The Alaska citizen. (Fairbanks, Alaska) 1910-1917, 1914-10-12
GEORGE F. BEMIS

OF all the TEAMMATES who are
enthusiastic about their city and
over the possibilities OF her future.
the booster of boosters is George +
Bemis. In fact. the citizens OF
Tanaua generally have conceded
him the first place in all things
civic. as he is now their mayor for
the second time and is the president
Of the Tanana Chamber OF Com
merce.
Mr.. Bemis is the proprietor OF
.he only jewelry store in Tanana
and therefore enjoys a good bust
ness in that line. However, he Is
never so busy with his work but
that he finds time 10 attend to
other affairs connected with the
municipality or for that matter
with individuals.
The town of Tanana realizes that
she owes what she is in a munICip-
al way to Mayor Bemis He il was
who although strong heht was
made against it. persisted in in
cooperating the town. who finally
pushed the measure through. and
who now has no stronger friends
or more ardent admirers than most
of those who opposed him at that
time.
Mr.. Bemis first came to Tanana
in the fall Of 1908. At that time
he was enroute TO the then new
town Of Fairbanks, but the boat
he was travelling on was unable TO
90 up the ranana on account OF
the heavy run Of ice. Tanana at
that time was an army town, only
one or two trading posts having
been established. Mr. BemiS
II erefore, proceeded on to Fair
banks the next spring
The next time the mayor hit
Tanana was in 1910 when he was
on his way TO Iditarod. However,
looking about him. he saw that the
town had grown considerably in
his absence and. realizing that II
had possibilities. decided to locate.
He therefore opened up his jewelry
store and has been here since.
Chiefly 10 the efforts of Mr..
Bemis was due the recent reorSanl-
cation OF tho Tanana Chamber OF
Commerce. Long before he was
prominent in municipal affairs. and
before Tanana was incorporated. the
citizens banded themselves into a
body for the purpose of promoting
the welfare of the city but when
the incorporation was effected. most
OF the members of the civic organi-
cation let loose all holds. feeling
that il was better to let the NUM-
cipality do the work. Not so with
Bems who. although he was bur
dened by numerous civic and bust
ness duties, found time to boost
for the reorganization of the Cham
Der OF Commerce and the forward
ing Of the interests of the town in
commercial way. AT length per
sistence won out and Mr.. Bemis.
with the aid of a number of other
equally enterprising spirits, succeed
ed in effecting the reorganization.
He was elected to the presidency
OF the club at its second meeting.
or at the session when the election
OF officers was in order
One of Mr. Bemis' pet hopes is
TO secure the terminal of the Alaska
railroad for Tanana. To that end
he has already been in correspond
ence with some of the highest of
ficials Of the United States govern
ment and las been assured by thea
that investigation of his claims for
this city as the best place for
terminal. will be made.
Mr. Bemis also has other great
ambitions for Tanana and the coun-
try surrounding. His hopes are
not merely couched in words. as
he has shown his faith by his
works In fact. he is even now
preparing for the construction of
$4,000 fire proof building. work on
which will start next spring.
Mr.. Bemis is now serving his second
term as mayor of Tanana and from
all accounts he will be offered tn"
Job at the next election. He was
not given the chief city executives
popular vote. as he did not receive
the highest number Of votes, How
ever. his comrades of the city coun
Gil considered him the best man for
the place and he was elected by
10 .ix,tr 40