The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-07-20

mountains. On this route school of
whales and some porpoise were seen.
Fortunately the only rain of the
entire trip occurred while in the
Gulf of Alaska and this came at the
time when the publishers were hold
ing their convention sessions.
SEWARD
Having arrived in this village of
1000 population, our boat was an
chored for four days while we travel
led on railroad about 474 miles into
the interior visiting such cities as
Anchorage, Matanuska, Palmer, Cur
ry, Mt. Mckinley Park and Fair
banks. Seward is named in honor
of William H. Seward, who as Sec
retary of State negotiated the pur-
chase of Alaska from Russia in 1867.
The town was founded in 1902 by the
builders of the Alaska railroad. At
Seward the steamers exchanged pas
sengers and freight with the Alaska
railroad. A large cold storage and
fish canning plant is one OF the
local industries of most Importance.
All in all, the town proved to be a
comfortable, well lighted community
with attractive homes and modern
hotels. Seward Day is observed IN
Alaska on March 80 as the ami
versary of the consumation OF the
purchase from Russia.
Leaving Seward by railroad for
some of the Alaskan outposts we
found ourselves witnessing changes
| of scenery that were endless; more
lakes, rivers, glaciers, waterfalls;
with the great rugged mountains con-
fining the railroad to a narrow val
ley. The train stopped often on the
route so that passengers could dwell
upon their favorite views and use
their Gamers to better advantage.
The train runs only in the day time.
The golden spike signifying the COM
pletion of the railroad was driven by
Pres. Harding on July Is, 1920.
Three night were spent by mem
bers of the association at the Nc
Kinley and Curry hotels, both excel
lent up-to-date headquarters. The
railroads and hotels are under gov
ernment control.
FAIRBANKS
The next day our group went uI
to Fairbanks the northermost ter.
minus of the main line, 470 miles
from Seward. This is thriving city
of 1000 population, the center of ar
active placer and quartz gold mining
, district. At Fairbanks is located the
, University of Alaska, the most north
, ern university in the world. 1t of
, fers a great variety of courses witt
special emphasis on mining, engin
, eering and agricultural courses. Th'
experts at the university are expert
menting with and successfully grow
ling almost every kind of crop tha
farmers are growing in and abou
Bluffton. Fairbanks has quarte1
million dollar newspaper plant.
: At the excellent banquet, whicl
E was held in the basement of the pub
!, lisher's newspaper plant each on
e of the guests was given a number
and during the program the mayo
4 announced that % free half hou
1 airplane rides over the Fairbank
country would be given to those hold
/ ing the lucky numbers.
Had we been one of the lucky win
n ners we certainly would have gladl
S accepted the invitation. During tn
? noon hour splendid entertainment
were furnished by local talent an
o the visiting editor.
e In the evening in Fairbanks, tn
: restaurants we're open for free meal
: for anyone wearing badge of tn
a National Editorial Association.
|. Headed by Mayor Leslie Nerlan
i and officials of the Fairbanks Chan
ber of Commerce, the members c
the association and wives were col
e daily greeted and each was present
I ed with little "Golden Heart c
: Alaska, memento highly priced.
J.. At Fairbanks we had the goo
e fortune of a most enjoyable Wis
e with Judge Cecil HI. Clegg, a frien
t of Atty. H. O. Bentley of Lima, VIII
: gave us letter of introduction
e Judge Clegg is the oldest feder;
d judge in Alaska and was nominate
t to that position when he and NJ
d Bentley were mutual friends j
y Washington, D. c., years ago. W
S will long remember his cordial ho
n pitality and his interesting narr;
8 tions of Alaskan activities.