)
THE KUSKO TIMES
VOL* XII NO. 1
TAKOTNA ALASKA SATURDAY. JANUARY 2 1932
PRICE 25
Anxious for Heaven, Flat
Man Tries Dynamite Route
\
2!, APPLIES
IKED ER'.CKFON,
.1GHTED FUSE TO SEVERAL
STICKS OF DYNAMITE
_ l
FLAT.—About 4 p. nr. last Tues
i*y Feed Erickson, age 25, a resident
ofFlat d. strict for the past few years,
committed suicide by the dynamite
route.
At the time of his death Mr. Erick
son was employed by Gus Uotila at
the quartz mine on Granite moun
tain. He had been at Flat the day
before to get his mail, and it. is stated,
he had received a letter from someone
m Minnesota telling him that his girl
friend, had been, married recently.
Following the receipt of this letter he
tod some of his friends in Flat that
he wished he. could, “go to heaven,”
but no one paid attention to any of
his sayings.
At the time of His death he had
been., working in a tunnel with a
man named Eli, who at the moment
was in the rear of the tunnel. Erick
son went to. the entrance of the mine,
packed up m new box of dynamite,
took , out several sticks, and went out
side. Hie then went 500 or 600 feet
tto a tent, which) contained saps and
fftses, where he secured these. He
then went near the entrance of the
mine, adjusted the caps and fuses to
the dynamite sticks, ignited the
'use—and stood over them! Imagine
Alaska Interests At
The Nation’s Capital
(By W. A. S.
WASHINGTON,. Dec. 16.—People
generally from all sections of Alaska
have been entirely satisfied with the
\ operation of the Washington-Alaska
Military Cable and Telegraph Sys
tem. The service rendered and the
^ Sari; changed haw been acceptable,
and the suggestion that the Govern
ment authorize the sale of the system
communication has met with a
protest from practicaly every section
of the Territory as well as from the
pacific Coast States. In the last Con
gress a till was submitted by the
War Department to authorize the
Secretary of War “to sell in parcels
or as a whole” the Alaska communi
cation system. The bill was referred
tOkconunittee but no action taken,, and
the report that a similar bill was to
be introduced in the present Congress
again caused consternation through
out the Territory. Delegate Wicker
sham. made a special pea to Secretary
Hurey to not again introduce thia
bill,, and art forth the various reasons
why tbe Government should not dis
pose of the system.
A vein gratifying reply has just
been recessed from Douglas MacAr
thur, Geaacal Chief of Staff, at the
request of ^Secretary Hurley, who en
closed various correspondence with
the President, and ended with the sig
nificant aad sery pleasing paragraph:
"As you • will see from this corre
spondence. the War Department is in
general agistment with your point of
view. In thaudtsence of further in
structions. th* War Department does
not intend to reintroduce the legisla
tion in question '*
In addressing President Hoover on I
1
the results l.
The explosion was heard by Elie,
who after investigation went to Plat
and notified Marshal S. P. Kincaid,
who with seberal others immediately
left for the scene. Erickson’s arms
were found together, his legs in an
other direction, while his torso was
torn in two about midsection.
A coroner’s jury was formed, the
jury later bringing in a verdict of
suicide.
During the investigation by the
jury it was discovered that Erickson
had opened a new box of dynamite
and that ten. sticks were missing, so
it was evident he had used al ten
sticks, making sure of a deadly job.
The body is now lying in Moose
Hah in Flat, awaiting further advice
as to its disposition.
H. H. Gubser, predatory animal of
ficial of the Biologiral Survey, ar
rived at McGrath a few days ago, to
give attention in this section to mat- .
ters pertaining to his office. I
—
A. H. Twitchell returned here a
couple of days ago from a visit to his
reindeer headquarters over in the
Crater mountain section.
Joe Ferris returned Wednesday
from a trip to the Twitchell & Fowler
reindeer camp.
Dr. Seeley, Anchorage dentist, is a
recent arrival.
the important subject Secretary Hur
ley, among other things, said: *‘1 am
enclosing a letter from the Alaska
Delegate dated November 2, 1931,
wherein he urges on the part of the
people of Alaska that no legislation
be initiated authorizing the sale of
the Alaska communications system.
As expressed in my letter of Dec. 3,
1930,, the War Department, per se,
had no objection to this sale; how
ever, it is undtrstood that the com
mittee which originated the recom
mendation for sale did not at any
time obtain a pertinent expression,
from the people or government of
Alaska. This being the case, it would
appear that the enclosed letter of the
Delegate might wel be taken into con
sideration before resubmitting legis
lation to Congress.”
