Digital Bob Archive

FEBRUARY 13, 1885-The Harris Mining District has a new recorder, the third to serve the district, but this came about only after long, discussion at a miners? meeting yesterday at Horton?s Hall, presided over by Dan Murphy. The new Organic Act provides that in a district where there is a U. S. Commissioner, he shall be ex-officio recorder of all instruments within the district. Juneau now has a commissioner in the person of Henry States, recently appointed. Many miners wanted to retain Colonel Richard Dixon who has served as recorder for the past four years, but after discussion it was recognized that his would create a duplication of both work and fees. Mr. States was then elected recorder by unanimous vote, after which Colonel Dixon was given a standing ovation for his service. He is the owner of several mining claims in the district and, it is understood, will continue operation.

Mr. States, a man of about 40, is originally from Ohio but for many years has lived in Oregon where he taught school until he was admitted to the bar. For several years past he practiced law at Salmon, Oregon, and is familiar with the laws under which Alaska is now to operate. He came to Juneau on steamer Idaho last summer with George W. Garside, a civil and mining engineer whose services as a surveyor are presently much in demand. Mr. State?s family, a wife and two sons, will join him here later. As Commissioner he will be paid a thousand dollars a year by the federal government, plus the recording fees.

In 1884 as in past years, Colonel Dixon was kept busy with his recording duties. In Juneau, fewer town lots were claimed than in some previous years, only three claims having been filed, but there were 19 filings for building lots on Douglas Island. Last year there were eight building lots claimed on the island and one in Juneau, a sharp drop from 1882 when Juneau had 35 town lot filings. The year 1884 saw 14 placer claims filed for record-on Gold Creek, Salmon Creek, Lemon Creek and Douglas Island-and 32 lode claim filings. These are in addition to numerous mill sites, water claims, assessment work notices and other miscellaneous records. The staking of placer claims has dropped off. Last year there were 38 and in 1882 there were 67. In 1883 there were 20 lode claims notices filed and in 1882 there were only eight. The big boom in land filings during 1884 was in coal claim locations, 30 of which were filed for record. Each claim is for 160 acres, and all are on Admiralty Island.