Seward daily gateway., 1923-04-14
GIRDWOOD NEWS

GIRDWOOD, Alaska, Apr. lived nesday evening after very strenu- ous trip, the Alaska Moving Pictures Corporation Players arrived at Gird- wood, after being delayed at Bird for seven hours on account of large slides at miles 76.1 and 76.5. The following comprised the personnel of the con- pany: A. B. Luce and wife, L. H. Moomaw and wife, G. E. Lewis and wife, Raymond Johnstone, Gladys Johnstone, H. H. Brownell and wife. As the train did not arrive until 500 p. m., the company did not commence work until morning. At 4:3O a. m. Girdwood became an object of activi- ty, and by noon 1t was changed into a tented city, replica of gold rush day, tents being placed from the rail- road track to the Bay. Shots were taken Thursday evening. We must state that it takes perfect organi- zation of we'll trained men to work as swiftly as these people did; all plans being laid before anything was touch cd and everything working smoothly No mishaps occurred whatever No one seemed to be afraid of work and everyone helped willingly.
 Friday was the big day in Gird wood. About noon a special train ar rived from Anchorage carrying about seventy passengers, who were to take part in the stampede scene in the aft ernoon and evening. In the evening the big scene was staged, six moving picture cameras being used and many flares lighted to show up the tented city. It was wonderful sight to be- hold; to see over one hundred min CTS going down the line, clothing, packs and outfits identical with those used oyer the Chilkoot pass, and to see tandem dog teams rushing down the trail. This reproduction of 1897 and 1898, showing campfres, mountain passes and restless and over-anxious chechacos and sourdoughs waiting for the break of dawn to make their wild dreams and imaginations come true was perfect and coulc not have been better played and staged.
 Saturday was used to take "close- ups," and Sunday being too dark no pictures were taken. The entire com pany departed for Anchorage at ? D. m. Sunday.
 While in Girdwood Mrs. M. L. Whit ney, Mrs. Oswald, and Miss Lorraine McManus with the kindness Of hr Hitchcock, donating his kitchen and diningroom, these ladies furnished meals for this company. It caused these good ladies lot of work but they were glad to do this as this com pany would have been very much in ccnvenienced had it been necessary to look elsewhere for accommoda tions. Meals were served without any delays whatever and the stampede crowd of Friday was served with two meals and with the kind assistance o1 Mrs. M. M. Thompson, they were serv ed in record time. Mr. Lewis extend ed his kind appreciation and was much pleased at the ability shown by the ladies.
 MT. Lewis advised the press repre-. sentative that Girdwood is one of the most ideal locations for this type o pictures that he has found in his wide and many years of travel. He advises us that Girdwood may become per manent location for this kind of DIG. lures. We hope that will be the case case.
 Last Friday the Girdwood popula. tiOn jumped to about 200 inhabitants spectators coming from many miles tG witness the filming of "The Grea White Silence stampede scene, ant they were we'll rewarded. Such actior and beauty may never be seen agair by many of these people.
 MT. A. s. Erickson and wife and Johnson from Crow Creek were visi tors in town Sunday.
 Ditcher 1O1 in care of Engineer Jefferies and Conductor Clarkin nov ed to Anchorage Thursday. While here they were engaged loading pilinl for Seward dock.
 Thos. Tessier departed for Fair banks last Thursday. Mr. Tessie will be employed as cook for Denhar & Stewart on Caribou creek.
 MT. and Mrs. Ramon and Hugh Kel ly from Kern creek were visitors il Girdwood Friday evening coming t witness the big movie scene.
 James Campbell and wife and Clyd Brenner and wife came down iron Bird Friday evening and attended tn movie stampede.
 M M. Thompson and c. D. Hitcl cock who were business visitors il Anchorage returned home Wednes day.
 The Girdwood annual school cleo tion was held last Saturday and re suited as follows: Axel Lindblad treasurer; Chas. Mahil, director; an a tie vote between Mrs. M L. Whitne and c. N. Banks for clerk This ii vote will be decided by another cleo