Digital Bob Archive

FEBRUARY 8, 1881-A steam launch from the U. S. S. Jamestown, stationed at Sitka, arrived here a few days ago and much had been happening since then. The launch is in charge of Lieutenant Commander C. H. Rockwell and George Pilz and three other civilians came with him as well as seven Navy men. Dick Harris, the recorder for the district, was not among the arrivals.

Lt. Cmdr. Rockwell was immediately besieged by men on both sides of the controversy regarding mining ground in Gold Creek Valley occasioned by the fact that Harris and Juneau staked many claims by proxy. Mr. Rockwell took the position that is in not the Navy?s business to tell the miners how they must conduct their operations but that it is the Navy?s business to keep peace and order in Alaska. He made it clear that no violence will be tolerated. It was his suggestion that a meeting be called of all interested miners before he returns to Sitka later this month to attempt to resolve the differences. He said that amendments to the Harris laws might be the best course.

The conciliatory attitude of Mr. Rockwell was well received by a majority of the residents and immediate steps were taken to carry out his suggestions. J. D. Sagemiller, considered to be the leader of one faction, posted a notice calling for a meeting at the house of Pat McGlinchy, head of the other faction. This is the place known as the Flag of All Nations.

The meeting was at 2 p.m. on the 7th and George Pilz, a neutral party who is only interested in quartz lodes, was elected chairman. Thomas Wells, a yeoman from the Jamestown, served as secretary. For the information of those present, the laws and regulations as originally written out by Richard Harris, following the presvious miners? meeting in the Basin last October, were read. There was a long discussion of them, point by point, after which it was moved and carried that a committee be appointed to draft a new code of laws for the district. John Dix, Pat McGlinchy and William M. Bennett were named to this committee by the chair. The meeting then adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, to allow the committee to work.