Kennecott Bonanza Mine lives again

Ron Simpson visits the Bonanza Mine frequently-it's sitting in his living room! You wouldn't say that Ron lives at the mine, though. Itrs ID:Ore like the mine lives at Ron's.

Built by professional model builders, the 1 :96 scale recreation of the Bonanza Mine as it looked during itrs peak years, around 1920-1925 is what Ron hopes will be "phase one" of an ambitious project to recreate much of the Kennicott and McCarthy area in miniature.

With an eye to that end, Ron has

in miniature!

formed the "Kennecott-Alaska & Copper Rail Project" and has done a lot of re­search into company records and other historical documents. He envisions a walk-through model 36'X76r--obviously too large to keep in his living room. The NPS visitor center to be built in Copper Center is one possible home for the large model. ·

. See page 7 for a never before· pub~· lished history of the Bonanza-Motherlode Mine written by Ron.

W£:EN - ·a gold mifle of information!·

PAGE 2 WRANGELL ST. EuAS NEWS JANUARY a f'I!DRUARY 1998

BY BONNIE KENYON

I hope you don't mind if I start right off telling you the good news. Rick and I are grandparents for the second time around! Shortly after Rick Jr. qalled from the hospital, · one of our subscribers called to order a gift subscription for a friend She asked me what was ·new with my family and I got to share with her about the birth of our new grandson. She told me I could brag all I wanted so here goes ...

Stephen Joel Kenyon was born at 4:18 p.m. on Wednesdfty, December 3 to Ric:k and Maria Kenyon. He weighed 71b. 15 oz. and was 21 inc:hes long. Even though .we haven't seen Stephen yet we know be is· beautiful and a very smart baby! His brother, Jonathan David, is 2 1/2 years old, and chose the name Stephen. What a blessed Christmas gift and a wonderful way to start out the New Year. (Please stay tuned for pictures which are sure to follow in the next issue ofWSEN!)

Rick Sr. and I will be heading south (Georgia and Florida) to see thiS latest addition of the Kenyon family and to visit our folks. We are flying out of Anchorage on January 8th and returning January 31. If you need any subscriptions or back issues to WSEN, you can reach George Cebula at our address and phone number. He will also be doing the weather observations in our place while we are gone.

Rick and I want to thank those of you who sent us Christmas cards~ letters and gifts. We have had the privilege of meeting some of you in ~on; others strictly through WSEN.

Jeanne (Moore) Elliott, a "Kennecott Kid" wrtrte: "If you ever get up to Kennicott during this Holiday season you might want to pause a moment or two along side the Recreation building and.listen for the sounds of-folks having a good time laughing, - dancing • you may even hear the laughter of the children as Santa Claus passed out gifts for them - if you listen real

~Se.Stuu,~ VOL.Five, Issue One. January & February 1996.

Published every two months at McCarthy, Alaska. McCarthy, PO Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588-8998. Phone (907) 554-4454. FAX (907) 554-4454. Email Wsenews@aol.com. "Copyright© 1995 by Wrangell St. Elias News. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express permission of the publishers. •

C~ntributors to this Issue: George Cebula, Carly Kritchen. Ken Kritchen, Dick Morris, Ron Simpson and. Elizabeth Schafer. Subscrip­tion price Is $10 for one year in the USA. Canada $12.50. Other countries $20. Advertising rates upon request Deadline for publication in next issue Is February 15.

SECOND-CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT GLENNALLEN, AK.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wrangell St. Elias News, McCarthy, PO Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588-8998.

hard I just know you will be able to hear all that from so long ago-oh what happy times they were!!!"

George and Edna Whalen from Valdez, please accept our sincere appreciation for the best stuffed dates we've ever tasted and the Ru$sel Stover chocolates. We also received two different Swiss chocolate candy bars from :friends and ~ubscribers, Otto and Wilma Seiz and Walter and Ursel Mueller- both couples from Switzerland. Rick and I send our heartfeltthanks to you all. We love hearing from you and reading your letters and notes. They greatly encourage us.

Wrangell St. Elias News welcome$ aboard.the following new subscribers: Mabel Heaton, AK; Howard Knutson, AK; Mr. & Mrs. Erick Goozen, AK; Martin N. F"mnesand, AK; Pat Maloney, MN; Marl Montgomery, AK; Robert Jackman, AK; .John Jackman, CT; William R. Storey, GA; Cluistine A. Storey, AK; A.E. Edwards, TX; Connie Lanning, PA; AH1NA, Inc., AK; Dolan and JoAnn Collins, WA; Paul Bierman, AK; Roy Lundquist, AK.

Inquiry: Subscncers Otto and Wilma Seiz of Switzerland sent us a picture of a white laundry bag which has printed on it the faded words: Kennecott Laundry, Kenne­cott, Alaska. Otto and Wilma would like to know which building contained the Kennecott Laundry. If you have the answer, please send it to WSEN and we will print it next issue. Many thanks!

BY BONNIE KENYON

Terry and Dee Frady: Because the Frady's live "up the hill and across the road" from us, Rick and I occasionally hear a chain saw or some other outdoor sound that lets us know Terry and Dee are busy working on another exciting project. I realized, however, since the Frady's had returned from their 6 week vacation to the lower 48, they had been remarkably quiet. I couldn't help but wonder what our neighbors were up to. A good excuse to call Dee, I thought, and get caught up.

Come to fmd out, just before they left in September, Terry went to town and purchased a satellite dish in hopes of getting it in place for the winter. To their dismay time didn't allow them to install it before they left on their trip. When they returned in October, they were greeted with weather conditions that allowed them to dig the hole, pour concrete and get their dish up and running. By the first of Novem­ber they were being "totally enter­tained/' says Dee and loving it. Congratulations, Terry and Dee, but could you just once in awhile make some noise so we know all is well on the hill??

Gary, Nancy and Tyler Green: Another family who is doing some much-deserved "relax­ing" are the Greens. "The G~eens aren't doing anything," laughed Nancy. I told her to enjoy it. Summer isn't that far off. The longer we chatted I could see, however, that Nancy is up to her old tricks-dreaming again-as she puts it. A "family room" is slowly taking shape, she says, and will make a great addition to their present lo~ cabin.

WRANQELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JANUARY a fEBRUARY 1996 PAQE S

Tyler is planning to celebrate the New Year in style. It seems his grandparents in Oregon acquired tickets for him to meet Free Willy at the Newport Aquarium The entire Green family are leaving January 1 to fly to Tillamook, Oregon where they are spending 3 weeks with Nancy's folks. Have a wonderful trip and, Tyler, be sure to bring us back some pictures of you and "Willy."

Mike McCarthy, Laura Bonnell and boys: Kennicott's Silk Stocking Row has come alive this winter with a new venture. Mike and Laura have filed papers with the State of Alaska to form their own private schooi-Kennicott Glacier School. The students are none other than their 3 boys: McKenzie, 7, 1st grade; Luke, 9, 4th grade and Nick, 6, 1st grade. Laura's background as a librarian is certainly paying off, she says. She has been able to collect plenty of teaching materials and ideas. Although they are '~ust getting into the swing of things," Mike, Laura and boys are on the roll and looking forward to putting some of those "ideas" into action as the schoolyear progresses.

Rick Jurick: There is a "new fella" on the block of Silk Stocking Row. Rick purchased one of the historical houses and is now a neighbor of Mike and Laura's. Rick is an electrical engineer by trade and lived in Seward before moving to Kennicott. He has already proved himself a good neighbor and was a very welcome sight to the Sperry family on their recent trip home from Anchorage. Rick showed up at just the right time to give them a helping hand out of one big, troublesome glacier on the McCar­thy Road. Rick, we all welcome you to "our town"!

Craig, Sam and Natalie Anderson: Kennicott seems to be bursting out all over. The Anderson family arrived in mid June and are still here-much to our delight and to the Miller family. You see, Sam

· is Jeannie Miller's sister. (It's obvious they are sisters, too!)

According to Craig, they ')ust wanted a major change of life." And, rd say they have gotten it~specially Craig. He decided to trade his job in a family grocery store to a job as a tool technician on the slope, which he says he loves and finds very exciting. He commutes from Prudoe Bay to McCarthy every 2 weeks.

For Sam, coming to Alaska is simply a homecoming. She lived in the state for 13 years before return· ing to Republic, Washington where she grew up. Natalie is 10 years old and this is her first year for doing home schooling. Her dad said she is "doing great and enjoying it."

Tim Mischel: Mike McCarthy said he received a very interesting phone call the other day from Tim, who is "usually on the hill." He was calling to say "hi" and using one of those fancy phones you see on a jet when you're flying to the lower 48 to visit family! And, that is just what Tim was doing. He was on his way to spend the holidays with his mom, Goldie, in North Dakota. Have a great time, Tim, and we'll see you when you get home.

Gary and Betty Hickling: While some were leaving for the holidays, others were finding their way back to their homes and friends. The Hicklings are busy entertaining a very special friend visiting them for the holidays. Stephan Hablutzel from Switzer­land. Stephan has been in and out of the area since 1988. In fact, he

PAGE 4 WRANGELL ST. EI.JAS NEWS JANUARY & fEBRUARY 1996

built the Hicklings a sauna that year and on another visit rebuilt their lodge's floor for them (in the winter, no less!). Now that's a "very special friend., Welcome back, Stephan, and you didn't by any chance bring us ·some snow from your beautiful country, did you?!

Thorn, Cate, Frances and Maggie Bursch: Speaking of "returning" friends ... the Bursch family is back at their cabin at Fireweed subdivision. They drove in on Dec.ll and plan to spend the Christmas holiday among their friends and neighbors in the McCarthy area. When the phone rang the other night and Thorn was on the other end, I couldn't help but think how our new phone service has made the distance between us all seem much shorter. Thorn and Cate now have a cell phone which they brought in with them.

Thorn stopped by the other day to get some computing work done and we enjoyed hearing about his job. He is the only Alaska represen­tative for Ski Country Imports (Sen and operates his business out of their home in Homer. SCI offers a fine-looking selection of embroi­dered beadwear and apparel, so if you're interested in that kind of sportswear, you will want to contact Thorn.

