ASL-MS0107-Diary07-1903-1904

Alaska State Library - Historical Collections, PO Box 110571, Juneau AK 99811-0571

James A. Wickersham diary, Sept. 17, 1903 to July 31, 1904.

[front cover]

Diary

James Wickersham

Sept. 17^th 1903

July 31, 1904.

Sept. 17^th 1903.

Reached Valdez today from westward on the

U.S. Rev. Cutter “Rush”. We left Rampart

Aug 12^th and St Micheal on the “Rush” on

Aug 21^st. Held court at Nushagak on

Bristol Bay on Aug 31^st Paid Captain

Fenger. for mess during my trip $54.00

-Sept. 18^th-

Busy cleaning up my desk and answering

mail. Nothing from Debbie yet, but the

mail is expected hourly on the “Bertha.”

Appointed Geo. M. Love, a jury commissioner

& he and the clerk drew the grand and trial jury

for the Oct. term today, in the courtroom – present

newspaper men – Harlan, Perry, Geogehan,

Ed Harlan & others.

Sept. 19^th

Worked in office all day – on Mt. McKinly

-Sep. 20^th-

In company with L. C. Larson, photographer,

climbed the mountain on north of Valdez – he gave

out and cam back but, like a fool, I went on to the

top. Brush very bad for 2000 feet, and also

great glacial furrows parallel to the general

course of Valdez basin – these are extremely

interesting & conclusively prove that Valdez glacier

once extended to Prince Williams Sound & was

at least half a mile deep. Was late in coming

back & my boots were slick & I fell – many times

& was so exhausted that I got into the brush again &

could not find my way down – always on the edge

of a precipice & having to travel along the glacial furrows:

Finally I saw the fire Larson had built on the flats and heard

him shout & guided through the darkness by his voice & fire

at 9 oclock I reached the flats - & thence home in the boat.

It was the meanest climb I have had – only 5,000 feet,

but the glacial furrows, brush, ferns, grass, & perpendicular

walls made it both rough & dangerous.

- Sep. 21. –

Engaged in signing orders for licenses &c. to help

check up with his business. Sore as a boil.

-Sep 22 –

Working on Mt. McKinley story & signing

formal court orders.

-Sep. 23^rd

Same as yesterday.

-Sep. 24^th-

Sore as a boil this week and doing very little.

-Sep 25-

“Bertha” in this morning from the westward: Clegg

& wife came in & he is ready for work. Vessel goes

out loaded with returning miners, &c. Rendered

decision in case of White, et. al. v. Town Council

involving dog license; held with town. Recd.

a mass of affidavits from Gallagher in relation

to charges of immorality against him at Kodiak.

Also a letter from Rev. T. Shamaloff saying that

he had forwarded affidavits against Gallagher

to Sitka for translation – they are in Russian

but will be back on next boat. I have determined

to remove Gallagher whether he is guilty or not &

have suggested to F. D. Kelsey, of Leedy & Kelsey

that he go out there. He is a good lawyer, quiet &

domestic, has a clever quiet wife & three or four chil

=dren & will I think cure up the sore. He

has just informed me that they will accept the

place – will not make the change for a short

time – not until Gallagher comes in & the priests

affidavits arrive.

-Sep 26^th-

Worked in office all day – divided public fund

between Valdez & the School Dist.

-Sep 26^th-

Went out to Valdez Glacier with Rob. Coles prospecting.

Found colors in the glacial matter at foot of glacier &

panned considerable & spent the day around in

the lower end of the glacier. The steamer “Santa Ana”

in – but no letters from Debbie.

-27^th-

Mrs. Perry came in on Santa Ana yesterday

& says Mrs. W will be in on next boat. Good!

Whittlesey is spreading himself at Kayak &

as he has not yet made a single report since

he was appointed I have concluded to remove

him & will send Clegg down there until I can

get some one else to take the place.

Recd. letter from Burleigh yesterday, filed with Clerk.

Today young Shackleford called & said he, too, was

employed in the Chitina case by plaintiff & had heard

that I was biased against plaintiff and gave Hoggatt

as the authority. I am very much disgusted at Hoggatt

if he said anything of that kind – I have been his friend

& he mine & I did not believe that he could so far mis

=understand me as even to believe such a thing.

The plaintiff has also employed Cushman & now are

to employ Ostrander – it seems to me as if they

are trying to arouse my prejudice rather than depend

upon the testimony.

-29-

Went over to Ft. Liscum & had lunch with

Dr & Mrs. Bartlett. Have turned the Whittlesey

matter over to Mr. Harlan, who is giving it his

particular attention.

-30^th-

Mail in today via. Eagle, nothing of

importance and none yet from Debbie.

Letter & report from Fred Crouch, condemning

70 Mile claims. Good reports from Edgar

about Fairbanks mines – are getting better.

Writes me that Pedro has sold out for $25.000,

which is a sensible thing for him to do – at

his age & with his inexperience as a manager.

Noble doing fine on Cleary – next to my mine.

Prepaid my quarterly expense account

$350.70 and voucher for salary for Sept.

$407.60 & sent them in by mail.

758.30

Octo. 1.

Finished my “First Attempt to Ascend Mt. McKinly”

and shall send it to the National Geographic Magazine

with map and photographs. Finished appointment

of Clegg as Comr. at Kayak & instructions to

him & Ed. Harlan &c.

Octo. 2^nd

Str. Santa Ana came from westward & Dr. Fredk.

A. Cook & his party from Mt. McKinly came in - they

got to the mountain, found our camps and reached

the same height that we did – about a mile farther

around on the finger tips of the Hanna glacier (Peters glacier

it is called on an unpublished map). They went round

the mountain & came down the Chulitna river &

think the mountain cannot be climbed! But I

think it can! Cook gave me a copy of Brooks un

-published map, which contains all of the

errors on Kantishna outlet, &c. Shall continue

to work on my story & map &c. & send to Geographic

Magazine. Santa Ana went out at 10 a.m.

Have carefully examined the record & papers in

Rahenstorf v. Kaffenburgh, from Rampart, & the

testimony taken by Heilig as referee & it is such

an inextricable muddle that I have this day returned

it to Heilig & ordered him to take more testimony

upon certain specific points mentioned in my order.

-Octo. 5-

Have finished my Mt. McKinley story & have rewritten

my Rampart opinion In re Burkel, and cleaned

up much of my court work & am now ready to go

into the Chittyna Ex. Co. v. McClellan. et. al. with vigor.

Have today telegraphed Atty. Genl. for approval

of expenditure of $8,000. for new courthouse &

jail here – will save $1740 per annum rent.

-9^th-

Spent the 7^th and 8^th on a goat hunt up the

gulches heading into the Chugach range south of

Valdez – but it rained and snowed all the time

- we had a glorious tramp but no luck after

goats.

-Oct. 12^th-

Str. “Jeanie” in today – Mrs. W. came

Also Hogatt, Carson & Arthur, Attys

for Plft & Dft. in Chittyna case.

{also Miss Clark, stenographer.}

Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the Richards

case – evidence not sufficient.

Oct. 14^th.

Mrs. Wickersham has had another attack of her

lung trouble – a heavy chill & high fever following,

and particularly so last night. Am having a peck

of trouble about courthouse & Jail site. The government

owns sufficient land in the reservation at McKinly

& Reservation sts. but there are some private interests

to be settled & these are stubborn. Am trying to force

them to compromise & get out of the way.

-Oct. 17^th-

“Jeanie” went out with mail for south.

Heard motion to set Chityna case for argument

- did not do so on account of absence of Attorneys

for plaintiffs. Debbie is better.

-Oct 18^th-

Have completed my “Instructions to Grand

Jury,” and intend now to write chapter for

Helm, at his special request on “The Courts

of Alaska: Needed Legislation and Possibil

=ities of the Country.” He writes me that he intends

to publish a book under the auspices of the

National Geographic Society, and dedicate it to

Roosevelt, and hopes to make it the standard

work on Alaska.- We are having more trouble

with courthouse site. –Brown & Ausy[?] do not

want to join in opening streets & taking a

specific tract of land, but seem to want more

land and a cash bonus from the people.

In my judgment they are first class porkers!

-Oct. 19^th-

Several miners returned last night from

the new strike which they made on the upper

east waters of the Sushitna river; they are

in the employ of Al. White, the boss saloon

man of Valdez who outfitted them this spring

Pete Monahan was their leader & he

brings in about $1400. worth of good looking

gold & says it is a rich strike. They have

visited me with their samples, and named

one of the creeks “Wickersham Creek.”

-Oct. 20

Rob. Coles and his “pardner” want to go into the

new strike on the Sushitna and I have agreed

to furnish the provisions & be “1/3 pardner”

also. “Reception to Court Officials tonight”

is placarded all over the streets today

-21^st-

Reception last night was a great

success. Both floors of the McKinley

Hall building were decorated &c. Reception

downstairs – dancing upstairs, fine

music, songs, dancing, &c. but

no speeches, thank goodness.

[Card reads:]

“PUBLIC RECEPTION

TENDERED BY THE

CITIZENS OF VALDEZ

Under Auspices of the Valdez Chamber of Commerce

-TO THE-

United States District Court Officials

Tuesday Evening, October, 20^th, 1903

-McCKINLEY HALL-

Guests of Honor

Judge James Wickersham and Wife

District Att’y N. V. Harlan and Wife

United States Marshal Geo. G. Perry and Wife”

-23^rd-

“Bertha” in last night – Debbie got

a letter from Darrell who has got back

to work all right – secured “two stripes”.

in new arrangement of classes. Ed. Har

=lan back from Kayak with report signed

by Clegg & him in re Whittlesey matter

Court Monday – Telegram from

Sitka – Santa Ana there on her way up.

Mrs. Wickersham has invited Arthur,

Carson, McLellan, Hoggatt, Miss Clark,

Mr. Hughes, Birch, to whist tonight.

-25^th-

We took Sunday dinner with Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph

who are from Buckley. Busy in preparing

my instructions to grand jury.

-Octo. 26^th 1903-

October term begun today. Organized the

grand jury, appointed L. Archibald foreman,

called the docket & heard some small matters

-Octo 28^th 1903-

A Red Letter Day. The Santa Ana

came in at 2 oclock today. Senator Heyburn

& wife, Congressman Cushman & wife, and

Andrew J. Burleigh & wife came in – the men

are the attorneys – with Hoggatt & Hubbard - in

the cases involving the Bonanza group of

Copper Mines on the Chityna river – involving

a million dollars & more – also the Railroad &c.

McKenzie Comr. from Koyukuk, Helm of the

Ry. Co. and a large number of other prominent

people also came – witnesses, stenographers

&c. The array is now complete on both sides

of this important case, & we may now be

able to get court matters to working firmly.

Received also two copies of First

Alaska Reports, from West Pub.

Co. St. Paul, Minn. I am very greatly pleased

at the appearance of this book which I

arranged, indexed & edited last fall & which

now gives me a historical standing in the

judicial plan of Alaskan courts. The

book is printed & bound in first class style

- after the best form of the Federal Reporter.

Received letter from Darrell enclosing,

only, his commission as Lieutenant, Junior

Grade, at Annapolis. This I understand to

be his position in the organization of his class

of 76 members, and lasts only until his graduation

but it establishes his standing in efficiency,

as an organizer and manager of men &

as such is very gratifying to me – and to

his mother. He writes to her a very happy

letter & seems as please about it as we are.

-Octo. 31^st-

Have been consulting with Gov. Leedy for

several days about taking an option on a

group of copper claims, 34 in number, on

Copper creek and Kluvesna, the upper waters

of the Kotsina river owned by Scotty Crawford

and the Ammons, husband & wife. Have agreed

to advance $500. on an option, so that we

may have time to go outside and sell the mines

Have told the Gov. about Charles Sweeney of

Spokane, who asked me to look out for an

opportunity of that kind & he has a man also

who wants such an investment. We will both

go outside to sell if we get the option.

Have called the docket &c. and arranged a

civil jury trial list (calendar), and also

a partial criminal calendar. Will

begin on the Banta murder case on Monday

-Nov. 2^nd-

The case of Chitina Co. v. McClellan,

et. al. involving the famous Bonanza copper

mines came up today & counsel have all day

long “sparred for an opening”. Motion after

motion has been submitted & passed upon

& yet it goes over until tomorrow for another.

Have set the Banta case for tomorrow morning.

Nov. 4^th

Heard Banta case all day yesterday – got

the jury only. Heard the Bonanza cases in the

evening on motion to open testimony and

hear oral testimony on trial, which I refused to do.

The testimony was taken according to stipulation

under the order of the court fixing limits of time

for each side. Both sides took full testimony

of witnesses in Alaska by referee, and in New

York, San Francisco, Manilla & other distant

places by deposition. The defendants relied

upon this and brought no witnesses here, but

plaintiffs produced a long affidavit from Geo. M.

Pereine, wherein Perine replenishes his tes-

timony heretofore taken by deposition by strong

statements that certain important witnesses for

the defendants who are not now in Alaska

had retracted their former sworn testimony in

important particulars – the method offers so

many chances for success through perjury &

such a temptation thereto.

Upon agreement the case of U.S. v. Banta

went over until this evening & I am hearing

the arguments in the Bonanza cases. Burleigh

& Cushman have been heard this forenoon & Senator

Heyburn will take up the argument after lunch.

-Nov {5^th}~~10^th~~ -

Heard Bonanza case argued on Nov

5^th. Burleigh, Cushman, Hoggatt,

opened case for plaintiff. Brown

Arthur & Carson argued for the Defts.

and Senator Heyburn closed the

case for the plaintiff: Burleigh & Sen

=ator Heyburn made strong arguments.

Brown made a good presentation of the

defendants case: Arthur did badly but

Carson did fair. Have taken case under

advisement & will read testimony, 2000

or more pages, &c.

-Nov 7^th – Have been engaged

all week on trial of Banta, & just got it

to the jury tonight. Finished instructing

the jury after 12 oclock.

-Nov 8^th-

Sunday. Jury in Banta case render

=ed verdict “Not guilty by reason of insanity,”

a bad verdict for defendant as it sends

him to the Insane Asylum without

limit & with a bad record to keep

him there.

-Nov. 9^th-

Reception tonight to Heyburn & Cushman

at McKinley Hall, by the Arctic Brotherhood

& Chamber of Commerce. Trying cases

in court every day - Grand jury & trial

jury both each morning.

-Nov. 10.-

Str. “Newport” from west today with

jurors from Unalaska and Unga.

Nome city in tonight – Heyburns, Cush

=mans, Hoggatt & many others go out

on her. United States v. Ryan, shooting

scrape at Kenai, on trial.

