THE KUSKO TIMES
VOL. L NO. 39.
TAKOTNA, ALASKA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1937
PRICE 25 CENTS
STAR AIRLINES ANNOUNCES
RIG EXPANSION PROGRAM
The following story carries the full
details of the purchase of the Star
Air Service, Inc. by Pilot Don Good
can, backed by all the larger mining
operators in the Kuskokwim area.
The name of the new company will
eb “Star Airlines, Inc.” Goodman, is
to be the new manager and secretary
of the new company.. L. McGee will
remain as active manager until April
1. Charles Ruttan retires as an offi
cer of the firm but will remain in it*
employ after a vacation with Mrs.
Ruttan in the States.
The program of improvements in
cludes the addition cf at least three
n:w!9T.8 model planes with a cruis
ing speed of 150 miles an hour, the
planes will be 40 to 50 miles an
hour faster than present planes in
operation.
Radio equipment for two-way
communication will be installed in all
the planes of the company and three
m;re ground stations will be added
in the Kuskokwim area to augment
the two already established at Candle
and M ore creek. The three new
stations wi.l be established at Folger,
Gphir ar.d Goodnaws Bay.
Facilities at Merrill Field, home
base for the company at Anchorage,
will be enlarged to accommodate an'
h rt ased number oi planes, t rst
improvement will be the enlargement^
i .he second tloor of the main hang
a; new occupied by the woodwork
ing shop.
AddiU nai pilots, mKcamcs aim
i/ihcr personnel will be addled to the
steff as the new planes and larger,
sh»;p3 are placed in operation.
An innovation planned by the
new company is an airplane base in
the Kuskokwim with three to five
plar.es based there permanently.
Larger planes will operate from An-.
cl.crags to the Knskokwim as feeders
fer the smaller ships. Air traffic will,
be transferred at the Kuskokwim
base into the smaller planes working
jo all points of the interior.
While no definite schedules will be
maintained, it is planned to operate
at least two planes weekly to the
Goodnews Eay. Service at Bristol
Bay w 11 a'so be increased with at
east six ships on floats next summer
for use in that area and between An
chorage and the bay.
The new firm announced plans to
keep the latest model equipment in
use, replacing planes as they showed
ji-tar with the latest model equip
ment with a view of purchase by the
firm. Radio equipment has already
been ordered and some of it has ar
rived in Anchorage.*
At least three new planes will be
added to the already large fleet, early
in the spring.
MILLER PURCHASES EOAT
TO REPLACE.MS ALASKAN
Capi. E. W. Miller, in a recent
deal, purchased the Shamrock, a.
former cold storage baot, which rests
above the bridge at the mouth of Ta
kotna creek.
He plans to convert it into a stern
wheeler powered with a 60HP diesel.
The cold storage plant will be torn
out and the boat turned into a
freighter, abandoning the old MS
Alaskan and using her equipment for
rigging up the Shmroek.
The old engine no~- sitting in
the Shamrock will be used to make a
trip down to Bethel with the break
up nest spring. The new diesel,
which is due cn the first trip cf the
Tupptr <rom Seattle, will be installed
at Bethel and the trip made back
with th? newly powered Shamrock
loaded with perishables and rush
supplies.
HOWARD WILL OPERATE
AMATEUR STATION HERE
W. A. Howard, former publisher of
the Anchorage Free Press, arrived
here with Pilot Bert Ruoff, Mr. How
ard will operate an amateur radio
station for Ei W. Miller during- the
winter months and will assume the
responsibilities as business manager
and bookkeeper for the Miller boat
ing and sawmill concern at the start
of the coming season.
Send in your Subscription to The
KUSKO TIMES today.
WHAT’S DOING IN McGRATH
By Special Correspondent
Sets Up Store Here—
L. L. Lska, “former agent of the
Northern Commercial Company at
McGrath, arrived recently with- Pilot
Leo Moore wi h a Pilgrim p’ane
loaded with some of his supplies for
his new store at McGrath. He has
purchased the ccbin and shop that
Frank Larson of Takotna formerly
owned, near Dan Sprague's on tha
south side of the Ruskrkwim River
and plans to build additional build
ings.
Making New Landing Fi Id—
Frank Turner, driving the b'g
tractor and bulldozer at Candle
Creek, has been busy making a new
airplane landing field on the hill just
above the Strardberg & Sens’ work
ings. Runways cf 2,000 feet are
planned.
Coes to Horpital—
Frank Lang w.s a passenger for
Fairbanks with Pilot Barnhill reernt
. 'y where he entered the hospital for
^n^dical attention.
Takes Position Here—
Tesseanna Demientx-ff arrived from
Holy Cross to work for Mrs. MdLean
in the store.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Miss Sardgrin Flays Hostess—
A card party was given by Miss
Sandgrin, the school teachrr, Satur
day evening. The attending guests
■were Jack Ferguson, Ward Stone and
Mr. and Mrs. Oddie Hallson. DeE
cicus refreshments were served.