Mark Vail: I'm sure Mark is glad to see his close neighbors-the Bursches-arrive at Fireweed. Although we only have 3 inches of snow at the present, Mark still manages to exercise his dogs. The other day he showed up at the Sperry's by way of bicycle and dog power. (I doubt he has to do much peddling, but I sure hope his brakes work-maybe I should say, I'm glad his dogs know what "Whoa" means().

Matt Hambrick: When the Bursch family arrived, they brought in another very familiar and welcome face--Matt. He's been

working in the Ashville, N.C. area on various building jobs and visit­ing his mom. Sounds like they even got to do some traveling together. We're glad to have you back for the holidays and, ~opefully, longer, Matt. ·

Kris Rueter: Seattle's loss, McCarthy's gain is the opinion of those of us who klmw Kris. She arrived on the Dec. 13th mail plane and is spending the rest of the month visiting and relaxing in her newly-built cabin. For those of you who didn't get the SepJOct. issue of WSEN, Kris is wintering in Seattle where she is teaching drawing and working towards getting her Masters in Fine Arts. Welcome back, Kris!

Jim Edwards: McCarthy's winter population is certainly "up" these days and I suppose you can say we have Jim to thank for some of the increase. Stephan Klanck and Susan Gebel of Hamburg, Germany are here visiting Jim and the area again. Stephan and Susan were here last year as well and both could hardly wait to return! Stephan is quite a computer expert. He has been in the Los Angeles area for several months using his expertise in developing software programs that allow handicapped people the use of computers and computer­related devices.

Max Cott who is from Salzgit­ter, Gennany-1 00 miles south of Hamburg-was here most of the summer and now for the winter. He is enjoying the company of Stephan and Susan even though they just recently met. (Those three young people handle the English language very well, but once in awhile they find Gennan a nice addition to their conversation l)

A new face at Jim's Swift Creek home is Audrey Betcher, a longtime Alaskan who came here from Anchorage. Audrey says she hasn't gardened for 30 years but is

looking forward to trying it out this next summer. The way our winter is going, it may not be too long from now, Audrey!

Ken and early Kritcheo: Gardening ... that's a subject the Kritchens are quite knowledgeable about. Although our growing season is short, K~n and Carly make the most ofit with their beautiful garden and greenhouse. As most of you know, Ken is a commercial fisherman by trade, but it appears farming might be his second career. (Maybe when you retire from fishing, Ken.)

The latest addition to the Kritchen homestead is not another "critter." It's a Case Tractor that Ken ferried from Cordova to Valdez then trailered to their cabin on the west side of the Kennicott River. According to Carty, the tractor was built in the 1950's and was once used as a snowplow in Cordova. It was rescued from an early retirement by Ken's dad, Larry Kritchen, who restored it and even gave it a new paint job. Although Ken needs gardening attachments for the Case, the tractor is still pulling its own these days-that is, pulling stumps, and doing a good job at that.

John Adams & sons: A good job ... now that's what I call what John, Andy and Adam do. The boys were out for a visit and while here, they gave their dad several good hands on his new house. The walls are all up and the roof is now framed in. John says his place isn't a "cabin-it's a house_,, The size is 18' X 34' (hope I got that right, John) and he has a basement as well. It sure is looking great, John, and even though you already know this-you've got two wonderful sons!

Patrick, Phyllis, Rebekah and Sarah Sperry: It may not be summer anymore, but the Sperry family is STILL not letting any

WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JANUARY 6 FEBRUARY 1996 PAGE 5

grass grow under their feet. Patrick had a birthday party on Dec. 16 and celebrated his 39th birthday, Phyllis got a Macintosh computer on their recent trip to Anchorage and Rebekah and Sarah got a newly redecorated bedroom-furnished with a set of bunkbeds. They celebrated by inviting Natalie Anderson down to spend a few days.

The Sperry's have a unique Christmas tree this year. They took 3 good-sized cottonwood branches, tied them together and put them in a bucket of water inside their cabin. Christmas tree lights and homemade decorations added color and character. On Patrick's birthday several buds actually opened up, producing beautiful green leaves. According to Phyllis, many other buds have sprouted since to complete their holiday celebration.

Chris Richards: When I called Chris to wish him a Merry Christ­mas and to see how things were in his neck of the woods, he reported he was "feeling pretty chipper" now that he was getting over a cold. I asked him if there was anything new happening with Kennicott­McCarthy Wilderness Guides. Thinking he would tell me he was taking the winter off and relaxing after a busy summer season, he infonned me that instead he was "gradually expanding" his guiding services into the Girdwood area. Also, he's received a fair amount of responses from his Alaska magazine ad.

I knew he was back on the mend when he wanted to be sure we all knew about the 2 road glaciers on the road between McCarthy and Kennicott. In fact, he said he had never seen them so bad.

Some of you may be wondering what a ''road glacier'' is. Well, I'm certainly not an expert on these matters but I'll try to explain it. (This is where Ed LaChapelle comes in, but he's presently in Washington!)

A road glacier forms when relatively warm spring water flows across the road and freezes. They seem to grow the most during extremely cold weather, and also seem to thrive during periods when there is little snow cover. Sometimes they pool the water, then freeze over the top (If your vehicle breaks through the top layer, you're in trouble!) while other times they form large, often slanted, ice hills which tend to make you slide off the road.

Sdedrded Aut, Sewtee ~ ~ tD, ~ ~~t.~l

~--------------------~ Now you can leave Anchorage at 8:30 on ' Rates: ""' Wednesday or Friday moming and arrive in Gulkana/McCarthy $56* Gulkana at 9:45, McCarthy at 11:00. Or, you can McCarthy/Gulkana $56* leave McCarthy at 11:15 and be back in Gulkana/MayCreek $60 Anchorage by 2:00pm the same day! (Leaves May Creek/Gulkana $60 Gulkana at 12:45) Anchorage/Gulkana $105*

Gulkana/Anchorage $105* This service is year around.

RESPONSIBILitY FOR DEPARtuRES. ARRIVI>J..S. CONNECTIONS. Ellis Nf w'JI no1 be responsible fa damages resullilg from the

tolure or fights to depart 01 atllve at times stated In this timetable. nor for OO'OIS herein, nor fa failure to make connectiOns to other airlines Of o1 this company, ScheduleS are subject to change without notiCe. SChedules shown are based on expected flying Hmes. Because weather and other facfOIS may affect operating cond!!lons, departures and anlvals cannot be guaranteed.

* Ask about special round-trip rates Baggage allowance 40 lbs. (charge for excess baggage) Rates do no include tax @ 10%

&~ ;'/(It, 7a.u, ~lee. Phone 822-3368

800-478-3368 Gulkana Airfield Box 106, Glennallen, AK 99588

PAGE 6 WRANGELL ST. EUAS NEWS JANUARY 8: FEBRUARY 1996

BY BONNIE KENYON

McCarthy-High winds disturbed the sleep of many McCarthy & Kennicott residents the night of Friday, Novem­ber 3. Wind gusts of30 mph to 1 00 mph were recorded or estimated by those who stayed alert to possible damage to homes and airplanes.

Gary and Nancy Green was one couple who spent most of the night standing watch over their 4 airplanes which were tied down at the McCarthy airstrip. Nancy said they witnessed 50 lb. blocks of salt, which they had placed on the wings of one of their planes for extra weight, take to the wind. Fortunately for the Greens their planes survived the storm but their storage shed blew apart. Nancy estimates that

ladies o11ly! BY BONNIE KENYON

McCarthy- When? Decem­ber 20~ after mail. Who? Ladies only[ Where? Carly's place. What? 4 dozen cookies. Why? A Christmas cookie swap. The first, and hopefully, not the last to occur in McCarthy among the ladies.

Usually Carty and her husband, Ken, spend Christmas with Ken's parents, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and their families in Cordova, but this year they decided to stay put in McCarthy. Cordova's loss, McCarthy's gain. And, so, Carly came up with the idea for a "ladies' tea" and our first Christmas cookie swap.

300 trees were uprooted and blown over in the area.

One resident who didn't fair too well was Loy Green (no relation to Nancy and Gary) whose small airplane flipped over on its back after the tie downs broke. Loy was in Anchorage at the time but was notified by phone of the accident.

Thirteen ladies of various ages came by foot, snowmachine and truck bearing at least 12 different assortment of cookies and candy. Carly's Warm Cranberry Cake ( see page 26 for her recipe) and salmon salad sandwiches with pots of freshly brewed hot tea awaited us hungry ladies.

Plenty of warm, friendly chatter followed. I would love to share all the funny stories I heard but I would never get invited to another ladies tea! In fact, I commented how I could write up one particular story and I quickly felt ladies' eyes bearing down on me. I was told "this tea is off the

On the west side of the Kennicott River, the highest gust of 30 mph was recorded at the Kenyons who do contract weather obser­vations for NOAA. On the "island" between the two channels of the Kennicott, trees were laid over and damage occurred on the partially constructed McCarthy­Kennicott Community Church building. Roof

;;;;;;;;;;=:=-=a trusses were laid down and one gable fell over.

The highest gusts were experi­enced in "downtown, McCarthy and up at the McCarthy airstrip. At least one outhouse blew over and several buildings lost parts of their metal roofmg.

record.'' And, so, this ends my account of McCarthy's 1995 Christ­mas cookie swap. Thank you, Carly, for being such a wonderful hostess.

WRANC.ELL ST. EuAS NEWS JANUARY a FEBRUARY 1996 PAGE 7

The Bonanza-Motherlode Mine- a history BY RONALD N. SIMPSON

HISTORICAL RESEARCH a PROJECT

COORDINATOR

KENNECOIT-ALASKA a COPPER RAIL

PROJECT

The Bonanza-Motherlode Mine was the largest of the Kennecott group. Originally these were two distinct mines operated by separate companies from opposite directions within the Bonanza Ridge. The Bonanza is the original Kennecott strike. The same prospectors who discovered the Bonanza also staked the Motherlode claims on the west ridge of McCarthy Creek.

While Stephan Birch and his Alaska Syndicate - the originators of the Kennecott Corporation -moved to quickly buy out the inter­ests of the McClellan Group who staked the Bonanza claims, they failed to purchase the adjacent Motherlode claims.

Birch began development work on the Bonanza in I 907, the same year that construction began on the Copper River and Northwestern Railway, which would eventually link the Bonanza Mine to the port at Cordova.