-Nov 11^th-

During court this forenoon received telegram

from Tacoma. “Ed. Hamilton died this

morning typhoid pneumonia.” Chas. Bedford.

This removes the local opposition to Senator

Foster for reelection as U.S. Senator.

Case of U.S. v. Balamotoff – murder, on trial.

Telegram from Judge Lyons at Rep. Con.

at Juneau - Whitehead & his Nome

delegation were seated – Johnson-Richards

outfit threatening to bolt – I am surprised

that Judge Johnson should tie up with

Richards – Grigsby et.al. Latest papers

report that Grigsby has been ordered to

Washington to answer charges – He

is lucky – he has not yet had to spend a

winter in Alaska – has had his salary all

the time & spent his winters in Washington.

Hope they will dismiss him, now, though,

for he is a thoroughly corrupt & vicious man.

The Non-Partisan Convention on Oct. 26.

declared against territorial government & Ex.-Gov.

Swineford bolted! Verily he is an unfair

politician – he wished to impose an

expensive government on the people whether

they want it or not.

-Nov. 17.-

Am about through with jury work.

The grand jury was discharged on Sat

=urday afternoon (the 14^th) after making

their final reports. Have tried a case a

day so far & think I will be through tomorrow.

Have today accepted Gallaghers. resignation

at Kodiak and appointed Kelsey in his place.

Will appoint Gallagher at Copper Center or

some other good place. Have also appointed

Geo. C. Britton at Kayak, and sent

Whittlesey there to act as his clerk.

-Nov. 20^th-

Hear today that Ft. Gibbon was burned

yesterday, together with commissary stores &c.

leaving 110 soldiers with buildings, clothes or

food at the beginning of bitter winter-

Have this day paid J. E. Teeter for half

int. with him in trip to Ellemar copper

mines – he is to acquire interest for us - &

to aid him in doing so have paid all

his expenses there & back amtg. to $25.00

-Nov. 28^th-

Rendered decision in Copper Co. v. Mc

Clellan et. al. the celebrated Chitina riv

copper case. Senator Heyburn of Idaho,

Congressman Cushman of Wash:. Burleigh of

N.Y. &c. were attorneys for plaintiff-

decided case for the defendant on

ground that plaintiffs testimony was not

sufficient. Great crowd in attendance.

Debbie and I are living quietly at the

“Imperial” rooms: C. S. Bratton & wife

props. We go out, now, on the Santa Ana.

Debbie sick once in a while – better below

than up here.

-Nov. 29-

Eagle mail in – received a nice letter

from Senator Fairbanks acknowledging

receipt of gold pan &c. from Fairbanks

mines

~~Dec~~ ~~Nov~~ 2-

Str. “Santa Ana” in with mail – have my

leave of absence. Busy finishing up

court business – Granted Mrs. Garratt

a divorce – also Mrs. Dupuy – the latter

is said to be Rochfords friend – of the

“News” & he is going to marry her.

~~Dec~~ ~~Nov~~ 3rd-

Gave Rob Coles a hundred dollars

-on grub stake for the year – also my

30-40 gun & ammunition. He will

probably get to Fairbanks in spring.

Boat goes tomorrow – created the

Copper Center recording precinct

& appointed Andrew Holman

~~rec~~ comr. Lawyers signing a

petition for my reappointment

Godell & Hubbard refuse to sign

Godell because I refused to appoint

him Comr. at Kayak, & Hubbard

because I decided the Chittyna Co.

copper case for the defendants!

-4^th-

Left Valdez at 10 oclock this

a.m. on Str. Santa Ana. for

Seattle-Tacoma. Debbie and I have

room 24 – a very comfortable room.

Burleigh & wife, Birch, Carson,

Arthur, Brown, Harlan, Mrs. Garratt,

Miss Clark, – all of the remainder of

the Copper case aboard including

witnesses.

-5^th-

Spent yesterday afternoon at Ella

-mar loading ore – I went with

another man in a rowboat to “Tatetlik”

the Indian village 3 miles down the

bay & bought fine bow & arrows

&c. At midnight we left ~~that~~

Ellamar & went via Orca & Eyak,

for the mail, & now we are passing

out at west end of Mitcheck Is-

Beautiful day – cloudless & the

mountains are grand & beautiful.

-snow white – serrated – the sound

still and calm

-9^th-

From the night of the 5^th to today we

were in storms – all the way from the

Copper river to Sitka. Our ship got

into Kayak that night and unloaded

but we did not find Yakatat, and lay

out 50 miles from shore two nights in

the trough of the sea rolling from side

to side. We reached Sitka at noon today

Burleigh and most everybody was dreadfully

sea sick – but he and I probably the

most disgracefully so. I may as well

confess, also, that I was scared too.

Had lunch (Mrs W & I & Mr. Harlan) with

Capt. and Mrs. Jarvis & visited Sitka an

hour. We met the “Excelsior” there going

to Valdez. Kashevaroff the Russian

translator gave me several more pages of

Russian book on citizenship which he

is translating for me. Paid Capt. Jarvis

$50.00 on act. same – will have account

paid from public fund. We are now lying

some miles from Sitka, quiet and still, waiting

for the tide to rise to carry us through some

shallow place between the islands. We will

probably sleep some tonight – for me the

first in four nights. Neither Debbie nor

I could either eat or sleep-

Dec 11^th

Arrived at Juneau at noon today-

Visited Judge Brown & the lawyers.

Drew order to pay Jarvis $400

on account detective work in U.S.

v. Idleman. Saw Billy Bery & wife,

Dr. Goddard, Lafoon & other friends

Left at 4 oclock for the south.

-13^th-

Creeping along – anchored last night

in Ketchikan harbor – crossed Dixon

Entrance today – examined Cape Chacon

Dixons Entrance, Cape Fox, Boundary

line, Wales Island, & Portland Canal

from vessel as we came by- Am satisfied

that our national rights were prejudiced in

the recent settlement of the boundary

question by the Joint Commission in

London. We lost Pearse & Wales Islands

& a vast area inland lying within the thirty

mile limit to which we were entitled in lieu

of a line along a range of mountains.

England usually gets the best a land

grabbing squabbles such as this was.

-15^th-

Pitching and rolling just south of

Seymour Narrows which we passed at

breakfast time. We are to go into Lady

-smith for coal – this takes up nearly

or quite 48 hours more time.

-16^th-

Ladysmith. B. C. We anchored in

Ladysmith this morning at 2 p.m. & tonight

we are still loading coal. Birch left

us on the early morning train & went to

Victoria where he will go by boat to Seattle.

Visited the Tyee Copper Co’s smelter with the

smelter manager Thos. Kiddie & inspected

the plant and process. Took lunch & dinner

at the “Abbotsford” & Debbie seemed to

enjoy the walk & the balmy weather.

Ladysmith is a very thriving place, with

its railroad, coal bunkers, mines, smelter

& mills.

-17^th-

Arrived in Seattle at 2 p.m. & went

to the Rainier-Grand Hotel. Harlan and

Balliet are now working politics for

Harlan for judge & Balliet for Dist. Atty.

Spent evening in meeting old friends &

acquaintances.

-18^th-

Came over to Tacoma this afternoon

Met Masterson in Seattle. - He is now

the Cashier of the First Nat. Bank of

Seattle & wants to organize a National

Bank in Fairbanks. Gave him the

Barnette – Woods letter & promised to

go back and meet him on Monday or

Tuesday. Telegraphed to Sweeney

at Spokane asking to make an

appointment.

-Dec. 22-

Visited Seattle. Saw Piles & he will give

me all the assistance he can in reappointment.

Took lunch with Capt. Humphrey. & wife at the

“Lincoln”. Traveled on Inter urban road.

-Dec. 23-

Wrote letter to B. Cleudening. to get C. Sweeney

(copy)

“B. Cleudening, Spokane, Wash. Dear Sir:

“I am anxious to meet Mr. Charles Sweeney on import

“ant business about an Alaskan copper mine.

“I go east to New York & Washington about January

“5. Will he be in Spokane by that time? I could

“stop then and see him, – or will I be able to meet

“him in the east. Wont you advise me how I can

“certainly meet him. James Wickersham”

Dr. Queoli examined Debbies lungs this

afternoon and pronounced her afflicted with

tuberculosis & advises a warm climate at

once.

Dec. 24^th

Dr. Hill examined Debbies lungs and gives

us much more hope than Dr. Queoli

- Dec. 26.-

Visited Buckley – went to see Jennie

her new husband and bright home, &

spent Sunday with mother.

-31^st-

Went to Olympia yesterday to prepare

opinion in Fish & Hemple as the cause

involved a careful search of the Texas repts

which I could not get anywhere else.

Sent my quarterly account in to Atty. Genl.

today. $270.75.

Jany 8^th

We left Tacoma on the 5^th via

N. P. Railway & tonight we are in

St Paul at the Ryan Hotel. Capt.

D. H. Jarvis, Collector of Customs

for Alaska come on same train but

recd. telegram out at Wadena to come

to Duluth – that George A Shea, of Nome

is there sick. – he came on to St Paul

but was to go back tonight. Telegraphed

ahead and Mr. McLean of Minneapolis

Journal met us at that city & we renewed

our pleasant Alaskan acquaintance

with him. Reporter of St. Paul Globe

came to see me for interview – will rehash

Ledger interview.

-Jany 9^th-

Am disgusted with the result of the

“Globe” interview. This paper “roasted” the

Subcommittee (Nelson, Dillingham, Burnham

& Patterson) on their alleged report against

territorial government, in an editorial

yesterday, & mutilated my interview so

as to help out their vicious editorial.

went over to Minneapolis today

with Holman & took lunch with McLean

of the Journal. He came back to St Paul

with me & I gave (loaned) him many of my

Mt. McKinley pictures to illustrate a repub

-lication of his Alaska letters, which I

strongly urged upon him. He urged me

to be a candidate for delegate from Alaska

- and I told him I would be if I could see

any chance of success. I also explained

about the “Globe” interview – think he intends

to give me a notice on Monday-

Left St Paul tonight at 8:30 on C.

M. & St. P. Did not see Sweeney!!
-10-

In Chicago – 2 hours between trains

Visited Auditorium to look for Sweeney

but he had not been there. I am very

much disappointed not to meet him

for I spent day in St Paul for that purpose

-12^th-

We reached Washington yesterday evening

& put up at “Raleigh”. Have seen no one

& will go over to New York tonight.

-13^th-

We left Washington yesterday at noon

& reached New York last night – put up

at the “Imperial” – 32^nd and Broadway

Went down town today & met Stephen

Birch at 45 Bdway. He introduced me

to Mr. Ralph and a Mr. Schultz – both

of whom he tells me are interested in his

copper enterprise at Valdez. Went to

lunch with him and a mining expert by the

name of Keller – at down town Delmon

-ico – below Wall St. Also called on

Walter Boardman & asked him to

inform his wife (nee Mary Smith of

Tacoma) that Mrs. Wickersham was

at Imperial & would like to see her.

Mr. Ralph invited Mrs. W & me to take

dinner with him afterward & go to the

theatre with him afterward – we will go

I was rather amused at poor Mr. Shultz

- the Helm interests have caused his arrest

for conspiracy or something of that kind

in connection with their copper litigation

& he is dreadfully nervous about it –

he wanted to talk & show me clippings

about the case – but I declined to

look or listen – he seems scared!

Had a delightful supper with Mr. Ralph

& Birch in the Waldorf-Astoria cafe –

& then went to the “New Amsterdam” theatre

-14^th-

Spent the forenoon with Mrs. W in

shopping. Met Phil. Ceasar on

Bd.way & called on Whitcomb with him.

Called on Mr. Frank D. Arthur & then

on Walter Boardman. Went out

see Bar Assoc. building with Mr.

Wm M. Turner (Arthurs partner) & to

Broadway theater with Birch & Mr.

Ralph.

-15^th-

Went over to Waldorf-Astoria early this

morning and met Mr. Milbourn –a

lawyer from Buffalo who is just now coming

to New York – he is the Milbourn at whose home

in Buffalo. Pres. McKinley died. Also met

Senator Patton of B. Penn. (state senator)

but a friend of Quays. Went downtown

& went with Birch – took ~~dinner~~ with him

& the two younger Havemyers at the Midday(?)

Club. Called on Burleigh – but found

he was out – visited with his son a half

hour. Went out home early & found

Walter & Mary Boardman visiting Mrs. W.

Went to a dinner at the University Club

given by Mr. William M. Turner -

present Judges Clark and Scott of

Sup. Ct. Arthur. ?Turner ? we had

a splendid dinner. Mrs. W. went

to dinner with Birch & Mr. Ralph at Delmon

=icos and to theater – Criterion.

-16^th-

Left New York early – on Penn. Ry and

came to Annapolis via Odenton. Darrell

is in fine health and spirits. Will grad

=uate Feb. 1 & go west (probably) with his

mother. Took rooms at Maryland Hotel.

-17^th-

Sunday. Darrell spent most of the day

with us at the Maryland – he is getting his new

uniforms to. and expects to go to the Pacific

station. He wants on the “Tacoma” and I

will go to the Dept. and ask for that assignment.

Trip over here is stupid. Col Gadd

Mr. Melvin are the only ones I know -

-18^th-

Came over to Washington – rooms

46 B. St. N.E. & take our meals

with Jones. M.C. from Washington &

Sammons at 32 B. St.

-19^th-

Called & met Cushman at House,

- & introduced to Speaker Cannon

& others. Called on Foster, also – he

is frankly pleasant. Went with

Sammons & others to see two Japs

wrestle – new physical culture school

- in charge of Sam. Hill – son-in-law

of J. J. Hill of Great Northern. Met

Senator Foster there – also saw Ed &

Everett Hale. Met Senator Clapp

of Minn. also Dolliver of Iowa

& Gov. Cummins of same state.

-20^th-

Went with ~~Stephen~~ Cushman to

see Sec. of Navy Moody, who referred

us to Capt. McRea – who assured us that

there was no reason why Darrell should

not be assigned to the cruiser “Tacoma”

Afterwards went with Stephen Birch to

see Commander Winslow – attache to

President. who said Darrell would be

assigned to the “Tacoma” – and given all

the work he could do. Birch brought a

letter to Winslow from the Havemyer boys

- whose brotherinlaw Winslow is.

-21-

Dinner tonight at Raleigh with Judge

Johnson, Capt. Jarvis, Lt. Bertholf and

Walter E. Clark, newspaper correspondent.

Later took Debbie to the National Theater

to see the “Marriage of Kitty”.

-22-

Went to the Geological Survey today - &

took lunch with Brooks, Hayes, Rizer

& others. They declare my picture of Mt.

