davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-08-03

AS Il matter of fact, dogs were not
cheap, and Walsh should have been in
bed at this hour. Murray walked on
wondering what the fellow could be
up to.
Later he came upon d laborer dicker-
ing with Il Kyak Indian over the price
OF a fur robe, and in front of a bunk
house he found other members Of the
night crew talking earnestly with two
lately arrived strangers. They fell ST.
lent as he approached and responded
to his greeting with a peculiar nervous
eaSerness, staring after him curiously
as he passed ON.
He expected DR.. Gray out from
Omar, but as he neared the track he
met Mellen. The bridge superintend-
ent engaged him briefly upon some de-
tail, then said:
II don't know what's the matter
with the men this morning. They're
loafng."
"Loafing? Nonsense. You expect
too much"
Mellen shook his head. "The minute
my back is turned they begin to gos-
sip. I've had to call them down.
Perhaps they want a holiday"
They're not that kind. There's
something in the air.
While they were speaking the morn
ing train pulled in, and O'Neil was sur
prised to see at least a dozen towns
people descending from it. They were
In9fnrS Sa1n0n frC~,1oytoro TO-. +hD
most part, and, oddly enough, they
had with them dogs and sleds and all
the equipment for travel. He was pre-
vented from making inquiry, however,
by a shout from Dr.. Gray, who cried:
Hey, chief. Look who's here.
O'Neil fastened forward with a
greeting upon his lips, for Stanley was
helping Eliza and Natalie down from
the caboose which served as a passen-
ger coach.
The young women. becomingly clad
IN their warm winter furs, made a pic
ture good to look upon. Natalie had
ripened wonderfully since her mar.
rage, and added to her rich dark
beauty there was now an elusive
sweetness, a warmth and womanliness
which had been lacking before. AS
for eliza, she had never appeared more
sparkling, more freshly wholesome and
saucy than on this morning.
I'VE came to take pictures" she an
nounced. I'VE want to see if the
bridge suits us"
Don't You believe her. Mr.. O'Neil,"
said Natalie. Dan told us you were
working too hard. so Eliza insisted on
taking you in hand. I'm here merely
in the office of chaperon and common
scold. You have been OVERRIDING.
You're positively haggard."
Gray nodded. HE won't mind me.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-08-03
You think Gordon

" ~ doluoI
Il don't know. But we've got rock
men on this job who'll recognize ore
out OF any mine they ever worked in.
GO lind them, then come back here and
hold the line open for Dan"
suppose he can't locate these fel.
lows in Cortez?"
"Ihen- Let's not think about that"
The news of O'Neil's attitude spread
quickly, and excitement grew among
he workmen. Up through the chill
darkness of early evening they came
charging. They were noisy and eager,
and when the gong summoned them to
supper they rushed the messhouse in
bolSterouS good humor.
THESE men, be it said. We're not those
who had struck earlier in the season
at the behest of Gordon's emissary.
Linn, but fellows whose loyalty and
industry We're unquestioned. Their re-
fuSal to stampede at the first news was
PROOF OF their devotion, yet any one
who has lived in q mining community
knows that nc loyalty of employee to
employer is strong enough to with
stand for long the feverish excitement
of a gold rush.
Long before the hour when O'Neil
appeared the low rooted m~esshouse
was crowded.
Natalie and Eliza, knowing the i'm
portance of this crisis, refused to so
home and begged Murray to let them
attend the meeting. Mr.. Blaine, who
also felt the keenest concern in the
outcome, offered to escort them, and
at last with some difficulty he man
aged to wedge them inside the door,
where they apprehensively scanned the
gathering.
Murray had no Skill as Il public
speaker in the ordinary sense; he at,
tempted no oratorical tricks and ad-
dressed his workmen in Il matter of
fact tone.
Boys" he began, there has been a
gold strike at the head Of the White
river and you want to so. I don't
blame YOU; I'd like to go myself if
there's any chance to make money"
You're all right, boss" shouted some
one. and Il general laugh attested the
crowds relief at this acceptance of the
inevitable. They had expected argu-
ment, despite the contrary assurances
they had received.
Now, we all want an even break.
We want to know all there is to know.
so that a few fellows won't have the
advantage of the rest. The strike is
800 miles away. It's winter and-you
know what that means. l talked with
Baker and Thorn this afternoon. |
want them to tell you just what they
told me-"
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-08-03

