Digital Bob Archive

AUGUST 15, 1881-Two events have occurred this month that help to put this new gold camp on the map. The first was the arrival of the U. S. S. Wachusett from Sitka. This is the first warship to visit this port, although steam launches from the Jamestown have frequently done so. The 695-ton Wachusett has both sail and steam power and so is more suited than the Jamestown for these waters. The ship is in charge of Commander Edward P. Lull and Commander Henry Glass of the Jamestown was also aboard. The two men inspected the Navy installation, in charge of Lieut. Commander C. H. Rockwell, here. It is understood that Commander Glass will take the Jamestown to Mare Island and will then return to take command of the Wachusett.

The second big event was the political convention, the first in Alaska, which was held on August 16 immediately after the arrival of the California, the monthly mail steamer from Portland. Out of the 18 delegates provided for in the convention call, issued here on July 4, 15 showed up to take their seats. They came from Sitka, Wrangell, Killisnoo and Klawock. W. B. Robertson, Jr., a local property owner, was elected president of the convention with the Rev. S. Hall Young of Wrangell as secretary. While he was here, the Rev. Young staked all of Lot 23, above Fifth Street at Seward; for school purposes. Others seated as delegates were J. D. Sagemiller, T. A. Willson, John Dix, Henry Borien, R. D. Crittenden, W. J. Stephens, Edmund Bean, George Nowell, M. P. Berry, Henry Zachert, H. E. Cutter, M. D. Ball and W. M. Bennett.

The convention adopted a resolution providing for general election to be held on September 5 to select a Delegate to Congress. Eligible voters are all civilized male persons over 21 years of age who are citizens of the United States or have declared their intentions to become citizens and who are residents of Alaska on election day. Non-citizens may declare their intentions to become citizens before the judges of the election at any polling place on election day. Polling places were authorized at several places in Southeastern Alaska, but none was provided for Kodiak, Unalaska or Saint Michael because of the lack of communication with those places.

A second resolution adopted by the convention was addressed to members of the 47th Congress of the United States, which will convene on December 5, requesting that the elected Delegate from Alaska be seated.