McKinley the finest ever taken, & specially

suggest that it be sent to the St Louis Ex

as part of the Alaska exhibit. Also

went to Senate Chamber and met Senator

Fairbanks – he invited Mrs. W. & me to dinner

with them at their residence after we return

from Annapolis - & Col. Ramsdell, Sarg

eant at Arms of the Senate invited me to a

dinner tomorrow night when the Sub-Com

which went to Alaska will again meet

- at Col. Ramsdells house – Will go if

I can get release from Sammons theater party.

-23 24rd -

Took dinner last night (23) with

Col. Ramsdell (Daniel M.) at his home

on B. St. N.E. #130. Present Senators

Nelson, Dillingham,. Burnham

and Patterson – Sub.Com. which

visited Alaska this summer – also

Mr. John Hayes. and Mr. Johnson

secretaries of Sen. Beveridge and

Patterson. ~~Mr.~~ Dr. Ramsdell –

son of the Col – and I – had a fine

dinner – then reminiscences of Alaska

& cards & cigars – a delightful evening.

Millard & wife called on Mrs. W –

& I at our rooms but we were out.

Mrs. W- went with the Sammons to

see the “Red Feather”. last night

25-

Visited Dept. of Justice with Marshal Perry

this morning to settle Valdez courthouse ground

matter – before Asst. Atty. Genl. Russell

who agreed to reserve the property we want.

Visited State Dept. and consulted with

Fredk. Van Dyne, author of “Citizenship of

the United States” about Russian citizens =

“In re John Minook” He gave me no

aid. Jarvis left for west today &

Dr. Cabell Whitehead reached town.

Have not been able to see the Atty General

yet – nor the President.

-26-

Spent the day sightseeing and

working in department – went to the

theater – “Maxine Elliot” – we took

Mr. & Mrs. Sammons, Miss Sammons

& Mrs. “Yakima” Jones --

-27-

Called on Senator Burnham about

“Appeal Bill” – at his request – he gave

me new bill for hearing appeals from

Alaska at Seattle & I will redraft

it for him. Debbie went to Annap

=olis at noon today. Visited Comr.

of Indian Affairs about Russian

half breed citizenship in Alaska –

also Col. Clay, General Agent of

Dept. of Justice. Saw Rosewe[?] of

N. W. Com. C. of Siberia & Capt.

Lewis tonight. Dr. Whitehead

of Nome in town

-28^th-

Went over to the National Museum

& Smithsonian Museum this morning

to interview Prof. Mason and Prof.

Dall in relation to citizenship

of the Russian creoles & “Settled tribes”

- could not find Dall & must go again.

Returned bill to Senator Burnham

about Alaska appeals – he asked

me to examine & report on it for

him – which I did. At 3 oclock

went to see Count Cassini, the

Russian embassador about the

Russian citizens & “settled tribes” –

Found him a very pleasant and agreeable

man – of the Bismark type – and willing

to aid me and much interested in the matter

He and his aid examined the book of

instructions issued in 1844 to the

Russian American Co. fixing the status

of the people from the Aleutians to Sitka

and assure me that it is official and

that all the people and tribes therein

mentioned as citizens ~~are~~ {were} such under

the Russian laws – their opinion is

that they became citizens of the U.S.

under the treaty of cession. They will

probably have more to say about the

matter by correspondence.

Took dinner tonight with Capt. F. S.

Lewis, at the New Willard. He is

the promoter of the new railroad up the

Solomon from Port Safety near Nome,

& is a wealthy man. He offered to aid

me in developing my Fairbanks mines.

I also met Col. Morrison and a

mining man from Cape Prince of Wales

Is. – who is interested on Mt. Andrew.

Morrison is an old Washington state

man. If I can make arrangements

for money will abandon the judgeship

Have not make $1500. per year out

of it – nothing but honor & worry!!

-29^th-

Took lunch at “Harveys” – oysters – with

Dr. Whitehead;, Capt. D. H. Jarvis – Thatcher

and Frank Hunter of Seattle. Recd. call

from Lt. Emmons, U.S.N. retired & did

not see him – went to his hotel – the

“Ebbitt” – but he was out.

-30^th-

Called on Lt. Emmons today & had

a long talk about the status of the

natives on the south coast of Alaska.

Will go with him next Wednesday to

call on Prof. Mason of Nat. Museum &

Dr. Dall – consultation about the

civilized or settled tribes. Came over

to Annapolis on noon train – Debbie

& Darrell O.K. Graduation Monday

-31^st-

Sunday – Darrell was with us most

of the day. He is perfectly happy and

entirely satisfied – as we are, too, with his

position in the class. The dismissal

of Little, for hazing advance Darrell

one number – he stood 25 – but now

24, out of a class of 62. The class

originally had 97 students, but 35

fell by the wayside – and but 62

graduate – and out of this number

47 graduate – Darrell amongst

them – “with credit” – the highest per

=centage since the Civil war. It

is said to be the best graduating class

- judged by their ratings in forty years.

Have met the Stuarts – “Jeb’s” family

and the McCrackens – They are

“Vi-ginians” –“sah”-

February 1

Well, Darrell has graduated and

is out of the Naval Academy!!

The graduation exercises took place

in the new “Armory” – Sec. of the Navy

Moody delivered the diplomas. Chap

=lain Clark delivered a prayer. Gover

=nor Warfield made a short address

- & then Moody made a fine but short

address and delivered the diplomas

All the other cadets were in line in the

back or main part of the hall & kept

up a continual yell for each boy as he

was called up and presented to the Sec.

Darrell is the tallest boy in his class-

We are entirely pleased with his success.

He is coming to take lunch with us and go

to the matinee to see “Floradora.”

We went to the ball at the “Armory” – at

9 p.m. The usual rickety “carriage” such as

can only be found in Annapolis – a quarter

of a century behind times – A Mrs. Iglehart

- being without a carriage accompanied us –

a beautiful, clear, wintry night – full moon

and every thing covered with snow. The great

new Armory building was ablaze with electric

lights – 600 handsomely dressed officers and

midshipmen, and a great number of beautif

=ully dressed girls and ladies – the Marine band

- decorations of flags, cannon hidden in

flowers and palms – life, light, beauty and

manly strength – it was a rare grand ball –

and Darrell actually danced twice with a

Miss May of Tazewell, Va – at the special

instance and request of “Pat” and “Jeb “ – He

fell from the order of Red Mikes - bulldozed

-2^nd-

Every body who could left Annapolis

We came over to Washington on the noon

train – Darrel – Green, Treadwell &

other boys came over – and loads of girls,

- some young and some older – as they

call them “college widows”.

-3^rd-

Went to see Lt. Emmons but he was gone.

Called on Mr. Lacey, M.C. of Iowa and

he was very pleasant and invited us to

dinner with him tomorrow night, - accepted.

Long talk with Millard, - agreeable – and

was invited by Cushman to appear before

the House Com. on Territories on Monday.

Got my suit from the Raleigh & wrote

Birch about map to Chitsiah creek –

Debbie sick tonight, with another

chill.

-4^th-

Called today with Dr. Whitehead

& met Secretary of the Treasury Shaw,

also Asst. Secs. Taylor and Armstrong.

Mrs. W and I took dinner with

Major and Mrs. Lacey at the Riggs

Dr. Whitehead made the 5^th member.

They talked to me about my reapp

=ointment and urged me to go and see

the Atty General and President.

I told them about Hubbards scheme

to divide my district – and with Alex

MacKenzie, Helm, et. al. to get a

judge of their own to exploit – the

copper mines and railroad at Valdez.

Alex. MacKenzie was in town a few days

ago.

-5^th-

Congressman Jones went to the Interior

Department with me today – found

that the Secretary had decided the

Jeresich – Gig Harbor land case in

my favor on Jany 9^th. Met Sec

Hitchcock and had a pleasant

talk with him about Alaska.

Have been Jeresichs attorney in this

case since 1887. We will now

be entitled to a patent – then will have

to fight a suit as trustees.

-6^th-

Went to see the Attorney General

today. Found out that he was going

to Florida tonight –so went alone.

His private secretary Long informed me

that he was out, but I asked if I might

not sit down and wait for him. He

said I might & I sat. In five minutes

Russell, who has Alaskan matters in

hand came in, and stood with me & talked

and waited. Soon Long went in

{to the Atty Generals room} and when

he returned said that we – motioning to

Russell and I – might go in – I offered

to wait for Russell but he said no for

us both to go in. I paid my respects

talked of Alaska generally and the

size of my district – Solicitor General

Hoyt came in and we four discussed the

climate and agricultural possibilities of

Alaska. It seemed to me that Russell
& Hoyt were purposely brought into the

interview for fear I would undertake to

talk “shop” – but I did not once give

an opening for anything of the kind.

He was very pleasant, and agreeable

~~and~~ but seemed to know nothing about

Alaskan matters I was very well

satisfied, though, with the interview.

-7^th-

Sunday – Took dinner today with

Mr & Mrs. Ralph C. Haynes – Kennesaw

Ave. who are Springfield friends. Her

father Mr. Saunders of Springfield also present.

We also called on the Millards at

their boarding house on 14^th St.

-8^th-

Appeared before the House Comt. on Terri

=tories today and talked from 10:30 to 12.

on Alaska. Opposed territorial government

- advocated building wagon and railroad

&c. Went to theater tonight with Debbie

& Darrell took Miss Maud Purenton

- his Tacoma school teacher. Took

lunch today at Capital with Cushman

& Millard. Also called on W. W. Jer

=mane, who expects McLane of Minneapolis

Journal here soon

-9^th-

Talked another hour to the Com. on Territories

today – finished my statement which

was a full presentation of Alaska

matters – what is and what is not wanted,

from Congress. My statements were taken

down in shorthand and I am to edit

them for printing. Upon the close of my

remarks the chairman, Edward L. Hamilton

of Michigan, publicly and in the name of the

Com. thanked me for my efforts, and paid me

a high and very gratifying compliment.

I presented him – not a compliment – but one

of my fine enlarged photographs of Mt. McKinley

All the Alaska men were there – Harlan,

Millard, Mackenzie, Dam, Ballaine,

&c. War news today Japan v. Russia.

-10^th-

Went with Senator Foster to call

on the President. He received calls

in a cheap addition to the west of

the Whitehouse, and connected thereto

by a long low one story hallway.

It is a poor brick and mortar

quarters spread out toward the

War & Navy Bld - and just

sufficiently valuable and attractive

to spoil with lawn. After

waiting a short time we were ushered

into a large plainly furnished room

occupied by a large table (around

which the cabinet gathers) and many

inquiring constituents. The president

was busy making the rounds from

one to another trying to make the

last one believe that he was just

a little more pleased to see him

than the former. We were near the

last, and as Senator Quarles and

Senator Foster stood together, just

before he reached us the President

motioned them to go into his private

office, where I accompanied them.

Soon the President came in and we

gave way to Senator Quarles who

had his say and went out. I was

introduced and we all sat down.

The President is a strenuous and

rapid talker, and began at once

to ask questions and answer them.

He was much interested in the big

Kodiak bear. I finally told him

that I had a picture of Mt. McKinley

which I offered to give him – He

very kindly accepted it and said

he would hang it on his office wall.

He volunteered to remark that every

Alaskan official had been accused

of every crime imaginable, ~~to murder~~.

but laughingly referred to his experience

on the Little Missouri in an early day,

and said that notwithstanding these

charges he thought Alaskan officials

came up to the average. He was really

goo natured but talked of everything else

than conditions in Alaska. He is not

as ugly as the pictorial papers and

his photographs make him appear.

Debbie and Darrell left me

tonight at 5:40 for California over

the Penn. Ry. I am sick tonight

and keep the trail to the toilet

warm.

-12^th-

Took photo. of Mt McKinley

down for framing for the president.

Am out of patience with the

Department of Justice and am

ready to fight. They are still

investigating Col. Grigsby the

district Attorney at Nome, and

have been investigating him for

a year and a half. For more

than two years Nome scandals

have prevailed, but the Dept. of

Justice seems incompetent to manage

them. What the department needs

is a hell of a roasting, and I am

about in a mood to do it.

Went to theater tonight with

Congressman Wm Sulzer, of N.Y.

and party of his friends. Called

on General Graley, but not in.

Also at Dept. of Justice but no

body there. Sick and out of

sorts today. Had talk with

Judge Ballinger of Seattle & told

him to go ahead and tie Senator

Ankeny up for Balliett if he

could -

-Friday- -12^th-

Remained at room all day editing

my statements and testimony before the

House Com. on Territories on last Monday

and Tuesday. Senator Hanna is

reported very sick. Received an

invitation to take lunch with

Senator Fairbanks on Sunday.

-13^th-

Sent Pres. Roosevelt copy nicely framed

of Mt. McKinley picture – photograph,

which he promised me should hang on

the wall in his office. Went to the

Department of Justice and called on

Russell – one of the head clerks or assistant

atty. genls. and asked for a copy of the tel

=egram which was sent on July 3^rd to

Col. Grigsby at Seattle, asking

Judge Moore to review the Marshal

Richards case. Recd. that and

two other communications on that subject

and examined the papers in the case. In

going through them I found a letter

dated Febry. 1903, written by George

Grigsby at Nome to his father, the District

Attorney, who was then in Washington fighting

me, detailing his success in fighting certain

gambling cases in home. He frankly states

that Marshal Richards aided him to fix

the jury in both cases, whereby they convicted

the gamblers. I exhibited the letter to the

clerk who was assisting me in going through

the record and asked him for a copy of it,

but he desired first to submit the matter

to Russell. I went back after lunch

and he informed me that Russell refused

to give me the copy on the ground that

it was a personal letter accidentally

in the record. I called his attention to the

fact that it was enclosed in an official wrapper

in the official files ~~and~~ in charge of the proper

official and related exclusively to official

matters. But he refused to give me the copy.

I then requested him to retain it in his

possession. The substance of the

paragraph about fixing the juries was,

“The Marshal aided me in securing

the jury and stood in with me.”

Those are not the words – but the sense.

Also called and Met Taylor the

examiner who reported on Nome matters

in 1902, and Asst. Atty Genl. Pradt. I

intend to make a formal written demand

for the Grigsby letter on Monday and also

ask for an opportunity to state my views

and facts on the Richards case on

Tuesday.

-Febry 14^th-

Sunday. Was invited to take lunch with

Senator Fairbanks (1800 Mass. Ave) today –

They have a large & splendid home: met Mrs.

Fairbanks, son and daughter & spent two hours

with them most delightfully. Mrs. Hemenway, m.c.

from Indiana called while I was there, with

Mr. Hoggatt, of S.E. Alaska, but I was

specially invited to remain when they left.