It would be several years before the Kennecott engineers would realize that the Bonanza ore body and that of the Motherlode were the same. In I9I2 W.E. Dunkle, a consulting engineer for the Alaska Syndicate saw the possibilities for an enormous and continuous copper ore vein extending well into the Motherlode properties. He projected the main vein to lie on a thirty degree incline nearly I I 00 feet below the ground then being worked by the Motherlode company. He recommended that Stephan Birch purchase the claims, but Birch chose not to act on his advice.

In I 915 the Alaska Syndicate went public and formed the Kenne­cott Corporation. That was the same year that the richest copper ore body ever to be discovered was struck in the adjacent Jumbo Mine. The Bonanza would be most productive in 191 5 and 1916, and it would then be apparent that the limits of the Bonanza Mine were in sight. Across the ridge the Mother­lode was in limited production, but the owners had yet to fmd the main vein.

It was now apparent that W.E. Dunkle had been correct in his projections. Kennecott would now wait for the opportunity to pick up the Motherlode claims at a favor­able price, Kennecott, of course, never shared its engineering data with the Motherlode Company-in­formation that projected the main ore body at a level of II 00 feet below the Motherlode upper camp.

From the start the Motherlode operation was undercapitalized.

Although the plans called for construction of a mill on the site, it was never built. As a result, only the highest grade copper ore could be shipped, and this had to be freighted over a winter haul road to McCarthy to a railway owned by the competition. Then in 1919 disastrous snow slides wiped out the half mile long aerial tram which connected the upper camp with the lower one on McCarthy Creek. Kennecott now had its opportunity.

A new Motherlode Mine Coali­tion Company was formed with Kennecott owning fifty-one percent and in the position of control. In return, Kennecott would provide a specified amount of development, and run a crosscut tunnel which would allow the transporting of Motherlode ore to the Bonanza

main adit where it could then be trammed to the mill.

The capacity of the three mile long Bonanza aerial tram was increased to I, 100 tons a day to accommodate the tramming of Motherlode ore once the crosscut was completed. The Motherlode aerial tram to McCarthy Creek and the lower camp was abandoned.

With the completion of the crosscut tunnel, the. Motherlode mine access was gained only by entering the Bonanza main adit.

All the main access mine adits at Bonanza, Jumbo and Erie were started at the contact zone, which is the point where the under lying and unproductive Nickolai grednstone meets the ore-bearing Chitistone limestone. The predominant form of ore was a sulfide, chalcocite, which tended to run seventy percent pure copper. This ore typically would form about ninety feet above the contact zone in the dolomite limestone, which was the favorable host rock for the copper ores. In the Bonanza Ridge the contact zone is tilted to the northeast approximately thirty degrees. So in order to follow the favorable (ore-rich) zone, the main tunnels were effectively thirty degree inclines heading downward from the adits in a northeasterly direction.

Each of the original Kennecott mines -the Bonanza, Jumbo and Erie - have a thirty degree incline tunnel serving as the main haulage way to the surface. In the upper levels of these mines, crosscut tunnels were driven off of the incline tunnels at hundred foot elevation levels. At each level the stopes (ore pockets) were devel­oped. At the lower levels the inter­vals increased to 150 and then 200 feet between stope levels.

PAGE 8 WRANGEU ST. ELIAS NEWS JANUARY a FEBRUARY 1996

The operators of the old Motherlode Company were unaware that the ore followed a thirty degree incline along the contact zone. In fact, the Mother­lode adit was 1100 feet above the contact. In order to explore the ground, the company drove a verti­cal shaft which eventually extended down 850 feet.

When Kennecott took control, a new Motherlode incline shaft was driven from the 1250 level of the Bonanza, eventually extending to the 2800 level, which is the deepest point of the Kennecott mine system.

Near the top of the Motherlode incline, the miners struck the 1252 stope, which became the richest producer of the Bonanza Mother­lode Mines. This ore body, while not quite as rich in concentration as the famous Jumbo vein, extended farther, and it is believed to be the largest single body of such high grade copper ore ever found anywhere in the world. The exploi­tation of the Motherlode extended the life of the Kennecott mines by many years.

During the 1920 era the Jumbo and Bonanza mines had reached maturity and the end was in sight. The Motherlode became the center of the main activity during this time.

By 1924 there were as m~y men working the Motherlode as all the other mines combined. The Motherlode camp housed 75 men and the Bonanza housed approxi­mately 125. The largest work force of the Kennecott years occurred during development of the

Motherlode, when populations at the upper camps swelled to nearly three hundred. Half of the Mother­lode force lived in the Bonanza camp,.which had the most modem conveniences, and included a gymnasium, pool and billiards, motion picture shows, a reading room and Victrola record player and a dining capacity of one hundred fifty.

In 1925 it was already clear that the limits of the rich ore bodies had been found. Although exploration efforts continued for several years, no new ore bodies were found. With the end in sight, the camp populations dropped. In 1926 Kennecott abandoned the Mother­lode upper camp, moving the remaining men to the Bonanza camp. The vertical shaft was now mainly out of use, and activity centered on the Motherlode incline shaft.

It was during the 1920 era that Kennecott developed its Glacier Mine, which consisted of copper ore embedded in a rock glacier and in talus along the sides of the glacier cirque. This ore was the eroded part of the original Bonanza outcropping. It was a summer-only operation in which scrapers were employed on the rock glacier surface. Thus the host rock was ice.

Kennecott shut down operations in 1933 and 1934 when the price of copper was low, resuming opera­tions in June, 1935. The engineers developed a scheme of retreat and began a process of abandonment that finally ended in 1938. In July of that year, the Motherlode was

closed: It was mid-October when all activity fmally ceased at the Jumbo and the Bonanza.

Included in the fmal work was cleanup around the Bonanza slide areas and cleanup under parts of the

· aerial tram. All of the major mining equipment, including several large compressors and several battery operated locomotives were re­moved for salvage. In the fmal report for 1938, it was noted that all high grade ore was removed from the Motherlode, and only small amounts were abandoned at the Jumbo, Bonanza and Erie. It is noteworthy that although retreat operations were dangerous and often caused cave-ins due to the salvaging of stope pillars and floors, including one cave-in at the Jumbo which went on for over a week, no lives were lost in the last two years.

The mill at Kennecott was shut down on October 31. By that time there had been a steady stream of railroad cars hauling out massive loads of salvaged equipment. Both generators were removed from the power plant once the mill was closed, and power was then supplied by a Pelton wheel. The last train left Kennecott on November I 0, but approximately forty men remained behind to complete the mothballing operation. Except for the couple who stayed behind to guard the facility, the remaining crew, including the superintendent, left on a Cordova Air charter on December 23, 1938.

SUMMARY OF ORE PRODUCTION AT KENNECOTT, 1911 to 1938 MotherJode: Tons of ore: 1,340, 162. %Copper 12.39 Tons Copper 166,038 Bonanza: Tons of ore: 1,523,526. %Copper 12.79 Tons Copper 194,922 Jumbo: Tons of ore: 1,505,768. %Copper 14.28 Tons Copper 215,021 Erie: Tons of ore: 56,941. %Copper 15.04 Tons Copper 8,565 Glacier: Tons of ore: 163,028. %Copper 2.16 Tons Copper 3,526 Slide ore: Tons of ore: 36,484. % Copper 9.49 Tons Copper 3,46 I

TOTAL PRODUCTION: Tons of ore: 4,625,909 %Copper 12.79 Tons Copper 591,535

KENNECOTT COPPER CORPORA TION•s BONANZA MINE, c.a. 1925.

The model shown was constructed by the "Little Acres Groups .. diorama development specialists of fairbanks. This is a prototype built to demonstrate the possibilities in constructing a much more inclusive diorama showing the entire Bonanza Ridge area including all five mine sites, the town of Kennecott, the Kennicott and Root Glacier and the Kennicott River railway trestle plus

WRANGELL ST. EUAS NEWS JANUARY 8: fEBRUARY 1996 PAGE 9

McCarthy, as the area appeared in 1925 when the mining operation was at its zenith. The model would be designed to view as a walk­through, and would occupy a minimum of 6,000 square feet. A possible site for such a large diorama would be the proposed Wrangell-St. Elias National Park visitor center near Copper Center.

The sponsor for this project is the Copper Valley Economic Development Council, a nonprofit corporation based in Glennallen.

Although the C.V.E.D.C. will seek grants in support of this project, other fonns of fund raising will undoubtedly be needed.

Comments and questions should be directed to Donna Tollman, Executive Director C.V.E.D.C. P.O. Box 9, Glennallen, AK 99588, (907) 822-5001.

The Bonanza model will be available for viewing in the Copper basin sometime in the near future.

PAGE 10 WRANGELL ST. EuAS NEWS JANUARY & fEBRUARY 1996

Old explosives exploded BY MIKE SHIELDS, CHIEF OF

MAINTEiNANCE AT DENAU NATIONAL PARK

INTRODUCnON BY JON JARVIS,

SUPERINTENDENT AT WRST

The following is an interesting account of our work this summer eliminating abandoned explosives associated with past mining activ­ity. These things are truly hazards to the unwary and to make this much progress in one summer was a great accomplishment and not a "waste of government money!" Our intent is to make these places as safe as we can for the people that may poke around these inter­esting sites. This is the completion report prepared by Mike Shields, Chief of Maintenance at Denali National Park and our top explo­sives expert.

As previously arranged tlrrough Will Tipton and Danny Rosen­crantz, I traveled from Denali to Gulkana on July 23, where I met Logan Hovis (who was to represent Cultural Resources and act as a disposal assistant on the sites). Will flew us to May Creek, and the morning of July 24 we commenced site work at Hidden Lake.

Hidden Lake: This was an abandoned explosives magazine located on the hillside immediately above the lateral moraine trail. The building itself had been largely destroyed, apparently by a past rockfall which also scattered most of the building contents down-slope through brush and talus. By dismantling the remaining roof pieces, I discovered 4 full cases of dynamite at the building; the wooden cases were intact, the sticks still firm, and case bottoms were oily with nitroglycerin (NG) leakage. The magazine floor was still largely intact, and also oily with absorbed NG.

