The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-08-09
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Ronald EIlers, 8, "Chum'' Niemi, L., t2, Seen
 Last Near Log Raft

What happened to 8-year- old Ronald Ellers and l2-year-old Oscar tChum) Niemi, Jr., since they were seen walking on the Douglas Road 28 hours earlier still was a mystery at press time @ p.m.) today.
 All Gastineau Channel shares the frantic worry of their parents, MT. and Mrs. Roman Ellers, and MT. and Mrs. Oscar Niemi, of West Juneau.
 The boys were last seen by Ole Olsen, caretaker, who chased them away from the Douglas log raft, where they were playing about II o'clock yesterday morning.
 He reported that they walked along the Douglas Road toward the bridge.
 Great fear is felt by the two families that the boys may have returned after Olsen went to lunch, and had an accident while playing on the treacherous logs.
 Searching parties on Mount Ju- neau, along the beaches to Aux Bay, and up and down Douglas Island still strain for the "twoo all-clear signal on the emergency 2-9 fire call which sounded at ll:15 last night.
 Scores of men who had spent all last night in fruitless search for the two missing boys reused them selves after an hours rest to re- sume their securing of beaches, trails and mouptainsides today.
 The emergency call last night was sounded after Fire Chief A. Minard Mill and small party had made search, following the call to the Police Department from Mrs. Niemi about o'clock.
 Mother Didn't Worry First
 T didn't really begin to worry about Chum,' said Mrs. Niemi this morning, until he was so late for dinner. He Is a very reliable toy, and often is gone hours, but always returns when he is ex- pected, or within a reasonable time.
 He has gone fishing a lot with his father" she added, and is very self-reliant. He knows every inch of the beaches around here. and could take care of himself un- less there were an accident.
 When he was so late for din- ner. after missing lunch. too. I realized there must have been an accident. He wouldn't keep me worrying by staying out so long without sending word.'
 As Chum dashed from the Niemi home yesterday morning, his mother asked, Where are you going?"
 Out with my friend.' he replied. grabbing paper that had lines and writing on it.
 On thinking it over, Mrs Niemi wondered if. boy-like. Chum and Ronnie had planned some secret expedition. Tn that case" she said. they could be anywhere, not neces-' sarily in any of their usual haunts."
 Chum,s father, a. commercial fisherman, has taken his 12-year- old son on many fishing trips. About week ago, Chum had gone to Marmion Island to meet his Dad on his return from fishing
 A Coast Guard whaleboat went to Marmion Island last night in the search. Returning. several of the party were put off at Nevada Creek to continue the search while walking back.
 About three dozen men hurried to the Juneau Fire Hall in re- sponse to last nights emergency call; others telephoned in and offered to search in their own dis tricts.
 The Douglas Fire Department was summoned, and searchers fam ned out from there. too.
 All roads and highways were secured" said Acting Juneau Police Chief Frank D. Cavanaugh today. He. Lieut.. Emmet M. Botelho and Sgt. John P. Monagle of the High way Patrol had supervised the search last night on this side of the channel, finally coming in about 5:30 this morning. Both were at it again few hours later.
 Every possible clue is being fol- lowed" said Chief Cavanaugh. At first, the most likely one was from the Andy Pattons, who live up by the second Salmon Creek Power House. They reported having seen