We talked Alaska, and Mrs. F. and the

daughter particularly did not tire of my des

=criptions. They gathered around – all four

like four interested children and we all

talked. They had a very modest but elegant

lunch & I greatly enjoyed my visit. They

kindly invited me to dinner on Tuesday & greatly

regretted that Debbie & Darrell had gone.

Have worked in room rest of day on letters

to the Dept. about Nome criticisms.

Wrote to Debbie tonight

-15-

Went to Dept. of Justice this morning

and called on Solicitor General Hoyt, and

presented him this letter:

“The Attorney General,

Washington, DC.

“Sir, In examining the papers on file in the department

of Justice in the matter of the proceedings against U.S.

Marshal Richards, at Nome, for contempt of court, on last

Saturday I saw among them a letter written by Deputy

District Attorney George Grigsby, dated February 1903,

addressed to Melvin Grigsby, the district attorney at

Nome, and devoted to a detailed report upon {the} public

in that office at that place. The letter contains a state

=ment to the effect that the Marshal had then recently at

home fixed two juries for the prosecution by the aid

of which the defendants had been successfully convicted,

and as I desired immediately to address a commun

=ication to the department of Justice upon that practice

at Nome I asked the official in charge for a copy of the

letter. He refused to give it to me upon the ground that

it was a private communication. As the letter was in

the public files, was backed as a public document, was

from one public official to another and related to

public matters, it seems not to be private, and I

respectfully request that a copy be given to me for

use before the department of Justice.

Respectfully, James Wickersham

District Judge of Alaska

Mr. Hoyt immediately asked me what official

had refused to give me the copy and I told him

Mr. Russell. He went into Mr. Russells room

& was gone ten minutes or more and returned.

He said that upon inspection he was inclined

to agree with Mr. Russell that the letter was

being from ~~father~~ son to father – “But”, I said

“the son is also deputy Dist. Atty. at Nome & the

father is Dist. Atty.” He answered – “Well you

don’t need it anyway – you have seen it and

know what it contains” He admitted that it

contained the expression, of in effect, that my

letter stated, and said “these people wont

worry you much longer anyway” – a plain

intimation that Grigsby is to be removed. In

short he refused to give me a copy of the letter.

He said, however, that the department appreciated

the difficulties that I had experienced at Nome, that

I had done a good work” &c – but no copy of the letter,

though he distinctly admitted that the letter was

correctly characterized in my letter. Upon his

refusal to give me the copy I presented

him with the original of which the follow

=ing is a copy-

The Attorney General, Washington D.C.

Sir: My term of office as district judge of {in} Alaska

expires on June 5, 1904. I expect to leave for Eagle City

and Fairbanks, points far in the interior of Alaska,

about the last of this week, and cannot thereafter make

any statement to the department prior to the expir

=ation of my term. I desire to address a communica

=tion to you in relation to the administration of justice

in Alaska with special reference to matters in my

court, and at the time of its delivery I wish to make

a brief personal statement as judge of the district

court of Alaska. It is understood that the Attorney

General is overwhelmed with more important matters, and

cannot personally hear ~~and~~ {or} consider such statements,

therefore I request that on Thursday, Febry 18, I may be per

=mitted to meet Solicitor General Hoyt and Asst. Attorney

General Day, at the department, and deliver to them person

-ally the communication and statement suggested.

I also request that Mr. Russell, and Mr. Taylor, special

examiner, be present, and also a stenographer to take

such questions as may be asked me and my answers thereto.

Will you kindly notify me at your earliest convenience if

my request is granted. Respectfully,

James Wickersham, District Judge Alaska.

Mr. Hoyt read the letter and promptly assured

me that I should be heard in full at that time.

I thanked him and left the department.

Stephen Birch from New York is here

today at the Raleigh, - working for me.

Telegraphed to Heilig today to

adjourn court to March 21^st.

Senator Marcus A. Hanna died.

this evening at the Arlington Hotel.

I took dinner tonight with Hoggatt

& Birch at the New Willard.

-16^th-

Took dinner this evening with Senator

& Mrs. Fairbanks & talked Alaska.

Worked on my communication to the

Dept. of Justice, - expect to criticise

the Dept. and may have a row – but it is

time that it quit aiding jury fixing!!

McLain of Minneapolis Journal

is here and called – but was out.

-17^th-

Worked all day on my communication

to the Dept. of Justice – done & will del

=iver it tomorrow. P. J. Coston of Nome

is also here and agrees to go up with me

& substantiate my story. He knows

the facts so he says-

-18^th-

Went to Dept. of Justice at 10 a.m. with

P. J. Coston : read a communication

in presence of Solicitor Genl. Hoyt, Asst. Atty.

Genl. Day, Russell & Taylor, placing the

blame for “padding” accounts and “jury packing”

at Nome on the Dept. of Justice. This

afternoon called on McLain, of Minneapolis

Journal – Major Lacey, of Iowa. Lena

Walton, Nome, is at the Raleigh Hotel.

My interview at the Dept. was very satisfactory

- Hoyt & Day are my friends & supporters

& Russells knife is both longer & sharper

for the blame of failing to support the

judge at Nome is at his door. They

both told him he was wrong - & he wont

forgive me for it. Hoyt asked me if I

was not going to accept a reappointment

complimented me highly - & asked me for the petitions

& Alaska endorsments & took them personally.

-19^th-

Visited with McLain, Minneapolis Journal

today. Wrote letter to Dept. asking for

authority to build courthouse at Fairbanks

Lunch with Brewster & Walter Clark

at the New Willard.

-20^th-

Birch is back to the Raleigh-

I moved down there today that I might

have more time before I go away.

-21^st-

Wrote long letter to Debbie & Birch

& I went out to Commander Winslows

to Dinner. Mrs Winslow is {was} a Havemyer

and of course every thing was accordingly.

Commander Winslow the Naval attache

to the President, &c.

-22^nd-

Spent much of the day in the Capitol

with Cushman & others Assisted Cushman

with Alaska bills & rewrote the bills

prepared both by him and Senator Nelson

for election of delegate on lines suggested

in my testimony before House Com. on Terry’s.

Dinner this evening with Major & Mrs

Lacey & Mr. & Mrs Brewster at the

Riggs House.

-23^rd-

Was admitted to practice before the Sup.

Court of the United States today – Major

Lacey – M. C. from Iowa moved my

admission. Invited to lunch with Sen

=ator Burnham – went up to the Senate

chamber to meet him & as he and Senator

Foster came out with me Senator Perkins

of California came out and was introduced

He was very cordial and spoke in a

highly complimentary way of my work in

Alaska – said the people in Alaska from

Cal – were all pleased with me – and that

he was also – that I was one of his constituents

&c. I was also introduced to Senator Gallinger

of Vt. and Senator Petters of Alabama.

These greetings were so highly satisfactory

to Senator Foster that he actually thawed out

and declared that I must be reappointed

- in Senator Burnhams presence, who

informed him that the four Senators compri

=sing the Senate Sub-Com. on Territories that

went to Alaska last summer had long

since agreed to that! Wrote Senator

Foster letter in favor of naming the big

glacier on north side of Mt McKinley the

“Hanna” glacier – and asking Hanna’s

friends in the Senate to look after it.

Brewster – Major Laceys son-in law

took dinner with me & we went to see “Mrs

Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” – at the theatre.

-24^th

Spoke to Cushman about an endorsment

for reappointment & he promptly said it ought

to be done & wrote out a brief letter to the

President & went to see W. P. Jones. M. C

from Yakima – he signed it & then Cushman

I then went to see Foster (Senator) who also

signed it. Foster told me that Walter

Christian had asked him not to do so and

had suggested Joe. Easterday – but Foster

shook his head & said Joe would not do.

Gave the endorsment to Walter E. Clark,

correspondent New York Sun & Seattle “P-I.”

who agreed to get Humphrey (Seattle M.C)

to sign & then to get Cushman to present

it to Ankeny (Senator) for his signature.

Do not know whether either of them will

sign it or not, but I am much pleased

that Jones & Foster had the courage to

“stand up”. Cushman was never in doubt.

Left Washington at 5:40 p.m. over the

Penn. Ry. for Chicago. Am well satisfied

with the sum total of my trip to Washington

- it seems to me as if I will be reappointed

judge now – and that all that is left to my

enemies is to scandalize and blackmail

me with false affidavits after I am in

Alaska and not able to answer.

-25-

All day on train toward Chicago – Mr. &

Mrs. G. G. Perry on train with me – We

arrived in Chicago at 9. p.m & I went

to the “Auditorium Hotel”, had a bath &

went to bed.

-26-

Loafed all day at Auditorium – nothing

doing. Perrys went on to Dubuque.

-27^th -

Sightseeing around Chicago and called

on Sodenberg and other Alaskan people.

Leave tomorrow evening – first train

for west.

-28^th-

Leave tonight at 6:30 for Tacoma over

C. M. & St. P. Will not stop until I

reach Tacoma. Sodenberg called & I

met his father, Dave Lane & others.

They are here assisting in an arbitration

of a claim on Anvil Creek, Nome, which

it is alleged one Anderson staked for

the Swedish Mission, but which he

fraudulently appropriated to his own use.

-29^th-

St. Paul. Called on West Pub. Co. Paid my

bills & bought some other books – also paid

for them. Left for West at 10:15 on the

West Coast Limited.

March 2^nd

Arrived in Tacoma tonight – went to

the “Donnelly Hotel”. Telegraphed ahead

for mail but none here. Also teleg

=raphed ahead from Livingston, Mont.

& had Mr & Mrs Lake France & the babies

meet me at Spokane – also telegraphed

to Charles Sweeney – but he was not there

Left pck. of copper specimens with Lake

to be delivered to him & will write him.

-3^rd-

Mail. Four letters from Debbie – she is

in good spirits & no worse in health. Darrell

has gone to his ship – the U.S. cruiser “Tacoma”

at Mare Island, S. F. Wrote long letter to

Debbie. Saw Fred. Crouch. D. O. Smith

took lunch with me.

-4^th-

Nan and her troubles – ended very

well – Took dinner with Mr & Mrs.

D. O. Smith & son Harold – who

wants to go to Annapolis. Am

to talk to Perkins of the Ledger” & have

written to Cushman for him.

Went to theater – Grand opera – Shay –

-5-

Spent the forenoon settling Jeresich

case – Gig Harbor land case – Got my

deed for 50 acres - $1250 – am to

give George T. Reid five acres of it.

Felix Pedro, discoverer of “Fairbanks

Alaska mines to see me. Am going

over to Seattle tonight.

-6^th-

Went over to Seattle last night – staid

at Rainer-Grand – met Mr. Harlan – will

go to Alaska on 10^th on the Dolphin.

Met Col. Perkins, who called on me at

the hotel – as did also, Dick. Ryan,

Tom. Noyes, George Jeffry, and others.

Perkins talked politics, and I think is a

candidate for governor. Tommy Noyes

(who with his mother & sister owns the Rainer-Grand”),

talked about a bank at Valdez & one at Fair

=banks. Am to go back in a day or two &

talk to them more about it. Recd. telegram

on my return to Donnelly Hotel, Tacoma

tonight from Barnette, who is now in Seattle.

-10^th-

Spent the last three days in getting

things arranged – Wrote Debbie &

got the Jeresich matters all settled

up. Left Seattle this morning

on the “Dolphin” for Skagaway –

Organized the “Fairbanks Banking

Co.” under laws of State of Washington

-12^th

Ketchikan. Dolphin unloading freight

& went ashore two hours. Met Emmett Hunt

of Hillhurst, George Dyer – barber – of Tacoma

& others. Also called on and met Ex. Gov. Swine

=ford, and had a pleasant interview. He

seems friendly enough & suggested that I ought

to be a candidate for Gov. of Alaska, and not

for delegate. He shows signs of age – but is

yet a vigorous writer & a hard hitter.

-13^th-

Our boat landed at Treadwell & I called

on McDonald – mgr. and he declared himself

& all his interests for me for Delegate. Also

went over to Juneau – met Judge Brown – and

Maloney, Shackleford, Tom Lyons & others &

they all assured me of their strong support

if the delegate bill passes. Saw Dr &

Mrs. Goddard & Mr & Mrs. Wm Berry –

Crab lunch with Judge & Mrs. Brown

-14^th-

“Dolphin” reached Skagaway at 7:30 a.m.

We went to 5^th Ave. Hotel got our packs

that Ed. Harlan & Geoghegan left there &

left on the morning train for Whitehorse

Met Dautrick – but owing to short time

no one else – Reached Whitehorse at

6 p.m. & at 8 p.m. left there on the stage

for the first post at Tahkeenie river – 18 mi.

Mr. Harlan & I go – Perry in the morning

Reached the post on the Tahkeenie at 11 p.m.

20° below zero when we started - 25° when

we reached the roadhouse at Tahkeenie.

-15-

We made four posts today – from Tahkeenie

to Montague – a distance of 84 miles.

42° degrees below zero when we started.

Trail is fine and road in good

condition. Nine passengers in our

stage – sled.

-16^th-

Drove from Montague to Minto today

= 69 miles, - warmer – about 20° below.

-17^th-

Minto to Stevens - Here I met Mr.

& Mrs. Finnie – Nellie Roediger

- but they went on to Hume’s post for

the night.

-18^th-

From Stevens to Murray Hill hotel

#33 Dominion Creek. Telephone

message from Ed. Orr – am to take

dinner with Orrs & Roedigers tom

=orrow evening.

-19^th-

Left Murrays on Dominion this morning

and reached Dawson at 2 p.m.

Met Orr, Roediger, Johnnie Scott,

Charley Taylor, &c. Usual visit from

reporters, friends & others. Wrote Debbie

Took dinner with the Orrs the Roedigers

present. Was invited to meeting of “Eagles”

-20^th-

Orr took breakfast with me at “Regina”

this morning. Perry & Barnette came

in on belated stage last night. We

left Dawson at 7:30 this morning for

Eagle, - Harlan & I, McGowan,

Tozier & Dumbell, with Downing.

Reached Forty Mile at 5 p.m. “Miners Home”

Met Charley Joynt there.

-21^st-

Left Forty Mile early – bad day but

the wind at our backs – yesterday in our

face. Passed the “Leah” & “Louse”

in the ice just at the N.A.T. Co.s coal

mine – frozen in there last fall –

Reached Eagle at 5 oclock. Meals

with Miss Thompson & bed in Perrys house

called court in the evening & appointed

John Conna – of Tacoma – crier.

-22^nd-

Wrote letter to Debbie & sent back on

Downings stage to Dawson. Court

met – but the Idleman case being cont

=inued there is nothing to do – a few small

unimportant civil cases. Heard motions,

naturalized citizens and minor matters today.

