WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 1
Wrangell St. Elias News
“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” Volume Sixteen Issue Six November & December 2007 $2.50 555 miles down the Yukon—in a canoe!
cCarthy summer resident Barbara Rice and Mher friend Linda Whitman battle rapids, wind and rain, and their own thoughts and fears to emerge victorious in their little green canoe. See story on page 7 The most fabulous day of the summer
rt and Linda Warren are new converts to Athe McCarthy way of life. They are quick to take up the offer by neighbors Jim and Audrey Edwards to fly to the coast and do a little exploring. There they follow grizzly tracks in the sand, and learn how to pan gold from the “man who lives in a tank.” Join them on page 12 as Linda describes what for her was the most fabulous day of the summer. Historic photos—a peek into the past
isitors are amazed at how much "stuff" is still here. Mean- “V time, many long-time locals lament at how much has been ‘lost’ since they first got here.” McCarthy Lodge’s Neil Darish discusses the importance of historic photos and how our understanding of the past can change as “new” photos come to light. Story page 11. PLUS! The Suspicious Death of a Codfish Aristocrat page 9 Old McCarthy—and the Volstead Act page 13 It pays to pay attention to the Plat Title and Plat Number page 6 PAGE 2 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 A note from the publisher
winters. Ken is a retired teacher about McCarthy and the Volstead oday our mail pilot, who writes short-stories. I should Act on page 13. TLynn Ellis, commented, probably not have used the word Rick and I were saddened to “I don’t recall ever do- retired, as Ken is not only an avid hear of the death of Kirk Shively, writer (he has written over 60 ing mail this time of year without 49, on September 29th. He was my winter hat, gloves and boots!” books), he is also a very successful killed in an accident on a job site in I was curious to check last year’s “Avon Lady” there in Arizona. He Canada. McCarthy area residents happened to see a documentary that records to compare the beginning remember and treasure the exper- featured the McCarthy area and be- of November with this year. Inter- tise of Kirk who, along with his part- came interested enough to start ner, Paul Barr, and their business, esting! November 1, 2006, we re- researching and writing historical corded a high of 26 degrees, a low Sourdough Drilling. The people Kirk fiction. He graciously agreed to drilled water wells for knew he al- of 19, but this year we saw a maxi- share the first-fruits of that effort mum temperature of 43 and a ways gave them his best effort to get with his story, The suspicious death them water. minimum of 28. Last year we had of a Codfish Aristocrat. (Page 9) His family writes of him: “Kirk 6 inches of snow on the ground; You can find his current work at was a great welder and worked in this year a bare 2 inches. No won- either of these websites: the oil field, where he was promoted der Lynn was donning his baseball www.lulu.com/kenlord or to driller. Kirk loved the Lord. He cap! www.wordsmith.bigwebpages.com. liked to hunt and fish and did a lot Two days ago Rick decided to We were pleased to receive an of work on his house, which he has enjoy the balmy weather while it article from subscribers Barbara owned for 26 years. Kirk was a big lasted and met Jim Kreblin (the Rice (summer McCarthyite with her animal person, and doted on his keeper of Long Lake!) at the lake. husband John) and her friend Linda puppies and kitties. He may have The two motor-boated over the Whitman describing their excursion been gruff on the outside, but he water fishing, oblivious to the fact down the Yukon River this past June had a heart to do right by people. “it is winter.” and July. (Page 7) He never hesitated to tell his family Rick and I just recently re- Linda Warren (Fran Gagnon’s that he loved them and was always turned from a trip to Florida where daughter) and her husband Art have good for a hug. He was a very gener- we saw some of our family members decided to make the McCarthy area ous person and highly respected by and friends. Getting this issue of their new home, at least during the those who knew him.” WSEN to press was the first project warmer months. Linda shares her Our love and prayers go to on our to-do list. Since our last is- thoughts on The most fabulous day Kirk’s wife, Linda, and their family sue we have met a most remarkable of the summer with us on Page 12. members. man —Ken Lord. Ken resides in Friend and summer regular Ken WSEN welcomes aboard the fol- Tucson, AZ, not too far from where Smith offers insight into how to stay lowing subscribers: Ronald Cone, cooking column writer Peggy Gun- out of trouble when buying proper- WI; Sheila Kaiser, WA; Frieda Mc- tis and her husband Jim spend the ty, page 6, as well as a fun story Cord, OH; Ken Lord, AZ.
Wrangell St. Elias News (USPS 011301) VOL. Sixteen, Issue Six, November & December 2007. Published every two months at McCarthy, Alaska. McCarthy, PO Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588-8998. Phone (907) 554-4454. FAX (907) 554-4494 E-mail: [email protected] “Copyright © 2007 by Wrangell St. Elias News. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express permission of the publishers.” Contributors to this issue: Peggy Guntis, George Cebula, Linda Warren, Jim Gifford, Barbara Rice, Ken Smith, Neil Darish and Ken Lord, Subscription price is $14 for one year in the USA. Canada $16. Other countries $23. Advertising rates upon request. Deadline for publication in next issue is December 15. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GLENNALLEN, AK. 99588. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wrangell St. Elias News, McCarthy #42, PO Box MXY, Glennallen AK 99588-8998. WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 3 Items of Interest
ties —running water and indoor property and then there was the Art Phillips and Linda War- plumbing. Search and Rescue that called ren: Most local folks in the Mc- In an earlier email, Linda Matt away from the building Carthy area remember Linda’s wrote: “Our cabin is so nice and project to assist in searching for mom —Fran Gagnon —who was cozy with a lot more room to a missing hiker. Eventually well-loved and known in the Mc- move around in. Our view of things returned to normal and Carthy area and in many parts of Sourdough is just wonderful. the work resumed. our state. Because Linda and Art This morning I watched the sun Congratulations, Dianne! I love the fact they are best known rise—from our bed! No wonder know if she were here writing as Fran’s “kids,” I knew they the Kritchens had the bed up on this item, she would include a wouldn’t mind if I started off blocks—so they could always see big THANKS to all those who their item with that connection the mountain when they woke helped make her house-raising a (just in case you haven’t made up. I love it here so much!” grand success. Art and Linda’s acquaintance Welcome “home,” Art and Jim Kreblin: Now that Jim’s yet). Linda, and welcome to the summer job with the park ser- Art and Linda are not new neighborhood. vice has ended, he is moving on kids on the block. Linda spent Before I move onto the next to other things closer to home. many of her early years living at item, I am reminded how often His cabin on the north shore of May Creek. She has returned and WSEN readers call or contact us, Long Lake is growing and taking with husband Art spent the vast asking for information on prop- on a new look. It can best be de- majority of the summer/fall sea- erty for sale in our area. If you scribed as a tri-level dwelling. son “living” here on the west are one of those, please be sure The lower level is now enclosed side of the Kennicott River —not to look for Art and Linda’s full- and insulated and will soon be- just visiting. That gave me ample page ad in this issue. Now that come a viable part of his living opportunity to see more of these they are moved onto their new area, he says. He’s eager to put soon-to-be full timers. place, they are offering their pre- it to good use. Jim is grateful for They recently purchased Ken vious property for sale. the helping hands of neighbors and Carly Kritchen’s property. Dianne Milliard: “House Mark Vail, who helped in the Just prior to leaving for their raising” is now a term that Di- building aspect, and Aaron present winter home in Phoenix anne is personally familiar with. Lang, who did a fine job with the first week in October, Art Dianne, along with at least 20 landscaping. and Linda moved into the log neighbors and her master-build- Jim reports that as of the cabin the Kritchen’s called home er Matt Smith, succeeded in rais- end of October, the lake is still for many years. ing the timber framework for her open and free of ice so his means Art, a contractor, and Linda, McCarthy Creek cabin on Octo- for crossing the water is his mo- a real estate broker, made sever- ber 11. Needless to say, she is torboat. He did do some travel- al major changes on the cabin thrilled with the summer’s ac- ing on it the other day. Friend before settling in. Ted and complishment and the prospect and part-time neighbor, Ralph George Cebula were Art’s right- of eventually having her own Lohse, was in for a few days so hand men while Linda kept place to hang her hat. Mark and Jim paid him a visit. those good home-cooked meals There are always challenges A very important event is on coming for the hardworking for McCarthy area builders. This the horizon for Jim. His daugh- crew. Linda was more than year was no exception! To name ter, Lindsay, (who most folks in pleased with the finished prod- a few: the McCarthy Creek flood the McCarthy area know and uct, along with the added ameni- which took out the footbridge, love) has announced her upcom- Dianne’s only land access to her ing marriage to Kurt Jensen. PAGE 4 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007
Jim, of course, plans on being on flight with Doran at hand to help these fine folks cel- the helm just re- ebrate this wonderful occasion. cently. We were re- The wedding takes place on No- turning from a visit vember 10th in Jackson Hole, with our family and Wyoming. Jim, please take our Doran was in the best wishes with you! captain’s chair of Several local folks from the our flight between McCarthy area are planning on Seattle and Anchor- attending as well: the Welty fam- age. We had a nice ily, Roni and Doran Ward and visit with him once some of the Lohse ladies. There he landed that plane should be a fine representation safe and sound. He from our town to meet Kurt and told us he would be let Lindsay know we haven’t for- heading out our way gotten her! within a few days to give Roni a hand at Roni English/Doran Ward: the homestead. In- The summer has flown by much terestingly enough, too quickly as far as Roni is con- as much as McCa- cerned. I called her the other rthy area folks fly in day to see how things were fair- and out of Alaska, ing up her way. She was staying Doran says we were way too busy to get bored, she the first of his northern neigh- supposed to be retired,” others said. Even though she brought in bors to actually be on one of his value him too much to let him a new sewing machine this sum- flights. Thanks, Roni, for the up- go that easily. Instead of return- mer with the hopes to finish up date from up your way and, ing to McCarthy area once his 3 quilts that her mom and Doran, thanks for the most en- month of work came to a close, grandmother had begun, outside joyable flight! projects such as building bear- proof shutters for their cabin, Cal Ward, Jr.: clearing brush and filling their Next door to Roni woodshed, are keeping her from and Doran (“next doing justice to those inside door” to a McCa- crafts. rthyite could be a mile but you get the Now that Roni’s daytime idea!), is Cal’s hours are not spent with home- place. For those of schooling son, Adam, and daugh- you who may not ter Bekka, she has a lot of that know, Doran and valuable stuff called time on her Cal are brothers. hands. Adam is living and work- Cal is finally settling ing in Juneau and Bekka is back into winter mode in Washington. after being gone Doran is and has been an air- much of the sum- line captain with Alaska Airlines mer. He left his for about 16 years. He comes Fireweed Mountain and goes frequently, says Roni, cabin mid-April, and they both thoroughly enjoy working for River- their time spent at the cabin. boat Discovery in Rick and I were pleasantly Fairbanks. Although surprised to finally be on board a Cal insists “he is WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 5 he traveled to Grants Pass, OR Fairbanks, those of us who miss Somehow Rick and I missed at- to spend quality time with his those famous mail-day ice cream tending the local festivities so when dad until Cal Sr. passed away on cones the Smith ladies dish up, we got home from our travels, I just might be able to make our tried to contact Gaia via email. This July 3rd. own. was her follow-up message: Cal said he came home for Hello! Thank you for writing. I part of July and August until he, The other great news from the Smith household is that Kurt, will be on my honeymoon until the once again, received a phone call first of December. If you are writing from his Riverboat Discovery Kelsey and Peggy are all in one place —their home on the Nizina about a trip or other business with friends, begging him to come back St. Elias Alpine Guides and would —settling in for a long-winter’s to work for the month of Septem- like a response prior to this time, night! Kurt got his shop up and is ber. At first he declined telling please contact Tim Duffy at: now working on his never-ending them that would eat into his [email protected]. Other- moose hunting season. He was list of projects. Peggy says the list wise, I’ll get back to you in Decem- promised a moose hunt out of would be shorter if she didn’t keep ber! Best, Gaia Marrs. adding to-do items to it. Oh, well, Fairbanks, if he would just come Needless to say, I contacted Tim help. He agreed and work and the Kurt, you have all winter and it right away. He filled me in. could be a long one! moose hunt was a success. Time “We celebrated their wedding spent with family and friends was P. S. Hello, daughter Katy! that Saturday before Labor Day by worth it all, but he is quick to say Sounds like the Florida heat wave having a cook-out on the Power- he is pleased to be back on the found you in Key West. Don’t you house river bar. The wedding itself mountain. One of the first proj- miss McCarthy? officially took place along the west ects he tackled was the comple- Neil Darish: Neil, co-owner of edge of the Kennicott Glacier the tion of his woodshed and gas shed. McCarthy Ventures which includes day before the big flood (Sept. 9th) I expect filling that new woodshed McCarthy Lodge and