these two men aren't altogether to
blame; they're acting under orders.
Isn't that right:' he asked Thorn.
The miner hesitated, until the grip
in his hair tightened; then. evidently
fearing the menace in the faces on ev-
cry side, he decided to seek protection
in a complete confession.
eyes" he agreed sullenly. Gordon
cooked it up. It's all Il fake"
O'Neil nodded with satisfaction.
This is the second time he's tried to
get my men away from me-"
"You fellows don't seem able to pro-
tect yourselves, so Doc and l will have
to do it for you. Now %listen,' he con-
tinued more gravely. 81 meant it
when I said I'd open the commissary
and help you OUT if the strike were
genuine; but, nevertheless, 1 want you
to know just what it would have
meant to me I haven't enough mon
ey to complete the S. r. and n, and 1
can't raise enough, but 1 have signed
an option to sell the road if the bridge
is built by next spring. It's really a
IWo years JOD. anu some engineers
don't believe it can be built at all, but
I know it can if you'll help. If we
fail I'm ruined; if we succeed'-he
waved his hands and smiled at them
cheerfully-'maybe We'll build anoth-
err railroad somewhere. That's what
this stampede meant. Now, will you
stick to me?"
The answer roared from a hundred
threats:
you bet We'll stick!!'
When general good feeling was re-
stored Murray attempted to make his
way out, but his men seemed determin-
ed to thank him one by one, and he was
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-08-03

just entered the room and was sIgnal-
ing to bis chief. and O'NeiI realized
tina he must score a triumph quickly
if he wished to lold the attention of
his men. He resumed gravely:
IF this strike was genuine wouldn't
argue, but it isn't" \ confusion of
startled protests rose: the two miners
burst out Indignantly. But O'Neil,
raising his voice for the first time,
managed TO make himself heard.
Those jewelry samples came from
Nevada" he cried. Il recognized them
myself this afternoon, and here's an
other fellow who can't be fooled.
Thorn told you he used to work in
Goldheld. You can draw your own
conclusions"
The temper of the crowd changed
instantly. Jeers, groans. Kisses arose.
The men We're on their feet now and
growing noisier every moment. Baker
and Thorn were glaring balefully at
their u But Gray succeeded in
s~houldering his way forward and wills
pered to O'Ncil, who turned suddenly
and faced the men again.
Just a minute" he shouted. You
heard Thorn say he and Baker went
prospecting i'll August. Well, we've
just had Cortez on the cable and learn
that they were working for Gordon UNI
til two weeks ago" A sudden silence
fell. Murray smiled down at the two
strangers. What do you say to that?'
Ihorn flew into Il purple rage. Its
a mean lie. He's afraid you'll Quit
work, fellows Viciously he flung
himself toward the door, only to feel
the grasp of the muscular physician
upon his arm.
Listen to this message from the
cashier Of the Cortez Home bank.w bel
lowed Gray, his big voice dominating
the uproar. Undisturbed by his pris-
oner's struggles, he read loudly:
Joe Thorn and Henry Baker quit work
18th. leaving for Fairbanks over winter
trail, With five dogs-four gray and white
malemutes. black shepherd leader. Thorn
medium size, thirty-five. red hair. Baker
dark, scar on cheek, WILSON,
Cashier.
The doctors features spread into a
broad grin. You've all seer the dog
team, and here's the red hair" His
myers sunk into his prisoners fiery
locks with a grip that threatened to
leave him a scalp for a trophy. Thorn
cursed and twisted.
The crowds allegiance had been
quick to Shift, but it veered back to
ONeil with equal s~uddenness.
"Bunko!" yelled Il hoarse voice. after
q brief hush.
Lynch 'em!" cried another, and the
angry clamor burst forth anew.
Don't be foolish" shouted Murray;
nobody has been hurt"
Wed have been on the train to.
morrow. Send 'em down the river
barefoot"
Yes! What about that gang from
Omar?"
I'm afraid they'll have to take care
Of Themselves O'Neil said. But
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-08-03

l hope you'll abuse him we'll. Go at
him hammer and tongs."
Ignoring Murray's smiling assertion
that he was the only man in camp
who really suffered from idleness, the
girls pulled him about and examined
him critically, then fell to discussing
him as if be were not present.
Hes Worn to the bone,' said Eliza.
did you ever see anything like his
wrinkles? He looks like a dried ap-
ple," Natalie declared.
Dan says he doesn't eat"
Probably he's too busy to chew his
food. Well make him Fletcherize"-
And eat soup. Then We'll mend his
underclothes. I'll warrant he doesn't
dress properly"
GLOW much sleep does he get?' Nata-
lie queried Of the physician.
about half IS much as he needs"
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-08-03

