Seward daily gateway., 1923-07-28

Frank Joaquin, who visited Seward the forepart of, the week, on his way to Anchorage with his children, to join Mrs. Joaquin who is in the hospi- tai there. undergoing surgical treat ment, is one of the pioneers of the Kuskokwim river district. MT. Joa- quin came down the river by steamer, catching the Santa Ana, and disem- barking from that vessel at Latouche, caught the Northwestern for Seward A history of his life reads like TO- nance, and while it was hard to get the trader-explorer to talk, he gave us a few bits of history of the early days. It is stated that Mir. Joaquin was the organizer and for many years the directing head of the Kuskokwim Commercial Company, which operated stores on the Kuskokwim at Bethel, Akiak, McGrath, Georgetown, Nc Grath, Forks and Tocotna, besides a number of small stores known as na- tive trading posts.
 MT. Joaquin was among the first, and one of the best known white men on the then little known Kuskokwim country. He stated to reporter of The Gateway that he was first attract ed to the Kuskokwim by the reports of rich deposits of mercury bearing ore to be found there, and that he made the first trip by dog team from Nome and landing on the central DOT | tion of the river at the old Russian trading post and fort named in honor of Major Kolmakoff, and which has ever since been known as Kolmakoff
 So well did Mr. Joaquin like the appearance of the new country that he l formed partnership with another old timer by the name of Edward Lind, and who landed there a short time before MT. Joaquin. ,...
 This partnership continued for a number of years, and as related above was enlarged and merged into the Kuskokwim Commercial Company, which company, under Mr. Joaquin s direction, became one of the greatest factors in developing that vast coun- try, rich in minerals and furs.
 Those who are familiar with that region know that the first maps give only vague hint as to where the mouth of the Kuskokwim was, or even if it had one. But the map distinctly outlined trail from Kolmakoff to Nushagak, on Bristol Bay, and all travel was by this trail, supplies for the river being brought in this way.
 Knowing that the second largest river in Alaska must have an outlet to the sea, MT. Joachim in addition to being a trader, was forced to become an explorer. MT. Joachim explored the river for 150 miles below Bethel and traced it's channels we'll out into Boring Sea. With the notes thus ob- tained his next move was to go to San Francisco and secure a boat to bring his supplies to the river.
 It was right here that troubles be- gan to multiply. MT. Joaquin visited office after office of shipowners, try ing to secure a charter on ship to take in his supplies. The owners, at first eager to secure cargo, would lose interest as soon as they learned the supposed port of call and would shake their heads as much as to say, There ain't no such place." Inter- views with captains of ships for charter would also meet sudden lack of interest, and often resulted in the captain Splicing the main brace" to get the matter out of his mind.
 But undaunted, MT. Joaquin finally secured a charter on a schooner, and without being able to secure any ma rine insurance, brought in his SUD- plies, but was compelled to discharge them down in Kuskokwim Bay. 15O miles down river from Bethel.
 MT. Joachim was compelled an each annual trip to accompany the boat all the way from San Francisco to an chorage, for fear the captain would beat it back without taking the trou- ble to unload cargo.
 Thru MT. Joaquin's efforts boats finally ventured into the mouth of the river, and after number of years were induced to come up river to where Bethel now stands, and dis charge cargoes. Planting buoys, talk ing soundings and placing markers, for many years was done at the ex- pense of MT. Joaquin and 10 this day there has not been a lighthouse es- tabllshed nor lighthouse boat near the mouth of the river.
 After having chartered his boat and got his cargo aboard, MT. Joachim declared it was a trying task to get the captains to arrive at the mouth of the river befort the freeze-up. so as to enable the river steamer Quick step to make the trip up-river before the ice came. with supplies badly need ed by the miners. Rarely was there