Loose weathered dynamite sticks (dated 1917) recovered from around the building and the downslope scatter equaled an additional 1 0+/- cases, for a total dynamite quantity of roughly 700 pounds. No other explosive products were found here, or at the collapsed buildings down-glacier from the magazine, which seems a bit unusual; there may still be a cap-house in some undiscovered niche in the hillside.

Judging the magazine floor to be detonable, all the dynamite was stacked on it, primed at 4 points with Kinepak charges, and detonated. (NOTE: The 20ft. piece of Detonating Cord turned in at Chitina Ranger Station was included in this pile). Detonation was inefficient, but all 4 full cases, the floor, and roughly half of the deteriorated sticks detonated, the rest being shredded and scattered over the slope as a brown dust. Except for the floor, the magazine members were left intact at the site. There was minor leaf-stripping of brush immediately adjacent to the magazine floor.

From Hidden Lake we were flown to Gateway Millsite.

Gateway Millsite: The report here was for "dynamite boxes observed with contents unknown". The roof being largely collapsed, this was a difficult and somewhat risky building to investigate, but by crawling under and among its various pieces I got through the entire structure. One dynamite box end was found, and 4 broken dynamite sticks under the flooring. The only available dating evidence was a 1930 newspaper page. The dynamite sticks were burned on the gravel bar adjacent to the site.

On July 25 we flew from May Creek to Peavine Lode, and hiked up to the lower adit.

Peavine Bar Lode: At the portal, behind a sandbags/logs half­wall, was a full cardboard case of Atlas Giant 60% gelatin dynamite in generally good condition, but half encased in ice; probable manufacture date between 1960 and 1970. Further into the adit were S long-body copper fuse caps, 2 of which had been deformed by rockfall. From around the adit and the scree/talus slope beyond it (directly below the upper ad it site) we gathered up pieces of Detonat­ing Cord and fuse, totaling roughly SO feet of each. Det Cord and caps were placed on the case of dynamite, tinder a dual-point Kinepak primer, and the case was detonated in place. Detonation was complete, the blast venting back into the adit so there was very little disruption to the sandbag half-wall and no portal damage. The fuse was later burned at May Creek.

We also had a report of caps and Det Cord (fuse?) in the scree around the upper adit, but judged that site too risky to get to and work on handling explosives without fixed lines.

Given the nature of the Pea vine sites and operating methods, we should anticipate that future scree movement will continue to expose cord and fuse pieces, and possibly caps, near both adits.

From Peavine we flew to Glacier Creek.

Glacier Creek: Just inside the cabin, exactly as reported, was a nailed-up coffee can holding a cleat-comer cardboard cap box.

After friction-testing, I opened the box and counted 98 No. 6 caps, aluminwn-shell, good condition,

dating somewhere between 1940 and 1980 (best guess around 1955-60). Further investigation turned up 50 feet of black-wax fuse on a 1000-ft reel. The caps were primed and detonated on the adjacent stream bank; the fuse was burned at May Creek.

We next flew to Radar Gulch, where caps had been reported just the previous day.

Radar Gulch Cabin: An NPS employee had reported 2 caps on a low shelf and one cap on the floor of the cabin by the woodpile. The shelf turned out to be immediately above the woodpile, and my guess is that hikers had found the 2 caps on the floor and placed them on the shelf. By removing the entire woodpile and exploring all floor seams and edges, I found another 7 caps, for a total of 10. These were long-body No. 8 copper-shell fuse caps with some exterior corrosion, dating from around 1930-35; they

WRANGELL ST. EuAS NEWS JANUARY & fEBRUARY 1995 PAGE 11

contain mercury fulminate, and can be deadly. I believe these were in the cabin when I visited it in 1993; at that time I didntt dig through the woodpile, never thinking there might be caps in it, a mistake I won't make in future! The caps were detonated by the stream below the cabin, and we proceeded to Crumb Gulch.

Crumb Gulch: A gallon plastic jug in the collapsing travel trailer at Crumb Gulch contained 8 Hercules No.6 copper fuse caps, 160 DuPont No.6 aluminum fuse caps, and 15 copper-shell electric caps, all in good condition. In addition, 365 feet of coiled black-wax fuse was found in the trailer. All products were returned to May Creek, where the caps were detonated and the fuse burned. (NOTE that the plastic jug with caps exactly matches the description of the jug reported to be in the Crumb Gulch outhouse in 1987, the outhouse then "vanishing" by spring of 1988).

On July 26, in "iffy" weather, we flew to Nelson Mountain and hiked to the adit, where clouds enveloped us.

Nelson Mountain: At the very back of the adit was a double stack of 12 full cases and 3 nearly-full cases (or roughly 725lb.) of DuPont 40% and 60% gelatin dynamite, dated 1925. The bottom cases were in ice, and a badly corroded Prince Albert can in one upper case may have contained caps {there was no safe way to confirm this). The entire stack was primed at 8 different points with Kinepak, and fired from a point 50 feet south of the portal.

Detonation was inefficient but complete, the blast force venting out the portal; portal timbering was destroyed, but the portal and adit were undamaged, and a smear of pulverized case wood and sawdust was left along the floor and south adit wall. Blast noise at the firing

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point was heavily muted, but the echo from across the river had plenty of authority.

The clouds lifted and we hiked down to the cabin, where I found 8 long-body copper fuse caps, lightly corroded, among a variety of rifle ammunition in a tin can. On an upper bunk we found 400 feet of black-wax fuse on a 1000-ft reel. The caps were removed from the cabin and detonated, the fuse taken to May Creek and burned.

From Nelson cabin we flew to Peninsula Camp.

Peninsula Camp: The cabin was reported to contain small pieces of Detonating Cord and empty explo­sives boxes, which was almost correct. There were 25+/- empty cardboard cases of Austin dynamite and at least one empty case of Trojan N-C-N, the fiberboard end from a det-cord spool, and 20+/­feet of Det Cord pieces, all of

Chevron

which were collected and burned outside the cabin.

The surprises were a metal-can Austimon-S cast primer with nose cone, wrappers from 3 Austin HDP cast primers, and a UA Detaprime with half of a corroded fuse cap still in it. The wrappers were burned, the cast primer and Detaprime taken to May Creek and detonated.

Rambler Mine: July 27 dawned rainy with clouds on the deck at May Creek. The 50-lb. sack of Oriard ANFO found at the Rambler Mine had been previously removed by Danny and brought to May Creek, so we used the morning to bum the ANFO and the prior 3 days' accumulation of fuse at the airstrip. Weather continued snotty until around 3:30, when we were finally able to fly into the Boulder Creek site.

Boulder Creek: We frrst checked the cabin and vicinity, collecting 25+/- sticks (roughly 5

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lb.) of DuPont 60% special gelatin, dated 1929, from the dump scatter below the cabin; the sticks were badly weathered. We then hiked up to the adits. In the south adit were empty cases and case ends for 40% and 60% DuPont gelatin dynamite, with dates of 1925 and 1929. In the north adit (heavily iced) were case pieces for 60% gelatin dynamite, and 200 feet of black-wax fuse on a corroded 1000-ft reel. Both the fuse and the dynamite from the cabin site were returned to May Creek and burned.

On July 28, with broken clouds, we flew to the Bremner country where we were able to land at Yellowband Mine, but not at Grand Prize (which was in fresh snow, among other constraints).

Yellowband Mine: In the stone-walled workshop were 2 cases of DuPont 40% special gelatin dynamite, dated 193 7; the upper case was weathered, but contents of the lower case appeared

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in fairly good condition. Along the trail to the adit, at what was appar­ently a primer makeup station, was a California Cap Company tin containing 8 fuse caps, 3 loose fuse caps, and 5 feet of fuse pieces. The caps were friction tested, then moved to a point in the talus slope southeast of the cabin where the dynamite cases were stacked for disposal. A 3-point Kinepak priming system was used to detonate the dynamite and caps; detonation was complete for the lower case, inefficient for the upper case (some shredded wood and paper left), with no site damage beyond minor displacement of some scree-size rock at the disposal point.

Tram Cables: As discussed with the park in 1993, we proceeded with explosive slacking of the aerial tram cables (severe aircraft hazards) at both Grand Prize and Sheriff Mines. In both cases cable release was done at the bottom anchor points, allowing

· cable weight and ground friction to prevent any structure damage at the mine sites. At Grand Prize, a one-pound shear charge was placed against the deformed main 3/4n cable eye, and a one-pound spreader charge was placed inside the eye; both the main cable eye and the double-wrap anchor cable sheared At Sheriff there were 2 5/8" main cables, each of which was sheared by a one-pound scissor charge placed just above the anchor-eye-fitting point. Aerial post-blast check at both mines showed the cables had sagged to the ground over almost their entire length, with no structure movement at the mine tram landings.

The morning of July 29 Will came in and flew Logan and me back to Gulkana, and I returned to Denali that afternoon.

Site History, Hidden Lake: Since no adit has been found in the vicinity, it is possible this was a

WRANGELL Sr. EuAS NEWS JANUARY & FEBRUARY t 998 PAGE 13

staging-point magazine where explosives were held and later distributed to other mines in the area (are there any?). The type, manufacturer and date of the dynamite matches that found in 1988 in the lateral moraine below Erie Mine. The absence of caps and fuse (more easily carried to their final destination) also argues for the staging-point idea.

Site History, Gateway Millsite: Not much can be said except that at some time dynamite was kept here, possibly around 1930-35.

Site History, Pea vine Lode: All products were consistent with the probable working date of 1970-75 established during the 1988 disposal work at the upper adit However, where electric delay blasting was obviously employed above, the work at the lower adit seems to have been exclusively non-delay, relying on fuse cap initiation of detonating cord, which argues for a lower-adit working date of 1960-70.

Site History, Glacier Creek: While other items in the cabin indi­cate working dates of 1935 to 1945, the caps themselves could have been manufactured as recently as 1970; best estimate is 1940 to.1945.

Site History, Radar Gulch: The probable date of circa 1940 estab­lished during the 1993 disposal remains valid.

Site History, Crumb Gulch: Aside from their migratory nature (from vanishing outhouse to collapsing trailer), all the caps appear to date somewhere between 1960 and 1970; the mix of fuse and electric caps indicates either 2 different workings, 2 different spates of work, or a divergence of opinion about best technique.