River Finally Freezes—
A lot of water has run around the
bend since we all pulled out our
boats and put away our outboard
motors, but at 1:30 a.m. on the 15th,
the Kuskokwim River froze over
Preparing to Leave—
Ciff Iheisen and Alex Mendel aie
r ak'ng preparations to leave for
-heir trapping grounds near the head
f the Kixon River. They plan to
..eve an ait plane carry themselves
and supplies close to their camp.
En;"oy Gced Season—
Tan McDonald and Mike Hoehreter
are in town from Candle Creek,
where they had a fairly grod season.
Dan is planning on returning to Can
dle Creek for a short time and later
on going C’utside for a trip. Mike is
"lann'ng on going on a prospecting
r p into the Tatalina River region,
rcn.
bwts Is Bo inns Visi or—
E. A. Roberts came from Takotna
. day ~n bus:ness. He told us of the
planned Thanksgiving Dance and ce‘
'braticn. This dance under the aus
pi’es of Frank Larson a- d h’tnself,
;s also to serve as a joint house
■wrm:n<r of Roberts eber parlor and
Frank Larson’s new home, next door.
Improved in Health—
Mary C ndry has just returned
hom? from An-h'rage much improv
ed in health. She had the misfortune
to slip here as she got out, of the
plane and sprained her ankle. Joe
Condry recently came in from Can
dle Creek where he has been employ*
'd all summer. They are living in
the Condry cabin.
•f Skating Party Enjoyed—
A big bonfire and skating party
was held on the river in front of the
N. C. store on the night of the 13th.
All the young folks in town enjoyed
hem selves to the utmost. The crisp,
moonlight night, the big rosy bonfire
be hot baked potatoes, pop corn,
with salt end butter. Um-m, well
heve more of that.
NEWS OF INTEREST FROM FLAT
By Miss Maxine Keller—(Special Correspondent)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
P.A.A. PLANE DAMAGED
WHILE LANDING HERE
Last week Andrew Olson and Dave
. S.randbcrg left for Goodnws Bay.
Mr. Olsen had returned from Bead
j wood :,wo days be.: re on the P.A.A.
j plane which seSTcrrd come damage
; i.en a tire blew out while landing. |
1 No one was i-jured and mother
' plans brought parts to replace the
broken ones, The damaged plane was
j able to take off the next morning.
Wilsons Go Trapp n-—
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wilson have
rone to Michigan creek to spend the
winter trapping.
1 Returns from Anchorage—
Olaf Olson has returned from An
ihcrage where he received medical
reatment, and intends to go to Mich
•’■ar. creek where he usually prospee a
in the winter.
Suffers Injuries in Fall—
Mrs. Gus Uctila has been suffer'ng
from bruises since she fell down her
back steps. She is very much better
; now, however.
! Gus Rodman Is Visitor—
Gus Rodman walked in from Julian
creek last week, and returned a few
lays later.
Miss Demirntieff Arrives—
Miss Anutka Demientieff came in'
from Moore crerk Tuesday. She in- s
| ends to spend half the winter w.:h i
J Mr. and Mrs. Tony Gularte, who are
rapping. Due to a fall recently, she
-eceived 'severe bruises, and came in
to have tbfcm attended to. She plans
to return to Moore creek as soon as
possible. 1
Mrs. Padrrscn to Anchorage—
Mrs. Fred Padersen left for Anch
orage v.-hcrc she will wait for Mr.
Padersen who is working on Dead
wood creek. Together they will leave
for the Outside.
Families Move to Town—
Mr. ard Mrs. Louie Miller and
family have returned from thir
home on l:,wcr Willcw creek. Mr.
and Mrs. John Cgriz have also mov
to town from Slate creek.
Government Man Leaves—
Chas. Herbert, of the RFC, left af
ter be:ng in town about a week on
business.
, Max Krum Leaves—
Ma'- Krum has left for the winter
and Dan Dukafre has returned from
Co:dnew3 Bay to spend the winter
here.
Bring in Dri^Eae—
The Awe Mining Company brought
their dragline in from their diggings
a few days ago.
Starts Drilling on Otter—
Harold Strandberg has started dril
ling on lower Otter creek.
Turner Mores Home—
Ceorc-e Turner, of Turner & Woods
had his home moved across the creek
| this week. It s now located behind,
j his general store.
i -
Mr. HcConaughy has left for the!
i Outside. George Rosander has also
! \ "ne. He intends to visit in New
j Hampshire his winter.
j KetnrPs Tisitiug Here—
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Keturi have
( een spending a few weeks in Flat
before returning to Moore creek for
LATE NEWS
EVENTS FROM
TOWN BETHEL
BY MRS. ANNA WILSON
(Special Correspondent)
MINING SEASON ENDING
IN GOODNESS DISTRICT
Apparently the season has come to
an end at Goodatws Lay with the ex
. ccpticn of the Olson & Company
' dredge wh.ch should be work.ng
within the next two weeks.
