The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-14

"No-kill Jackson" one of the fast of the oldtime northwest stock men died few weeks ago at his tiny ranch on Clearwater River in the Cassier District of northern British Columbia. Born under a lucky star in Virginia 83 years ago, he started life as a simple cowhand on the western ranges and became prosperous-ou Of pure tuck, he always claimed. He took one of the first herds of horses through YellowE,ead Pass when the railroads were prospect ing for routes, performed miracles in the Boer War as master of transport and came home with medals and citations to locate the famous "Groundhog" anthracite claims in the CasSiar.
 It was while he was in South Africa that the cobriquet, ''No-kill- Jackson" was fastened onto him by certain friendly Rocky Noun tain tribesmen who respected Jack son for his jovial outlook on life, his square dealing, his even tenn per and his intercession in their behalf with the government. When Jackson went to war they hailed sim as chief and made fre- quent inquiries at the railway sta tion One day the agent told them of the first serious reverses.
 Big fight far off. Plenty man kill Queen she cry"
 Kill Jackson?"
 "No kill Jackson,' the telegraph CT reported.
 At intervals thereafter an Indian would ride up to the station, lend an ear to the clicking instruments ments and look inquiringly at the agent.
 No kill Jackson?'
 A just and generous man, Jack son never claimed the distinction of discovering the Groundhog coal fields. "The Indians told me about the outcrop and brought samples. They climb the mountain to hunt groundhogs."
 Engineers investigated the coal. It was first, rate anthracite, but a long way from railhead. Then came a telegram offering him a quarter of a million for all his interests. He bought drinks for the multitude in the little town of Hazelton, B. C., and answered that he would sell a half interest for s50,0oo; he wanted to gamble with coal.
 In Toronto he received the 50,0O0, married Ethel, pretty hrown-haired waitress who was his junior by some '25 years. They toured th,a States, blew the $50,0CO and returned to Groundhog Noun tain where Jackson directed the transport of supplies. One pack animal with a reputation Tor serenity always carried cham pagne.
 Simon Gunanoot, the Indian out law, received some of these sup plies surreptitiously-food and am munition-from the Indians Tn Jacksons employ when the Prov incial Police were camping on his trail, but Jackson could have sworn that he never saw the out law, and knew nothing of his re- ceiving aid. A man can read sign though-and it was justifiable homicide, involving a woman.
 The years passed, and no shining steel rails gleamed on Groundhog i Mountain. Thought development work was done to secure a crown grant for the property, then the packtrains were laid off. The mar mots came out of their holes ano whistled derisively at the retreat ing miners.
 The Jacksons left the mountain of their dreams and settled al Grand Rapids on the Stikine Riv- ,er, where gardens flourish anc fish and game is plentiful. A few years ago a grizzly made pas at Jackson while he was removing a beaver from trap, but "No-klll rolled into the slough and go Iaway He arrived home in tat tered clothing, minus his Stetson | Of late years Ethel did tn ! trapping for her aging husband
 He tried desperately to get int