Site History, Nelson Mountain: An obviously standard dynamite­and-fuse-cap operation going on in 1925-26. It is worth noting that the stick size at Hidden Lake, Nelson

Mountain, Boulder Creek and Yellowband was 7/8"X8", indicat­ing that the blast holes at these locations were hand-drilled.

Site History, Peninsula Camp: An oddball site, the products (per their packaging in most cases) dating somewhere between about 1965 and 1975. The mix of dynamite (what everyone else in the country was using) and N-C-N and cast primers (ANFO blasting agent use, which none of the neighbors bought into) indicates that some experimentation with products and methods was going on, undoubtedly to reduce cost The kicker in this experimentation is the size of the ANFO packages and the primers; they would require a minimum hole diameter of 4.5" to 5". The presence of the much smaller Detaprime may indicate a high level of frustration regarding that hole size.

The other possibility the ANFO indicates is placer versus tunnel operation. The ANFO packages and primers could readily be loaded into a dug hole in gravels, and I saw no evidence of any equipment that could bore a 5" hole in bedrock.

Site History, Rambler Mine: Another ANFO experimenter. The product was still in pretty good condition, so I'd guess a date around 1975-80.

Site History, Boulder Creek: Another standard dynamite-and­fuse-cap operation going on between 1925 and 1930. The extent and sophistication of the workings indicates that while many holes may have been hand-drilled, mechanical drills were probably also used at some time.

Site History, Yellowband Mine: A standard dynamite-and-fuse-cap operation, but better organized and staged than most (neat dynamite storage NOT in the main cabin, a proper primer makeup station OUTSIDE of the adit). Obviously operating in 1937 and '38.

PAGE 14- WRANGELL ST. EuAS NEWS JANUARY a FEBRUAR'f 1996

In our last issue we left some of the crew from the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry at May Creek, while others wailed for them on the McCarthy side of the Nizina River. BY DICK MORRIS

By 3 p.m. the trip back across the Nizina began. With team members taking turns steering the 193 5 Ford, the first two channels of the Nizina were forded carefully and successfully. Anywhere water touched the vehicles, metal slab ice quickly formed which later provided a very useful ''scratch guard" against the alders.

With it snowing and dusk approaching rapidly, the Nodwell lights were kept on so the other crew party would see the Nodwell crossing the river plain and wait. It had been agreed that if the NodweH was not back by dark the other crew was to return to McCarthy for the night. None of us wanted to spend another night on the river ice.

The third channel crossing approach appeared normal, but the depth which had been about two feet earlier in the day was now four feet without any visible changes. The passengers had some anxious moments as the Nodwell nosed over the thick shelf ice and the angle of descent got sharper and sharper. Soon the large brush guard bumper was entirely underwater, the engine radiator opening was submerged and the engine fan was slapping water into the passenger compartment through holes in the engine cowling.

There was a rapid and heated crew response: "Back up!," "Go forward!;' "Where are the life jackets?," "Are we having fun yet?," and on a quieter and more personal basis, "I'll be good, Lord, if you just get me out of this one." However, the tired but faithful old

Nodwell lumbered onward, upward, and out with its tow intact. When crossing the river, on an even keel, there appeared to be several inches of freeboard. By this time all plans of another crossing to May Creek during this trip were abandoned.

Already 6 p.m. and dark, the rest of the night turned into a steady battle against the cold and terrain. It took four hours using winches and chains to climb the steep switch­back and grade just above the Nizina and another session in getting unstuck from a surprise

mudhole before finally being able to load the Fords onto a trailer for the last leg back to McCarthy.

On snowmachines with sleds and by M-116 five of the crew members by now had already gone ahead towards McCarthy, and warm food, leaving the Nodwell for the supposedly uneventful return run. However, no one was to be spared and true to recent tradition the M-116 nosed down the last steep grade into McCarthy Creek and had promptly become jammed on the shelf ice. As the flowing water and temperature quickly worked to make the vehicle a permanent winter fixture in the creek, the crew had to leave it for later towing assistance by the Nodwell.

By midnight the Nodwell crept up and could not get by the M-116. Driver Bob Teeling by now had been at the Nodwell controls so long that he was ill, but his determi­nation was such that Dan Hover­male and John Cooper litera1Jy had to force him to relinquish his seat and "sack out."

Taking over, Dan Hovermale capably prepared for towing the M-116 back out of the creek while John Cooper walked into McCarthy and roused the rest of the crew. A strenuous three hour effort of

sawing ice with a chain sa_w by Chuck Strange and chopping ice by Ken Rowland and John Cooper combined with chaining and winching efforts by Jerry Ware, Dick Morris and Les Greenstreet fmally got the M-1 1 6 and Nod well across the creek. The trailer was left for a daylight effort and the crew stumbled into bed by 5 a.m. "Are we having fun yet?"

On Tuesday, the seventh day out, the retrieval of the trailer across McCarthy Creek was a continuation of the difficulties of the night before. Taking the Nodwell across the creek by chain­ing the tracks to stumps and then climbing the chains, before return­ing with the trailer, was slow and tedious. (note: the M-116 had a

small front mounted winch whereas the Nodwell did not.) Every metal angle, axle or tire possible seemed to get hung up on the ever-present shelfiee.

By Wednesday, the eighth day out, the tractor trailer was repaired by a team lead by Dan Hovermale and a set of Chevrolet pickup truck ignition points, bartered from a local resident by Les Greenstreet, got the frre truck running again and at last we started for home. (Hot water and showers were by now much needed and lovingly dreamed about by all.) Of course in getting out of McCarthy we broke through the Kennicott River ice again and had to spend a couple of hours getting the trailer across the river, but by now we were getting pretty good at it and it didn't hurt as much. All in all we provided quite a community service in the area in the form of considerable amuse­ment and entertainment for all local observers, who even came to be photographed with the ftre truck. However, in our tum we will never forget the looks on the faces of the trappers, mushers, and homestead­ers who passed our convoy on the trail with the most incredulous looks on their faces. A prime moment for us came along the trail when Bob Teeling rolled down the fire truck window and in all seriousness asked a pair of stunned homesteaders, 35 miles from any town, "Hey, mister, isn't there a frre around here somewhere?" Some of us also witnessed a special "Driving While Intoxicated" incident and wondered how a policeman, even if there was one, would handle two tipsy, skylarking, mushers and a team of sled dogs enjoying an exhilarating run on a frosty winter night?

As the International Tractor was soon having difficulty in the new snow climbing the icy hills and crossing the glaciered areas of the trail, the M-116 was left unloaded

WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JANUARY 8E FEBRUARY 1996 PAGE l 5

and used as a push vehicle. In the end the M-116 was driven the 85 miles back to Kenny Lake, arriving at midnight. Without heat and only the occasional luxury of headlights that in itself was no small endur­ance feat for Dan Hovermale and Chuck Strange. Once back to a recognizable road the M-116 too turned a few heads as it rumbled by. The Hovermale fannstead looked and felt like heaven to all of us and we fmally had a chance to contact some pretty worried families.

With the pressure of being home for Thanksgiving on us, we continued homeward early on the clear and cold morning of the 27th, our ninth day out. The equally slow return trip, down country, was uneventful except by now Les Greenstreet's Dodge truck engine was figuring out ways to throw oil and gulp water at the same time and just past the steep and winding Caribou Creek Hill the Interna­tional, piloted by John Cooper, ruptured an oil line, complete with a complimentary engine fire. Of course it was after dark and snowing, the International was last in line and had a broken radio. Guess what happened? There wasn't even anyone to ask "Are we having fun yet?" After strong efforts at helping effect repairs, on a miser­able snowy night, by a passerby and her teenage sons, the International was ingloriously towed back the last 45 miles to the museum. Fortu­nately, a $2 oil line was all that was needed in repairs and no real damage to the machine was done.

Was it worth it? YOU BET!! Even though the trip did not fully meet initial expectations it was successful. Helped by cooperative National Park Service officials at the Wrangell-St Elias National Park and State of Alaska Depart­ment of Fish and Game, we successfully learned the public lands access permit system. We proved to ourselves and state and

federal agencies that despite limited means the museum could success­fully field a team to complete a winter recovery, despite remote­ness, rough terrain, and extreme temperatures. We improved the museum's collections by retrieving useful exhibits with documentable Alaska histories. We successfully put in the field a volunteer team that had never worked together before who performed splendidly and who all "want in" on future trips. We definitely tested our equipment and learned its limita­tions and what we must do to prepare for future operations. We learned that we are going back to finish the job!

In closing our account of this adventure we want to express heart­felt thanks to Mike Slezak of the "Fodder House" Restaurant, near Palmer, who worked for days precooking and packaging the team's rations and then didn't get to go himselfl With the travel and work conditions what they were, plenty of good "warm and serve" rations kept the crew well fed and functional with a minimum of effort. Thanks also to Brad Cella, James Hannah and Superintendant Richard Martin of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park staff who helped us with the permit process, who tried to check on our condition from the air, despite the heavy snow, and who, for our families, met us on the McCarthy Road to see if we were still alive after all. Thanks a~o for a major boost from State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Biologist Cevin Gilleland who hand carried a needed permit through the "system" and later the 42 miles to Palmer for us so that we could leave on schedule.

Reprinted from the Museum of Alaska Transportation & Industry newsletter (VOL. 4, NO. 11/1987). Used by permission of the author.

PAGE 16 WRANGELL ST EUAS NEWS JANUARY & fEBRUARY t 996

COPPER RIVER lANDMARK DAMAGED BY

FALL FLOOD

Governor Tony Knowles announced on December 15 that emergency repairs would be made this spring to stabilize the historic Million Dollar Bridge near Cordova. Repajrs to the 86 year old bridge are necessary because of damage ~aused during last fall's flooding in southcentral Alaska. Rampaging waters on the Copper River severely damaged one of three piers supporting the I ,576 foot bridge.

"Without emergency repairs, the longest span of the bridge is in danger of falling into the Copper River," said Joe Perkins, Commis­sioner .of Transportation and Public Facilities. "Collapse of the main 450 foot span would put the

BY BONNIE KENYON

The Board of Directors of the recently reorganized group, Friends of Kennicott, Inc., met October 3 in Anchorage. Seven board members and three visitors were in attendance.

