grandstsnd and in front of a saloon.
The Declaration of Independence was
read and prayer was offered up. As
the minister lifted up his voice, asking
for blessings on Alaska, the saloon
keeper and all in the saloon came out
and with bowed heads joined in asking
the aid Of divine power. lhe minister
prayed for better things for all the
American people and especially for
Alaska, where liberal laws are needed.
Alaska asks for but little and has
much TO offer in return.
During this scene | meditated and
wondered what the people outside of
Alaska would have thought could they
have been there. Judge Irwin was the
chief speaker, delivering an eloquent,
patriotic Grafton. Among other things
he said that we had had two or three
presidents who had made pledges be-
fore election but had turned Alaska
down. But now President Wilson has
signed the bill that will give US a rail-
road. 'Ho has put the key in the
worlds greatest treasure box," he
said, land the wealth that will flow
out will surprise Uncle Sam. Alaska
is land Of big things. 1t will be the
biggest state in the Union some day.
1t has the largest gold mines, the larg-
est copper mines. the largest coal
mines and the largest tin mines in the
world. In addition it has an enormous
amount of land ready for agricultural
purposes.
The people of Fairbanks went wild
with JOY, when it was learned that the
bill had been signed. A great
parade was held, men, women and
participating, Money was
subscribed for /. present for President
Wilson. A walrus tooth ink stand was
decided upon. 1t was covered with |
gold nuggets. A pen holder, pen and
pencil were also made. Every article
was made in Fairbanks, and was dis
played in one of the windows of jew |
eler. 1t was a beautiful present and |
well represents the generous nature of |
Alaska citizens.
The government has 1000 acre ex-
pertinent farm near Fairbanks. How |
ever. only 1870 acres are improved. 1t |
is all sown to grain, the most of which |
is cut for hay. But enough is allowed |
to ripen to show what can be done in |
that far north country. Seed produced |
in Alaska has been more productive in |
yield than that shipped in. Hogs, |
sheep, chickens, ETC., all thrive there |
and pay at the prices received. But |
there is no famine in Alaska. A few |
gardens near town furnish plenty of |
vegetables. About 30 homesteads were |
taken this spring at the land office in
About Is had been taken |
previous to that time. Thousands of
awaiting the filing of en-
terprising men, are available in the |
Tsnanah. Yukon, Kuskoniam and Cooks
Inlet valleys. A homesteader can take
800 acres. A colony of Norwegians |
has settled in one of the valleys. The |
conditions are very similar to those of |
their old country, but they get better
prices for their product and there is no |
doubt that they will be successful
We saw several parties of govern
ment surveyors at work. The route
was surveyed seven years ago, and |
nothing difficult was found. The rail-
road will make possible the transporta-
tion of coal and will connect the liver
lines already operating. AS soon as
The government selects the point on the
coast from which the railroad will
start, watch out for a stampede.
twenty thousand people will be there
he first year. But one railway can
never handle the Transportation of
Alaska's products, and you may expect
)ther roads to be constructed.
The question is asked. ''Will the rail
way pay?" Anyone knowing the re-
sources of Alaksa anwsers that it will.
The White Pass railway is 100 miles
ong, and the most expensive railroad
aver built in America, but it paid for
tself in one year. And those best
posted on Alaksa say that the proposed
'oad will do the same. Alaska was
fought for $7200,000. 1t has already
Iaid from its mines, fisheries and furs
800, 900, 900. Judge Wickersham, who
s Alaska representative in congress
md the best posted man in the country
IN Alaska, says that the wealth already
AIKEN out may be compared to a small
Irop of water out of a large bucketful.
In Alaska there is very little land
hat can be cultivated Immediately.
he country for the most part is COW
red with heavy moss that must first
'e burned off before plow will work.
he ground does not thaw out until af-
er this moss is burned off. But as
oon as the moss is removed grass
prings up mostly wild red-top, which
makes fine hay. In many places excel.
ent wild meadows are found. At Tan
nah crossing is meadow about 80
niles long and nearly that wide. The
most of this is still vacant land But
With the railroad will come the farmer,
nd great surprise awaits him, when
e sees how little he knows about this
ountry. He will find homes, gardens
nd flowers, good schools and churches
n the towns.
Our return journey took l6 days, as
We had the strong current of the river
o buck against. AS soon as we reached
,kagway we took the steamer home.
here were 25O passengers on board,
most of them Alaskans returning to
he States. They were a happy lot,
nd the bill of fare was the best we
ould get. The ship was supplied with
wireless system and we had paper
ublished each morning. Ketchikan
vas the last place in Alaska at which
Ge stopped. We left with regrets and
s we looked back we could say:
ooh Alaska. my Alaska, the land |
ove so well. The sky, the trees, the
luffs, the breeze, the mountains and
he dell, The fish and birds, the Carl