wv YITH the completion of the rail
WM/ road to the glacier crossing
there came to it Il certain
amount of travel. consisting
mainly of prospectors bound to and
from the interior. The Cortez winter
trail was open, and over it passed most
of the traffic from the northward min
ing camps, but now and then Il frost
rlmmed stranger emerged from the
canyon above O'NeilS terminus with
tales of the gold country or a venture
some sledge party snowshoed its way
inland from the end of the track. Muir
ray made Il point OF hauling these trail
erS on his construction trains and of
feeding them in his camps as freely as
he did his OWL men. In time the wa
vering line of sled tracks became fairly
we'll broken. and scarcely a week pass
ed without bringing several "mushers."
One day as O'NeiI was picking his
way through the outskirts of the camp
he encountered one Of his night fore
men and was surprised to see that the
fellow was leading a trail dog by a
chain. Now these malamutes are as
much a part Of the northland as the
winter SHOWS, and they are a common
sight in every community, but the
mans patent embarrassment challeng-
ed Murray's attention; he acted as if
he had been detected in a theft or a
breach Of duty.
Hello. Walsh. Been buying some
live stock:" O'Neil inquired.
Yes. sir. | picked up this dog
cheap"
Harness, too, eh?" Murray noted
that Walsh'S arms We're full Of gear
enough, indeed. for Il full team. Know
ing that the foreman owned no dogs,
he. asked half banteringly:
You're not getting ready for n trip.
i hope"'
mo. sir. Not exactly, sir. The dog
was chean, 50 IL Just bought him"
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-08-03
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Fake Is Exposed.

"HL W. miners We're thrust for
ward. and the embarrassed
Thorn, who had acted as spokes-
man, was boosted to a table.
Under Murray's encouragement he
stammered out the story Of his good
fortune. the tale running straight
enough to fan excitement into a blaze.
There was no disposition to doubt, for
news of this sort is only too sure of
credence.
When the speaker had finished O'Neil
inquired:
Are you an experienced quartz min
err? Do you know ore when you
seeit"'
Sure! 1 worked in the Jumbo, at
Goldtleld, New. up to last year. SO
did Baker,"
When did you go into the White
river country?"
August"
How did you go in|'
We packed in. When our grub ran
out we killed our horses and cached
the meat for dog feed"
rs there any other dog feed there?"
mo, sir"
Any people?"
Not q soul. The country is open to
the first comers. It's Il fine looking
country too. We seen quartz indica-
tons everywhere. 1 reckon this speaks
for itself" Thorn significantly held up
bis ore samples. We've made our To-
~rations. You fellows is welcome to
the rest. First come. first served"
There was an eager scramble for the
specimens on the part of those nearest
the speaker. After Il moment Murray
asked them:
Did you fellows ever see any rock
like that?"
One of his workmen answered:
II have"
"Where%"
In the Jumbo, at GoldEeld. L high
graded there in the early days."
There was a laugh at this. Thorn
flushed angrily. We'll" he rejoined.
we've got the same formation over
there in the White river. It's just like
Goldfield. It'll be the same kind of a
camp, too, when the news gets out"
ONeil broke in smoothly to say:
Most of our fellows have no dogs.
1t will take them three weeks to cover
the trail. They'll have to spend three
weeks in there, then three weeks more
coming %out-over two months alto
gether. They can't haul enough grub
to do them" He turned to his employ
ees and said gravely: You'd better
think it over, boys. Those who have
teams can make it, but the rest Of you
will get left. Do you think the chance
is worth all that work and sufering?"
The bridge workers shifted uncom-
fortably on their feet. Then a voice
exclaimed:
Don't worry. boss. Well make it
somehow"
Thorn says there's nobody over
there" Murray continued. But that
seems strange, for 1 happen to know
Of half q dozen outfits at the head Of
the White river. Jack Dalton has had
a gang working there for four years."
Dalton was a famous character in
the north, one of the most intrepid Of
the early pioneers, and the mention Of
his name brought a hush. A large part
Of the audience realized the truth of
O'Neirs last statement, yet resented
having it thrust upon them. Thorn.
and Baker were scowling. Gray had
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-08-03

"Say, Chimmie, what yer suppose
dat guy Aladdin did when he rubbed
his lamp and er palace sprung upE
HE rubbed his lamps ter see If he
wasn't dreamin', a course."-Boston
TRANSCRIPT.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-08-03
Rubbed Again.

