Digital Bob Archive

9 June 1980

JANUARY 2, 1890-George W. Garside has completed two maps of the placer claims in the Gold Creek Valley. One shows the hydraulic claims in Silver Bow Basin, the other is of the Last Chance Basin claims, principally owned by William Nelson.

A few of the wealthy stockholders of the Alaska Gold Company, owner of the Bear?s Nest on Douglas Island, have arrived to look over the property and try to revive it.

Deputy U. S. Marshal Max Endelman has secured the Opera House hall for the forthcoming session of the U. S. District Court. The court house on the waterfront is too small.

JANUARY 9, 1890-Judge John Bugbee convened the District Court here yesterday and gave his charge to the Grand Jury. This is the first Grand Jury ever to be convened in Juneau.

The tunnel of the Silver Bow Basin Mining Company is now in so far that mules are being used to haul out the rock cars.

JANUARY 16, 1890-Owing to the long dry spell, the Alaska Mill & Mining Company has hung up a number of their stamps and laid off some of the employees. Even with steam power, water is needed to run the mill and there has been little or no rain since December 1.

Coasting on Seward Street continues to be a favorite pastime.

Charles Lual has disposed of his open ferry, the Marion, to Tibbitts and Fisher, owners of the ferry Julia, and has gone out of the ferry business.

George T. Snow will open a dancing school in Douglas in the near future. One night of each week will be devoted exclusively to gentlemen and one night to both ladies and gentlemen. Mr. Snow also plans a dancing school at Juneau.

Sunday evening song services are being held at the court house on the waterfront with Dr. Eugene Willard as the leader.

Captain John M. Vanderbilt, who was associated with the early days of the camp, died at Sitka on the 9th. He was skipper of the little steamer Favorite which brought the first large group of miners from Sitka in December, 1880. Recently he has been associated with Ed deGroff, Juneau?s first postmaster, in a merchandise business at Sitka. Vanderbilt Reef, in Lynn Canal, was named for him.