Took dinner with Mr & Mrs. Ensign, Presbyterian

minister – also present Mr. Harlan & Claypool.

-23^rd-

One jury trial today – verdict, and there being

none other, on account of the collapse of the Idleman

case, the trial jury was discharged. Sold my

interest in the U.S. Rep. (sold to E. M. Barnes)

to V. L. Bevington for $100. cash. Collected

rent of cabin $110.00 to Mch. 1^st Stage

coming in with mail- Telegram from Henderson

at Valdez, says Nan arrived there today & will be cared for.

No mail. Manley & Barnette arrived & Perry, do.

-March 23 – continued.

Eagle City is no longer attractive to me. It seems

as if I must see Howard in his accustomed places

and it makes me sad and lonesome. I will be

glad to get away for Fairbanks. Barnette

& Manley, from Fairbanks, are going in with

horses and ask me to go with them.

-24^th-

Tried jury case yesterday & discharged

jury – tried customs case today before

the court – forfeited the goods. Called

on Capt. Perkins, Dr. Clayton & Capt.

Nesmith, & attended Minstrels.

-25-

Left Eagle City – am to travel with Manley

& Capt. Barnette – put my packs on sled & walked

on – reached ~~Stam~~ 70 Mile at 1:30 & had lunch

& reached Sheep Creek at 5. Feet badly

blistered – Sled got in at 7.p.m

-26-

[written on diagonal:] Canary Birds

From Sheep Creek to Nation rode on the

sled today as my feet were sore – lying in

good road house telling yarns with miners

& Indians – Old Moses from Porcupine-

-27-

Nation to Washington Creek today – bad

trail – walked 11 miles to N.C. Co. barge

& then rode rest of way – Fine warm

weather - bad trail from here on –

-28-

Left Kuntzs – opposite Washington at 8 oclock

- very late & reached Charlie Creek at 10:30

lunch – Left Charlie Creek at 12.m.

deep snow – bad trail – walked – at 7 p.m.

we were about 2 miles below Charlie river

- the horses down – tired – and sled over

turned. Manley & Barnette camped

on trail for night but I walked 9 miles

to Coal Creek road house – good bed &

nights rest – but my feet are swollen

& sore.

-29^th-

Remained at Coal Creek all day – Manley

& Barnette got in about noon with the team

about worn out. During afternoon the

other teams belonging to Manley & his partners

got in to Coal Creek – also a dog team

with a man and woman. The mail carrier

came in going to Circle & I have made an

arrangement to go that far with him – on

dog sled. Feet getting better but very

sore yet. Kogukuk crowd in –

{Richmond, Marlow, Jurey, Johnson.

-30^th-

Left Coal creek early with Joe, the mail carrier

- the Koyukuk fellows ahead, & came on

to. Bill Elwells place at “30 Mile.”

Took lunch at Webbers – but flew by

as his rabbit stew is even worse than

last year & the bridal chamber bed

still lacking fresh boughs. Elwell

has a young – but very dirty squaw – in

keeping with the rest of the rancherie.

-31^st-

Left Elwells – 30 Mile RoadHouse

at. 6 a.m. – storm of wind and rain in our

faces – snow deep – trails bad. Barnette

& Manley cannot get horses through as

the snow is certainly too deep. Arrived

at 5. pm at Circle City, and put up at

Bob. Geis. Supper at restaurant – the

Koyukuk men took diner with me &

I thus paid them for meals at Webbers,

Elwells and on trail. Bath in

Geis kitchen & in a warm bed – my

feet are nearly well & I feel good -

-April 1-

Visited friends in Circle today – Fred. Batis

took dinner with me at “Tanana Restaurant.”

Claypool. Geoghegan & got in at

5 oclock & report Barnette & Manly coming

having left “30 Mile roadhouse” this morning

with two sleds – single. They will probably

be in tomorrow. Wrote Debbie good letter –

Spent evening at Fred Bates cabin – Claypool

Geoghegan – McInroy. Buckley, Bates.

Enjoyed pictures of Nome, Hanson, Turners,

Cranes, & others. “Give us a drink bar tender” &c.

“Bates old Guitar” and songs – a bottle & good

cheer – Bohemianism buys whisky – but

nothing else. Weighed 181 lbs today

gained on trail – though I walked more

than half the way from Eagle.

-April 2-

Capt. Barnette & Manley got in this morning

from the “Eight Mile Roadhouse” where they passed

the night. They brot my pack – but not my

trunk They will go back with double enders

for the rest of their outfit which they left

at Webbers – where the other teams are

also stranded.

-3-

Sunday. A beautiful day. Will leave

tomorrow morning with Barnette for

Fairbanks. Dinner tonight with Bob

& Mrs. Geis. – Capt. Barnette, McInroy

Claypool & I – guests. Al. Moranzy

& Herrington in from Fairbanks today

with good reports – mines better all the

time.

-4^th-

Left Circle at 10. a.m. – Capt. Barnette

with a double ender sled with hay, grain,

valises &c. on it, and the fine cutter trail

=ing behind – the whole pulled by the

Captains horse “Chub”. Lunch at

12 Mile & night at “Jump off” -

24 Miles. Clear day – warm at

noon but cold morning & evening.

Road fine. Saw pair of red-brown

birds – like parrots – but think they were

waxwings. Canaries everywhere since

we left Eagle. Met Dan. Callahan

going into Circle. Reports from the

mines better all the time – and Cleary

Creek seems best of all. Claypool

Geoghegan, & others will follow us next

Thursday – Roadhouse tonight clean.

-5^th-

From Jump Off to Millers roadhouse

Fine day & good roads. Am riding

in Barnettes new cutter – the first one

ever in the Tanana country – it is tied

on behind the double ender & I ride in

it while Barnette straddles the load.

-6^th-

Good meals & sleep at Miller Roadhouse.

Beautiful morning – glorious sunshine

wild canary birds singing – big band of

cariboo in sight – good trail – summit of

Eagle divide – downhill pull – ~~what~~

good mining prospects ahead – what

more can a man – miner – want in Alaska?

Met Jim Hill, auditor of N.C. & drove with

dog team on his road to Circle - met on

Eagle summit – down to Eagle roadhouse

for the night.

-7^th-

From Eagle to 12 Mile roadhouse.

22 miles, good trail – but walked –

Up 12 Mile glaciers bad - & rode –

remained at “12 Mile” parlors – cabin

14 X 16 – 11 men in bunks – hard bed

-oh yes- they were hard – my sides ache-

Snowing like – but not blowing

The 12 Mile Roadhouse is a new one

built since last spring just in the

woods below where we camped a year

ago- Mr. M. Sickinger, a merchant

from Dawson is traveling in our company

He has a horse & sled with trailer & is

taking in a small stock of goods.

-8^th-

Crossed 12 Mile divide – two teams

& reached Faith Creek at 5 oclock.

Divide trail good – and the Chatnika

fine – glaciered and hard – all the

way to Faith. They tell us here that

there is much & deep water from here

on down. New roadhouse at

this place. The one I occupied last

year is now a stable – thats all

it was fit for then –

-9^th-

Left Faith in good style – but struck

overflow – water and thin ice. Horses broke

through – and water high on sleds. I went

on with Sickenger hand in hand and broke

the upper crust, leaving ten inches or a foot

of water on the heavy under ice. We continued

waded – cussed & the overflow got worse

& more of it. At dark we were within

three miles of the Cassiar R. H. (Pauls).

& we worked very hard to get there - but

in rain – at 11 oclock at night we were

on the old trail in the middle of the river

surrounded by running deep water, with

everything freezing. We finally gave up &

went ashore into the woods & made camp.

I shoveled two feet of snow for the tent

to sit on & at 1 oclock we had supper.

During the day on crossing over long

stretches of river we took the horses

through the woods – wading the snow

& pulled the sleds by hand over the ice.

Hard camp – but we filled up on hot

coffee & rice & rolled in our blankets

& slept fine.

-10^th-

Crossed the river at our camp this morning

with horses on the top ice & pulled our

sleds down a quarter of a mile & across.

Mr. Hess came along with a pair of

snow shoes – I borrowed them & made

a “cut off” around the bad overflow which

kept us back so much yesterday.

Crossed & recrossed the cut off six

times on snow shoes – we got to the

road house – Cassiar – at noon.

After dinner we “mushed on” to Si’s

road house. Bob. Henderson who

works for Barnette came out today

& met us just after we were ready to

cross the cut off. He had B-s dog team

& I drove it down to Si’s & rode some

of the way.

-11^th-

We left Si’s roadhouse early this

morning – took lunch with the Indians

Guinness & Peter at their roadhouse

and reached the Kokomo roadhouse.

It was a very bad trail – I waded water

to my Knees half the day – for miles I

was in the water – running on top of the

ice –wet all day – walked 18 miles.

We are told that the trail is now good with

the exception of one hole – all the way

to Cleary Creek. Barnette & I will

help the teams through that in the morning

& will then go to Fairbanks with his dog

team. Good many teams traveling

on the river – but roads very bad.

-12^th-

Left Kokomo roadhouse early – we helped

the horses across the last bad waterhole in

the river & then Barnette & I took the

dogteam & struck out for Fairbanks.

We spent an hour on Cleary Creek & I was

very much surprised & pleased at the

evidence of mining that I saw there. Where

last spring I saw only a few corner stakes,

a lone cabin and half dozen prospect holes

I now saw cabins, homes, stores, & great

dumps of pay dirt, with a small army of

busy miners getting out more and preparing

for the spring clean up. We took lunch

with the Barber roadhouse, and a good one it

was with home canned fruit (from their own

California ranch) and good coffee. After

noon we crossed the Cleary divide – down

Pedro & Gold Stream, and on into Fairbanks

at 8 oclock – a distance of 35 or 40 miles

today. Mr. Hess had some mail for us – one

letter (Mch. 8^th) from Debbie & one from

Darrell- Went to Edgars & had supper

- bath – and am now going to bed tired

& sleepy after a long hard trip of

400 miles mostly afoot.

-13^th-

Barnettes horse & sleds came in this

evening – also Claypool, Geoghegan, &c

Rested all day – intend to begin operations

on courthouse tomorrow- Many persons

call – including reporter for “Fairbanks

News.” We are to be entertained by the

A.Bs. at a “smoker” Friday evening.

Gained weight on trip and now weigh 183. lb.

-14^th-

Rented room for office today – on Front St.

Received telegrams from Eagle City & Valdez

on business matters there. Instructed Perry

to go ahead with Valdez courthouse, &

Heilig to pay claim of A.C. Co. for material

for Unalaska jail. Endeavoring to get

title to my lot & courthouse & jail site

arranged with N.C. Co & Barnette.

Barnette & Turner agree to confirm but

I refuse to move until they do it. As the

building of the courthouse hangs on their

action they are acting promptly.

-15-

Telegram today to Harlan asking his judgment

about whether Valdez courthouse ought to be

delayed until Congress acts on division bill.

Think he is suggesting delay to Perry & if he

is I want people of Valdez to know it!!

Heard two small applications today in the

new office on Front St. Have just returned

from attending the A.B. “Smoker” – speeches,

good music, beer & sandwiches. I, Hess

& Claypool did the talking – but the real

pleasure of the evening was the fine music

- Morgan & three other violinists – piano &c.

Morgan is a good violinist & Capt. Barnettes

nephew sings well – good time.

-16^th-

Settled up with Frank Cleary as my

agent for corner lot for year – he paid

me $90. bal. and will pay $35 more in full.

I allowed him $107.50 paid to Jesse Noble

for digging shaft on my claim off Discovery

left limit, Cleary, and $165. for work on

claim on Fish Creek. This afternoons

“Fairbanks News.” gave me a good “send-off”

- a flattering notice for my efforts for the

territory this winter while in Washington.

-17^th-

Sunday – Wrote letters – Debbie,

Foster – Fairbanks, &c. Sent C. D. Lane

telegram saying that estimated output

this year $400,000. and urging him to

come – also letter with 10 photos of

dumps &c. on Fairbanks & Cleary Creeks

Dinner with Capt & Mrs. Barnette

-18^th-

Left Fairbanks early with Frank

Cleary & Mr. Hess for a visit to the

creeks. We walked. We estimated

the dumps on Gold Stream & Pedro

& inquired – the output is fairly

$50,000. Took dinner with

Jerry, at Golden City – four log

huts - & reached No 1 Below {Cleary Creek} at

6 oclock. Saw Willig & Jesse Noble

& will talk with them in the morning

My feet are blistered & swollen again

-19^th-

Remained all night with Frank Cleary

at his cabin on No. 1. Below Discovery on

Cleary Creek. Small cabin 14 X 18 ft.

rough floor, dirty walls, sheet iron Yukon

stove, bacon on the wall, unswept, -

two bunks covered with only a blanket

to sleep on & robe over us for covering

I slept with Mr. Hess – and nearly froze.

Tea, muggy bread – bacon & stewed apples

& musty beef for supper – coffee – muggy

bread & bacon for breakfast – and it

tasted good. Saw Willig and had a

long talk with him – he will put in a

fire & I will have Jesse Nobel pan

in his shaft and come to some conclusion

about taking up his option. Also

went over my claim off Discovery on Cleary

left limit. – Noble tells me that he found

4 feet of dirt from 3{c} to 5¢ per pan –

pay dirt- The claim adjoining above

is being thoroughly prospected by ~~Mattson~~

Mattison. Ronan & Esterly – they find

good dirt pretty general – but not rich.

The rich pay is being found on

Discovery & 1-2-3 & 4 below, and

on the last few days on the side claims

on the right limit. Took dinner

& supper with Jesse Noble & am to stay

here all night. Feet are ok today.

Cleary Creek camp is active & feverish.

Great dumps of dirt out on Dis. No 1,

& from there down to 9. New cabins are

going up and almost every day now

shafts are found to reach the “pay” at

a new point. Already the pay streak

is found to be 800 feet or nearly so in

width at #1. below.

-20^th-

With Jesse Noble staking 2^nd

Bench off Discovery Cleary Cr.

Begun on my N.W. Gov. Stake 1^st

Bench off Dis. left limit thence west

up hill – Marked my N.W. Cor.

1^st Bench stake – “N.E. Cor. 2^nd

Bench, Discovery. April 20, 1904

Wickersham” – thence up hill

on line, as near as we could go through

the woods 330 ft & marked center

tree stake “N. Center, 2^nd Bench

off Discovery, April 20, 1904

Wickersham,” – thence up hill

about 330 ft. to spruce tree squared

on four sides, & marked “N.W.