CONTINUED Next week.)
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-08-03
CHAPTER XIX.
a New Crisis.

wv YITH the completion of the rail
W/N/ road to the glacier crossing
Wv there came to it Il certain
The Cordova daily times., 1916-02-09
r [ W ALASkANS AT NATIONAL
 CAPITAL

The correspondent of the Post-In- telligencer in Washington says that a curious fact, which sets this session of Congress apart from any other in recent years, is the marked absence of Alaskans Ever since the Klondike days, and down to this session, each winter has witnessed the gathering in Washington of numerous Alaskans and Seattle people interested in Alas ka But since the passage of the railroad bill, when they gathered in force to work for the measure. they have been dwindling in number and only one or two. like such veterans as Falcon Joslin and D. A. Mckenzie, have been seen about the capital this winter
 And although the session is we'll advanced. Delegate Wickersham has not started single fight. which also is record breaking. And further, the delegate seems to have no intention of starting anything,
 The writer comments on the fact that at times past Alaskans were usu- ally divided into rival camps. This session there is not enough of them in the capital to make one good camp, which may account for the prevailing peace.
The Cordova daily times., 1916-02-09
Republican Convention Meets
 At Seward On April l9

aries will be held on March II, and the qualification Of voters is a pledge to support the nominees of the conven- tion. Each judicial division was al lowed sixty delegates to the conven- tion. A resolution prevailed that in future the apportionment will be based on the highest vote cast for Repub- lican candidate at the November cleo tion.
 Chairman Heron will at once issue the call for the Territorial Conven- tion, for the purpose of nominating a candidate for Delegate to Congress and Attorney General. It will also provide for the election of two dele gates and two alternates to the Chi cago convention and a National Com mitteeman.
The Cordova daily times., 1916-02-09
COMMERCE GOES UP ACCOUNT
 COPPER

SEATTLE, Feb. s. - Collector of Customs James F. Pugh in his annual report to the department, states that the total commerce of Alaska for the year 1915 reached the new high mark of $82 300 0OO. This includes both eX- ports and imports. Alaska sent out twenty-six millions more than it i'm ported The imports were twenty eight millions, while the exports reached the wonderful mark of fifty four millions. almost as much as the total commerce for the preceding year
 The greatest gain in the exports was in the value of the copper shipped from the territory. For the year 1914. the exports of copper were valued at 3,365, ,OO0, while the past year the value of the copper sent to the States ran well over ten million, showing the remarkable increase of 300 per cent in single year. The communi- ties which benefited from this in crease in exports show also a large increase in the value of their imports. Cordova's imports in 1914 were $7S3,- S34, while in 1915 the value of mer- chandise imported at Cordoya is d million. Cordova's imports far exceed in value those of any other city in southwestern Alaska.
The Cordova daily times., 1916-02-09
Special by Associated Press.

Special by Associated Press.
 SEATTLE. Feb. s. - The govern ment has issued official flood warn ings, telling the people to prepare to avoid the lower river stretches and seek safety in the higher places. The same sort of warning have been issued to all the railroads, and to all the mountain communities. Avalanches of heavy wet snow are what the rail- roads were told to beware of. The Great Northern railroad immediately discontinued traffic when the govern ment issued it's warning, but the Nor thern Pacific and the Milwaukee roads continue to operate, although extreme caution is being used, the number of track walkers having been doubled. The trains are moving slowly, and
The Cordova daily times., 1916-02-09
GERMANY $ NOTE MAY BE ]. X.
 AT TER ALL

WASHINGTON, Feb. S. -- The Lu- sitania negotiations, which seemed to have reached such serious stage yes terday are today once more in an op- timistic condition, and the tension in official circles has been noticeably re- lieved. The mere use of the word H. legal in the agreement between this country and Germany over the Lusi- tania sinking, is what has been stand ing in the way, and the American dip lomats now feel that if the same result can be obtained without definitely calling certain acts illegal, that they will not let mere choice of words stand in the way of successful com pletion of the negotiations. Germany has agreed that reprisals will not be directed against anyone else except
The Cordova daily times., 1916-02-09
KENNECOTT COPPER CO. ID
 EXTEND BIZ SUM

The officials of the Kennecott Cop per Corporation have announced that seven and one-half million dollars will be appropriated at its next annual meeting for the development and i'm provement of it's mines in Alaska. It is stated that the output of the com pany's mines in the interior of Alaska, which have been producing nearly two million dollars worth of copper ore each month during the past several months, will be increased and new ore bodies opened up.
The Cordova daily times., 1916-02-09
Special by Associated Press.

