Digital Bob Archive

13 October 1978 issue

MARCH 5, 1887-Miners have gone on strike at the Treadwell works on Douglas Island and are asking that their wages by increased to $3 a day and board. The demand reportedly came because of the damp and disagreeable conditions in the tunnels where the men work the Burley drills.

MARCH 15, 1894-Mr. and Mrs. J. Montgomery Davis yesterday moved into their new homes on the hillside above Sixth Street, near Seward. Contractors Ellingen and Rudolph have been busy on it for the better part of the winter. The house has a gable roof and a wide veranda porch. Two large bay windows in the parlor and dining room afford an extensive view down the channel. (Note: The dwelling is now owned by Senator and Mrs. Chancy Croft.)

JANUARY 12, 1914-The Seward Society of the Juneau High School has elected new officers for the ensuing term. Simpson MacKinnon is president; Harlan Herner, vice president; Gladys Tripp, secretary; Alice Margrie, treasurer; W. Peterson, marshal, and Helen Troy, reporter.

JANUARY 29, 1914-The Ingersoll-Rand Company is opening a show room and supply depot in Juneau because of the greatly increased demand for its products according to S. G. Murray, Alaska representative. He has rented Mr. Goldstein?s building on the east side of Main Street adjoining the Empire office. Drill supplies, other equipment and repair parts will be stocked there.

APRIL 10, 1914-Excavation work will be started next week for the new Messerschmidt Building on Second Street between Seward and Main. Designed by Architect C. W. Winstedt, the building will be 24 by 50 feet, of reinforced concrete, with a full basement, store space on the main floor and apartments on two upper floors.

DECEMBER 3, 1914-Burglars entered the Orpheum Theater sometime after 12 o?clock last night, rifled the safe and took about $70 in cash, according to John T. Spickett, the manager. The funds belonged to both the theater and the Canadian Pacific ticket office of which he is agent. Everything was in good shape when he left the place at midnight, Spickett reported. The thieves picked a poor night for the burglary. Ordinarily, the evening?s receipts are left in the safe overnight but last night there was a special for Belgium relief and all of the funds were deposited elsewhere after the show.

FEBRUARY 2, 1915-Deputy marshals Hector McLean and Frank R. Cook last evening put an end to the smoker and boxing exhibition of the Juneau Athletic Club just as Frank Ross of Thane and Al Cooper of Seattle were ready to mix in the first round of a four-round bout.

The marshals declared that the exhibition was against the law because an admission had been charged by Joe Fisher, athletic director of the club. In consequence, a large crowd received refunds.

Fisher declared that he did not know he was breaking the law, especially as the boxing and wrestling bouts were voluntary and no money was being paid those taking part in them.

MARCH 30, 1917-Failure of the Territorial Senate yesterday to concur in a House amendment to one of its bills prevented today being a legal holiday in Alaska. On the 28th, the Senate passed the bill making March 30 Seward Day. The bill immediately went to the House which amended it by adding Lincoln?s Birthday as a territorial holiday. The plan was to have Governor Strong sign the bill at a meeting of the Pioneers of Alaska at the Arctic Brotherhood Hall last night. But the bill did not get to the governor. The Senate found some technical flaw in the House amendment and refused to accept the amended bill.

DECEMBER 21, 1921-The freighter Latouche docked today as the new wharf built by Cash Cole off Willoughby Avenue and is the first big boat to discharge cargo there. In addition to the general cargo as the Cole wharf, the Latouche is unloading coal at the City Dock.

NOVEMBER 25, 1922-The boat George Jr. left at noon today on her first mail run to Petersburg and way ports. Her owner, George Ramstead, holds the contract and brought the boat from Seattle last week, and will hence forth be able to carry passengers as well as mail and freight. Ports of call include Taku Harbor, Snettisham, Speel River, Saumdum, Windham Bay, Gambier Bay, Pybus Bay, Brothers Island, Five-Finger Light Station and Fanshaw in addition to Petersburg.

JUNE 21, 1926-The annual Elks picnic was held at Marmion Island yesterday and, with perfect weather, drew a record crowd of about 500. The ferry Alma made two round trips down to the picnic grounds and several smaller boats were also used.

MAY 24, 1928-The Alexander Eaglerock seaplane of the Baranof Mild Cure Company, Inc., arrived at Juneau at 11 a.m. today from Noyes Island. On board as C. P. Hutchison, manager of the company, with pilot Walter H. Reamer. The plane was a 90 horsepower motor and is being used to scout for salmon for the company. The trip from Noyes Island required three hours.