Although Friends still has $21 ,500 earmarked for stabilization work at the old Kennicott mill site, no work was undertaken this summer. High start up costs, etc. wouldn't leave much for actual stabilization options. Board member, Chris Richards moved to allocate up to $7,500 for the National Park Service to prepare the engineering documentation to stabilize the high grade ore chute. According to Friends, this is a relatively small project that hopefully will be feasi-

remaining two piers at serious risk, threatening collapse of the entire bridge. lf this happened, removal of the collapsed bridge from the fast flowing Copper River would be extremely difficult and expensive."

Emergency repairs to stabilize the bridge was the first of a three phase repair plan recommended by a team of engineering experts assembled by Perkins in October.

DOT &PF engineers are currently working on a detailed design plan of the repair work to be performed in the spring of 1996. The estimated cost of the emergency repairs is $2.6 miJiion. DOT &PF will apply for $2.2 million in federal disaster money through the Federal Highway Administration.

ble next year and within their budget.

Brad Meiklejohn of the Conserva­tion Fund attended the meeting and reluctantly reported that efforts to acquire Kennicott have stalled this fall. According to information received by the Friends of Kenni­cott, the Conservation Fund is hoping that, with Friends' help, an alternative acquisition strategy can be developed. In the meantime, the Environmental Protection Agency has cleared the property of hazard­ous substances, and the NPS has ranked Kennicott as its #I acquisi­tion priority nationwide. There is also a pending congressional appro­priation earmarked for Kennicott public safety improvements (toilets, etc.) that might be available, at least in part, for acquisition. So, while

"The first phase, stabiJjzation of the bridge, is necessary to prevent further damage and possible collapse of the entire structure," said Perkins. ''We'Jl evaluate the additional two repair phases recom­mended by the engineering team as part of the department's normal capital improvement program." The second and third phases of the repair plan include resetting a span of the bridge that collapsed during the 1964 earthquake and rehabilita­tion of the bridge's other two piers.

The HMillion Dollar Bridge" was built in 1909 at a cost of $1.4 million. The bridge is considered one of the most significant interna­tional engineering projects of the early 20th century. September's flooding in southcentral Alaska was serious enough to warrant state and federal disaster declarations.

the short-term news is certainly disappointing, says Friends, other options will continue to be explored.

Friends will be publishing its first newsletter to members and prospec­tive new members. Benefits of membership include an annual report, at least two newsletters a year and waiver of any forthcoming entrance fees at Kennicott.

Annual dues are S20 ($1 0 for McCarthy/Kennicott residents). Minutes of board meetings will be available for an extra charge.

For more information on Friends, you may write them at: Friends of Kennicott, Inc., Box 241362, Anchorage, AK 99524. A special thanks to Sally Gibert for faxing WSEN the above information.

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OUR TOWN January 1921 February

DOG RACES

From the Golden Hotel t.o the Browns Roadhouse and back, a distance of twenty five miles was the course of which the first·ofthe season's dog races took place last Sunday amid much excitement.

From start to finish throngs of people were on the watch & when Scotty Atkinson, driving the winning team, came into sight on Sourdough Hill he received quite an ovation.

He made a very spectacular fmish. Over a · thousand dollars changed hands.

Col. J. Stevenson's, Teddie and Beaver driven by Scotty Atkinson, carrying 48 lbs. including harness, started at eleven o'clock light snow falling and 9 degrees below zero, finished at twenty eight and a quarter minutes after two.

Time, two hours, fifty eight and a quarter minutes.

George Anderson's Spot and Wolf driven by Charlie Lubbe, carrying twenty six and quarter lbs., including b~ess, started at twelve noon with a light snow falling and 8 degrees below zero, finished at ten minutes to five.

Time, four hours and fifty minutes.

• Roy Snyder's Buck and Bob, driven by himself, canying 30 pounds, including harness, started at twelve thirty, light snow and 6 degrees below zero, finished at one minute past four.

Time, three hours, thirty team and driver making the Faddis and McLellan fire in one minutes. fastest time over the July 1918.

The next race will be held prescribed cour$e, complying The Cope Building, which with the rules laid down 1•5 0· ne of the best locations on Sunday January 16th for a

purse of $300 and already a above. and buildings in town, has great interest is being shown. 8. Purse-The purse and been purchased by Mrs. A large number of entries are entrance fee will be split as Kennedy. expected. follows. First 75% Second Outside mail is due here

COURSE: From Barber 25%. Entrance fee to be tomorrow from the Steamer Pole in front of Golden Hotel, S25.00 for each team. Spokane.

McCarthy over Sourdough Race to be governed and Sam Selteilreich has . Trail to Browns Roadhouse, timed by three judges. purchased AI Doze's gasoline thence down the Nizina River If, in the opinion of the saw for use on his ranch this to mouth of Kennecott River, judges snow or weather summer.

thence up the Kennecott to conditions are ,not favorable, John Barrett has purchased starting point. The portion of they may postpone race. the Sullivan cabin. the trail unbroken on the Rivers to be plowed out. Jan. 1 Frank Iverson, having

Conditions-

!. Each team to consist of not more than three dogs and driver no loose leaders to be permitted.

2. Sled-Anything suitable to driver.

3 .. Start-Teams to .start thirty minutes apart first team leaving at ten a.m. Position of starters to be determined by drawing.

4. In case of one team overtaking another, the lead team shall tum out, if necessary, to allow the other to pass. The overtaking team at all times to have the right of way.

S. &lch driver to register in at Browns Roadhouse.

6. Driver must cover the entire route with the same dogs used in start. Dogs to be either in harness attached to sled; or riding on sled. If man comes in behind team and sled and not holding onto sled the time on driver's arrival to count.

7. Winner-The winner will be declared to be the

LOCAL NEWS

purchased another cow, is now prepared to supply the town with fresh milk.

Everybody has caught a Jan. 15 cold except Charley ----------Malander.

Gwinn left yesterday for CIDSANA NEWS Andy Taylor arrived from

the Chisana yesterday with mail, encountering severe storms on the White which delayed them several days.

the Browns Roadhouse and will return by the river today. With his new big team, which he recently purchased, he does not anticipate any trouble in breaking out the trail for the dog race They will leave early next

week for the interior again, tomorrow.

The demand for Alaska grown hay has been the cause of the importation of a baler by Oscar Anderson of Long Lake. He has grown nearly twenty tons of very superior hay. He and Murie and Brenwick left for Long Lake on Wednesday to give a practical test of the machinery which uses horse power.

The Heney building was purchased this week by George Andersen. He is having it thoroughly renovated as it was badly damaged at the time of the

taking mail and freight.

AU the ·live stock wintering on the peavine bars are rolling fat and game is far from scarce, in fact the postmaster at Chisana did not have to go very far for his winters meat-fmding a couple of fat caribou in his barn one morning when he went to feed his horse-promptly locking the door on them. he went for old Betsy and sOon had them killed, dressed and hung up in the cache.

Capt Ericksen, who is in the fur tra<U,Qg ~usiness at the

Snag River reports very few idle men in Dawson this winter, most of them being employed at the silver mines at Mayo.

Teamsters and hard rock miners were in demand at wages of six dollars and board when he left Dawson last Fall. The ore runs seventeen thousand dollars per ton and is being sledded out to the boat landing as rapidly as possible. Every available horse is in use.

H. Boyden and Mullet are out searching for Miers the missing prospector.

Jan22

DOG RACE Carl Anderson Wins in 2

hrs. 54 min 15 sees.

With a temperature of 32 degrees below zero the long looked for dog race took place last Tuesday. On account of the extreme cold many were unable to see the start, but everybody turned out to see the finish which was spectacular to say the least.

Sharp at 11: 15 Atkinson with his three dogs, Teddy, Nig & Beaver, owned by Fred Stevenson, jumped off on his twenty six mile run, the course being over the hill to the Browns Roadhouse and return, instead of around the river.

Bill Berry, whose as the result hinged on his reputation as a musher is well time and after he came in known all over this district, sight, no one drew a breath was the next driver, leaving till he finished winner in two at 11:45 with Roy Snyder's hours fifty minutes fifteen dogs Buck, Nig and Spot, the seconds, almost four minutes temperature being twenty to spare. eight below zero. Feb. 5

Carl Anderson, a miner from Chititu and practicaJly unknown in the racing game, was the last to leave, 2: IS and the temperature twenty six below zero.

Carl had bad luck at the start his dogs attempting to run into their kennels across the bridge then swinging back into town dragging Carl through the snow, losing fully three minutes before he straightened out for a fresh start. His dogs, Spot, Browne and Teddy were owned by Bill Maher who had bought them from Geo. Anderson a few days before the race.

Atkinson was the first to be seen returning and was literally cheered into the town on account of the time he was making in such cold weather. When he crossed the line the judges, Tjosevig, Woodman and Goodwin gave out the official time as 2 hours, fifty eight minutes, fifty five seconds.

Berry had bad luck crossing the river, losing over twenty minutes, was timed at three hrs. ten minutes and fifteen seconds.

Carl Anderson, the last to arrive caused much interest,

ROAD COMMISSION

OFFICIALS VISIT

MCCARTHY Messrs. Daniel Jones and

Gus Johnson arrived on Sunday's train on an official visit

During the week they made a trip to the Nizina, where they made examination of the various parts of the river with a view to choosing a bridge site.

There is a probability of the new bridge being of suspension structure, which, although entailing heavy expense, is the only solution of the trouble.

We are informed by Mr. Jones that work upon the staking of the trail to Chisana over the glaciers will be proceeded with immediately.

The wagon road over Sourdough to the river will be resumed just ·as soon as climatic conditions permit.

Gus Johnson will again be in charge of the work.

Altogether things in the Road and Trails Department are looking mighty good for McCarthy and her districts.

Feb. 19

RECIPROCITY It is gratifying to see that

the Cordova Times looks with approval on the project of an annual dog race between McCarthy and Cordova. In an article on the subject they say:

"It is therefore of great importance to Cordova and the Copper River valley that the recent suggestion made of an annual dog race classic between McCarthy and Cordova should be carefully considered. The many advantages of such a race not only as a sporting event, but as a splendid means of advertising the great Copper valley, need no argument to prove.

It is hoped that the local chamber of commerce will investigate the possibilities of such a race and lend its support to the event, provided reasonably favorable conditions for success are found.

The up the river communities are behind the movement-and it would not do for Cordova to lag behind ...