The President undoubtedly took
into consideration the letter a£ the
Delegate,, with the result that the sale
of the system will not be authorized’,
and the people of Alaska will ever
hold in grateful remembrance the
kindly consideration of their interests
by President Hoover and Secretary
Hurey..
There will be two lectures on, Alas
ka given in Washington- this, week,,
both to be illustrated. Tonight. Rep
resentative Robert 6. Simmons,, of.
Nebraska, who visited the-North-last
summer, will talk before ■ tbb Nsu j
tional Grange, and wilE feature mo
tion pictures made by Mr. -Simmons
while on his trip through''Ahtaku- On
Wednesday night R. Mmcvey^tasgent,
topoographic engineer off the* AMakn
branch of the Geological Survey, will
(Continued on Page 3.)
DIMONI) HAS SUPPORT OP
DEUOCRATIC CONVENTION
FAIRBANKS. — The Democratic
Territorial convention, which was
held in this city last week, came to an
end Saturday night.
The convention went on record as
favoring the candidac yof A. J. Di~
;.:ond for Delegate to Congress, the
resolution of indorsment, as adopted,
reading as follows: “It is the indi
vidual and personal conviction to
favor the nomination of Dimond for
De.egate to Congress.”
The action of the convention in in
viting Grigsby and Ziegler, as well as
Dimond, to enter the primaries, was
the result of th einsistent demand
made at the convention by Dimond
and it was in deference to his per
sonal wishes. The resolution was
unanimously approved by the conven
tion.
MRS. E. M. MARSH SERIOUSLY
ILL AT VANCOUVER. B. C.
(Alaska Weekly.)
Taken suddenly ill with a stroke of
paralysis, Mrs. Eizabeth Marsh, who
lived in the Northland for many
years, is very ill at St. Paul’s Hos
pital in Vancouver, B. C., where her
son and two daughters are in constant
attendance, owing to her critical con
dition.
Joyous of heart and always cheery
was “Lizzie Shannon," as Mrs. Marsh
is universally known to her friends in
Alaska. Seventeen years ago she
mushed with a dog team over the
Rainy Pass trail from Seward to Idit
arod, a distance of over 500 miles.
She was a chechaco in those days,
whose pleasing personality and ready
wit endeared her to all.
For many years “Lizzie Shannon”
conducted a small hand laundry in the
Iditarod ocuntry where she put in ong
long hours with the Milt of a song on
her lips at the start and finish of a
hard day’s work. Leaving the Idit
arod, she wandered into McGrath
again to brighten her surroundings
with her favorite song, “Where the
River Shannon Flows.”
Three years ago she came to the
States and started a small store near
Puyallup, Washington. She was suc
cessful in her venture until six
monthss ago, when fire wiped out her
little investment. It did not kill her
spirit, however, and she visited the
office of the Alaska Weekly shortly
after, where, with smiling face, she
remarked: “It’s all in the day’s
march. You can’t keep the Irish
Irish ham. and I will start something
else.”
Today she is at St. Paul’s Hospital
ini Vancouver, fighting a game fight,
and should “Lizzie Shannon” be called
away, her memory will be forever
green in the Northland, where this
little lady took her work as play and
radiated sunshine wherever she
pitched her tent.
Gus Wilson, former well known old
timer of this sertion but who, with
Chris Dahl, since leaving here in 1924
has been located at Marvel creek, in
the Lower Kuskokwim section, was
an arrival here yesterday. Also com
ing with Mr. Wilson was Bobert
Vreeland. Both gentlemen continued
today with Pilot Barnhill for Anchor- j
age for a visit of a couple of weeks
at that place, following which they
will return to their headquarters at
Marvel creek.
J. H. Peterson returned Wednes
day from a visit of some days at Me-■
Gratb, and is scheduled to leave soon
for Yankee.
Clint Winan, well known mining
man, was a yesterday arrival. |
Items of Importance
In Reecnt News Events
SHANGHAI. — Eleven Japanese
warships have taken up a command- j
ing position in the harbor in conse
quence of the development of a tense
situation between the Japanese and
Chinese residents of the city.
It is understood that it is the in
tention of the Japanese to occupy all
Chinese barracks, fortresses and
other military establishments in the
Shanghai district unless the Japanese
demands, are met immediately by the
Chinese. These demands include the
disbanding of-anti-Japanese organiza
tions which are held responsible for
the boycott against Japanese goods.
The Japanese cruiser Oi, with 500
marines aboard, and the Fifteenth
Japanese destroyer flotilla, are an
chored in the Whangfoo river, im
mediately opposite the international
settlement. The marines have not
come ashore as yet, but it is expected
that they will be landed as soon as
quarters can be provided for them.
It is estimated that- the .Japanese
have about 1,200 marines available
for action.