Ma Johnson’s at the end of the season. We went will be next on the list! Welcome Hotel, always is busy doing some- out with a bang! I, acting as mar- back, Cal! thing (s). After a busy and a “great riage commissioner, married them. year businesswise” Neil says he is Kurt, Peggy and Kelsey Tucker Chenoweth and Nina Robin, “enjoying the quiet time” that this Smith: Traveling in the opposite both SEAG’ers, were present as wit- time of year affords him. The hotel direction towards the Nizina River, nesses. Then on October 6th we rec- and lodge are all winterized now. I decide to check on the Smith reated the ceremony just outside of I ask him, “What are you doing family. As our readers should Mammoth, CA for the small crowd then?” Without hesitation he an- of family and close friends who were know by now, the Smiths operate swered, “I’m already making plans unable to make the cook-out in Mc- the McCarthy Mercantile grocery for another successful season next Carthy. Now Wayne and Gaia are off and hardware store, located in year, and taking in daily walks to on their honeymoon to France, Italy downtown McCarthy. Although Kennicott and back.” He’s deter- and Madagascar.” the “Merc” closed its doors on mined to get in shape. I tell him I’m Congratulations and best wishes September 9th, ending the sum- impressed, and I am! That’s about 5 to the Marrs! mer season’s daily hours, Peggy is miles, one way. Having an IPOD The Copper Valley Abandoned determined to try and keep us lo- with his favorite music is helping Vehicle and Scrap Metal Removal cals supplied with a few much- him walk 10 times farther and fast- Project reports great progress for needed items this winter. Her first er, he shared. I believe him...Now, 2007! This year over 600 vehicles winter “shopping-at-the-Merc” day let’s see... where is my IPOD! were removed from the Copper Val- was October 3rd. The next day is Wayne and Gaia (Thurston- ley. In addition to vehicles, 151 re- Shaine) Marrs: Wayne and Gaia, scheduled for November 7th. frigerators were rounded up in owners of St. Elias Alpine Guides McCarthy, Chitina and at the land- The Smiths plan on being at and Copper Oar, had a memorable the store with meat, dry goods and fill. Another refrigerator and scrap summer season. I’m not just talking metal collection is planned for May HOPEFULLY ice cream! Peggy about the success of their joint busi- 2008. Individuals who want to get expects to have the ice cream ness ventures, but their wedding rid of junk cars and scrap metal available by the half gallon, she which took place and was celebrated around their properties, should con- says. Now if there isn’t a heat wave in McCarthy during the first two tact CVDA at 822-5001. when she and Kelsey return from weeks of September. PAGE 6 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 It pays to pay attention to the Plat Title and Plat Number
April 29, 1963, he subdivided the the fog from his brain. The next day, itfalls sometimes await remainder of the property and a very sheepish realtor visited Mari- Pthose who do not exercise placed that on the market as well. on at her home. due diligence. Sometime (Note, in those days a developer What had happened was the re- back we wrote about how a poten- need only “paper plat” a subdivi- altor made a mistake after he had tial land disaster might await some- sion; there was no requirement back been given one tract to sell in the one whose property is unrecorded. then to have a surveyor monument Kennicott River Land Tracts subdivi- We gave some sorry and costly ex- the lots.) Jack’s first subdivision was sion. He sold this lot to the previ- amples where land was not record- titled, “Kennicott River Land ously mentioned party. The title ed. This usually happened because Tracts” Plat number 63-10, the sec- company then recorded the correct erroneous assumptions were made ond subdivision was “Kennicott Riv- deed and prepared all the docu- that parcels were recorded when er Land Tracts Addition” Plat ments accurately. actually they were not. It is in one’s number 63-42. Most of these tracts Marion’s property is in the Ken- best interest to double check and were five acres in size and ideally nicott River Land Tracts Addition. make certain property is recorded suited for residential development. Unfortunately the realtor had mis- with the Alaska Division of Lands. Today, many local McCarthyites own takenly obtained a copy of the plat Recently, we came upon another this property, including some who for the Kennicott River Land Tracts unfortunate circumstance involving live in the area year around, proving Addition. What he needed was one west side of the Kennicott River real those statehood visionaries accu- for the Kennicott River Land Tracts. estate. This all led to some real anx- rate. He gave a copy of the wrong plat to iety, so we will share it with you. Back to our problem: This sum- the buyers, who failed to notice that Most are aware the preponder- mer a party purchased one of these their new deed was for property in ance of property west of the Kenni- lots off of the internet from a real Ward’s first subdivision, not in the cott River came into private hands estate agent. The purchasers hired a “Addition,” his second subdivision. as a result of Alaska becoming a surveyor who came out and found They in turn mistakenly asked the state in 1959. One of the rallying the lot for them. Soon after the sur- surveyor to find a lot in the cries for statehood was to get gov- vey, the new owners began to clear “Addition” which coincidentally had ernment property into the hands of the property and develop access for the same tract number as the one the local citizenry. In accordance a cabin. they had just purchased in Ward’s with that mandate our new state A fine lady by the name of Mari- first subdivision. When the surveyor moved relatively fast, particularly in on happens to also own a parcel in found the lot they assumed it to be the McCarthy area. In February of this area. She has visited McCarthy their property. Unfortunately, 1963 a land auction was held at numerous times over the years and Ward’s first subdivision and his sec- Copper Center during which owner- made friends with locals. It just so ond subdivision have like tract num- ship of a few thousand acres was happened that Marion ventured to bers throughout each of the two transferred from state to private McCarthy this summer in the com- plats. interests. The only west side proper- pany of her daughter and a friend. This incident just happened to ty not sold at the auction was the The purpose of the trip was to show have a good ending. When the real- patented homestead property that the daughter the location of tor gave the news to the buyers it had comprised most of the local Marion’s lot. Much to Marion’s sur- turned out they were very happy farms during the mining and rail- prise, development had begun on with the lot they actually purchased, road heydays. her lot. perhaps they like it even better than Jack Ward owned a very popular After much consternation and Marion’s. Marion was happy since auction house in south Anchorage research, Marion was able to deter- the efforts they put into her lot ac- back then. Jack purchased a few mine who the realtor was that “sold tually improved it. The trees they hundred acres at the Copper Center her lot.” When she contacted the cut needed to be down anyway since land sale, with the idea he would realtor she was met with a robust most were beetle killed. subdivide the property and sell the denial. Marion, who just happens to But this ending could easily lots at his Saturday and Sunday auc- be a retired Alaskan real estate bro- have been sad for all concerned, so tions. Within a month, on March 15, ker, obviously put forth a pretty per- the moral of the story here is to ac- 1963, Jack subdivided the first half suasive argument. The realtor asked complish due diligence by paying of his property and began selling Marion to give him a little time to very close attention to detail! tracts of land. He did so well that on digest this matter as well as clear WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 7 555 miles down the Yukon—in a canoe! Before putting ur Yukon River adven- in the river we dis- covered that the Oture began on June 30th at Whitehorse, Yukon tent we were going Territories and ended 19 exciting to use leaked, so in days and 550 often beautiful miles true Alaska tradi- later at Eagle, Alaska. tion instead of buy- ing a new tent we Linda Whitman, my friend and bought a blue tarp neighbor from St. Louis, and I had and more duct enjoyed adventure-on-the-water tape. This turned trips in previous years. In 2000 we out to not be a had floated l,700 miles of the Mis- good idea! souri River in the same 17-ft. Win- ona Spirit II Kevlar canoe that we As we were Photo courtesy the author were now taking on the Yukon. Be- packing up, a wom- Any port in a storm! Barbara attempts to escape the fore that we had taken a 19-ft. ski an “encouraged us” wind by napping in the lee of a boulder. boat from St. Louis to Minnesota by telling us about and then down to the Gulf of Mexi- two people who had and son kayaking, and a raft that co. Now the Yukon River with its been killed by the river. She said we was headed to the Bering Sea. colorful history beckoned us. should keep an eye out for a body. As we left the lake and entered My husband, John, and I picked Oh, great! a protected scenic section of the up Linda in Anchorage, where we The river was high, running river, we realized that our biggest did a little shopping before heading about 8 miles an hour, much faster problem was going to be finding for Whitehorse, in the Yukon Terri- than we had seen on the Missouri. places to pull out for potty stops tories. Our gear included 3 bear We also had not been in a canoe for and meals, and places to set up barrels, 2 dry bags, 1 food pantry, 1 seven years, so we did a little prac- camp at the end of the day with tent, 2 chairs, 3 paddles, 2 sleeping tice paddling on the Whitehorse enough room to cook and store our bags, 1 waterproof barrel, 1 blue riverfront. We had a good first day food hundreds of feet from our tarp, 9 gallons of water, 1 jug of and camped on a sand island with a camp. Sometimes we would see a wine, and miscellaneous odds and picnic table which was a plus. The potential spot to stop, but because ends. As we packed, we realized that next day we headed into Lake La- of the swift current we could not get we would be doing this at least 38 Barge which could be the most dan- over to it, and would pass it by. As a more times before reaching our des- gerous section of the river due to result, we often had to camp at sites tination. Surprisingly, it all fit quite high winds which could swamp us. which had evidence of recent bear well and our custom-made canoe We spent three days traveling and moose activity. cover worked wonderfully. through the lake and met a father I had read enough stories by people who had floated the river that by the time we got to Car- macks I thought I wanted to quit. The famous Five Finger Rapids and Rink Rapids were ahead, and the water was supposedly so cold that if you survived the rapids but ended up in the water you would die of hy- perthermia. I conquered my fear by the next morning and we proceeded down the river. Linda was never afraid. It turned out that the rapids Photo courtesy the author were stunning, undulating and rath- Linda peeks out from the blue tarp. We are not sure if those are Barbara’s er fun. feet next to her or not! PAGE 8 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007
One of the highlights of the trip We had the river to ourselves and then crawled into it like an en- was stopping and camping at Fort most of the time, but we did see and velope. Selkirk, a ghost town of thirty re- camp with the father and son kayak- The last day we got off at what stored buildings with camp sites, ers and four couples from Canada a turned out to be a commercial fish water spigots and picnic tables. couple of times. camp. The owners of the business There, fellow campers shared their We made it to Dawson City, YT, were there and the captain of the fresh cooked fish with us. The 450 miles from Whitehorse in two catamaran had seen how much trou- mountains and cut-banks were ma- weeks and took a day off to sight-see ble we were having that day and had jestic and colorful. There was evi- and eat real food. We decided to go radioed them that once we saw the dence of numerous forest fires, and another 100 miles to Eagle, AK and roof of their business from the river there were countless islands that have John pick us up in three days. we would probably be stopping. sometimes made it difficult to find Plans changed slightly as we hit There was fresh-baked bread and the channel. The river became silty winds of 40 to 50 miles an hour and dinner waiting for us. We spent the as glacier streams came into it. would have to try to get off the river night and used their sauna which There were a lot of fish camps but and wait until it stopped blowing. overlooked the river. It was a fine since the salmon had not yet gotten There is a tourist catamaran that last night on the river. to this part of the river no one was goes between Dawson City and Ea- On the fourth day we made it to there. We passed remains from over gle twice a day which throws up a Eagle. On the bright side, by the 100 years of gold mining, and many wake enough to capsize the canoe, time we got there John knew every- cabins that had partly fallen down. so we also had to get off the river one in town and was able to lead a We welcomed finding one of those when we saw it coming. The leaky comprehensive tour of Eagle. We cabins on one rainy night! tent with the blue tarp that I men- arrived very healthy, happy and with Of course, there were many arti- tioned in the beginning did not do many wonderful memories and facts. Quite a few of the old mines well in the high wind. We could not hopes of one day making more. are being reworked with new ma- set it up, so we staked the corners chinery and technology. The quest and covered it with the blue tarp for gold is still alive in the Yukon. DOT surveys area
cate flood damage areas uring the month of Sep- along the McCarthy Road Dtember and into October and set control for future Bonnie and I had the road repair projects, and pleasure of having several Depart- survey the proposed tram ment of Transportation surveyors site across McCarthy Creek, stay with us. Ardelle Gervais headed at the south end of Shushan- up the team which was here to lo-
Photo courtesy Ardelle Gervais Above: Greg Nelson taking cross sec- tion downstream from Rowland Bridge on McCarthy Creek