Lave Strancborg & Company, op
erating on Clara cieck, htd a very
uccesofu. tea :n, ceasing operations
i n the 2!;.h of Ot.ob:r. tea Mo re
orooght seven men from Starl-Le.tJs
mine who s.ayed in Bethel verr.lghi
.he Sis , a.-'d proceeded to Anchorage
: he icllcwlr.g morn r.g.
i cm; is procd-esting
RAIPDLY ON LANDING FIELD
Th. lr r.d'n- field in Bethel is rap
idly being put into share so that
wheel landings are now en rely safe
Work cn the field will ernt nue
| until weather conditions r. rke it :m
possible to carry on. The north-south
runway is praet eally compj.; d j
>w hundred icet of work re: a'ns o
i be d'ne rn the east-west runway.
Several landings have been made
by commercial places and cl! fl'ers
seem well satisfied with the condi
tion of the field.
BETHEL ENJOYS QUIETEST
FREEZELP IN MANY YEARS
Bethel saw the most quietfreezeup
in years, due to the fact that there
was very little drift ice coming down
the river.
On October 29 the river was run
n ng a littje drift ice. During the
n'ght the thermometer dropped to 12
above and the Mowing morning all
surface motion ceastd. leaving a
smooth, glassy surface over most of
the entire river front of Bethel.
CHIIDREN ENJOY SKATING
TUNDRA LAKES NEAR TOWN
The teachers are having a hard
lime keeping the youngsters in school
! these days because the lakes on the
tundra behind town are perfect skat
ing rinks.
Every night, and that means all
night, the ring of skates can be heard
on the ice.*
The pupils of the Territorial school
had a skatine party as part cf their
Halloween celebration and, judging
from the noises that came from the
direction of the lake, everyone was
having a good time.
—
Weatherstrips put on now will soon
pay for themselves by coal saved and
j added comfort provided.
^
the winter. Mr. Keturi worked on
Moore creek for Gus Uotila this
summer.
Rude Leav'-s for Oregon—
Mr. H. Rude plans to catch the
boat of Nov. 6th to Seattle where he
wiil join his wife and two children
They will visit re’atives in Oregon.
Leaves for Medical Attention—
Buck Richardson plans to leave for
Anchorage Y.'ednesday. Buck is in
PLANS FOR
BIG DANCE
ARRANG'D
Plans are well under way for the
b'g ‘get-tcgetjjer” free dance to be
held at the City Hall here Thanks
giving ni ht, Nov. 25.
This dance, sponsored by E. A.
Roberts and Frank Larson, is in the
nature of a housewarming for the
“Miner Beer Parlor” and the cnr-pi3
tion of Larson’s new rcs'der.ce. will
be the first . f a series of dances sim
i’ar to those dances held here in for
mer years, which made Takotna
.juite famous.
Elaborate refreshments are be'r.g
planned by the committee and the
hall will be put into first class condi
tion for the occasion.
Through the courtesy «f Star Air
lines, lrc., two plane? will be avail*
able at the time for car-ying passen
gers from ncighbcr'ng towns at
special rates.
The sponsors of the dance s*»t9
they are going to serve as good a
supper as has ever been served in the
ball. Let’s ail meet at the “Fall
Roundup!”
Two Oldtimers
Of Kuskokwim
Die Fairbanks
The grim reaper claimed two
Sourdoughs of the Kusk'kwlm, it
was reported by arrivals from Mc
Grath this week.
They were Jack Stewart and John
St. Clair, both oldt'me ras'd tits of
the McGra’h section. Eoth passed
away at the Fairbanks hospl;al where
‘hey went a short time previously
for medical attention. Stewart died
Saturday, Nov. 13 and St, Clair dur
ing the same week.
Details of their passing and of
their history will be published in the
next issue of the Times.
GOODMAN ARRIVES
Pilot Don Goodman arrived today
from Gocdnews, outof which district
he has been flying for the past week.
After attending to seme business
matters, Don kft here for Flat ex
pecting to return tomorrow on his
way to Ancherage.
COME IN FOR SUPPLIES
Bill Downey and “Happy Jack"
Stephtnson were in eat ly in the week
and purchased supplies to take out
to their timber cutting camp. They
have established themselves a ramp
down the Takotna and are cutting
logs for the Takotna Sawmill.
very poor health, and seeks medical
care.
M:ss Amanda Andersen Leaves—
Miss Amanda Anderson left for
Anchorage last week.
“Pt a‘ " Dance Enjoyed—
The second Pioneer “bean” dance
was held Saturday night. An excit
ing black-jack '-ame was presumably
the cause :f the small attendance.
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