TOKYO.—The Japanese parliament
has been dissolved by imperial decree,
to make way for the- beneral elec
tions. The order was promulgated
after the government had outlined its
policies, reiterating that J oan has
no territorial ambitions in huria.
The Wakasuki cabinet is icised
for removing the gold emi o, and
it is pointed out th?d Japan indus
try and business has witnessed a re
viva since the replacement of ihe em
bargo.
NANKING. — Chiang Kai Shek,
former president of China,-who re
tired to his estate in one-of the prov
inces after his resignation, has re
turned to this city, but declines to
comment on the purpose of his visit.
It is believed that his. return to power
is close at hand.
DEATH OVERTAKES
JUNEAU BANDIT. »,
JUNEAU.—It will be a long time
Before Dan Ralston, local taxi driver,
will make another attempt to assist
in capturing a bank robber. He tried
to help the police out here yesterday
and as a result of his endeavors he is
now in the hospital, with two bullet
wounds, one in the neck and the other
in the leg.
William E. McNee, who came to
Alaska from Seattle, locating first at
Ketchikan and moving to’’Juneau last
March, held up the Behrends Bank
and was about to leave the institution
with several thousand' dollars when
Cashier Guy McNaughton took a shot
at him and knocked him'over. As he
fell his gun was accidentally dis
charged and the bullet landed in
Ralston’s eg. Then McNaughton took
another shot at the robber and hit
Ralston in the neck.
McNee died from his1 wound a few
hours later.
MOSLEM TRIBES START
WARFARE IN INDIA.
SRINAGAR, Kashmir.—The state
of Kashmir is the scene'of another
rebellion, with Moslems assembling
is great numbers for-ar new attempt
to drive the Hindu maharajah Sir
Kara Singh from his thone, with the
object of placing ..a Moslem ruler in
authority.
The rebellion™' being directed by
Moslem leaders from Punjab and they
are reported to have gathered 13,000
followers, armed and eager for the,
fray. The desire is to extend their
rule over this predominantly Moslem
state, thus forming a solid block of
Moslem states, including Egypt, Ara
bia, Persia, Afghanistan and Punjab.
Scores of villages already have
been looted and burned , and the Mos
lems are now sweeping across the
country almost unrestricted.
WM. WRIGLEY, FAMOUS FOR
GUM, PASSES ON, AT 70.
PHOENIX, Ariz.—William Wrig
ley, Jr., internationally known finan
cier, gum manufacturer and sports
man, died at his winter home here to
day, a victim of an acute attack of
indigestion. He was 70 years of age.
Wrigley was stricken January 18
with indigestion, following a heart at
tack, and his condtition was such that
he was confined to his bed, remaining
there until his passing. Several hours
before the end came it was apparent
that he could not long survive.
EDDIE STINSON, PIONEER
AIRPLANER, DIES IN CRASH.
CHICAGO—America’s dean of avi
ators, Eddie Stinson, who had devot
ed the greater part of his life to
flying, died in a Chicago hospital to
day as the result of injuries received
in the wreck of a huge Stinson De
troiter.
The plane crashed on the public
links of the golf course at Jackson
Park and resulted from the develop
ment of motor trouble.
The ship struck a flagpole while
attempting to make a landing.
Stinson’s three companions were
injured.
The plane was on the way to tba
Wayne, Michiga... plant of the Detroit
Stinson corporation at the time of
the accident.
Stinson was 38 years old and had
been flying twenty years, during all
of which time he never was in an ac
cident until the fatal crash. He had
the distinction of having been in the
air more than any other man in his
tory, with more than 14,000 hours to
his credit. During that time he flew
1,500,000 miles and never once used a
parachute.
DICK STEVENSON SPEAKS
CHEERFULLY OF POORMAN
Dick Stevenson, in a letter to
George W. Clyde, received a few days
ago, speaks cheerfuly and hopefully
of conditions in the Poorman section,
an excerpt of his letter being as fol
lows:
“Well, George, I have a very good
spot of pay here now, bat never can
tell. We took out about $5,000 last
summer, but did not get started until
September. Think we can do good
next summer. Anyway, I think I can
write you a more interesting letter
next fall.
“Mrs. Paulson is cooking here at
the roadhouse. Things are looking
very good around here, in general.
“I had a letter from an old friend
of mine in the Koyukuk. He wanted
me to come up, but I have to nurse
this thing. He said he had a very
good proposition for me. I turned it
down, but my feet were pretty itchy.
It is sixteen years now since I saw
him, so you see partners don’t forget
in this country. Be sure and write.
Buenas tardus.”
Pilot Matt Nieminen,-who:arrived
Saturday, returned to Anchorage
day.