Digital Bob Archive

JANUARY 31, 1886-James Williams was placed under arrest by deputy Marshal McKenna in connection with the recent dynamiting of a Chinamen?s house here. Judge Henry States could find no evidence that would justify holding Williams, and he was released. The $500 reward for the arrest of the perpetrators of the deed still stands. Some of our citizens are grumbling at Judge States?s decision in the case and about his handling of his office generally, and the wish has been expressed that the administration would hurry with a replacement.

Governor Alfred P. Swineford has paid his first official visit to this camp, arriving on the 22nd accompanied by U. S. Marshal Barton Atkins. They came over from Sitka on the mail steamer and were made welcome by our citizens. Newman A. Fuller, mine owner who is now assistant to John Treadwell at the mine on Douglas Island, placed his house in Juneau at the disposal of the two officials while they are with us. Both men came here upon learning of the action against the Chinese and they have conferred with Superintendent Treadwell about the problem of protecting his Chinese workers. The governor also brought the welcome news that a new District Judge has been appointed. He is Lafayette Dawson of Missouri.

The governor has made several visits of inspection to the Native villages at either end of town and within three days after his arrival here not a painted face was to be seen either in town or the villages. He seems to have a faculty of making himself understood by the Natives, who obey his orders without a protest.

FEBRUARY 20, 1886-Pilings are being driven for at least a dozen new buildings on the waterfront. These will be the first on the water side of Front Street, the early residents having decided to keep the waterfront open. As the camp grows, there is more and more demand for business buildings and the old regulation has been abandoned. A street will be maintained to follow the high tide line from the wharf to Martin?s store at the foot of Main Street.

The big stamp mill on Douglas Island is wholly idle at present, owing to a failure of the water supply, and it is not likely to start up until we are favored by a heavy fall of rain. It is the intention of the Alaska Mill & Mining Company to put in auxiliary steam power to avoid this problem.