na Avenue, for property and design considerations. The survey work at McCarthy Photo courtesy Ardelle Gervais Creek had to be postponed to near Jack Smith observes McCarthy Creek attempting to wash away the Rowland’s the end of their stay, as heavy rains toll bridge. The attempt failed, though the community footbridge was lost. brought flooding which took out the WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 9 community footbridge and made MP 2-2.8 Kotsina Bluff MP 18.4 “Hugaboulder Bend” crossing impossible for a period of MP 5 MP 27 Chokosna time. MP 14.8 Strelna Creek MP 44 Lakina River Work on the McCarthy Road MP 16.8 MP 57.6 “Mudslide” area was done at the following locations: The Suspicious Death of a Codfish Aristocrat
Editor’s Note: We hope you enjoy this short-story about the murder of “McCarthy Rose.” The author points out that the story is built on the sketchiest of information—gleaned from the newspapers of the time. No guarantee is made of historical accuracy. lack of work in some San Francisco served certain medicines, otherwise he headline of the McCa- bawdy house. She was there because unavailable to the population be- Trthy Weekly News of there was a fortune to be made, and cause of Alaska's new Bone Dry Law, March 9, 1918 screamed she intended to gain it. Early on her a precursor to the national madness the message in a two-column arrival, she discovered there was no known as Prohibition. Those medi- heading—MURDER. The woman need to join a house or work for a cines were, of course, not legal, and known as McCarthy Rose was dead madam. Rose was a part of an exclu- neither was prostitution, but the at the hands of an unknown killer. sive club—moneyed people who had miners weren't about to complain. Robbery was the apparent motive, come from the East seeking to cash The sporadic appearance of any- but the severity of injury to the vic- in on the Alaskan gold rush and, as thing resembling the territorial law tim indicated that something more in this case, the bonanza in Alaskan might catch and fine a few of Rose's was afoot. The killer must have copper. The exclusive club was clients who stumbled along the wanted only money, for Rose was known derisively as The Codfish Ar- muddy street, but if they were aware wearing a lot of expensive jewelry, istocracy. Rose Levine was a Jewish of the source of the medicines, and none disturbed. woman whose married name was one can imagine that they were, Rose Silberg, once known as Rose Silberg. She'd arrived from they took no notice. Bootlegging Rose Levine, was a prostitute. Of New Jersey without her husband, was rampant in the area, and no that, there was no dispute. A high- from whom she was separated and church was located there while the priced prostitute, it was rumored, who'd gone to make his fortune Kennecott Mine was in operation. It Rose serviced the miners of the somewhere in Canada. would not close until 1938, when large Kennecott Copper Mine of In the summer of 1917, Rose the price of copper fell. southeast Alaska in the early years arrived in McCarthy on the Copper While games of chance were of World War I. The story is that River & Northwestern Railroad, undoubtedly available, what with many left a week's wages in Rose's whose acronym, CR&NW, was often several saloons and hotels, there purse when they left, and a week's derided as "Can't Run and Never was a preoccupation with pool ta- wages at the Kennecott Mine could Will." The train came to McCarthy bles. The most prominent establish- be as much as five hundred dollars. twice a week, dragging oil tanks, ment was called the Alaska Billiard It was said that from female empty ore cars, freight cars, and Parlor, referred to as the "A. B." No companionship to caviar, anything passenger coaches. It would bring games of poker or blackjack were could be obtained in McCarthy—for miners and other passengers and ever advertised in the McCarthy a price. While there were less expen- leave with fully-laden ore cars from Weekly News. The A. B. Parlor was sive prostitutes in McCarthy— the Kennecott Mine. All that was also the assembly hall for town Tumbleweed Sal comes to mind— assured was that the CR&NW Rail- meetings, movies, community danc- Rose's visitors felt they had received road would arrive—sometime. The es, itinerant religious clerics, den- their money's worth. Her weekend trip was often affected by weather, tists, and barbers. As World War I calendar was nearly always full, and wind, burgeoning rivers, snow and continued, it also became the loca- more if the price of copper, in de- rock slides. tion of volunteer efforts and draft mand for the war effort, had fetched Rose bought a house in McCa- board meetings. McCarthy's quota a good price that week and the min- rthy and hung a shingle—literally— for the draft was twenty-seven young ers' pockets were crammed with that named the house, in what the men. Miners were urged to volun- overtime wages. locals called "the restricted dis- teer to dig trenches in Europe. Citi- Rose was an independent con- trict," as the Chili Con Carne Parlor. zens were urged to buy Thrift tractor. She wasn't there because of It, besides Rose's unique services, Stamps and War Certificates (think PAGE 10 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007
Savings Bonds) at the McCarthy buildings in the restricted district property, much to Barrett's alarm. Post Office, which also doubled as reported hearing gunshots as Rose There was no way to rid his property the local lending library. struggled with her assailant. Nobody of these people, so he did the next Rose Silberg lay dead in a rear went to assist her. In the restricted best thing—he surveyed it and room of the Chili Con Carne Parlor. district the discharge of a weapon leased lots to potential merchants, She was nude, which may have was a common occurrence, as were families, and entrepreneurs. Among meant that she was working. Her frequent fistfights and screams, those entrepreneurs were Rose Sil- jugular vein had been brutally sev- even after midnight. When US Mar- berg and Gustave Priesner. ered, from the side to the back of shall Joe Feister was summoned With the formation of the new her neck, exposing her vertebra. from Chitina, he found a bullet hole town of McCarthy, the former town, Several stab wounds and gashes in a rug and through the floorboard. now renamed Blackburn, fell apart, were evident on her breasts and From markings on the body, it was as people moved to the new town, arms, and her throat was slit from also apparent that the assailant had which had permanent structures, one ear to the other. turned Rose's gun back toward her post office service, and the railhead. McCarthy Creek was named for as it discharged. It was, however, The town would continue to grow a prospector, James McCarthy. The not the cause of death. through the 1920s. Ultimately, town of McCarthy, Alaska, was At the head of the box canyon, when Barrett gained full title to his named by Army Lieutenant Oscar another homesteader, John land, he granted his lessors owner- Rohn, and dates from 1906, when Bloomquist, had staked his claim. A ship of their properties. John Barrett staked his homestead town site was established between McCarthy's location at the end in the one place that would need to the two homesteads near the glacier of the line on the railroad led to be crossed by any railroad built to and a camp town grew as miners lawlessness. Bootlegging was ram- service the new copper mine in the and laborers flocked to the area for pant in the area, but because there town of Kennicott. work. The town gained a reputation was no resident law enforcement, To gain an appreciation of the with the establishment of two road- officers sent to inspect for violations wisdom of this move, you need to houses, one by Bloomquist, which of the Bone Dry Law would come by picture the topography of the area. bordered the wagon road, ultimately train. The train engineers had a spe- It is something of a box canyon, becoming the railroad's right-of-way. cial signal for alerting the townsfolk open to the south. At the head of That, plus the existence of several when the law was aboard: they the canyon is a glacier, the Kenni- unlicensed saloons in an officially would change the color of the loco- cott Glacier. McCarthy Creek, a dry region, gave the area the reputa- motive's smoke far enough away for tributary of the Kennicott River, tion of a lawless, anything goes, the town to become respectable. runs through the canyon. It's moun- township. The area was poorly po- Neither illegal booze nor the means tainous territory, and the town of liced and would stay that way for for producing it were ever found. Kennicott and its mine lie in the several years. Games of chance disappeared be- hills to the northeast, where copper The railroad arrived in 1911 and neath trapdoors or behind false deposits were located all the way up suddenly McCarthy was a destina- walls. Residents of the "restricted to 6,000 feet. tion for miners and visitors wishing district" were found to be drinking McCarthy lay on the one stretch to visit not only the Kennecott Mine tea and reading magazines. of ground suitable for building a but also two gold and silver mining The winter of 1917-1918 was railroad. It was the end of the line camps, Dan Creek and Chititu difficult for McCarthy. The area suf- for northbound trains of the Creek, active from the first of the fered an intense influenza season. CR&NW, from which ore cars were 20th Century. The original site of As a result, both townships were "humped" uphill to the Kennecott the town of McCarthy became a quarantined, and the only people Mine for filling. Kennicott itself had mercantile and freighting point. In allowed in and out were those who no railroad terminus and the com- 1912, the town changed its name to ran the trains and the workers and pany leased part of Barrett's home- Blackburn, the name of a nearby law enforcers who rode them. This stead for a freight yard in 1907, just mountain. produced a ready market for the as construction at the mine took on The present site of McCarthy goods and services available from the urgency of large sums waiting to was formed during the Shushanna McCarthy, including those available be earned. Gold Rush, when hundreds of poten- at the Chili Con Carne Parlor. Rose McCarthy Rose owned a revolv- tial prospectors rode the railroad was selling what the miners wanted, er, a 32-caliber model. Handling the into the area and had to exit the and price was no object. There money the Parlor attracted made trains on John Barrett's homestead. weren't any banks in McCarthy at that a priority. Occupants of other The miners set up tents on the (continued on page 19) WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 11 Historic photos—the keep emerging
leaving enough material hotos play a major role in where it is that a deliber- Pour understanding of the ate "sense of discovery" is McCarthy-Kennicott his- kept alive. For residents, tory, as well as the natural beauty of any feeling of 'loss' is the area. Collections of historic tempered with the knowl- photos continue to grow. A newly edge of how truly amaz- discovered image from 100 years ing it is to be able to live ago is an exciting find for those of here, still surrounded by us who collect and share historic much of the original ar- images of the area. However, new chitecture, artifacts, old information about a building or a paper and everything else Photo courtesy Neil Darish location is not limited to the images that is still here! Like first-time rthy-Kennicott. created by the people who lived here visitors, we are always discovering Lee Taylor1 sent me an email in No- 100 years ago. Visitors from the something around here. vember, commenting on a particu- 50's, 60's and 70's have captured The residue of the formidable lar photo on our website. He wanted images that help us identify some of achievements of those who created to let me know that he recently put this settlement has all his Alaska vacation photos from resulted in a dra- his trip from 1973 onto CD and matic natural land- wanted to send me a copy. I knew scape punctuated that there are not many images with strange monu- from that time period in our collec- ments to industry. tion, so I was anxious to see what The Ghost town in- surprises could be found in these dustrial remnants of photos. Kennicott can't pos- The interior photo of the McCa- sibly belong here, rthy Lodge in the early 70's indicat- sandwiched between ed that a number of objects that dramatic glaciers were here at that time are now gone and mountains. Yet (the furs on the walls for instance). they remain a man There are also plenty of objects that Photo courtesy Neil Darish made tribute to en- I just assumed arrived in McCarthy the items that have been re- gineering at the more recently, yet there they are in moved, or simply moved around leading edge of mining technology, the lodge photo taken in 1973. town as decorations. funded by the largest names in in- (1Lee Taylor passed away on Febru- Visitors are amazed at how dustry at the turn of the last centu- ary 20th, 2007.) much "stuff" is still here. Meantime, ry. many long-time locals lament at Sometimes, items are found in a how much has been 'lost' since they photograph that reveal first got here. In the 70's you could the item to be an antique still move an ore cart around at the when you thought it must top of the mill building, not so to- be something recently day. Imagine stumbling on the placed here. It is always "Roosevelt nomination" headline in nice to hear from past a beam of light in the deserted visitors and listen to what buildings. Today, while there is they witnessed on their plenty of ephemera around, most of visits from the 1950's, the old paper is either documented 60's & 70's. Even better is and in appropriate NPS storage, or when someone was so af- in a locals' collection or in some- fected by their visit, that body's attic somewhere in the world. they still remember the The rest is lost forever. The park area and take the time to service does a remarkable job of re-connect with McCa- Photo courtesy Neil Darish PAGE 12 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 The most fabulous day of the summer