Corner Bench Claim No. 2, Discovery

April 20, 1904 – Wickersham

- thence southerly & as near parallel

to the west line of Bench Claim No 1

as possible. – We ran south but

failed to find any line up hill from the

SW Cor. of No 1. off Discovery

so without marking the SW. cor

of No 2. off Dis. we went down

to the SW. cor. of No 1. off Discovery.

Finding that the second bench off

No 1. Above Dis. had not been staked

we began at the S.W. Cor. of No 1. Bench

of Dis. & the stake marked, “North

West Corner Stake No 1.A. Side

Claim” & ran a line south to

meet the S.W. cor. of the Side claim

of No. 1 Above Dis – on its west

line. On my S.W. corner stake I

put notice of 2^nd Bench off left

limit of No. 1. Above Dis. as follows:

“N.E. Cor. 2^nd Bench off No 1. above

Discovery, April 20, 1904, Jas. Wickersham”

About 800 feet south of my S.W. Cor

is stake marked on east side as follows

“South West Cor. Stake of Bench Claim

No. 1.” on south side “Center stake

of fraction between No 1 & No 2 Bench

Claim on Cleary Creek.”

On the west side of that stake I wrote “S.E.

corner of 2^nd Bench of No 1. above Discovery

April 20, 1904, Wickersham-“

Then ran west up hill, following a

plain blazed trail about 660 feet

- probably more, to a stake made

by cutting off a spruce tree & squaring

it four feet above ground – on its south

face, we could plainly read “N.W. corner

stake” the rest was obliterated by

scorching last year in forest fire.

We then ran north to meet the upper

line of Bench No 2, Above Dis.

Marked north side of this stake

as follows, “S.W. Corner No

2 Bench off No1. above Discovery

left limit.” April 20, 1904,

J. Wickersham”. Then ran north

to point directly up hill from the
S.W. Cor. of my 1^st Bench off Dis.

& ~~marked~~ about 660 feet, more or

or less west, and marked burned

tree (spruce.) square on four sides.

On south side marked “N.W. Corner

2^nd Bench off No1. above discovery

April 20, 1904, J. Wickersham”

and on the north side marked

“SW corner 2^nd Bench off discovery

April 20, 1904, Wickersham

This on line run from N.W Corner

south – this morning. Then

we ran line from upper corner

between 2^nd Bench of Dis. &

2^nd bench off No 1. above – east

to the stake at the S.W. corner

of 1^st Bench off Discovery.

Jesse Noble did all blazing

and I wrote the notices & record.

April 20, James Wickersham

1904: All four of my

posts on No 1. Bench Cl.

off Discovery are standing

O.K. writing clear and

legible.

Went over this afternoon to Willigs

on No. 2. Above – to pan & with his

consent given yesterday took Jesse Noble

along to assist in doing the panning –

but he refused today to permit Noble

to go into the mine. Could do nothing

anyway as the mine was too warm from

the fire – to thaw – but will go over in the

morning & test the dirt he brings up.

Have concluded to do nothing until I

go in town – and probably not then.

I don’t like the prospects or his actions.

Manley came into camp tonight &

brought my trunk. He had a hard time

with the horses, from Faith Creek down.

My trunk was a little wet – but not

enough to hurt. Got some mail –

Mrs. Dr. King brought it from Eagle –

One letter from Debbie – she is not so

well – one from Darrell scolding like

a magpie, one from Walter Clark

about politics in Wash. D.C. &c.

-21^st-

Went over to see Hans Austin this morning

he told me that he did not do the assessment

work on the “Black Diamond” claim on Fish

Creek for Pete. Wilson & has no interest

in the claim – this makes my title perfect.

Went up to see Willig – we washed

up two buckets from No. 2, A. Dis on

Cleary & got 75¢. Dinner at Bar

-bers, & then up Chatham and over to

Fairbanks. Met Bill Ewing, col

ored man, from Tacoma – has lay on

Discovery, & is making money fast-

Went down to 3 below – McKinnon

& Purchas – had supper with them &

then came up to 2B. – Meehan, Larson

& McMann & spent night with Cleary.

Hess is down at Cheesman’s.

-22^nd-

Staid all night with Tom Larson and

Mike McMann. Had good breakfast

& left for home up Fairbanks Creek at

7:30 afoot. A beautiful morning and a

good trail up the north side of the creek

to the summit – along the summits between

Fairbanks & Wolf & Chatham & between

Bear & Pedro & Twin, down to Costas

“Golden City”. Glorious view of distant

coast range as well as the nearer ranges

all tinged with royal blue. Dinner

at Golden City, with Cleary – my trunk

was there and Manley came along with

sled & horse going into town – he took it

& got into Gold Stream & got it wet the

second time. Home at 6 oclock – dinner

& bath. Telegram from Mr. C. D. Lane

saying that Louis was coming in but he could

not get here until August 15^th.

-23^rd-

Thos. McMahon, formerly Comr. at Eagle

came in this morning & brought me a

letter from Debbie – it was delivered to him at

Circle – She is coming up to Tacoma to be

there when the U.S. cruiser “Tacoma” is there

with Darrell aboard – and will then

go to Yakima for the month of May & up here

in June – Heard some small matters & granted

licenses – Opened bids on courthouse as follows

D. H. Delaney, labor $1273.75

A. Fredericks, “ $1550.00

Rutherford & Raymond, “ $1550.00

McMullin & Nichols, labor & material $3750.00

A. Fredericks, labor & material $4750.00

Chas. Fischer, ~~labor~~ $1684.00

Rutherford & Raymond 1^st Bid, labor $1600.00

“ “ 1^st bid labor & material 5800.00

“ “ 2^nd bid labor & material 5575.00

Chas. Schiek, labor 1650.00

“ “ labor & material 4900.00

Bids opened in presence of Hess & Long &

myself & filed with Long, Deputy Clerk.

Let matter go over until Monday without awarding

contract as we expect to make some changes – not

any amount – but a letter & will probably

then let the contrast to McMullin & Nichols.

Began preparation opinion in re naturalization

of John Pavloff – or “John Minook”.

Have just had a talk with J. Tod Cowles, Comr.

for this precinct. Told him that complaint had

been made about his conduct – that I was informed

that he had been consorting openly in broad

daytime with prostitutes and had often been

drunk, had visited the vicious low dance halls &

had danced there, &c. &c. He admitted the truth

of the complaints. I then told him about the

friendship I had for his father – of Mrs. W ’s for

Mrs. Claypool, his sister, &c. and appealed to

him to quit his bad practices. But I also told

him that after the first of this quarter I would

not credit him with clerical assistance, except

{for} what appeared to be more than he could fairly

do in proper office hours, - in other words, I told

him – he must go to work and do an honest

days labor – each day – and I would only

allow him for clerical aid over that amount.

I hope this talk and arrangement will bring

him up, and that hard work will keep him away

from the evil road down which he is galloping.

His conduct has been so bad that the decent

women in the camp refuse to associate with him.

But I cannot bring myself to dismiss him

on account of his youth, his family and my

hope that he will stand up and do better now.

-25^th-

Have bought lot at N.E. cor. of First Ave.

& Noble St. – 50 ft on 1^st Ave & 75 ft. on

Noble St. from A. R. Thomas - $175.00

I bought through H. J. Miller, atty, & paid

him $10.00 extra. Heard application of

McChesney v Hill – for appointment of a

receiver for the “Fairbanks News,” overruled

demurrer to Comp – case over to 26^th – 2 oclock

Have concluded not to take up my

option with Willig for purchase of half

interest in his mining holdings –

So far he has no showing on any of his

claims to justify the investment – and

I cannot afford to speculate too far.

Mrs. W s condition bids me be careful

also, for I must have money always on

hand to meet his necessities. Told

him this afternoon that I would not buy-

- I may & probably will lose the $400. paid

on the option – but thats to be expected once

in a while. Bot. two Navajo blankets from

Miller also - $20.00. Much interest now being

taken in building a road from town to the

mines. Everybody clearing streets, lots, &c

Ducks & geese – spring & sunshine.

-26^th-

Invited by A. B. Lodge to deliver public lecture

Sunday evening on my trip to Mt. McKinley.

- accepted.

-27^th-

Decided case of McChesney v Hill yester

-day – refused to appoint a receiver

& held that McChesney had no interest.

Town has begun to survey streets – caused

heavy iron post to be put four feet in the

ground at the southeast corner of jail &

courthouse reservation as the initial point

all surveys based on that point. Have

secured transfer of $2000. to town from

licenses paid therein for use of town & schools.

-28^th-

Marston & Mace here to sell me Marstons

½ interest in Dis. on Wolf & ½ interest in 1^st

Bench off Discovery. Was told that

there was some overlap with Barnettes

1^st Bench off Discovery claim on Cleary but

asked Barnette and he said that the Wolf

creek bench was first and that it was full

claim and no contest on his part.

Have just received deed from Marston

Mace and McGinley for ½ interest in Dis=

=covery claim on Wolf & 1^st Bench off Discovery

Right Limit. This leaves me partners – or rather

cotenants in Discovery with two other

men & in Bench with Mace. Did not pay

Marston & will not until I get the lien

of mortgages fixed up as agreed upon.

-29-

Bot Marston & Maess half interest in Discovery

on Wolf & Bench off Dis- paid $850 –

& secured release of judgments & mortgage

Deed on record yesterday. Two years

ago I disbarred J. C. Kellum for unpro

=fesional conduct at Eagle City. Today he

presents a petition from all the lawyers asking

for his reinstatement – I will grant it,

as I think the good sought to be done has

been fully accomplished. River going to

peices rapidly. N.C. Co. working cutting ice &

moving str. “Isabelle” & barge “Otter” up behind

Johansens mill for safety.

-30^th-

Telegram from Henderson at Valdez saying

that Congress has adjourned and that Humes

of Seattle is the Washington candidate against

me for judge. I am not surprised for

he is able to secure both Ankeny {senator}

& Humphreys {M.C.}

Sullivan & the Railroad crowd will also aid him

as will the North Dakota “push”. He may be

successful – one thing is quite sure, if he

is that he is too good a lawyer and too

strong a man to be controlled by a few

disreputable jury fixers. Have also

telegraphed Henderson not to do anything

in the way of politics for me – Do not

intend to do anything in the matter except

to keep still & get the business ready to turn

over to my successor whoever he may

be. Decided two cases today.

Have telegraphed Harlan, Dist. Atty.

Eagle that I desire to appoint Abe Spring

license collector for the Yukon district

& also desire him to appoint him Asst. Dist.

Atty. without salary.

-May 1-

Beautiful May day! Ice breaking up in

the river – Co. working hard to get he Str. “Isabelle

& barge “Otter” up being Sawmill Point before it

goes out entirely. Delivered my talk on

Mt. McKinly to a crowded house at A.B.

Hall tonight.

-May 2^nd

Recd bids today for furnishing lumber

{& shingles} on

the ground for courthouse. B. D Mills

$2862.69 Noyes $2873. & Parker & Canott

- part of lumber only & no shingles at $60.

per M – just the same – so far as he goes as

Mills – Mills bid is the lowest.

-May 3^rd-

Beautiful day: Ice moving. Carried away the

new piers for bridge at east end of Wendell Ave.

Str. “Isabelle” & Barge “Otter” safe back of Sawmill

Point. Made order reinstating J. C. Kellum

as lawyer – disbarred him Aug 21, 1902 for crooked

work in defending Beaumont – from Ft. Yukon.

Have appointed Abe Spring, license inspector

salary $150.00 per month. Recd. telegram

from Henderson saying that Washington

delegation (Senators & Reps.) had endorsed Joe.

Easterday & Humes of Seattle, as well as

me for the Alaskan Judgeship!! What do

you think of a U.S. Senator who is so weak kneed

that he will endorse every body for everything!

I hate a damn coward – and most of all one

who is a U.S. Senator.

-May 4^th-

The ice broke in the river yesterday but

only in part, and only ran down a mile and

jammed – Today it went out entirely.

The Chena is clear – but the Tanana is

not yet broken except in places – The

“Isabelle” and “Otter” are safe & untouched.

Am negotiating with Dave Petree to put up a

building on my lot corner Cushman & 1^st Ave.

building to pay for share in property-

-5-

River running clear & high – ice in small

quantities. Hearing in injunction case of

Morency, et. al vs. Condon et. al. over

No 6. on Fairbanks Creek. Two or three times

- and again today – Capt. B – has intimated his

intention to take me in – when my term of office

is ended, as a partner in a valuable claim –

which is now in litigation. I have each time

turned the conversation – but the next time I will

“roast” him so that he wont want me for a

partner or any thing else-. Some men are

so miserly that it amounts to dishonesty.

I didnt understand at first – and even today

it was’nt so pointed or certain that I could

quite say what I thought – I just walked

away – Yukon river breaking also accord

=ing to the telegraph-

-May 7^th-

Heard the case of Morency v. Floyd, et.

al. yesterday on application for injunction

& receiver – Opinion rendered today deny

=ing both - & virtually deciding the case on merits

Bot. two wooden Alaska chairs from Widman.

Beautiful summer weather – We now hear

that the Yukon has gone out – the Chena &

Tanana are clear & boats ought to come soon.

-May 8^th-

Sunday – Made three window boxes & Lizzie

planted flower seed for me – Have invited

Capt & Mrs. Barnette & Frank Cleary

to take dinner with me this evening at 6:30

at Mrs. Napoleon Dupras new restaurant

on 2^nd Ave. She has fine roast goose, &c.

Dinner with Barnettes – Cleary could

not be found in time – dinner fine.

May 9^th-

Went duck hunting at 4 a.m. this morning

with Dr. Hall, Harry Badger & Bob. Sherman

Badger & I came back without anything – went

out to lake east of town near the hill –

beautiful morning – birds – ducks, mountains.

-May 10^th-

Have been for two or three days negotiating

with Willig about a final completion of our

contract or option to purchase an undivided

half interest in his claims on Cleary, Gold Stream

Pedro, Bear & other creeks. Have finally agreed

to lend him $2050, and to take a mortgage

covering that and the $200 paid him last spring

= $2250. for 6 months time at 12% per annum.

At the same time he gave me an option to pur

=chase within 6 mo. an undivided ½ interest

in the claims for $5,000. Have paid him as

follows:

Paid to Turner, in his presence - - $983.00

Paid to him in cash - - 867.00

Retain to pay to Burg & Zeigler - - 200.00

Paid him last spring - - 200.00

Amount of Mortgage $2250.00

Recorded mortgage and contract to purchase.

-11^th-

Frank Cleary has been here for two

weeks or more trying to get the right to

build on my lot, and Hess’ in connection

with a common plan with Barnette.

