Digital Bob Archive

\"With the sluice gates of heaven wide open and the limpid liquid pouring therefrom, Juneau greeted President Harding.\" That is the way Tuesday, July 10, 1923, was described by editor E.J. \"Stroller\" White in his Stroller's Weekly.
Over at the Empire reporter Dorothy E. Haley (later Pegues) was less hyperbolic.
She said that it rained. The reporter for the New York Times said it was a heavy rainfall, but he also described how fog had closed down over Taku Glacier earlier that morning, obscuring it from view. So the Times headline said, \"Fog Covers Juneau as Harding Arrives.\"

The Navy transport Henderson, which carried the President and his party was the largest ship that had entered Gastineau Channel up to that time; although she was far smaller than some of today's cruise ships. Two destroyers and the ferry Alma, which had carried a reception committee to Marmion Island, escorted the Henderson up the channel.

Rain did not dampen the welcome. Mayor Izzy Goldstein had proclaimed a holiday and hundreds of townspeople crowded the Admiral Line dock as the ship pulled in. There were 80 soldiers from Chilkoot Barracks and a brass band from Kake and they were soon joined by a contingent of U.S. Marines from the Henderson which also carried a Navy band.

The parade from the dock to the Governor's House was said to have been the largest ever in Juneau: Soldiers, Marines, American Legion, firemen, hundreds more from Juneau and Douglas. The route was a stiff one: Up Franklin to Fourth, across to Gold, then Harris, up to Seventh, down Main and out Calhoun. There was no doubt a lot of huffing and puffing at the top of the hill.

Some members of the party went to view Mendenhall Glacier and others, including most of the 21 newsmen, had a tour of the Alaska Juneau mine. There were three luncheons: At the Governor's House for the President and Mrs. Harding, the cabinet officers and a number of local people; at the Gastineau Cafe for other visiting officials, and at the Arcade Cafe for the newsmen. In the afternoon there was a reception at the Governor's House and the presentation of many gifts to the Hardings.

The President and Mrs. Harding were made members of Igloo No. 6 of the Pioneers of Alaska and of its Auxiliary. Said Igloo president E.J. White: \"Mr. President, Alaska has waited 56 years for a visit from the President of the United States.\" Replied President Harding: \"In the matter of waiting, I am one year up on Alaska. I am 57 and I have wanted all my life to visit Alaska.\"

The reception was followed by dinners at the Governor's House and the Gastineau Cafe, and Governor and Mrs. Bone hosted another reception in the evening. Mrs. Crystal Snow Jenne sang \"Alaska and the U.S.A.,\" which had been written by her mother, and there was dancing.

Everybody was reported back aboard by 11:30 and at 2 a.m. the Henderson sailed for Skagway.