As we were walking, all of a sud- out on that last time they had visited. lease let me tell you about den the sand is a beautiful shade of He said that he was in the harbor at Pwhat I consider to be the pink. I marvel at this and Audrey in- Cordova and had fallen asleep at the "most fabulous day of the forms me that this is called ruby sand. wheel and the boat sank! So no more summer." Our neighbors, Jim and It doesn’t completely cover the beach, boat and no more fishing for him. just patches here and there with some Audrey Edwards, have an airplane Eventually it was time to walk shades of green also. Audrey tells me and invited us to fly down to the back to the airstrip. There were many that this ruby sand contains a lot of coast for a “day adventure.” The old houses and cars and a lot of old, gold flakes and she has some at her weather was perfect. Jim headed rusty pieces of equipment. We walked house that she intends to pan out one through the town and there was an towards an old abandoned radar in- of these days. I find this truly unbe- ancient graveyard that I had to ex- stallation at Cape Yakitaga, called a lievable that the heaviest metal on plore. There was a white picket fence White Alice site. It was used during earth could be hiding on a beach that surrounded the area. It was prob- the cold war to keep track of what amongst ruby sand. She assures me ably 50 feet by 50 feet. Mother Nature Russia was doing. that this is so. We continue walking had taken it all back for herself ex- There is an older gentleman that and talking and by this time the bear cept for the fence. The trees had lives in an old fuel tank that he has tracks have wondered up into the grown huge there and there were no converted to a house. But I’m getting woods so we are relieved. There are grave markers visible at all. ahead of myself. First, we are walking small shells along the beach and huge Arriving at the airstrip, we took along the beach, and it is beautiful trees that have washed up. I picked up off and flew to Cordova, Alaska. We and the waves are softly rolling in—no several pure white rocks that look like flew along the coast line and the scen- wind, just gorgeous and I notice bear small eggs that must have been roll- ery was breathtaking. Along the way, tracks in the sand. They seem fairly ing around in the ocean for centuries. Art spotted a giant grizzly bear run- fresh to me but Audrey says, “Oh no, So, we are walking along and the ning across a glacier stream. We also they are several days old.” So we con- guys are oh, 20 yards ahead of us (as saw an old abandoned train in the tinue walking and the man that lives guys usually are) and we get onto middle of nowhere. The engine was in the fuel tank (his name is Ed) them about walking too fast and ask there and two railroad cars. There was comes down to greet us on his four them to slow down and enjoy the day. no rail track and we had to wonder wheeler. We chat and he invites us to (I just knew that bear was going to how in the world it got there. Such a coffee. get us.) It was so glorious walking on mystery! It was about a four mile walk the beach in Alaska with weather as We landed in Cordova on a strip along the beach to his place but we perfect as could be with my wonderful near town, beside a lake. Jim fueled didn’t mind cause it was so lovely. He husband and new-found friends. We up and happened to know the gentle- also warns us that there is a grizzly forded several small streams in our man who worked there. This man of- bear around, that we should be care- continued walk to Ed’s place but we fered his truck to us so we could go ful. We continue walking and again, finally arrived. He was such a gracious into town and eat. We took his offer here are bear tracks in the sand. I’m host. He offered us juice or coffee or and went to a restaurant called the getting a little worried because they whatever we preferred. I noticed that Reluctant Fisherman. The weather still look fresh to me and Jim, our he had several sluice boxes set up be- was still just so beautiful that we ate pilot/friend, tells me that this is a side his house and commented on on the deck and had a good meal. All different bear. The one before was a them. He said, oh yes, he gets gold too soon we had to leave. Jim was a black bear because of the way the toe from the ruby sand! Then he proceed- little concerned about the fading day- nails have left an imprint. These ed to get some pay dirt and pan the light. tracks belong to a grizzly bear! gold right up. There wasn’t much, but We flew back a different way than you definitely knew it was gold and, And they were huge! And scary! we had come and saw a whole new man, was I impressed! What fun to Naturally we talk about this phenome- area of rivers, lakes and wilderness live on a ruby sand beach. non of nature and try to figure out that was beyond description. The fall what we would do if the bear were to He had quite a place there and colors were brilliant in contrast with charge us. Art’s solution was to run had been very enterprising in using the snow and ice fields of the glaciers. out into the ocean, Audrey had a .38 parts from the old, dilapidated equip- We arrived back in McCarthy safe and pistol that she said she would shoot, I ment that remained on the site. He sound and full of joy and wonderment said I would stand there frozen in fear had a garden and a wind mill, a ga- at such a great day full of adventure. and Jim laughed and said the bear rage under the living quarters and a Thus ended the “most fabulous day of would never attack so don’t worry small building where he did his cook- the summer.” about it. ing. Jim asked him about his fishing boat that Ed had taken he and Audrey WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 13 Old McCarthy—and the Volstead Act
There was also a considerable vol- road property and buildings at was just a kid the first time ume of items that caught our imme- Chokosna. In McCarthy’s heyday II visited McCarthy. That hap- diate attention. This was the Lew had worked at Kennecott and pened in the summer of paraphernalia necessary for the dis- for various other mining enterprises 1952 after my folks purchased the tilling process used in the manufac- in the area. He told endless tales Hubrick photo shop from Steve and ture of alcoholic beverages. about running bootleg liquor with Mary Pytel. We lived in Cordova in Obviously, in McCarthy in the old dog teams out of McCarthy to those days. Today, that old business days, these so-called “stills” had Chisana and other mining camps. place of photography is the McCa- been everywhere. My guess is that the manufac- rthy Lodge. However, the original In 1919 the US Congress had ture of booze in McCarthy did so photo shop structure has undergone passed the National Prohibition Act. well that by 1933, when the manu- several major expansions since More popularly known as the Vol- facture of liquor was again legal, 1952. stead Act since Andrew Volstead was residents had perfected their own At the time of our stay, a cou- the Chairman of the Senate Judicia- manufacturing techniques to the ple, who were the hired caretakers ry Committee which was the driving point that Alaskans preferred the of the Kennecott Copper force in restricting and making ille- local product to that imported from Corporation’s holdings, lived down gal the manufacture, transporta- outside the territory. Which proba- in McCarthy. These folk were long tion, import, export, and sale of bly accounts for the reason so much time friends of our parents. They alcoholic beverages. Prohibition of the paraphernalia was still in had cleaned up and made comfort- wasn’t rescinded until 1933. town in 1940 when the fire oc- able the tiny north wing of the As McCarthyites know, the big curred. No doubt too, that the rag- building in advance of our arrival. years for copper production at the ing economic depression in the Twelve years prior to this visit of Kennecott mines occurred some- world exacerbated the situation by ours, on Friday, November 8, 1940, where between 1910 and the late making legal liquor prohibitively the main business district in McCa- 1920s and the mines shut down for- expensive in the mid 1930s. rthy had been destroyed by a huge ever in November of 1938. There- My friend, the late Al Swalling, unfortunate fire. My mother’s good fore, the Volstead Act was in effect recalled quite a bit of detail about friend, from the days her and dad during many of the prime years this period in the history of McCa- lived in McCarthy, Mrs. Ora Jack- when the McCarthy/Kennecott area rthy. son, had perished in that fire. Al- was flourishing. In addition, there Al worked for the Railway for though Kennecott’s operations and were hundreds of small mines and many years. He was on the last train the railroad had shut down two prospects in the entire Chitina River out in 1938 because it was his job, years prior to the fire, McCarthy had country including gold mines at as Superintendent of all railroad yet to be completely deserted. As Chisana and the upper Bremner Riv- structures except bridges, to close the fire raged townsfolk attempted er. down and drain all stations between to rescue as much as they could It goes without saying that Kennecott and Cordova. Originally, from the various businesses being those hard-working miners, prospec- as a young man, Al had come to destroyed. That evening they stuffed tors, trappers, etc., who lived and Cordova to find employment as a much of this salvage inside the worked in one of the harshest envi- carpenter. Almost immediately the closed-down photo shop. ronments on earth in those days, railroad put him on the bridge crew. So, in 1952, except for the little were not exactly enamored with the Al said that there was a special north room that had been cleaned Volstead Act. Be that as it may, law enforcement branch established up by our friends, nothing had “bootlegging” began and prospered to assure compliance with the act. changed inside the Hubrick store in Alaska’s interior after the act was “McCarthy became one of their since the night of the fire. As my passed. many targets. They knew that boot- brother and I began exploring, we McCarthy had to have been the leg whiskey must be being made to found that there was so much stuff center of all this illegal activity. For dispense in the area. Their mission crammed into both the downstairs instance, quite a few old-timers still was to enforce the act and believe and upstairs of the store that it was resided in the valley the first year I me they tried. So, over the many difficult to even move around. Al- worked as a commercial pilot in years of Prohibition, they arrived most everything imaginable had 1960. One of those fellows was Lew singularly and in pairs. During this been put in there, mostly dry goods. McFerren who owned the old rail- entire period, they were never suc- PAGE 14 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 cessful in catching either a maker “OBITUARY—On December earliest forms of long range commu- or a dispenser of the forbidden spir- 31st at 12 o’clock midnight — two nication known to man. its. It is true, they may have caught old sourdoughs who landed on the An analysis of these contradic- and arrested some straggler with a beach at Valdez early in 1898, tions proves interesting. If one hip flask, but never a bootlegger. In breathed a last odorous gasp, and takes a look at pictures, taken dur- the few cases they brought before AL. K. Hall and J. Barley Corn were ing the railroad’s operating years, Judge Chamberlain, depending on no more. Around the bedside were along the Kennicott River grade the season and the height of his gathered the B.A.R. Tender broth- from about mile 56.25 (according woodpile, he was always very modest ers, children and nephews of the to today’s highway mileage mark- in his sentencing or levying of deceased pioneers while the other ers) to where it flattens out on the fines.” relatives K.O. Kane and Mor Phene Kennicott River flood plane, all the These federal agents were actu- wept bibulously in the background. trees that might block a view of Mc- ally titled “Prohibition Agents” but There will be no funeral as the re- Carthy were pretty much cut down. McCarthyites called them Pro-Hi’s mains are too dead to bury.” Likewise, old pictures of downtown for short. Al reasons why there were not a McCarthy reveal the same absence At our McCarthy/Kennecott lot of arrests or enthusiasm for en- of brush and trees. Therefore, a per- Museum today can be found copies forcing the act by the local officials. son in McCarthy could easily look of court summons to local individu- Agents would visit Jack Reynolds, up and see the locomotive soon af- als for alleged infractions of the Pro- the local US Marshall, when in Mc- ter it crossed the Swift Creek tres- hibition Act. WSEN publishes Carthy in attempts to elicit informa- tle, particularly if it was belching articles from yesteryears area news- tion. “He was always very polite to huge clouds of black smoke. papers. From time to time these them, but pleaded complete igno- (During the day that is, and, from old news articles will relate experi- rance as to transgressions. He never historical records the northbound ences where somebody was busted announced it publicly, but privately, train almost always arrived around or got in trouble for involvement he would state that he joined the midday.) with illegal beverages. For instance: U.S. Marshal’s forces as a peace offi- Taking a cue from San “COURT NEWS—CASE BOUND cer, not as a D____d Pro-Hi.” Francisco’s opium dens, McCarthy OVER TO GRAND JURY—In the As Al explains, most of the train erected buildings that were a maze Commissioners Court this week be- crews were good friends with the of “secret trap doors, false walls, fore Judge Parker Smith, Mrs. Mc- McCarthy town folk. They knew buried root cellars and hidden clos- Cullum was charged with right away if strangers, particularly ets.” infringement of the bone dry law Pro-Hi’s, were on board the train. On these Pro-Hi visit occasions, and bound over to the Grand Jury. A favorite anecdote around Mc- with the northbound locomotive The informant Thuro Lindstrum was Carthy today involves the Copper just having past Swift Creek, the detained as a witness under bonds. River Northwestern Railway’s al- fireman would pour on excessive This is the first case which has been leged practice of blowing the whis- fuel and black smoke would roll. bound over to the Grand Jury from tle loudly upon approach to Then, “By the time the Pro-Hi’s this town since the enactment of McCarthy in-order to warn residents arrived in downtown McCarthy, with this law. Hon. J. H. Murray was that federal agents, looking for their warrants, the strongest drink counsel for the defense. A large au- bootleg whiskey, were on board. I available in the restaurants was dience was present at the hearing always considered this story to be a black coffee. The men in the pool and followed the case with interest, myth because it didn’t make any hall and card rooms were playing so much so that one citizen inter- sense to me. If the town folk in Mc- rummy and drinking sasparilla or rupted the proceedings and was Carthy could hear these unusual lemonade. In the red light district, fined $10 for contempt of court.” blasts of the whistle, why then shot glasses were replaced by tea- The following colorful obituary would not the agents be tipped off pots and tea cups. The ladies were appeared in the McCarthy Weekly as well? Al might just have proven reading the Ladies’ Home Journal News on January 5, 1918. This inci- me pretty much correct in this as- or writing nice letters home to dent may have been indicative of sumption. mother.” rationale supporting the Volstead Al recalled the warning signal So, as Al said: “Thus ends an- Act. from the locomotive to be smoke, other day in the life history of Mc- not a