Feb.26

"THE HOME OF GOOD EATS" . • i. ~ <_.;_j. '

THE ALASKA HOUSE & CAFE ( ;':-• .: ! : ... ~~ 0 :,..,~' • ~~·:: ~ -~ ' I~

(Formerly THE MERCfiANT'S RESTAURANT) RENOVATED AND UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

TWENTY NICELY FURNISHED ROOMS , l". . ;,· .•

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED- PRICES REASONABLE

Reprinted from the McCarthy Weekly News, January & February 1921 issues. Editor C.F.M Cole

· with Wrangell Mountain Air Flightseeing -soft adventure at its finest! View the awesome rugged beauty of the Wrangell-St. Elias from the comfort of our high wing, intercom equipped aircraft. All flights narrated.

Glacier Landings -a truly Alaskan experience! Land on the ageless ice and explore this mountain kingdom. Guided and unguided trips available.

Wilderness trips -- Fly Into the pristine backcountry for the trip of a lifetime. Day trips to expeditions. Guided & unguided.

Dallv fUPa from Clldtlaa to McCarthy Avoid 60 miles oJ one lane dirt road. Park your car mid fly in!

Lodging and camping available. $60 per person one way.

Wrangell Mountain Air, Inc. is a full service air transportation company. We also offer fly-in wilderness trips, charter and freight service.

Wrangell Mountain Bus operates scheduled shuttle service between McCarthy and Kennicott.

Reservations 1-800-4 7 8-1160 /Information (90 7) 554-4400 Stop by our office in ndowntown" McCarthy across from the McCarthy Lodge

~~ S u\fotoQte <Ray, IJ~

Editors note: This is the fourth in a series of excerpts from lhf! newly released publication GUIDE to the VOLCANOES of the · WESTERN WRANGELL MOUNTAINS, ALASKA, by Donald H. Richter, Danny S. Rosenkrans, and Margaret J. Steigerwald In our last issue we dealt with Mount Sanford. This time we 'II take a look at Capital Mountain.

CAPITAL MOUNTAIN

Capital Mountain is a relatively small, dissected volcano north of Mount Sanford. Though extremely rugged. with spectacular scenery, the mountain is dwarfed by its

WRAf~GEll ST. ELIAS NEWS JANUARY 8c FEBRUARY l 996 PAGE 21

Shown on U.S. Geological Survey Gulkana B-1 quadrangle map.

Height.- 7,731 ft. (2,356 m). High point is on an erosional rib of intracaldera lavas.

Latest eruptive actil'lty.- The emplacement of a rhyolite dike, about 5 mi (8 km) long, across the summit of the volcano about 1 million years ago is the latest known activity on the volcano.

Volcanic history.- Capital volcano was probably constructed within a period of less than 100,000 years about 1 million years ago. It evidently began as a small andesitic volcano and rapidly built a shield

filling the caldera with more than 1,500 ft (450 m) of thick, flat-lying andesite flows. Final activity was the intrusion of a spectacular radial dike swarm, consisting of hundreds of andesite dikes and a few dacite and rhyolite dikes, as much as 4 mi (6 krn) long, whose locus is a prominent andesitic plug near the center of the caldera that probably marks the volcano's central vent.

Glaciers.- No glaciers exist on Capital Mountain today. However, young moraines in two deep valleys extending outward from the summit area were deposited by alpine glaciers that were present as recently as 10,000 years ago. Also, younger and