Finally agreed & drew a contract & submitted

it yesterday – but like the weak sister that

he has recently shown himself to be – this

morning early he left for the mines on

Cleary Creek accompanied by a fair but frail

one – who it is said is after his claim – she

certainly has him in charge. In the afternoon

heard two cases & Capt Barnette sent

me word that he wished to consider

the proposition offered to Frank.

This afternoon parties “jumping” fractions

on south end of lots fronting on First Ave-

east of Noble St- saved mine by my clearing

&c: put up tent on it. Busy preparing

opinion in re Naturalization Minook.

-12^th-

Busy on my opinion in re Naturalization

of John Minook – Geoghegan is modeling

the translation of the Russian ukase of 1844

in relation to the rights of Russian subjects.

Heard the application of McGinley v Harrington

dissolution of partnership, & appointed E. J. Steir

receiver of the partnership property. Find that

by securing the fraction on corner of First

Ave & Noble street that I now have 90 ft of

fine property – Beautiful weath[er?] & the town

looks good – buildings going up in all directions-

-Friday the 13^th-

One would expect something unfortunate

or unhappy to happen on Friday the 13^th!

Got a telegram from Debbie saying:

“I feel well but think best not to come.”

I am greatly disappointed – for either – or

both maybe – her health is such that she

can not come – or the appearances lead

her to think I will not be reappointed –

- possibly she thinks it too long and hard

a trip for so short a stay – Will

telegraph her tomorrow to come if she

is not too sick to stand the journey.

Appointed receiver for dump on No

7 Fairbanks today – Gagnon v. Tracey {et. al}

Appointed Pat. Whalen, who took the

oath &c. and went out at once. Beautiful

weather, wish Debbie was here.

-14^th-

Decided case of Town v Courtemarch – a

case of trespass on the water front street, and

fired defendant off the street. Working yet

on Naturalization case – it is extremely impor

=tant and far reaching in its consequences.

Str. “Isabelle” got up steam this afternoon

& ran down to woodyard – she goes on an excur

=sion to Chena tomorrow.

-15^th-

Beautiful Sunday – Several parties got in

from Valdez – came down from Delta on raft

report 3 women & 3 men on upper end of Chena

slough – be down in few days – Bob. Coles among them.

Completed locations on Cleary – off Discovery & No 1 above

2^nd benches – Jesse Noble signed as witness.

-16^th-

Finished my opinion in Re Naturalization

of John Minook, holding him to be a

of the United States, first, by virtue of

the treaty of 1867 with Russian, and second

even if an Indian half-breed, - under the

provisions of the Indian severalty bill of

1887. Also heard the case of the town of

Fairbanks v Mogeau – on demurrer & held

demurrer bad – because town had authority

to protect its own streets. Bob. Coles

& the rest of the Valdez people came into

town today – came down from the mouth

of Delta river in a canoe – 3 women &

three men. The mail also came in

- got letter from Darrell – also official

mail from Henderson.

-17^th-

Wrote to Count Cassini, Russian Embass

=ador, Washington, sending him copy of my

opinion in Re Naturalization of Minook,

and asking him to have it translated into

Russian for me – also to criticise it &

offer additional facts, citations &c.

Also wrote to Senator Fairbanks sending

him copy, & thanking him for speaking

so fair in the Senate about me on the

date of the passage of the Alaska bills.

on March 10^th See Cong. Record of that date

Also wrote Henderson returning several

papers to him, - court file & an order

to pay Nannie W as copyist.

The scheme to put up a large building on

block between Front & Second Ave – Cushman

& Turner Sts. is “off” for the present.

-18^th-

At work fencing & preparing to build

house – Debbie telegraphed she would

come. Also rented 20 X 40 ft

ground – back end of my Cushman

st. ground to Tom. Pierce, negro

for restaurant = $50. per month.

-19^th-

Telegraphed Debbie $200 – N. Co.

Co. sent it to Empire Transportation

Co. Seattle, & I telegraphed her to get

it there. Work on place fencing & gardening.

-22^nd-

Have worked last three days on building

fence &c at my proposed summer residence

at corner of First Ave & Noble St. (N.E. Cor).

Am building the first picket fence in the

Tanana valley – real planed pickets & will

paint them. Have put on my old clothes &

worked hard, digging postholes, sawing &

driving nails. Will begin on the house tomorrow

But little legal work – am examining the

papers in submitted case today – New

Hospital (Bishop Rowes (Episcopal), - New

restaurant on my lot & barber shop adjoining

-24^th-

House going up rapidly – we have to carry

all the lumber from the saw mill on our

backs – there is not yet a wagon in the

Tanana country, - except one made

by nailing lumber together for wheels –

Lumber costs me $75.00 per M. rough

& $100. planed – carpentered $12.50 per

day & common labor $1.00 per hour,

- consequently I work hard myself-

Capt. Barnette informed me today

that an attorney in Seattle had written

to J. C. Kellum, lawyer, asking for

certified copy of all conveyances made

from him (Barnette) to me & Barnette

informed me further that he supposed the

information was desired by or in the interest

of Causten, Dep. Col. Customs, St. Micheal

who, so B says, claims to have some

interest in his (Bs.) mining claims – Luckily

I have bought none from him & will not.

Telegram from Harlan today saying that both

parties desire U.S. v. Idleman tried at

Juneau. Answered that I would approve it.

Also telegram from Henderson Valdez,

that Grigsby had been permitted to resign

July 1^st. Verily the Dakota pull is

strong with Roosevelt.

-May 28^th-

My house is about done – all but doors

& windows – The “Cudahy” is at Chena

- or near there, at noon – and the Str. “Isabelle”

has gone down to bring up her passengers.

The “Monarch” is about the mouth of the

Tanana, while the “Rock Island” ought

to be there also tonight. Heilig and

Harlan are on the Rock Island & also

Louis Lane. I am having trouble with

J. Tod Cowles, Comr. Since talking to him

on April 25^th his conduct has grown

steadily worse, - until now he stands

in the saloons night after night playing

games, and openly consorting with whores.

One of these – the “Sheeny” whore – a Jewess

has him completely under her control

and she sleeps at his house openly

and notoriously – he hugs and kisses

her in public – standing drunk at the

bar &c. Many complaints are made to

me and I feel that I can no longer fail

to act – Hess has just called to talk

the matter over – I asked Abe Spring to see

Hess & put him in motion which he did.

At my suggestion Hess went over & told

Cowles that unless he resigned at once

he would file official charges against

him, and make the matter public: he

asked Hess to wait until Monday, but

Hess refused – and he is to let Hess

know within an hour what he will do.

I regret the matter very much for Claypool

alone is to blame for destroying this young

mans prospects. I saw Claypool going

to dinner today at noon – down the public

street with a sore faced whore known as

“Birdie”, whom he keeps. He and Tod

have two beds in one room and each

keeps a whore – both in the same room.

They are out every night, - drunk with their

whores – it is open, notorious, bad!

and I intend to put a stop to it at once.

Cowles has just resigned & he and Claypool

both write me nice letters thanking me for my

confidence & friendship. I hope this unhappy

chapter is now finally ended -

-May 29^th-

The “Cudahy” could not reach Chena as

soon as was expected on account of low water

in the Tanana, - she came there at 1. a.m. this

morning only – the “Isabelle” and our Fairbanks

“boosters” remained all night & telegraph

that they will be in here at noon with such

passengers as are coming to this place –

Sent Rob. Coles and Abe Spring out to

Isabelle creek yesterday and they staked

fourteen claims as follows.

No 13. Abe Spring No 14 Dolly Spring.

No 11. W. E. Clark No 12 Rob. Coles.

No. 9. R. H. Geoghegan No 10. D H. Jarvis.

No 7. J. Wick No 8. Thos. Sammons

No 5. D. S. Wick. No 6 D. P. W

No 3. H. C. Strouse No 4. Jake Jacobson.

No 1. L. A. Brown No 2. E. A. Henderson

Locations made – but not yet recorded-

“Isabelle” came in with about 60 passengers

from the “Cudahy” – who report the “Monarch”

but twelve hours behind. Most of the people

seem to be coming to this town - & include

miners, - but principally storekeepers, machinery

men &c. “Isabelle” left for “Cudahy” again

this evening having in town a barge for freight.

-May 30^th (Decoration day).

Telegram this forenoon from Abe Spring who

went down with “Isabelle” saying that the

“Monarch” is at mouth of Chena, & the “Isabelle”

is taking her freight & passengers & both will

come up to Fairbanks today.

-May 31^st

A very blue day, yesterday and today,

for many – as the river is so low that the

boats cannot get up to Fairbanks

and our Chena friends are knocking

this town effectively on account of it.

In spite of the low water the “Isabelle”

is plugging away – carrying freight & pass

=engers from the Tanana to Fairbanks

- Capt. Barnette is working night & day –

200 or 300 people are now here, & to

my surprise they are coming to this

town!! I really expected that the low

water would frighten many of them into

settling at Chena – but they are not.

Several heavy firms from Dawson

- machinery men – grocers & storekeepers

are here and all others coming. Tents

are going up – houses ditto, & every place

is overflowing. The “Tanana Chief”

came up today loaded, and every poling

boat on the river is at work. – Several

teams & wagons came & at last a

farm wagon & good team of mules is

to be seen in the Tanana valley.

June 1^st

The people are still coming & the

scare of the last two days is over – at

first some of the new comers threatened

to remain in Chena – but none did.

The price of real estate is going up –

- new buildings – new schemes, &c., and

the news from the mines is better each day.

Jesse Noble sold his half interest in

Dis. on Cleary Creek & in No 1. above to

T. G. Manley yesterday for $50,000.00

& this lets the speculation loose. The

“Rock Island” arrived at the mouth

of the Chena today but cannot come up.

- Harlan & Heilig are aboard – Louis

Lane came up this evening in a small

boat – Fuller of Dawson, Louis & I

will go out to the creeks in a couple of

days. The town is full of people.

everything is astir – Sargent & Pinski

gents furnishing goods, are building on

the corner of 3^rd & Cushman – tent, others

are putting up temporary structures &

getting buildings up as fast as possible.

Joined with Fuller, Mills, Turner

& Sargent in a telegram to Roediger

& McIntyre. Dawson, advising them

to send newspaper plant at once.

The “News” man here is a “dead one” & I

hope to see his plant absorbed & a good

daily paper going in a week or two –

Recd. telegram from Henderson saying

that Pres. Roosevelt would appoint a

Comr. this week to examine judicial

districts in Alaska – hope it is so

for he certainly needs to know a few

facts concerning the doings of the officers

here – he needs to learn the truth-

-June 2^nd

Heilig, Harlan & Ed. reached Fair

=banks this morning. Everybody &

everything on boats coming here & Chena

seems not to get much. Branch &

Wilson, machinery men, have bought

Wendells lot. cor. 1^st Ave & Noble St.

opposite my own, & will put up depot

hardware there. Sargent & Pinkski have

built tent warehouse cor. Cushman &

3^rd – other houses going up in all direction

No doors or windows for my house yet-

but sowed timothy, bluegrass & clover

seed in my yard today. Mail.

Recd. long letter from Walter E. Clark

- who has been conducting my fight with

Pres. & the Atty Genl. and most satisfactorily

too. He is a friend worth having & so is

Jarvis, whose letters he used - he

writes me that Alex. McKenzie, of

N. Dakota is personally conducting

the war against me – of course in the

interest of Richards - & the Helen crowd

- through Burleigh.

-June 2^nd-

Perry did not come with Harlan

& Heilig but waits Mrs. P coming.

They may come on the “Leah” – I hope

Debbie comes – Recd. happy letter from

her – she is greatly pleased at the very

cordial reception given by the people of

Tacoma to Darrell – the graduating Tac

=oma boy on the cruiser “Tacoma”. which

is there (or was when she wrote) to receive a

silver service. Debbie presented the

ward room of the “Tacoma” with a handsome

picture of the Mountain. My desk

& chair have arrived & the court house

is going up – things are doing here.

Fairbanks is just now a typical boom

western mining camp.

June 4^th

Just paid lumber bill for my house $313.81

Recd my March salary – Roberts, the

freighter from Chena, came to me today to

lease my lot, cor Cushman St.. – for his

use in running a store for the N.A.T. Co!

Think of Hendricks & Belt, the Chena boom

=ers, being forced to come to Fairbanks!

This is the result of everybody’s coming

on here – and refusing to stop there. They

are, however, trying to force Roberts into making

another blunder for them by going across

to East Fairbanks! They made one blunder

in moving to Chena last spring and their

removal to “Graehl” or East Fairbanks

would be just as bad another.

-June 6^th-

Have today leased my lot corner

Cushman & First Ave. to George Apple

for three years - $200 per month for

the first year - $300. per month for the

second year & $250. per month for the

third year. He is also to put a good

building on the lot to cost not less than

$5000. and I have the privilege of

buying it at the end of the term at one

half its actual value. This makes

an average rental of $3600 per year for

the whole lot – the part formerly leased

to Tom Pierce for restaurant purposes

bringing me an additional $53.75

per month. River rising – the “Rock

Island” & “Leah” are coming & ought to

get in without trouble. Raining up river

Working to finish my house &c

-8^th-

Have had to settle matter of copying

the records from Circle – Claypool has

neglected this important matter – but

I have finally consented that he might

go ahead and complete it now &

Stier, Comr. has consented also.

Working on my house every day –

Married Ben F. Sherman and

Josie Large, this evening. The lady

has long been known as Mrs. Evans, but

says she was not married – I asked

both bride and groom that question

during the ceremony.

-June 9^th-

The “Rock Island” and “Leah” came

into Fairbanks this morning at 5. oc.

Reynoldson – 96 passengers came.

Letter from Stephen Birch - says

that he has assurances that I will

be reappointed. Learned yesterday

by telegraph from Henderson, Valdez,

that District Attorney Young – of Pitts

=burg, Pennsylvania, has been appointed

a commissioner to examine into charges

preferred against Gov. Brady, Judge

Brown and me-

-June 11^th

The steamer “Leah” stuck fast

halfway down the “slough” and did

not get out into the Tanana. The

Str. “Lavelle Young” came into the

slough yesterday & last night came

up near town – went on a bar &

discharged her cargo – 20 head of

cattle – and a cow! the first in the

Tanana country by boat, - or otherwise

Wm. McIntyre, from Dawson

News, came in. He has newspaper

plant he wants to put in here. Am

about done with my house.= plan

[sketch of house plan]

[captions:] Back fence

closet Door 12 X 14 14 X 16 Door

Lot 50 ft. sq.

Noble St.

[written on side:] Front or 1^st Ave.

Have been particular to make the house

tight & warm. Have it beautifully paper

=ed. Have good carpet of Japanese matting

good cook stove, filter, hat rack of a

moose horn, &c. also flowers. Two

very comfortable rooms & good spring bed.