whistle. “Smoke,” one of the Carthy.” WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 15 Good News from the Wrangells “Have a hope-filled Thanksgiving and Christmas season!” Two very special holidays are The author —his name is Je- ou, WSEN readers, are almost upon us. In Thanksgiving, I sus —of this power-filled hope was Y on my heart and mind see hope written throughout, born that very day, not for a mea- this early morning. don’t you? Hardship, hunger, de- ger few but for “all people.” The Sipping on my first cup of coffee, spair, danger, sickness and disease good news is that all means ALL the words “Hope, Thanksgiving, threatens the very existence of the and you and I are included in that Christmas and You” are rolling early settlers to our great land; 3-letter word. around inside me. How are they however, woven throughout the Are you surrounded by things true story is hope —hope of a new related? Are they? Am I just such as hardship, hunger, despair, day, another promising seedtime imagining the impact these danger, sickness or disease? and harvest-time, new acquain- words are having on me? It (Maybe you can add a few more to tances, a healthier tomorrow and seems rather early in the morn- this list.) Then you are a candi- a stronger belief in a kingdom date for the God-given gift of ing to be pondering such a seri- that is not seen with these earthly Hope this holiday season, or any ous subject, I think. But, then, I eyes. time of the year. open my favorite book—a book Christmas is another hope- When Jesus grows to manhood that is always there for me, night filled celebration, not just written and begins his earthly ministry, he or day, with words that continu- on our December calendars, but speaks these still very relevant ally encourage and catapult me taken from an actual event that words: “Come to Me, all you who into a brand new day—my Bible. took place nearly 2,000 years ago labor and are heavy laden, and I I don’t recall the last time I in a seemingly insignificant land will give you rest, Take My yoke wrote you a Good news from the called Israel. It was a time of dark- upon you and learn from Me, for I Wrangells article. Long enough to ness, naturally and spiritually. am gentle and lowly in heart, and cause me amazement when I re- Despair, danger and hardship was you will find rest for your souls. ceived a request from a recent on- a norm for the inhabitants of the For My yoke is easy and My burden line subscriber who asked me if he small town called Bethlehem. And, is light.” Matthew 11:28 and 29 could adapt and use one I wrote in yet, another more powerful un- NKJV. Are these hope-filled words 2001! Thank you, Ken, for aiding seen force was about to enter or what? Did He not say the word me in putting two and two togeth- earth’s atmosphere —hope! It “all,” and we know who that er and coming up with hope, plus came on the wings of an angel and means, don’t we? thanksgiving, plus Christmas his words to common country Jesus is alive and well today. equaling good news! shepherds living out in the fields His words are eternal, living and When I opened my Bible, it at night. “Do not be afraid, for full of power. That means His hand wasn’t to any specific passage as behold, I bring you good tidings of is still outstretched to you and me usual, but my eyes fell on Isaiah great joy which will be to all peo- today no matter what unlovely sit- 50:4: “The Lord God has given Me ple. (Italics mine) For there is uation (s) you find yourself in. He (this is considered a prophetic born to you this day in the city of holds out to us more than enough scripture referencing Christ Jesus, David a Savior, who is Christ the hope to go around for any and all the coming Messiah) the tongue Lord.” And then it seemed like despair or hopelessness. Reach of the learned, that I should know heaven itself could not contain the out to Him now; don’t wait anoth- how to speak a word in season to excitement at this hope-filled mo- er moment. This is your time for him who is weary. He awakens Me ment on God’s timetable, for Luke hope to be built up in you. Come morning by morning, He awakens 2:13 tells us: “And suddenly there to Jesus as He is calling you today. My ear to hear as the learned.” was with the angel a multitude of You can start life over; it’s not too Immediately I knew He wanted to the heavenly host praising God late if there is breathe in your encourage you (and me) with and saying, ‘Glory to God in the body. Come on! Heaven is cheer- words of hope that will catapult us highest, and on earth peace, good- ing you on and so am I. will toward men!’” into a new year. Have a hope-filled Thanksgiv- ing and Christmas season! PAGE 16 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 THE CHITINA LEADER November 1915 December
TWO TRAINS DAILY ness offering has justified the Copper the ground making an investigation C.R. & N.W. RY. River & Northwestern railway in go- and the assays of the ore are such as ing to considerable expense in tak- to justify the erection, at once, of a The development of the mineral ing care of it. The Bonanza and hundred stamp mill, as most of the belt tributary to Cordova has result- Jumbo copper mines at Kennecott ledges have already been cross-cut ed in increased tonnage and in order are working to capacity and tier out- and show good values. to facilitate the handling of this busi- put alone has a value of from Every precaution has been taken ness the Copper River Northwestern $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 per in order to provide against climatic Ry. will shortly inaugurate a train month. Extensive development work conditions interfering with traffic on schedule that will afford mine opera- has been done during the past sum- the railroad during the winter tors needed transportation facilities mer on the Mother Lode Copper months. Three rotaries will be in and cause Alaskans to rejoice in the Mines property, near McCarthy, and operation and a “Y” trestle is being fact that a new era has dawned for considerable ore has been blocked built at Mile 39, with snowsheds the territory. out and is awaiting shipment to the wherever needed, and the lumber While Cordova enjoys the dis- smelter. The Alaska Consolidated will be here in a few for additional tinction of having the only broad- Copper Company has opened up a section houses to be erected at gauged railroad in Alaska which was big ledge on the Kuskulina and will Tiekel and Shushanna Junction. New constructed at an approximate cost be on a shipping basis this winter, trains crews will be put on and more of $20,000,000 and maintains a reg- while the owners of the Lakina men employed on the railroad than ular schedule a distance of 196 miles Mines, on Castle mountain, are now at anytime since it has been in oper- to the rich copper, gold quartz and building a wagon road from the ation, all of which means a season of placer mines of the Interior, the lat- mouth of Mill creek to the mine on activity for Cordova. est innovation will cause our resi- the mountain, from which part the Nov. 1 dents, as well as the people in the ore will be hauled direct to the rail- states, to marvel at the service about road without transfer. CHITINA, NOV. 5 to be inaugurated. These are among the biggest O. A. Nelson is engaged in driv- Two trains a day —twelve trains producing copper mines and when ing a tunnel in the hill on the oppo- a week —are to be run over this road. all are shipping their output Falcon site side of the railroad from town, One will leave Cordova every morn- Joslin’s statement in Washington with the intention of using the water ing for Chitina and Kennecott and last year that a double tracked rail- from the lake to develop power for an the other will start from the latter road through the Copper River valley electric plant which, however, will places. Heretofore there has been would be necessary within the next not be ready for use this winter. from one to three trains a week, and five years to handle the ore produc- in order to give the extra service tion of this section will be a reality in Last week a daughter was born considerable additional equipment a much shorter time. With a stimu- to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson McCrary at has been ordered, at a cost of several lated copper market many low grade McCarthy. Dr. Bunch being in atten- hundreds of thousands of dollars. It properties are likely to be opened up dance. Nelson came to Chitina to includes another rotary, a number of and negotiations are now pending meet the family returning home, and standard make locomotives and en- for the taking over and working of got so excited about being a happy gines and many freight cars. the large body of gold quartz at father that he bought Jim The trains will handle passen- McKinley lake, but thirteen miles Rockefellow’s automobile and in one gers, mail and freight, with dining from Cordova, and along the line of day was a full fledged driver and took car attached, and the volume of busi- the railroad. Mining experts are on his family home in style. The
Excerpted from The Chitina Leader newspaper, November and December 1915 editions. WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 17 McCrary’s have decided that if the Hi,” as he is familiarly known, has a This interior property is being population will not come to the Cop- host of friends in Cordova who are developed on a rather unique plan, per River valley, they will populate it always glad to see him. originated by J. L. Harper, a mining themselves. Mr. Sheridan reports that there man of Washington state. There is no Nov. 9 is considerable activity at McCarthy company, no corporation, no stock STAKING TRAIL OVER and thereabouts. The Bonanza and and in fact nothing to sell...The own- ers control the mine absolutely, and ROHN GLACIER Jumbo mines are employing more men than ever, while the Mother manage it unhampered. They share McCarthy, Nov. 13 —Sidney Lode Copper Mines Company is the “net profits” of operation. It is Johnston, the McCarthy liveryman, freighting ore over a good snow trail up to them to see that there are net returned to town last night from a to the railroad, and will shortly make profits. If the management is good three week trip on the Rohn Glacier, a big shipment of this metal to Cor- and the mine meritorious they profit where he with a gang of men has dova. The other mines in that section immediately. The investors do not been staking the trail to the Chisana. are being developed, and there is an have to rely on the appearance of net Johnson states that Cole and Crowe, air of prosperity about the whole profits for their returns. From every with the mail, made the trip safely interior country. ton of ore shipped they receive direct over the bad ice and should be back NEW TEACHER FOR from the smelter through their trust- in McCarthy in a couple of days. He ee or bank a definite and fixed re- states that the snow on the glacier is KENNECOTT turn. If the mine is rich they reap four feet deep in places and that Teachers’ permits were issued by rich returns proportionately. great difficulty was experienced in the governor to the teachers in the Dec. 7 breaking the trail. A number of pack- Fairbanks’ public school as follows: CHITINA, Dec. 7 ers are storm bound at Chisana and F. J. Karrer, Ralph D. Matthews, on the White River. Those attempt- Daphne I. Moody, Ione Jones, Mrs. George Bluen, owner of the ing to make the trip by way of Skolai Josephine Tupper, Anna M. Karrer Overland Hotel, is under arrest, Basin having been compelled to turn and Florence Gertrude Smith. A per- charged with taking doors or win- back. mit was also issued to Miss Eleanor dows, or both, from a cabin on the Hilda Clark, who will shortly take hill, and his trial is set for December 10. Mr. R. E. Capers of Cordova is his After many delays the McCarthy charge of the Blackburn school at attorney. School opened on Monday last. The Kennecott, succeeding Miss Marte sympathy of the entire community is Dennis, resigned. with the schoolmarm who has the LACKINAW MINE SOON The McCrary boys are burning task of controlling about twenty READY TO SHIP ORE up the trail with their auto, making youngsters who have run wild for a a round trip to Copper Center al- J. E. McFarland, who is connect- most daily. year or more. ed with the Lakinaw Copper Mines, Dec. 14 near Long Lake, is in town, and will M. V. Lattin, our accommodat- take the first steamer on a short ASKS PATENT TO HIS ing station agent, has resigned and business trip to the States. HOMESTEAD expresses his intention of spending He reports that recent work on John E. Barrett has filed in the the winter in the states. It is under- their copper claims has disclosed, in Juneau office an application for pat- stood that G. S. Stratman, now at two new cuts on one of the groups of ent to a homestead claim comprising Chitina, will succeed him, while H. J. the properties, high grade bornite 296 acres in the vicinity of McCa- Brandt will take Mr. Stratman’s and chalcocite copper ore from two rthy. Barrett located upon this land place. to five feet in width, not heretofore in 1906, and since that time has had Nov. 23 exposed. The vein is of from 600 to it under cultivation, raising crops FREIGHTING ORE FROM 800 feet in known length, with a each year. Several photos of the farm THE MOTHER LODE MINE “gouge” line of demarcation. Work which accompanied that application has progressed so satisfactorily that indicate that the tract is highly pro- H. W. Sheridan, whose headquar- the shipment of ore will begin within ductive. ters are at McCarthy, arrived in town thirty days, or as soon as a good Dec. 21 this afternoon, it being his first visit winter trail can be built from the here since he left for the interior mine to the Copper River railroad. —twenty-one months ago. “Uncle PAGE 18 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 Search for missing hiker suspended flown to Skolai Pass on September "We never stop looking for a miss- he week-long search for 12th, but failed to return to the air ing person" said Park Superintendent T68 year-old Paul Schoch strip for his scheduled pick-up on Sep- Meg Jensen, "The search for Paul of Lake Nebagamon, Wis- tember 17th. His base camp was Schoch covered all high probability consin, was suspended as winter de- found intact, with most of his food areas repeatedly until the likelihood and medications left behind. His of finding him alive was very small. scended on the high country of camera equipment, jacket and water Blowing and drifting snow and contin- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and bottle have not been located, indicat- ued snowfall at the search site caused Preserve. During the afternoon of ing that Mr. Schoch planned for a increasing hazard for the search September 23rd, the difficult deci- short day hike early in his trip, but teams . For these reasons, on the af- sion to remove ground search teams failed to return from