The daily Alaskan., 1922-11-28
HAS RIGHT IDEA FOR
 PRESERVING EARLY HISTORY

Those, who were residents of skag-' way from 1897 to 1900 will undoubt- edly remember Attorney Church, and the following interesting letter will remind them of the "sourdough Days"
 Dear "OLD SOUR DOUGH-"
 During a recent hunting trip amid the wilds of wonderful British Col umbia, I stopped at Vancouver, and Victoria-then at Seattle and San Francisco.
 Meeting numerous old Sour Dough friends, we decided that it would be worth while to Have the real story of early Skagway and Nome days written by cooperation of many who were there and personally know about essential Interesting incidents, of which each might misquote Cae- sar's Commentaries, and say, Part of Which I Saw-Much of which was"
 AS one of you, who wrote much for publication in the newspapers at both Skagway and Nome, and who happens to be retired from active business, and still delights in his own pen, 1t was suggested that be selected to obtain and put into mar ratiYe form as much of such HIS TORY (not merely "agreed fiction") as could be obtained.
 The general plan is this. will send copies of this letter to as many of the old Sour Coughs as I can To- cate with your help. Then if each will write me few or many remem- bered facts, and forward this letter to some Old Timer, we can doubtless get up a record of things that ought not to be forgotten.
 I am to publish the book at my own expense, and no one else will be under any obligation whatever.
 Wishing you many more years in which to remember the good old times at Skagway, Nome, and round about" may 1 be remembered, also at Skagway in connection with The Union Church, the Literary Society, | The Public Schools, The Hospital, | (which We afterwards named "The Bishop Rowe Hospital" and donated | to the Episcopal Church), The White Pass Railroad and the Canadian | Bank of Commerce, (of which two corporations I was local counseD and the first College of Alaska, whose opening session I had the pleasure of attending. September 18th, 1898, the day I started for Nome. It was my good fortune, also, to help or ganize The Arctic Brotherhood, and the B. P. O. Elks at Skagway. At Nome, was attorney for The First Bank, etc., and organized the first school, was a trustee of "The Raymond Robbins Church." a mem- Der of the Masonic Club. the Arctic Brotherhood, etc., etc.
 AS I have a poor memory for names, would appreciate whatever names you will give me connected with any incidents to which you will refer. I would particularly like to have names of any officials at either Skagway or Nome, 1897-19O0 and | their present address, if you know 1t.
 Appreciating whatever courtesy you may extend to me in the prem ises, with only pleasant memories of both Skagway and Nome, I am,
 Sincerely,
 Your Sour Dough" friend,
 WALT LIE NOIR CHURCH | (P.S.)-Secretary of The Arctic Brotherhood, skagway, Alaska. Dear Brother:-I would appreciate any l suggestion in this matter from you or any other A. B. was their Poet Laureate"-or words to that effect | by reason of some verses publish ed in the morning paper just after the organizing bunch came up rom Seattle, having organized the A. B. on the way "hOme."
 I guessed at the initiation-and | came so near hitting the essentials "a committee called on me and was initiated with great gusto (Signed) Fraternaliy