-12^th -

Ed. Reynoldson has been trying for

two days to find out if Mrs. W is

coming from Eagle with Mr & Mrs.

Perry, who leave there today on the

“Sarah” – as also do Mrs. Reynoldson

& Florence Heilig, - but he cannot

get an answer – they all evade that

question – so I am suspicious that

she is coming. She is probably trying

to surprise me – as she knows nothing

about my income here – recently agreed upon –

nor the house – I hope to surprise her.

-~~May~~ June 13^th

Court met today in the new court

house – minus doors & windows –

the first session of the District Court

ever held in the Tanana country-

Present – James Wickersham

Judge. N. W. Harlan, dist. attorney.

A. R. Heilig, clerk. Ed. Reynoldson

& Ed. Wickersham, dept. marshals-

L. C. Hess, asst. dist. atty. John Drake

crier & bailiff. Grand jury empanelled.

Limbocker appointed foreman, - 19

members present. Instructed grand jury

about their duties & sent them out to work.

Nothing else possible – as carpenters must

finish building. Reynoldson received

telegram from Eagle today saying that

his wife, the Perrys, & Mrs. Wickersham

left there yesterday for Fairbanks

Paid all bills on house today – do

not owe a cent – and my property

here in Fairbanks & at the mines seems

sufficiently valuable to put me out

of Poverty Flat. Hope so for Debbies

sake – as well as my own -

14^th

Nothing of any interest in court today-

First bridge across the Chena river going

up – Archie Burns building it at the

foot of Cushman St.

16^th

The “Lavelle Young” left the mouth of the

Tanana yesterday morning – Debbie &

others aboard – busy in court each day

Grand jury at work – and the usual petty

blackmail going on.

-17^th-

Bridge across Chena river – Cushman

St. done. Str. “Lavelle Young” – due – but not

heard yet – Indictments against Hiltz,

for the murder of Massey at Ft. Gibbon

McConnell for bringing in & selling liquors

without license &c. beginning to get busy in

court. Evening – no boat – no wife!

I am having trouble – as usual – with small

people trying to attack public officers before

the grand jury – they – Morgan & others who are

living with women in adultery – trying to

indict Abe Spring – Town Attorney & other town

officers for fining the prostitutes! They are also

circulating a scandalous story about Edgar and

an Indian girl and generally attempting

to discredit the officers and prevent prosecutions.

The difficulty is aggravated by Heilig & Long –

Clerk & Depty – giving them aid and comfort.

I shall remove both Long & Mrs. Heilig at

the end of this term & notify Heilig that officers

must stand together to enforce the law.

11 p.m. – Debbie is here!

-18^th-

Court – arraignment of McConnell &c

assigment calendar for next week.

Getting house in shape – John Conna

appointed janitor of Fairbanks courthouse.

-21^st-

Str. “Koyukuk” reached here today

after hanging on bars in the Chena

river for more than 48 hours. Have

got court to moving – slowly – but

moving. Trial today – not guilty.

Debbie sick in bed with another hard

“chill” from cold. Maess[?], my partners

in 1^st Bench claim off Discovery on

Wolff creek, sold his half interest, or

rather made contract to sell it by Sept. 1

to Crawford, who prospects it in the

meantime.

24^th

Trial of U.S. v. Chas. Hiltz, for murder

of H. J. Massey – “Roosh” – at Tanana

on all week – given to jury tonight.

Telegram from Henderson at Valdez saying

that Roosvelt & Fairbanks are

nominated for President & V.P. at

Rep. Nat. Con. Sent Senator Fairbanks

telegram as follows:

Fairbanks Alaska, June 24, 1904

Hon. Charles W. Fairbanks

Indianapolis, Indiana.

“Fairbanks Alaska congratulates Fairbanks

of Indiana.”

Business of the court is increasing

and it is going to be a long & important

term – for a new country.

-27^th-

Have heard rumor that a man by the name

of Johnson from Dawson intended to “jump”

my claim off Discovery, left limit. Cleary

so sent Pat. Whalen out yesterday

evening to take possession & do the

assessment work for the year on my

Bench claim off Discovery.

-30^th-

Very busy in court. One jury case

after another – three rape cases &

three murder cases this week. Grand

jury made final report today & was

discharged – Have two trial juries

out now – Business very satisfactory.

-July 1^st-

Trial U.S. v. Ledger, murder at Koyukuk

on – Strs. “Lavelle Young”, & “Koyukuk”

in with passengers & freight from the

“Susie.” Recent rains raised the river &

it is now high – the “Leah” got out days

ago – navigation clear. Father Munroe

S. J. from Eagle, & many others on “Young”

Beautiful weather. Debbie & I now

sleeping in a tent at front door.

2^nd

Jury in Ledger case found him

guilty of manslaughter

-July 4^th-

A glorious day & a splendid

celebration. Everyone took a great

interest – cleaned the streets – made

4 horse wagon “floats”, decorated

houses &c with flags & bunting &c

Florence Heilig read Declaration of

Independence. I delivered oration &

Mrs. Napoleon Dupras sang “Star

Spangled Banner”. Bessie Stone

was Goddess of Liberty – games –

baseball – tug of war, boat races, &c.

-8^th-

A busy week – case a day – jury –

Sentenced Francis Ledger today –

20 years penitentiary for manslaughter

- for the ruthless and premeditated killing

of Daniel J. McCarty at Gold Bar

digging on the Koyukuk – he also

killed at the same time Frank Messerole

- McCartys partner – neither of whom were

armed. Also sentenced Joe. Alf. for

assault with intent to commit rape – 3 yrs.

Am now beginning on the civil trial docket.

Much more trouble with Tod Cowles &

Claypool – Cowles “girl” – Mabel Bage[?]

a prostitute has gone off with Billy

James & Tod threatens to commit

suicide – he has’nt the courage though!

Town of Fairbanks is booming – the

spring rush has located here in spite of

low water - & constant court &c. have

settled things here – seemingly – permanently.

George Apple has built a fine two story

business house on the front part of my lot

42 X 68 ½ ft sq. 17 rooms upstairs &

business houses below. Trial – jury – today

Harrington & McGinley v. Marston & Maess.

-11^th-

Sent Judge Moore copy of my correspondence

with Dept. of Justice about Richards case & also

called his attention to Rustgards attack upon

the judiciary – Also wrote McGinn who

is to have copies of correspondence sent

the Judge – Also wrote Rustgard & demand

=ed a categorical answer to questions &

his proofs – Sent Mrs. Fairbanks

picture of Charles Fairbanks Gerig[?],

who was born in Fairbanks, Alaska,

Nov. 9, 1903 – the day the town was organized

- the first white child born in the Tanana

valley – or country. Engaged in the

trial of civil jury cases-

-13^th-

Tried equity – mining case yesterday – Today

held cases of Town of Fairbanks v Mogeau & Wechter

to be equity cases & not law – defendants fought

to a finish – it is quite evident they fear that I am

prejudiced – but that fear does not seem to

me to change the law -

-14^th-

Trial of Barnette v Pierce – over ejectment from

town lot. Defendant & his attorneys trying to

make it appear in every way possible that the location

of courthouse & my lot on Front St. as also Edgars

lot were in some way unfair – because deeded by

Cleary & confirmed by Barnette – Easy of explan

ation honestly and properly – Verdict of jury

for plaintiff.

-15-

Telegram to Perry from Eagle saying that

Wm. A. Day, Asst. Atty. Genl. sent to Alaska

to investigate judges instead of Young-

I met Day in Washington – he was

acting with Solicitor General Hoyt

when I read my explanation of the

Richards case before Dept. of Justice,

& seems a fair & honest man &

I have confidence in him.

-16^th-

Jury trial today – preparing opinions

in two important cases. Also made

an order removing S. M. Graff, as Comr.

of the 40 Mile Precinct, & appointed

Elmer R. Brady in his stead.

Brady is a married man – a lawyer & is

well acquainted with everybody there.

I am not entirely satisfied with him, but

I have offered to appoint C. U. Joynt, Phil.

Gallagher, Perrys brother & others there

& none would accept. The evidence of

Graffs dishonesty is cause of removal &

I have his own letters as proof which

I will file with the order of removal.

-18^th-

Boats – “Seattle No 3”, “Monarch” &

“Lavelle Young” in the river – many

people &c in. Perry and all the

prisoners gone out on these boats.

Married Harry Siebe & Miss Julia

E. Crowley this evening at 9. p.m.

Tried case of Nelson & Hensley v. Meehan

& Larson – heard all of evidence & appt.

A. R. Jackson to make a survey.

-19^th-

Trial Anderson v Noble – verdict for pltff.

“ Fleming v. Daigle – under advisment.

Letter from Senator Fairbanks acknowledging

receipt of telegram of congratulations on

his nomination for Vice President.

Also letter from Atty Genl. informing

me of appt. of Asst. Atty. Genl. Day

to examine into charges against Alaska

official! and requesting my assistance

Answered saying I would assist!

Busy day & night in court.

-20^th-

Busy in court. Cases of Fairbanks

v. Mogeau, Wachter & Carroll & Parker

settled out of court – glad of it.

-22-

Tried Cascaden v Bennett, et. al. yesterday

- decided for defendant – Moreney[?] v Floyd-

today – decided for plaintiff.

Perry went away four days ago - &

Edgar was out all last night drunk

was taken home this morning at 9. a.m.

making a fool of himself – Will

give him just one more chance & will

then force his resignation. He has

arranged the lease on his lot so that with

his salary he is getting about $500. per

month income – and like so many more

he cannot stand prosperity. Am

sending Walter E. Clark - Washington

& J. P. McLean, “Minn. Journal” photos

of Fairbanks – mines, &c. & material

for a story about this camp.

-23^rd-

Sent Pat Whalen out to Cleary

Creek to do assessment work on my

Bench off Discovery – on June 27^th

He worked 20 days – boarded with

people on Discovery – owe him $100.

- or $120 at most, also one of the miners

there for 5 ½ days work & for Pats board.

Pat also put hole down on 2^nd Bench

off No. 1. above – 7 ft. – not to bedrock.

he made good discover of gold!

Str “Rock Island” just in from

St. Micheal with load – 400 tons – of

provisions for N.C.

-24^th-

Just recd – news – telegram from Mrs. Heilig

to Heilig that Asst. Atty Genl Day

& his party are at Eagle & leave for

this place tonight on the “Susie”. Sent

him a telegram saying was here & court

would be in session for ten days yet.

-25-

Have just called Edgar up and told

him he must either resign the office of

town Marshal – or U.S. Dept. Marshal.

I believe him to be thoroughly honest and

earnest – and he is a capable officer,

but he cannot work night & day as

the combination requires, - then too

he is so elated over his first little success

in money making – out of his lot – that

he swaggers a little – Also there are enemies

who “knock” and take advantage of his

holding two offices, and his weakness

for drink to complain – possibly justly – about

him – The Dept. would not sustain him

He agreed to go and see the town authorities

& say to them that he would give up their

work, & leave the management of the

matter with them.

Sold my library to Kellum $250. cash

about $1800 – 1900-

as per list.

paid. balance to be paid on delivery, &c

Paid Pat Whalen $115.00 for labor

on 1^st Bench off Discovery, left limit,

& he made affidavit of labor for 1904.

-26^th-

Recd. telegram from Jarvis, at Ft. Gibbon

saying he & Day & two others on boat.

Tried McGinley & Cleary today -

decision reserved – lawyers want to file briefs.

Paid Jim Eagle $25.00 & got extension

of purchase option on Chatham fraction.

-27^th-

“Tanana” – the new steamer on her way

up here – on her first trip – other boats

near – in a day or so-

[back endpapers]

-28^th-

Str. “Tanana” came in this morning – new &

clean – with Sloss, Washburn and other officials

of the N.C. Co. aboard – her first trip. Heard

McMahon v. Meehan, et. al. today – Presided

at Masonic funeral of Clyde Cook, a young

man who died of typhoid – 40 Masons in line

- I read the funeral service – the first ever

held in the Tanana valley.

-29^th-

Tried McMahon v. Meehan, et. al. In the

evening met Sloss & Washburn of

the N.C. Co. & discussed the plan of establish

-ing a new Commissioners District up at the

mouth of the “Good Pasture”. I suggested to

them to locate the site of a new town- they will

go up on the “Koyukuk” on Sunday night.

They will advise with me when they return.

Recd from Bob Gus

$100 for Bob Chamberlain from Mrs. Jack Carr

[written over on diagonal:]

Paid to Bob on arrival in Fairbanks

70 mile lunch 1.50

Sheep Creek – sup – ~~bed~~ {bunk} – Bk 3.50

Nation – sup - ~~bed~~ {bunk} – Bk 3.50

Wash – Kuntz – sup – - ~~bed~~ {bunk} – Bk 4.00

Charlie Creek – lunch 1.25

Coal Creek – 2 days 7.00

Meals Coal to Circle 5.00

Bunk at 30 Mile Road House 1.00

Circle - - - dinner 31^st 1.00

“ April 1 3 meals 2.50

“ “ 1 Pd. Joe. trans. from Coal Creek 15.00

“ “ 2 “ 4 nights lodging 4.00

“ “ 2 “ 3 meals 2.50

“ “ 3 “ 2 “ 2.00

April 4. Bk. Circle & Sch. 12 Mile 2.00

“ 5 Sup. Bed & Bk. “Jump Off” 3.00

“ “ Lunch. Central 1.25

“ 6 Sup. Bed. Bk. Millers roadhouse 3.00

“ 7 “ “ “ Eagle Creek R. H. 3.50

“ 8 “ “ “ 12 Mile R. H. 4.00

“ “ Lunch - “ “ “ “ 1.50

“ 9 Sup. bed & Bk. at Faith Creek 4.00

“ 10 Lunch Pauls R. H. 1.50

“ 11 Sup. bed & Bk Si’s R. H. 4.50

“ 11 Lunch with Indian R. H. 1.50

“ 12 Sup. Bed & Bk. Kokomo 3.00

“ “ Lunch, Barbers 1.50

--Fairbanks--

“ 21 Pd. Archie Burn’s

trans. “pack” creek to Fairbanks 10.00

“ 22 “ L. C. Hess

trans. gun Eagle to Fairbanks 8.00

May 8 “ Edgar, board April 12 to 100.00

“ 11 Laundry 21.50

June 12 “ 9.80

Adding my other vouchers made out my

act. & sent in July, 8^th

See letter book this date

Alaska State Library - Historical Collections, PO Box 110571, Juneau AK 99811-0571

mailto:ASL.Historical@eed.state.ak.

http://library.alaska.gov/hist/fulltext/ASL-MS0107-Diary07-1903-1904.htm