Special by Associated Press.
 The Republican territorial commit tee met at Seward on Monday and transacted considerable business. The attendance was larger than is usual at such meetings, owing to Alaska's mag nificent distances.
 Chairman Charles E. Heron pre- sided. and as Secretary Frank Cotter was late in arriving from Anchorage, Elmer E. Ritchie, of Valdez, acted as temporary secretary Those present were:
 First Division Geo. Irving. of Juneau. representing Skagway: w. w. Getchell, Douglas; Chas. E. Her ron, with proxies from Juneau, Ket- chikan and Wrangel.
 Second Division - Chas. Kennedy,
The Cordova daily times., 1916-02-09

Candle, who also had the proxies from Nome and other precincts on Seward peninsula.
 Third Division - Geo. c. Hazelet, representing Cordova and Chitina; E.. E. Ritchie. Valdez; E. L. Whittemore and J. J. Finnegan, Seward and the westward.
 Fourth Division - Fairbanks and Ruby, represented by MT. Hazelet; Iditarod and Panama. by Mir. Heron. Thos. Lloyd of Fairbanks, was the only one of the twenty committeeman who was not present in person or by proxy. Mr. Lloyd is in the Kantishna and could get no word to Seward.
 Seward was selected as the place for the holding of the convention, and April 19 named as the date. The prim-
The Cordova daily times., 1916-02-09

The road was originally built to serve those mines. It is a wonderfully rich deposit of copper. They only ship out. as I understand, the richest of their ores. and the railroad and the mines being owned by the same peo- pie, they can charge themselves any rate they see fit. The road is about 300 miles long, and they charge themselves $23 ton for that 300 mile haul. On the basis of that traffic, which is pretty much all the traffic they have - there is a small per centage that is not originated at their miEes - they were able 10 make op- erating and maintenance expenses, in the last four years, for which ! saw the figures. amounting to about $G00 900.
 That road could connect at Chitina with another road running north through the Chitina valley up to the Panama valley, and then across the Panama river to Fairbanks. That route would be a little bit shorter in mile age than a route running from Sew ard to Fairbanks.
 q do not intend to give all of the reasons the President had in his mind for his conclusion, but these are some of them. I am sure. The purpose of the statute was that Alaska should be developed by this new road
 Now there was road in existence, To have gone north from Chitina to Fairbanks would have meant the ex- tending of that line, and would have left the country to the west without a road. By going from Seward to Turnagain arm, from there to the Ma tanuska coal fields. from the Mata- nuska river up through the Susitna valley. across Broad Pass down to the Panama, and then over to Fairbanks, you have main road which taps two coal fields, the Matanuska coal field which would supply the navy with coal--that coal having been tested and found very valuable for naval pur- poses - and the Nenana coal field which is a high grade Ignite that is needed for the interior of Alaska to supply the mines around Fairbanks. It is about 110 miles from the Nenana coal fields into Fairbanks, and that road can be built on very good grades
 "So that, by building the west side the interior of Alaska to the ocean; you. have a good harbor; you have two coal fields, one to serve the coastal territory and the navy; and you open up district that is very promising agriculturally and much more promis- ing minerany. There are prospectors all through the Mount Mckinley coun try, which comes within 10 or 12 miles of the proposed route.
 There are some small quartz pro- perties up that valley, and it's future
The Cordova daily times., 1916-02-09
Government Warns Seattle Of
 Danger From Flood

the service on the two roads opering has been largely curtailed.
 The weather bureau reports that a warm wave is on the way, moving north from Portland, and that when it strikes people must be ready to look out for trouble The snow is report ed as just beginning to melt in the mountains. Until the government is sued it's warnings to the railroads the people had supposed that the situa- tion was much improved, but they now know that the conditions are more dangerous than before.