it. ternoon of September 23 a decision from the field was made by the Park During the first day of searching was made, with input from the family, Superintendent, Incident Com- by the ground crews, a camp stool was to suspend the search mission." mander and the Alaska State Troop- found in the vicinity of Mr. Schoch's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park ers. base camp. The stool was flown out to & Preserve is itself the size of Switzer- Twenty-four men and women from Glennallen on September 22nd to al- land. Wrangell-St. Elias, along with Denali National Park & Preserve, low for possible identification by Mr. contiguous parks Glacier Bay National Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Schoch's daughter. Friends of Mr. Park and Preserve (Alaska), Kluane Preserve and local McCarthy resi- Schoch from his home town in Wis- National Park (Yukon Territory), and dents, who are experienced mountain- consin have joined his daughter in Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park eers and guides, worked from a base Alaska to await word of Mr. Schoch's (British Columbia), constitutes a camp at 4,500 feet elevation near the location. world heritage site, at 24.3 million Russell Glacier in Wrangell-St. Elias Tracks found on September 21 in acres one of the largest international National Park & Preserve. Ground softer soils and sand were followed terrestrial protected areas on earth. search teams made grid searches out to the lateral moraine of the Rus- The huge dimensions and rugged- through steep, rugged terrain, aug- sell Glacier; intensive helicopter ness of Wrangell-St. Elias National mented by aerial searching via fixed searching of the moraine and adja- Park and Preserve attract backpack- wing and helicopter. The ground cent glacier yielded no results. ers, hikers and campers seeking wil- search teams were part of a larger The Alaska State Troopers heli- derness adventure. The National Park group of 45 people who engaged in copter "Helo 1" assisted in the search Service urges visitors who enter the the search for missing hiker, Paul for four days. The ship was released wilderness to be prepared for any Schoch, 68, of Lake Nebagamon, WI. on September 23 to address critical eventuality. Wilderness travelers The ground team was called in needs elsewhere in the state. A spot- should have a plan and let someone after aerial searching by helicopter ter for helicopter operations was pro- know where they are going and when and fixed wing aircraft on September vided by the Alaska Mountain Rescue they expect to return. Always travel 17th and 18th failed to find Mr. Association. with appropriate survival equipment Schoch. Schoch, an avid photogra- and supplies. Hiking with a partner pher and backcountry day hiker, was greatly increases the margin of safety. McCarthy Phone System Upgrade Status
Cordova work will be completed in McCarthy it is fully tested and opera- mid November. We are estimating to tional, with an emphasis on eliminat- opper Valley Telephone have this same group of engineers in ing problems to you, the customers Ccontinues with the McCa- McCarthy in late November, after the and phone users. rthy area telephone system Thanksgiving holiday. Once the new system is turned on upgrades. Here is the status as of Oc- On October 26th CVTC techni- for service at McCarthy and Sour- tober 29, 2007. cians installed the new cellular equip- dough, CVTC will be contacting each The new equipment for McCarthy ment at Sourdough. McCarthy customer to arrange to up- was set up in Valdez and fully tested CVTC will continue to have tech- grade your premise equipment and during August and September. The nicians and contractors in McCarthy transfer service off the old system and equipment has passed all of the re- preparing for the system installation onto the new. The existing phone sys- quired pre-installation testing and was between now and late November. tem providing service today will stay shipped and installed in McCarthy on in operation until all customers have CVTC has taken extra steps to the weekend of October 13. been transferred. ensure that when the equipment is Engineers are currently in Cordo- installed and turned up for service at Thank you for your patience. va activating the same equipment; the WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 19
The Suspicious Death of a Codfish Aristocrat (Continued from page 10) the time, and the miners had lots of he didn't announce was that he On the days that Rose wasn't in disposable income. didn't have the money to buy them. the store and he wasn't at the Par- Robbery was the motive. The Local contractor Fred Cole had lor, Gus counted the bags of dollar room had been ransacked and built the drugstore the previous coins and paper bills she'd stored in Rose's empty purse was on a table. January. Twenty-four feet by forty his safe. It was reported that there Ordinarily Rose would have taken feet, it had, according to the News, might have been twenty thousand her money to the bank in Cordova, "the most up to date and handsome dollars in the safe. On the eighth of but the quarantine had clamped fixtures, everything under glass. The March, however, Rose arrived at the down on resident travel. Now Rose jewelry department has a special drugstore and announced that she faced a predicament: what to do showcase, velvet shelves, in the wanted to remove her money from with that cash. She placed some in front center. On each side range the safe, as she planned to take it to safekeeping with her attorney, Mr. candy, stationery, china and cut the bank in Cordova in the morn- Barnes. Some she converted into glass, and leather goods cases. In ing. The quarantine had been lifted. real estate, buying both business the rear of the store are toilet Priesner was, as you might and residential locations. She still creams and soaps, behind which are imagine, beside himself. His ship- had much cash. Where should she two prescription cases and an elabo- ment of furs was due soon and the keep it? On March 9, 1918, she had rate wrapping desk. On the left is a money he planned to "borrow" would a large amount with her at the Chili music room where the latest phono- no longer be in his safe. Despite his Con Carne Parlor, and somebody graphs and records can be heard. angst, he was gracious, and allowed knew that. Dr. J. F. Hill declared Many mirrors enliven the display." Rose to remove her money from the Rose dead. Marshall Joe Feister was Priesner, a German alien, may not safe, also arranging a midnight summoned from Chitina. have had an apothecary's license, tryst. Rose, unaware of danger, ser- As of the pressing of the McCa- but that didn't keep him from dis- viced her Friday evening customers, rthy Weekly News, authorities had pensing medicinal remedies, most bathed and perfumed her body, and not made an arrest, but "are work- of which were alcohol in some form. met Priesner when he appeared ing hard tracing down every clue." Certainly, he wasn't about to comply slightly after midnight. For nearly The paper went on to caution that with the German Alien Registration two hours, they talked, made love, the area had sustained several un- Act. and talked some more. By two solved murders and enlisted the aid Because of the impact of the o'clock on Saturday morning, he'd of the town's residents to assist the quarantine and because there was made known that he needed the authorities "that the ends of justice only so much real estate for sale in money, and she'd refused. An argu- may be met." Because of the war, McCarthy, Rose's problem with her ment ensued, and he began to beat the newspaper was printed on wrap- cash supply was becoming acute. her. Her gun was in the bedside ping paper. Her attorney refused to hold more, stand, so she retrieved it and tried Gus Priesner was another mem- and she couldn't go to the bank. to fire at him. The first shot was ber of the Codfish Aristocracy. He One of her customers had a safe, knocked wild, as he forced her hand came to McCarthy intent on work- however, and agreed-—for a price— toward the floor. The second shot ing a mine and staked a claim. Fur- to hold Rose's cash. As the cash in entered her left arm, as he forced ther, he broadened his business by his safe began to bulge, Gus the gun back on her as she pulled entering the fur trade. However, Priesner—faced with a large oncom- the trigger. From that point, he mines and traipsing around the ing fur debt—began to consider var- threw her onto the bed and with his Alaskan woods were hard work with ious ways to acquire some of that skinning knife did what was report- dubious and chancy returns. Miners cash for his personal use. The natu- ed in the paper the next day. with pockets laden with gold nug- ral way to handle that was to be- Bloody from the knife, he ran- gets and dollar coins offered better come not just a customer, but also sacked the room, looking first in returns with less effort. Soon after a paramour of the ambitious Rose her purse. It was empty. Like a wild his arrival, Gus bought a business— Silberg. Thus began a romance, one man he pulled drawers from dress- the McCarthy drugstore. In early that Rose encouraged because it ers and dumped clothes on the February, Priesner announced that kept her from paying a storage fee. floor. He eventually located the the winter fur yield was exceptional, Inherent in the arrangement was an money in a cardboard box buried at because of the severe cold and that occasional tryst at the Chili Con the back of a closet. Unsurprised at he'd already secured substantial Carne Parlor, where Rose paid her the lack of response from people in numbers of lynx and fox. A shipment storage fee in a purely physical way. nearby houses—who no doubt were was due from Chisana any day. What entertaining their own clients— PAGE 20 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007
Priesner doused the candles and turned with Shimizu, and the fugi- Feister telegraphed his counterpart slipped out into the dark. There he tive was locked up in the local jail in the distant city. Priesner was lo- encountered Joe Petrie, nodded, cell. This, according to the McCa- cated and held, not on suspicion of and passed. rthy Weekly News of March 16, murder, but because he'd not regis- Three days after Rose Silberg 1918, which also reported that "Gus tered for the German Alien Regis- was killed, Joe was found dead at Priesner left today for Fairbanks and tration Act. the Golden Hotel on Front Street. further interior on a fur purchasing Priesner jumped bail and it's Joe, a well-known local miner, was trip." A week later it was reported assumed that he, with a dog team discovered when his friend, Ben that he had been arrested in Fair- and sled, made it to Russia. He was Richardson, knocked on his door. banks as an alien enemy for avoid- never seen again. Mr. Shimizu was The two had planned to breakfast ing registration. released and left for Tokyo. together an hour before, and Joe During the following week, sev- Today, the Kennecott Mine is hadn't shown. Because of the death eral court days w ere spent in in- closed, the CR&NW railroad of McCarthy R ose, Marshall Feister quests for both Rose Silberg and stopped running in 1938, and Mc- was still in town. The inquest had Joe Petrie. They found that “Rose Carthy, Alaska, boasts a permanent not yet been held. Levine, alias Rose Silberg, came to population of forty-five people and a A postmortem examination of her death on the 9th day of March legend. The tourist population Petrie by Dr. Hill identified that the 1918, between the hours of 2 a.m. stretches to more than twenty-five dead man possibly had been poi- and 12 p.m. by reason of three in- thousand during the summer sea- soned. The doctor recommended a cised wounds in the neck, one of son. The area is now designated one chemical analysis of the body and which was sufficient to produce im- of the largest national parks on the turned the appropriate samples over mediate death…said wounds were North American continent. to the Marshall. inflicted by some sharp instrument Kenniston (Ken) Lord is a re- What made Petrie's death unset- held in the hands of some person— tired teacher who lives in Tucson, tling was that he had information other than the deceased to the jury Arizona. The author of more than about the death of Rose Silberg. unknown.” In other words, the mur- sixty books, he specializes in works Could it be that Petrie was mur- der weapon was never found and no of historical fiction, though he's au- dered to keep his testimony silent? evidence at the scene pointed to the thored mysteries, love stories, mem- Who might have had access to such perpetrator. There were similar oirs, biographies, and inspirational poison? A second inquest was sched- “concrete" findings about Joe Pet- works of both fiction and nonfiction. uled for the following week. rie. For years, he wrote for the computer Silberg's inquest had been de- During the week, one of field — find details by entering his layed. A Japanese man, one S. Shi- Priesner's customers reported to the full name into Google. You can find mizu, was a client of the madam of Marshall that he'd received, in his current work at either of these the Chili Con Carne Parlor on the change, money from the McCarthy websites: www.lulu.com/kenlord or evening preceding her death. Mr. drugstore with blood on it. When www.wordsmith.bigwebpages.com. Shimizu, a McCarthy merchant, had Marshall Feister went to see At age 71, Ken is a practicing "Avon departed to his native land on busi- Priesner, he was gone—ostensibly Lady." ness, but his journey was interrupt- on the fur buying trip that would You can download a pdf version ed in Anchorage, just before sailing that week be announced in the of this story at time. Joe Feister, the US Marshall, newspaper. Certain then that www.wsen.net/Rose.pdf journeyed to Anchorage and re- Priesner would go first to Fairbanks,
CLASSIFIED 16x20, 3-sided log cabin kits. Add sweat, doors, windows and some materials, for a cozy home! $12.5K each. E-mail for materials list. Located in McCarthy. (907) 782-3730 or [email protected] WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 21
"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight COPPER RIVER when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to RECORD fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even Community Newspaper be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to for the Copper Valley perish than to live as slaves." Subscribe * Advertise * Contribute! — Winston Churchill P.O. Box 277 Glennallen, AK 99588 907-822-3727 phone and fax MOTHER LODE COPPER MINES COMPANY OF ALASKA LLC 201 Barrow Street #1 • Anchorage, AK 99501 [email protected] Land for sale For Sale: Two parcels of land. 2-3 The Old miles south-west of McCarthy. Swift Creek Bluffs Subdivision Add. #1. —Tract L, 10.02 acres $70,000. —Tract T plus Lot 1, 11.39 acres $81,000. Terms available. 907-562-4924 or 554-4403.
