The Nome nugget., 1959-03-16
Alaska's First Free Mail Delivery Service

partner booked the order and I erased it from my book. We soon lost him again and found that he had discovered a favorable location my side of the street, and resumed his residence there. Where would tent on the forenoon there might be building site for sale in the afternoon. That night large force of carpenters would be put to work, and by next day frame building would be almost ready for occupancy, cloth tackers and paper-hangers following the car penters closely. At best the season was but short and every moment must be utilized. Most of the stores were open day and night, being run by two shifts of clerks
 man called me into his tent morning and asked me to deliver his mail. Next day I turned with mail for him. Imagine my surprise when could not even locate the place where his tent had stood. l rubbed my eyes, looked up the order, got out my route map, and found the place where the tent should have been; but in it's place frame structure upon which the carpenters still at work. A grocer was arranging his stock. asked him where his predecessor was "Oh, he has mushed on," was his response. "But he told me to bring his mail here" I said "Well that is all right, but that yesterday, he swered as though discussing ancient history. q bought him out yesterday afternoon, hired gang of carpenters and ran up this building last night and we put our stock of goods in this morning. The you are looking for pulled his freight for Council City this morning. guess you had better forward his mail there.' could multiply in- stances, but will only cite
 QeuVered the mali TOT a SeCOnu-nd1lQ man dC his tent opposite the North American Trading & Transportation Company's store. As I passed along the street opposite the Barracks forenoon someone hailed me. It was my secondhand man. He said "Leave my mail here after this, sold my business out last night" He had put in stock of fruits and fancy groceries, changing not only his location but his business overnight. That afternoon I passed his way when he again hailed me. Hold my mail for a few days, he said "What's up now?" I inquired "I got a lease on ,;&~ ,,r noon the Babcock Undertaking Co., offered me $50, so I sold it and $100 ahead of the game. I am going to auction my stuff off this evening, he takes possession tomorrow morning." He had owned and disposed of two business enterprises within "A hours, and made money on both trans actions. Needless to say he was Down East Yankee" and would rather swap than eat.
 It was remarkable what absolute confidence the public reposed in us entered a saloon day, delivered the mail to the barkeeper and to the who running the various games, such as Black Jack' "Stud Poker,' Roulette and Craps" and the Wheel of Fortune" An old gray beard, stranger to me, called to I went to see what he wanted Here, son. he said, as he pushed over pile of $20 gold pieces q have started a little game here that is banning out pretty well. Get me money order for one hundred dollars to send my wife in Los Angeles" I wrote down her name and address, pocketed the gold and next morning brought the man his money order. This is not isolated 1 suppose 1 have bought dozen or more money orders for men who were too busy to attend to it themselves. They would hand 50 Or 100 dollars, throw down a silver dollar and say That will the cost of the order and pay you for your trouble"
 While on my way to the postoffice day I went up side street not my regular route. A to the door of his tent and motioned to He tried to speak but too sick A spell of coughing seized him that tried to support him to keep him from falling. His eyes un- naturally bright, and I could that he a very sick As best he could, interrupted con- stantly by severe spells of coughing, he told me that he had not been able to get his mail. He was sick and alone. He had taken his place in the line and, after keeping it half hour and having gotten nearly to the delivery window, he had be- weak and fallen down. and thus lost his place. No one was allowed to ask for more than one person at time. If he wished to ask for two persons he must take his place at the foot of the line and work up again. The sick man had no friend whom he could ask to stand in line for him, opJx vii for bic o1I0