Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-09
ALASKA GOVERNOR
WRITES OF HARDING
VISIT. TO TERRITORY

aid tomorrow will publish des-
patch from Juneau. Alaska, written
by Scott c. Bone. governor of AL
aska. giving an account of President
Harding's visit to the territory. On
his last day in Alaska Mr.. Harding
told friends that he would not at
tend the next dinner of the Gridiron
Club at Washington.
Il want Calvin Coolidge to have
that dinner" Mr.. Harding is quoted
as saying. 1T should revolve about
him, which could not be if | were
there"
There was nothing to indicate
that the president foresaw the ter
mlnation of his journey or knew
that his remarks were prophetic,
Governor Bone wrote. His despatch
said:
ON his wonderful tour of Alaska
the president gave no sign of illness.
The waters aSd mountains enchant-
ed him and the climate invigorated
him, but he was wreary and some
what bent under the heavy burdens
imposed upon him. He was not the
Nlrile Harding who presided over
the Republican national convention
of 1916 or the commanding person
allty who became the head of the
greatest Republic on March 4. 1921.
He had aged. The change was
marked.
His gentleness throughout the
panoramic journey was his predom-
lnant characteristic. Alaska rested
him. The simple greetings extended
to him by the small communities
touched him deeply. Gratitude and
affection were everywhere manifest.
Few Alaskans had even seen a pres
ident. a grasp of his friendly hand
meant everything to them. He had
travelled far to see them and happy
faces and warm hearts attested
their appreciation. Children sang to
him and lowered close. He had
cherry word for one and all. Every
thing was SO different here. He was
off the worlds beaten track. It
charmed his responsive. lovable ma
ture. AS the historic jaunt of a
fortnight was nearing an end he
said repeatedly he was sorry it
would soon be ended. Every hour
in the northland gave him infinite
tranquil JOY.
There was no crowding nor jost-
ms az ttilH otopaliiIS pIdNI SuIll ttS
invariably is encountered in popu-
lous centers. Even along Alaskan
shores where towns have slowly
grown on the mountain sides. there
is yet room to move and breathe.
The vast interior space is endless
and the people are few. He over
looked none. From the rear plat
form of the train slowly traversing
the government railroad. he was
alert to wave a greeting to men
gathered at little stations.
AT Fairbanks near the top of
the world, he was captured by the
attractive log houses lining the fat.
adorned stretch. L would give a
years salary he exclaimed. for one
of those houses on my farm in
Ohio. Yes. he added. practically,
L would give two years salary
Manifestly he was longing for the
simple life and looking forward
eagerly to quiet, peaceful days in
his native state.
1T was remarked that Mrs.
Harding, although just recovered
from a serious illness. frequently
was more animated than he. He
was calm and benign; she was full of
life until temporarily exhausted, and
lHti l%Suptl 'iulthiN.
"Only once did the President men
! ton his WEAKNESS. Standing on the
deck of the Henderson, on the Gulf
OF Alaska he said he was tired, but
not made SO by this visit. He had
come tired. His accustomed buoy
ancy was lacking. but he was optim
istic and revclled in natures Won
ders. Returning from the interior
when q superb view of Mt Nc
Kinley was presented, he stood in
awe gazing upon its majesty and
splendor. The picture overwhelmed
him. Child's Glacier. with its fall
ing masses of ice and thunderouS
noises, impressed him similarly. He
would start toward the train and
pause again and again to watch 1t
anew.
"Of all the sights of this wonder
| land the entrance to Resurrection
Bay was to him the most beautiful.
He knew of the desire to give his
name to something supremely great
in Alaska in honor of his visit. After
behoIding the marvellous setting he
turned to me and said, Il had rather
have this gateway bear my name
than any other Of natures wonders
in Alaska" Thercupon it was for
mally designated as Harding Gate
way to Resurrection Bay. 1t is really
the gateway to great interior
Alaska.
ION his last day in Alaska, that
beautiful sunlit morning of July %.
at placid. incompatible Sitka, while
waiting to go ashore, he spoke
warmly of the pleasure given him
by the Gridron Club at its last dim
ner. But am not going to the next
Gridiron dinner he said. L want
Calvin COOLIDGE to have that din
ner. It should revolve about him.
which could not he if I We're there
There is no basis for the belief
that Warren G.. Harding forosaw the
termination Of his wonderful jour
ney. He loved life. He loved his
fellowmen He looked into the flu
ture hopefully. bravely. but he was
tired-and would have rested longer
in Alaska If he could. That the
burdens lie carried were too heavy
to bear is readily to he believed. It
is only conjecture that ascrihes any
given contrihutorv cause to his pre-
mature demise. 1t is more logical
to believe that the strain of public
service reached the breaking point.
"Alaska's grief is deep, heartfelt
and abiding.
SCOTT G. BONE"