Valdez Realty
“The Dirt Merchant” Cor. EGAN & HAZLET and WALTER M. WOOD - BROKER P.O. BOX 868 (907)835-2408 VALDEZ, AK 99686 The New [email protected] Items of Interest Invest in your own recreation lot at Mi. 27 McCarthy Hwy. 23 lots available in accessible small & large Cooking with Peggy parcels at Chokosna River Tracts. Broker is Owner. www.PropertyRightsResearch.org Julie Smithson, Researcher News 213 Thorn Locust Lane London, Ohio 43140-8844 [email protected] Wrangell St. Elias News 740-857-1239 (voice/no fax) http://www.mccarthy-kennicott.com/subscribe/ PAGE 22 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 FOR SALE
Mile 58 McCarthy Road Lots 9, 10, 13 & 14 Kiagna Subdivision
10 Acres of four 2 ½ lots
1997 400 SqFt 5th Wheel 2 slide outs for living & bedroom area Lots of storage
20 Foot Steel Conx Box
$150,000 1995 2Wheel Drive Chevy Truck 155k Miles Runs very well Also included, 2 batteries, 3000 watt generator, 1 solar panel, 2 wells on the property, metal roof cover, dishes, pots and pans, linens and towels, television, VCR, Sofa bed for guests, rocking chair, kitchen table and 4 chairs, and a new vinyl floor in the living area that is easy to keep clean!
Contact Linda Warren at 623-434-1391 Or [email protected] WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 23 Scheduled Air Service from Anchorage to McCarthy with stopover in Gulkana!
Now you can leave Anchorage at 8:30 on Wednesday or Friday morning and arrive in Gulkana at 9:45, McCarthy at 11:00. Or, you can leave McCarthy at 11:15 and be back in Anchorage by 2:00pm the same day! (Leaves Gulkana at 12:45) This service is year around.
http://www.ellisair.com
Ellis Air Taxi, Inc. RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEPARTURES, ARRIVALS, CONNECTIONS. Ellis Air will not be responsible for damages resulting from the failure of flights to depart Phone 822-3368 or arrive at times stated in this timetable, nor for errors herein, nor for failure to make connections to other airlines or of this company. Schedules are subject to change without notice. Schedules 800-478-3368 shown are based on expected flying times. Because weather and other factors may affect operat- ing conditions, departures and arrivals cannot be guaranteed. Gulkana Airfield Box 106, Glennallen, AK 99588
HOMESTEAD SUPPLY
Lumber, building materials and hardware delivered to the McCarthy area at Anchorage prices! Give us a call or come in and browse our new ACE Hardware store. NEW! Greenhouse and potting supplies!
907-822-3987 or FAX 822-5209
Mile 115.5 Richardson Highway (Box 49) Glennallen PAGE 24 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007
The New Caribou Hotel Getting tired? Stop at the Caribou Hotel! The coffee pot’s always on!
Warm atmosphere — Hot Tubs — Satellite TV Full Menu Restaurant
Mile 187 Glenn Hwy. 822-3302 Glennallen, AK
!Heating oil !Gasoline and Diesel Fuel !AvGas and Jet Fuel !Chevron Lube Oils and Greases !Fuel Tanks and Accessories WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 25
Mark your calendar for our free tutorial about online banking.
Need help with Online Banking? Just stop by for our free tutorial and a banker will help you figure out which online services you need most. We’ll even teach you how to use them. The next thing you know, you’ll be tracking your monthly Wells Fargo spending with My Spending Report or even managing your bills with Online Bill Pay. Find out how easy Online Banking can be today.
Online Banking • Tutorial • Now through December 31, 2007 Wells Fargo Bank – Glennallen Store Mile 187.5 Glenn Hwy 907-822-3214
© 2007 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.
w Private cabins for 2 to 4. Your hosts, long-time residents Rick & Bonnie Kenyon. w Convenient access by automobile. w Historic homestead setting. Enjoy Alaskan bush living. w Quiet, Peaceful location away from the crowds! Phone (907)554-4454 or Email [email protected] See us on the WEB at http://mccarthy-kennicott.com/WSENBB.htm PAGE 26 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007
COPPER CENTER LODGE
HISTORIC ROADHOUSE SINCE 1896
For Reservations & Information: Copper Center Lodge, Drawer J Copper Center, AK 99573 Mile 101 Richardson Hwy., Loop Rd. www.coppercenterlodge.com [email protected] 907-822-3245 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 27
McCarthy WRANGELL MOUNTAIN TECHNICAL SERVICES Bed & Breakfast Providing Civil Engineering and Land Survey Services Cozy, quiet cabins, all with private bathrooms & showers. Pull into our conveniently located homestead on the Serving the Copper Basin and throughout Alaska McCarthy Road, ½ mile from the Kennicott River footbridge. On-Site Water and Wastewater Designs Engineering Consultation Continental breakfast & fresh coffee Residential Home Inspections Private baths Construction Inspection and Management Gazebo kitchen As-built Surveys, Boundary Surveys, Sub- Picnic area divisions, Construction Surveys · Tire repair ALLEN MINISH, PE PLS [email protected] Mile 32.1 Edgerton Hwy PO Box MXY Glennallen, AK 99588-8998 P. O. Box 118, Chitina, AK 99566 (907) 554-4433 907-823-2280 PAGE 28 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 Cooking with Peggy Lunch Meat (I used thinly sliced 1 large onion, finely chopped (about i Cooking Friends. Here ham but I’ll bet during Liberty 1 cup) HI am back in Tucson for garden time there would have 1 medium green pepper, finely the winter and the tem- been a lot of bologna used.) chopped (about 2/3 cup) perature is the same as it was in Sauerkraut 4 tablespoons chili powder Alaska for the summer. Is it any Cheese 1 tablespoon cider vinegar wonder I get confused about what Catsup (when I made mine I used ¼ teaspoon allspice the season is or even what the catsup on half and mustard on ¼ teaspoon coriander month is. Some would blame it on half and liked both) 1 teaspoon cumin my “older status,” I choose to blame Heat under broiler until warm ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste it on the weather. and the cheese is melted. ½ cup water I hope you tried some of the While I was in McCarthy, I had 2 cups (16 oz.) canned crushed to- recipes I gave you last month and several Liberty Sandwiches made matoes enjoyed them as much as I did. I with Peggy’s bread, of course, and 1 16 oz. can red kidney beans, with have more great ones from McCa- loved them all. liquid rthy friends this time, so settle Now, I promised you another Cook beef, garlic, onion, and down to read and get those taste recipe from Kenny Smith. When he green pepper in a heavy skillet over buds workin’. gave me this one he told me that medium-high heat, stirring fre- Let’s start with one from Kurt years ago Consumer Reports had quently to break up meat. Cook un- Smith. He and his wife Peggy own done an article about all the taste til onion is soft and meat has lost its our wonderful Mercantile. It is so tests they had done on chilies made pink color. Add remaining ingredi- nice to be able to say to Bonnie on with seasoning mixes. Let me give ents. Bring to a boil. Cover and re- mail day, “Let’s stop at the Mercan- you the recipe that they presented duce heat. Simmer the chili for 45 tile and pick up some groceries and with the explanation given with it. minutes, stirring frequently. while we’re there we might as well Kenny has made this one hundreds Minor variations: To make the get an ice cream cone!” I asked Kurt of time so it must be good (I’ve only chili hotter, add cayenne peppr or for a recipe and he gave me a great made it once but we loved it). Tabasco sauce. For a thicker sauce one that’s easy and tastes good and Consumer Reports: “There are and fuller flavor, add masa (corn even has a little history connected to probably as many recipes for home- flour). To improve the flavor, let the it. Any of you out there remember the made chili as there are cures for the chili simmer longer; chili often Liberty Gardens of World War II? heartburn that often ensues. Our tastes even better the second day, Google them it you don’t know about recipe hews to the basic formula of after its ingredients have had a them because they are very interest- meat, tomatoes, spices, and beans; chance to blend overnight. ing. Anyhow, the cabbage that was we’ve included variations for those Beanless chili: Follow the basic grown in these gardens got the name who want meatless or beanless chili. recipe. Omit the beans; use 2 lbs. of of Liberty cabbages. This sandwich Our taste tests ranked CU’s lean ground beef and ¾ teaspoon of of Kurt’s is called the Liberty Sand- (Consumer Union) chili with the salt. wich because it contains sauerkraut best of the chilies made with the or back then, Liberty cabbage. Meatless chili: Follow the basic seasoning mixes. The recipe makes recipe. Omit the beef and water. Liberty Sandwich about seven 7 ½-ounce servings. Use 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to This is an open faced sandwich. The basic recipe costs about 75 saute the garlic, onion, and pepper. Kurt doesn’t give amounts — deter- cents a serving (bet it’s a little dif- Add 16 oz. can of garbanzo beans mine to your own liking. ferent now!) and takes just under an and one 16 oz. can of pinto beans. hour to prepare.” The first thing called for is a When I made this for us I didn’t slice of Peggy’s bread. (Everyone 1 lb. lean ground beef (Kenny often have the kidney beans so substitut- goes to the Mercantile to purchase substitutes chunks of cooked ed Chili Beans. If you like things a Peggy’s wonderful bread.) A slice of chicken) little spicy, try these. 1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tea- it then makes this sandwich even Now, another one dish meal spoon) better. from John Rice. John and his wife Barbara have built their cabin in WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 29 McCarthy and have been spending things to eat. Thanks, John, I now tation crab and garlic in butter un- summers with us for the past years. have a new lunch menu item. til shrimp turn pink. Remove and During the winter they live in St. Now for a wonderful dinner en- keep warm. In the same skillet, Louis, where Barbara is a real es- trée that is easy to prepare and per- combine the cream cheese, milk tate broker and John is retired from fect for company. I try to keep a little and Parmesan cheese; cook until Boeing. This summer Barbara and list of things I can prepare for unex- cheeses are melted and smooth. her friend Linda Whitman (watch for pected company (quick but really, Place broccoli in a saucepan her recipe for peanut butter cookies) really good) and this one of Rick with 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil. canoed 550 miles down the Yukon Kenyon’s goes to the top of the list. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for from Whitehorse to Eagle. Barbara Just serve it with a nice tossed salad 6-8 minutes or until tender. Drain. had left many meals in the freezer for or Kenny Smith’s Caesar Salad (last Stir broccoli, shrimp and crab mix- John but he was on his own for issue) and a piece of Bonnie’s Key ture, salt and pepper into the some of them. I asked him to give us Lime Pie (I’ll try to put that in the cheese sauce; heat through. Drain one of his favorites that he fixed him- next issue) and you have a dinner fit fettuccine; top with shrimp mixture. self. This one is in his words and is for a king. Yield: 4 servings. called: Shrimp/Imitation Crab Meat Note: Rick says he often cuts Hot Dogs with Chard Fettuccine back on the amount of cream cheese but when I ate it, it was exactly the Easy One Dish Meal 16 ounces uncooked fettuccine way the recipe says and it was won- 1. Put frying pan on stove and (Rick likes to use abut 2/3 white derful so experiment a little if you pour in a little olive oil and add two noodles and 1/3 spinach noo- like. hot dogs cut in small chunks and dles) some chopped up onion. ½ pound uncooked medium shrimp, Here is a little cooking hint I 2. Put on lid and cook on low peeled and deveined saw in the Better Homes and Gar- dens New Cookbook regarding heat until onions and hot dogs start ½ pound imitation crab meat matching sauces to Pasta: to get done. (Alaska Pollack) 3. In the meantime wash and 3 garlic cloves, minced v Light, thin sauces are best tear into pieces several chard leaves, 1 ½ cup butter or margarine paired with thin, delicate pastas stems and all. 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, such as angel hair (capellini) or thin spaghetti (vermicelli). 4. Add chard to pan and cover cubed and cook until chard gets limp and 1 cup milk v Chunky sauces are best part- tender. ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese nered with pastas that have holes or ridges, such as mostac- 5. When chard is limp it is all 1 package (10 ounces) frozen broc- cioli, ziti, rotini, or radiatore. ready to eat. coli florets (or fresh broccoli is v Heavy pasta sauces complement Believe it or not, I had never great) thicker pasta shapes, such as eaten chard until I tried this recipe. ½ teaspoon salt fettuccine. Bonnie and Rick had some growing Dash pepper in the garden and kindly gave me Cook fettuccine according to Have a great holiday everybody some. It’s great! I love finding new package directions. Meanwhile, in a and enjoy your winter. large skillet, saute the shrimp, imi-
