The Valley settler., 1950-05-26

PIONEERS
In 1885 When the Colony settlement came to the Valley, there were nayo other things
that we're In the pioneer stge of louent. This was true of Air tanportat1o.
While it was true that the airplme even at hat time was used more in Alaska &C
crdingt to the ppulatint than in the States, there still were no routes to the
states. The bush p1lotsw we're We trail blazers drtng this ealy developmht. They
never knew whetRr or not the weather would perit hem to reach their detinattmss
or the field ondtionsw would allow thent to land. The cA hs chmed all of this.
Following is release from the cM on FACTS ABOUT THE GA wch we feel fits In
with Colony Day clebrati~sa as WE'LL. 1t was writtnW Kenneth B.. Rune, cAA. Com
mnicatiWs Specialist.
Many volumes have ben written about the vstness,t the naghficence, the Incredible
natural wealth. and the Nellbndng beauty of alaska. AS many more cold be written
and yet barely scratch the surface OF this fascinating subject. Fuceful poetry has
been Writena about this rbidding, broodrg land, which jealousy guards its treas
ursf from the weak and unfit, but pors GU Its bounty on the strug and the ae.
The soulst1rr1ng greatness Alaska is something which can only be felt, Mha an
inner Understanding which cannot be Impaired by the wordsnih to one who has not
Toasted In royal slitd on the vista Of endless mountain ranges and the Infinite
Depths Of a glorious Alaskan sunset.
To the larger cities of the territory have cone people from all walks Of life, from
all parts of the United States. Here have cone the yong men,, with life ahead, with
glowing hopes and nbtttos, and the older nenw who remain young in heart md lookto
the Golden 1andfo or the ulfillnet Of the purposes of lives hlfsp SPENT. haea1so
come the p1oneer, the preachers, the MERCHANTS, craftsmen and bhlders, and the riff
raft who inevitably appear where wealth is created.
From these citte, there is constant flo" of .teb ravest and best to the snller
communities and to isolated locations, where they toll alone or at tn. sides of wives
who's share their dreams to bulo homes and enterprises for the development of teg great
lands ncuntea riches. This activity has sprea, and continues to spread over the
territory from tn ndld,f jra sH@hed southeastern ost to we'll above the arctic
portat1m.
Hhret the sourdughs Of g1dr rush days depended on the annual Doe and on the: cog sled
for NAIL, transportation, and supplies, the modern pionees rely en- daily or weekly
milk Town from the States. People in ko1ebue and Candle have fresh oranges, bananas
er celery sumner and winter This is a distant yAl from the Gays when q few Jaw
in great MEASURE, Ahaans life, health, and prosperity to the irHner and the
bush pilot. In fact many have settled in such remote places shat thy are totally
dependent on air transportation
The lemnto Of risk Of early aviation was greatly increased by their lack Of conmn-
a friendly natives dog team, for rescue fron a rash or forced landing. The trmn-
dousa uation industry Of present. day Alaska would be inpmsibleu under such conditions
standsull we're it not for the fact thattm Commerce Departments Civil Aeronaaics
administration has esthl1s shed an extensive and ewr-vig1ant aimy examinations
system.
There are a. Il. stations in Alaska. This system utilizes q great diversity Of beth
&c oG ne" Methods ade quipnent Its functions include the collection and dsri-