den plants. There were 8 days when with 3.24 inches in Aug. ‘06, 3.90 ugust 2007 will be re- the low was 32 or below. The low inches in Aug. ‘05, 0.74 inches in Amembered for its sunny temperature for the month was 28 Aug. ‘04 and 2.30 inches in Aug. and mild days. The high on the 29th (29 on Aug. 29, ‘06 and ‘03. There were 13 days with a trace temperature for the month was 81 27 on Aug 28, ‘05). The average or more of rainfall recorded. The average precipitation for August on the 17th (74 on Aug. 8, ‘06 and monthly temperature at McCarthy 84 on Aug. 13, ‘05). There were 18 was 54.2 compared to 51.5 in Aug. (1984-2006) is 2.60 inches. days when the high was 70 or high- ‘06, 54.8 in Aug. ‘05, 56.2 in Aug. September 2007 will be remem- ‘04 and 51.5 in Aug. ‘03. er. The first freeze was on the 11th bered for the cloudy and rainy days. as the temperature fell to 30, which The August precipitation at Mc- The high temperature at McCarthy was enough to kill a few of the gar- Carthy was 1.86 inches, compared was 68 on the 12th (67 on Sept.14, PAGE 30 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007
‘06 and 68 on Sept. 11, ‘05). The ‘00) and the total precipitation was tation so far is less than a half inch. low temperature was 21 on the 30th 4.76 inches.The average for Septem- The highs have been mostly in the (19 on Sept. 24, ‘06 and 24 on Sept. ber (1984-2006) is 2.95 inches and 40's, with only one day breaking 50. 29, ‘05). There were 8 days with the compares with 2.70 inches in Sept. The low temperature has been be- high 60 or above and 9 days with ‘06, 2.82 inches in Sept. ‘05, 4.95 low 20, 8 times with a reading of +4 the low of 30 or lower. The average inches in Sept. ‘04, 0.98 inches in on the 19th . Winter should be here monthly temperature at McCarthy Sept. ‘03, 1.47 inches in Sept. ‘02, to stay very soon. was 44.6 (45.9 in Sept. ‘06, 47.4 in 2.07 inches in Sept. ‘01 and the re- A few interesting weather facts Sept. ‘05, 40.5 in Sept. ‘04 and 42.1 cord 10.82 inches in Sept. ‘00. for the Summer of 2007. The high in Sept. ‘03). This was about 10 de- There were 18 days with measurable temperatures May through August grees warmer than the record low of rainfall, compared with 15 days in reached 70 or higher on 59 days (45 34.3 of September 1992. Sept. ‘06, 23 days in Sept. ‘05 and in ‘06, 59 in ‘05 and 83 in ‘04) and There was just a trace of snow 13 days in Sept. ‘04. 80 or higher (June thru August) on recorded at McCarthy in September, The first 23 days of October 9 days (2 days in ‘06, 9 in ‘05 and on the morning of the 23rd (trace in have been cloudy and dry, with 31 in ‘04). Total precipitation May Sept. ‘06, 00 in Sept. 05, 8.2 inches about average temperatures. There through August was 7.06 inches in Sept. ‘04, 1.1 in Sept. ‘03 , 00 in has been about 3 inches of snow, (12.37 in ‘05 and 4.06 in ‘04). Sept. ‘02 and ‘01, and 29.5 in Sept. but only a trace is currently on the Have a great winter. ground. The total monthly precipi- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Rick & Bonnie, and his fear that the property would through the property I'm trustee We love your news letter/paper become some commercial venture. for. and enjoy keeping up on all the That was not his desire, nor is it The foundation had developed news even though we visit only once mine. 15 2 to 3-acre lots and 10 5-acre or twice a year. You guys do a great The Foundation owns approxi- lots for sale as well as lots that the and professional job. mately 130 acres of land that we trustees own. This is in addition to Thanks won't be developing and through the land mentioned in the above Judi Movack (James Sill’s sister that land flows a creek which then paragraph. goes under the main road and into We are working on the cove- what I called Tony's pond. That nants at the moment and will be October 2, 2007 pond is now inside the airport putting lots up for sale next year. Hi Rick and Bonnie, boundary and no lots are close to it. Keith Rowland is a licensed sep- I just read your latest magazine There are no lots planned that will tic system provider and we are using and saw the article about the subdi- interfere with the flow of the creek his expertise to plan for each of the vision. (September MAC Meeting, or the pond itself. lots as he will likely be the installer page 9) Tony always told me that he felt of such systems. Just to set the record straight, that the pond water went back un- Keith has also be given a con- the subdivision is now final and has derground and down to McCarthy. tract to build the road that will con- been approved by the State Dept. of I've never heard of any study done to nect our lots with the main road. Natural Resources last winter. Right prove that theory, but it does sound There are three trustees at pres- now Keith Rowland is putting in the reasonable to me. ent: roads and he reports that they are If there is any water study that Carol Brice in Fairbanks almost finished. covers this area, I'm more than will- My only ambition as trustee is ing to participate in a dialogue Helen Raftovich in Pennsylvania to create a first-class subdivision, about that study and its impact to who is Tony's sister. for owners who can share the Alas- the community. At present, my only Dan Talcott Bothell, WA kan dream with those who are al- plan is to run a pipe from my prop- The trustees have agreed to al- ready living in McCarthy/Kennicott. erty to the creek and use the water low the people of McCarthy the use I am obligated to provide income to for my personal use. I assume the of Tony's place. Any development to the heirs of Tony which mandates other trustee will do the same. Out- the building or property must first some land sales, but I also am aware side of that, I have no plans to inter- be approved by the trustees. I did of Tony's wishes for the property fere with the flow of the creek give funds to the caretaker to buy WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 PAGE 31 paint and make minor repairs. I local businesses as much as possible will be investments made and earn- talked with Paul Barratt and he told with these projects. ings from those investments will be me that a lot of the repairs to Tony's Let me know if you have more directed to the students in the area. home have been done. Great news questions. For those who have con- I'm thinking about field trips, con- and I'm happy that all is going well. cerns, I hope I've addressed them. tributions to the library at Tony's, I hope that over time the new For those who don't want develop- and other issues that could be pre- owners of these lots will provide jobs ment, I'm sorry, but it is going to sented to the trustees of the Foun- to the local residents and pump $$ happen. I hope and pray that it will dation. into the economy of McCarthy. all be positive for McCarthy-Kenni- Tony's dream was to give back I for one am planning to build a cott, and I'll do my best as trustee to the children of the area and I will cabin which will be rented during to honor Tony's wishes and to pro- do my best to make that dream hap- the summer months when I'm not vide a positive impact to the com- pen. there myself. I also plan to build munity. I guess you could say that I'm some rental cabins on some of the One more item I'll address is recreating the community of Black- land that is being set aside for the the Blackburn Heritage Foundation. burn, just in a different location. grandchildren and grandnieces- This is an educational foundation Dan Talcott nephews of Tony. I will want to use and once some lots are sold, there Citizen’s Advisory Commission on Federal Areas reestablished
voices heard on issues related to fed- Arno is a registered guide, outfit- n October 30, 2007, eral lands than Alaskans,” Governor ter and pilot and is executive director OAlaska Governor Sarah Palin said. “The reconstitution of this and former president of the Alaska Palin, Senate President council will be an important way for Outdoor Council. Alaskans to make their voices heard Lyda Green and Speaker of the Halford owns and operates his on federal decisions affecting our House John Harris announced their own lodge business in Alaska, working home, and I appreciate Representa- appointments to the Citizen’s Advi- as a commercial pilot, hunting guide tive Kelly’s efforts to win this victory sory Commission on Federal Areas. and fishing guide. for Alaskans.” Susan Smith of Chokosna, who Other appointees include: Mark Huggins is serving his second is chairman of “Residents of the Fish of Anchorage, Ken Kreitzer of term in the Alaska Senate represent- Wrangells,” a McCarthy-based orga- Juneau, Charlie Lean of Nome, Alex ing the Matanuska-Susitna Borough nization of Alaskans with private Tarnai of Tanana, Frank Woods of area. land holdings within the Wrangell Dillingham, Rod Arno, Rick Halford Campbell is a former commission- St. Elias National Park, was chosen and Senator Charlie Huggins, McKie er and deputy commissioner of the to serve on the 12-member panel. Campbell, State Representative Wes Alaska Department of Fish and Game, The Citizen’s Advisory Commis- Keller and Rick Schikora. and an assistant to Governor Wally sion on Federal Areas was created a Fish is a 30-year Alaskan who re- Hickel on resource issues. year after the 1980 passage of the tired after a 20-year career as an avia- Keller represents the Wasilla area Alaska National Interest Lands Con- tion technician and helicopter crew in the Alaska House of Representa- servation Act (ANILCA). The past chief with the Alaska Army National tives, having been appointed by Gov- Governor Tony Knowles’ administra- Guard. ernor Palin in July to fill the seat left tion halted its operation in 1999. Kreitzer is a state corrections offi- vacant by the resignation of Vic The commission was reestab- cer at Lemon Creek Correctional Cen- Kohring. lished this year after Representative ter in Juneau. Schikora is a certified public ac- Mike Kelly of Fairbanks introduced Lean works for the Norton Sound countant and serves on the Greater and won passage of House Bill 87, Economic Development Corporation Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce on which Governor Palin signed into law as a fish research and development its Natural Resources Committee. on September 28, 2007. The commis- biologist. The first meeting of the commis- sion is responsible for identifying and Tarnai works for the National reducing any potential negative im- sion has yet to be announced. It is Weather Service as a weather observer tasked with meeting at least three pact on Alaska and its citizens from in Tanana. federal actions on any of the 239 mil- times per year, with annual reports Woods is a traditional hunter and lion acres of federal land in the state. scheduled within the first 10 days of commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay the legislative session. “No other state holds as much who works as subsistence coordinator federal land as Alaska, and no citizens for the Bristol Bay Native Association. have a greater stake in having their PAGE 32 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007
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