loftier neighbors. r7~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~theextentofdeep

~~~J~~~~~1~~~~,~~~~~~i~~~g~,~~l~~~~~ erosion exhibited Name.-­

Reported as a local name in 1907 hy Thomas G. Gerdine, us. Geological Survey topogra­pher. Ahtna name: Tsedghaazi Dzel' ("rough­rock mountain.")

f~ by Capital Mountain and the

?:!t:i::;:i'~:~:ru·~X·i::'::':;:~;~y~;~~:<-_:)1 presence of old

glacial deposits high on the

;'<< 7ii~Ji&J.~~~~Js~;~4~1 volcano's flanks are evidence that it was virtually covered by ice during a major period of glacia­tion which followed the end of eruptive activ­ity about 900,000 years ago.

Type and form.- Shield volcano contain­ing a small summit caldera. A dike swarm, which may be unique in the Wrangell volcanic field, radiates outward from a

!JoiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiC;;;;ap•i=ta•l _M_o_u.nt=-a-in•(-in;;;;;;;;;;;:;;m=id=g=ro=u=n•d=) =-a=nd~M .... o"'""uiiiiin•t Siiiiiia...,n=fo=-=r=d=-(-inill:iiliiii:iiiiiiiiiiii~ Best

background) from mile 58 on the Tok Cutoff on the Glenn viewing.-Highway. The Copper River is in foreground. View southward; Viewed from a photograph by U.S. Geological Survey. distance along the

~--======---========--=-====-==---=====--~==~-=~highways around

plug within the caldera. Much of the original shield has been removed by erosion, leaving the intracaldera lava flows as present topographic high points.

Location.- 20 mi (32 km) southeast of Chistochina, Alaska, at I at 62°25' N ., long J 44 °07' W.

about 10 mi (16 km) in diameter and probably no more than 8,000 ft (2,400 m) high. During the end phases of shield building, withdrawal or magma from beneath the central vent area allowed the summit to collapse and form a 2.5-mi (4 krn)-diameter summit caldera. During and after caldera collapse, eruptive activity resumed,

the western Wrangell Mountains, Capital Mountain is nearly lost in the foothills of its much taller neighbor, Mount Sanford. The best viewpoints are between miles 20 and 70 on the Tok Cutoff of the · Glenn Highway and along the first 25 mi of the Nabesna Road.

PAGE 22 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JANUARY & FEBRUARY 1996

At Last! Electricity Explained AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Today' s scientific question is: What in the world is electricity? And where does it go after it leaves the toaster?

Here is a simple experiment that will teach you an important electri­cal lesson: On a cool, dry day, scuff your feet along a carpet, then reach your hand into a friend's mouth and touch one of his dental fillings. Did you notice how your friend twitched violently and cried out in pain? This teaches us that electricity can be a very powerful force, but we must never use it to hurt others unless we need to learn an impor­tant electrical lesson.

It also teaches how an electrical circuit works. When you scuffed your feet, you picked up batches of "electrons", which are very small objects that carpet manufacturers weave into carpet so that they will attract dirt. The electrons travel through your bloodstream and collect in your finger, where they fonn a spark that leaps to your friend's filling, then travel down to his feet and back into the carpet, · thus completing the circuit.

AMAZING ELECTRONIC FACT: If you scuffed your feet long enough without touching . anything, you would build up so many electrons that your fmger would explode! But this is nothing to worry about unless you have carpeting.

Although we modem persons tend to take our electric lights, radios, mixers, etc. for granted, hundreds of years ago people did not have any of these things, which is just as well because there was no place to plug them in. Thfm along came the frrst Electrical Pioneer, Benjamin Franklin, who flew a kite

in a lightning storm and received a serious electrical shock. This proved that lightning was powered by the same force as carpets, but it also damaged Franklin's brain so severely that he started speaking only in incomprehensible maxims, such as, "A penny saved is a penny earned." Eventually he had to be given a job running the Post Office.

After Franklin came a herd of Electrical Pioneers whose names have become part of our electrical terminology. Myron Volt, Mary Louise Amp, James Watt, Bob Transformer, etc. These pioneers conducted many important electri­cal experiments - Among them, Galvani discovered {this is the truth) that when he attached two different kinds of metal to the leg of a frog, an electrical current devel­oped and the frog's leg kicked, even though it was no longer.attached to the frog, which was dead anyway. Galvani' s discovery led to enormous advances in the field of amphibian medicine. Today, skil_led veterinary surgeons can take a frog that has been seriously injured or killed, implant pieces of metal in its muscles, and watch it hop back into the pond just like a nonnal frog, except for the fact that it sinks like a stone.

But the greatest Electrical Pioneer of them all was Thomas Edison, who was a brilliant inventor despite the fact that he had little fonnal education and lived in New Jersey. Edison's first major inven­tion in 1877 was the phonograph, which could be found in thousands of American homes, where it basically sat until 1923, when the record was invented. But Edison' s greatest achievement came in 1879 when he invented the electric company. Edison's design was a brilliant adaptation of the simple electrical circuit; the electric company sends electricity through a wire to a customer, then immedi­ately gets the electricity back through another wire, then (this is the brilliant part) sends it back to the customer again. This means that an electric company can sell a customer the same batch of electric­ity thousands of times a day and never get caught, since very few customers take the time to examine their electricity closely. In fact, the last year any new electricity was generated was in 193 7 - the electric companies have been merely reselling it ever since, which is why they have so much time to apply for rate increases.

Today, thanks to men like Edison and Franklin, and frog's like Galvani' s, we receive almost unlim­ited benefits from electricity. For example, in the past decade scien­tists have developed the laser, an electronic appliance so powerful that it can vaporize a bulldozer 2,000 yards away, yet so precise that doctors can use it to perfonn delicate operations to the human eyeball, provided they remember to change the power setting from "Vaporize Bulldozer" to "Delicate."

WRAHGEU ST. ELIAS NEWS JANUARY a fEBRUARY 1 996 PAGE 23

BY KEN MOON WITH ALASKA AIRMENS

As so.

The Alaska State Department of Environmental Conservation is planning to bring back Ethanol generated auto fuels to the Munici­pality of Anchorage and the Fairbanks North Star Borough during the period from November I st through February 28th each winter in order to meet Federal Clear Air Standards.

Use of fuels with Ethanol is not only prohibited by regulation but is considered by most experts to be potentially harmful to aircraft engines and fuel systems. It may cause problems with vapor lock~ deterioration of fuel bladders, seals, gaskets, carburetor floats and even phase separation of the fuel and

alcohol/water mixtures in the tanks. Ethanol may also act as a solvent loosening fuel system contaminants which could clog filters and cause possible engine failures.

Changes to the DEC regulations regarding Ethanol additives to auto fuels could result in the following:

Possible Ethanol in fuels at other times: There is no maximum time limit on when fuels can contain Ethanol.. .and it may be to the advantage of the oil companies (tax credits, etc.) to continue making these oxygenated fuels year-round.

Possible expansion of areas: If conditions require, the DEC may decide it is necessary to expand the control area of use beyond the

Anchorage/ Fairbanks areas (for instance into the MaVSu Borough).­Be sure to check the labels and warnings on the pump!

Labeling at the Pumps: Autogas pumps that contain ethanol will be labeled with the type of oxygenate (Ethanol) and maximum content by weight of3.5%.1t's important to know this equates to about I 0% by volume (each 10 gallons of au togas will contain one gallon of Ethanol). Fuel pumps should also display a label stating: "Warning: This fuel may not be suitable for use in aircraft." Attempts are being made to make these labels clearer and stronger, but changes probably won't be made for this winter.

Reprinted from FAA Alaskan Airmen News Nov. 1995

L.ocal aircraft radio frequency change: Kenai Flight Service has changed radio frequency to 122.9, the same channel used for local traffic advisory at McCarthy. (Old freq. for Kenai Flight S~rvice was 123.6)

The following information was provided in the Greater Copper Valley Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter, September­October 1995:

Our estimated count based on the actual count for both years is around 30,000 people through the (Glennallen) Visitor Information Center (VIC). This assumes that 2 out of every three people who comes in the VIC signs the book.

VIC actual count for 1994 was 19,183

VIC actual count for 1995 was 19,378

Alaska Tourism Marketing Estimate 1994-1995

*Up 110,000 visitors from the 1.1 million who visited in '93-'94, a 1 0% increase.

*Anchorage International Airport has shown that domestic travel is up 4.5%.

*Alaska Highway Traffic, up 7.5%.

*Princess Cruises sold 50,000 cruises, compared to 44,000 last year.

*Denali National Park Shuttle Bus had 79,400 riders to date, down less than 3%.

OINIE llllf FROCE Detroit Diesel 3 .Phase

20 K.W. Generator

$4725 .; ..

P.O. Box 3549 Valdez, AK 99686

PAGE 24 WRAN,_EU ST. El.rAs NEWS JANUARY a FEBRUARY 1996

T rlbute of mighty glaciers, and mountains heavy with snow, In three wild roaring channels the yellow waters flow

Over the mile wide gravel bars on the Flats of Sourdough. l<alsing high oe'r the level, the waters hurry by, !<oiling and heavy with silting; l<iver of Nicolai.

Nizina, stream of the glaciers, roaring and rushing by, Chutes that the wind may follow, points where the quicksands are,

Often we swam our horses, making from bar to bar. From the Kennicoti" and the Mother Lode to the camps where the placers are.

Twas thus the old chief ·Nicolai, e'er his life was done, Spoke to his fellow tribesmen and laid his curse thereon,

That they should not hunt on his river until three "snows" had gone. Nicolai, friend of the white man, whose word was his people's law. Wise were the chiefs that followed, Honageeta and Goodlataw.

Two hundred miles oe'r the mountains, over the old pack trail, Once a month from Valdez came the government mail,

Borne on the backs of horses. 'cross muskeg and rivers, too, Deep were the yellow torrents, but the government mall came through

To the great Bonanza Copper Mine and the town of Chi1itu.

by Kendrick-a 'HcCarthyite" from Volume One-Chilcoo-t Pass t Songs of Alaska

submiffed by ClifF Collins

CONGRATUlATiONS!

it is WSEN's pleasure to introduce you to ~ new member of the Boslough family. Madeline Sabena Boslough was born at 4:57 a.m. on November 11 at Provi­dence Hospital and weighed 9 112 lbs. The proud parents are Gary and Trix Boslough. Although the Bosloughs live and work in Anchorage, they own land and a cabin in the May Creek area.

Trix says they hope to visit their Young Creek property in mid February. Our very best to the entire Boslough family.

SpEEdy RECOVERY

We here at WSEN pray for speedy recoveries of Bjorn Olson and Bud Seltenreich.

Bud is recuperating from a mild stroke which occurred on December 4. According to his wife, Marge, Bud spent several days in the hospital but is back at home. They are thankful to report there has been "no severe damage." Bud and Marge, thanks for calling and letting us know you are on the mend. The Selten­reiches own property on the Nizina River.

Bjorn is presently in Provi­dence hospital in Anchorage recovering from a serious ice climbing accident. According to Chris Richards, Bjorn recently had lower back surgery and was able to talk to him briefly on the phone. For those who would like to send Bjorn a note of encouragement you may write him at the follow­ing address:

Attn: Bjorn Olson, Providence Medical Center, PO Box 196604, Anchorage, AK. 99519-6604.

Bjorn worked for Chris Richards last summer as a guide at Kennicott-McCarthy Wilderness Guides.

WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JANUARY a fEBRUARY 1996 PAGE 25

Fall and Winter in the Wrangells BY KEN KRrrCHEN

Across

1 The biggest road hazard on the McCarthy road in winter. 4 It's nice to have a large supply

of __ to watch on those long winter nights. 5 You know it's fall when the

leaves tum __ 8 This fur bearer turns from brown

to white when winter comes. 9 Sourdoughs say you can

determine the harshness of a winter by the size of a beavers ____ . 12 Winter hand wear. 141t's hard to try out your new

snow machine if you don't have any __ . 16 This local bird turns white in

the winter. 17 Hope you all have a happy and

prosperous ____ ! 18 When snow comes local pilots

take off their tires and put on their

[3

14 r 1 I

1--

r I I I rrr

E I I I 1--

L.....-

119 I I I I IZD

122 r lz3 I I I I I

1--

EJ I l I I I

lz7 I 1 I I I

F1 I l -1 I

.10

19 Place most Alaskans dream about when it's been -40 for a few days. 22 Snow machine tracks make excellent tracks for ___ _

23 Ducks, geese and swans __ south when the ponds freeze over. 25 Bears when cold weather comes. 26 A ____ is some Alaskans mode of transportation after snow covers the trails. 27 The wise Alaskan puts in a large ____ before the minus temperatures. 28 Shortest day of winter. 29 From June 21st on until December we're steadily 1osing

Down

2 People with bird feeders should put in a large supply of ____ .

11 I 12

rs- 1 r 1--

- -- 1--

Tr - ~

1-- [14 I rrr - --1-- - 1--

1-- 1-- 1-- ~

1-- ~ 1-- 1-- 1- ~

1-- 1- L.....- 1-- 1-- [18 I-- ~ rrr 1-- 1-

I 1-- - 1-- 1--

1-- 1-- 1-- "---

1-- - I-- llli ---- - -

1~8 I I- "--

"--

3 If you're a man, when winter rolls around it's time to grow a __ . 6 When the Kennicott River

freezes we can use the ____ to drive into McCarthy.

7 Alaskan term for the frrst snow fall. 10 As the temperature dips it's

time to retire your shorts and put on your __ . 11 Winter is a good time to order

extra from the library. 13 You know it's winter when the

deciduous trees their leaves. 14 When the snow flies it's time to

store the four-wheeler and tune up the ___ _ 15 On a clear winter night they

often dance across the sky. 20 Winter sport done on clear ice. 21 Large white winter foot wear. 24 Warm fur lined outer wear.

11 8 I I I 12 I I I I IT I I I I 1--

-- rw

I 1--

1--..__

PAGE 26 WRANGELL ST. ElJAS NEWS JANUARY a FEBRUARY 1996

BY CARLY KRITCHEN

As I write this column, a few days before Christmas, I'm reminded of how different our lives here in the McCarthy area really are. My husband and I had a good laugh (and, I must admit, felt pretty smug!) as we listened to a report on the radio about last minute crowds at a shopping mall in some large city. Today was our last mail day before the big holiday, and if some gift that was ordered didn't arrive today, it's too late to worry about it! AIJ we can do is relax and enjoy the rest of the Christmas season.

One thing we've always enjoyed about living here, during the winter and especially the holiday season, is having the time to really enjoy visits from friends. A visit to our house usually means tea or coffee, and a sample of whatever I've baked lately. I wish that you could all stop by and join us! Since you can't, here are a few recipes to try on your friends.

When I was young, my Mom made this yeast braid when it was her turn to have her friends over for coffee. I usually hung around and made a pest of myself until I got a piece!

Cinnamon Coffee Braid

3/4 cup milk 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup butter 2 packages dry yeast 1/2 cup warm water 3 egg yolks, well beaten 4 1/2 cups unsifted flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 cup butter, melted

Scald milk; stir in 1/4 cup sugar, salt and I cup butter. Cool to lukewarm. Measure warm water in large bowl. Sprinkle in yeast; stir until dissolved. Add milk mixture and egg yolks; stir to blend. Add flour; beat until blended. Cover bowl tightly and refrigerate at least four hours or overnight.

Combine 112 cup sugar and cinnamon. Turn dough out onto lightly floured board and divide in half. Divide each half into three pieces. Roll each piece into an 18 inch strand. Braid three pieces together; seal ends well. Place on a greased baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and cinnamon sugar. Repeat with remaining pieces. Cover; let rise in wann place until doubled in bulk (about 1 to 1 1/2 hours). Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

Banana bread with a twist (also good if you don't happen to have the anise seed on hand)!

Banana/Anise Bread

1/4 cup shortening 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 2 bananas, mashed 2 1/4 cups flour 1/4 cup sour milk ( 1/4 cup

milk + 2 tsp. vinegar; let sit for 5 minutes)

3/4 tsp. baking powder 3/4 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 2 tsp. anise seed

Cream shortening and sugar in a large bow I until fluffy. Beat in eggs and mashed banana. Stir in all the rest of the ingredients, and mix until well blended. Place in greased loaf pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes. Let cool about I 0 minutes before removing from pan.

1 love fresh peaches, but it's pretty hard to find a good one in Alaska, so I make do with this recipe.

Winter Peach Coffee Cake

2 cans ( 16 ounce) peach halves, drained

3 ounces cream cheese 3/4 cup sugar 6 Tbsp. butter 1 egg 1/2 tsp. almond extract 1 1/2 cups:flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. baking powder 2 Tbsp. chopped almonds 1 tsp. cinnamon

In a blender, whirl 3 peach halves, cream cheese, 112 cup sugar, 5 tablespoons butter, egg, and almond extract until smooth. Add flour, soda, and baking powder and whirl until blended. Pour into a greased 9 inch spring-form pan. · Lay remaining peaches on top of batter, cut side down, and dot with 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinlde remaining sugar, almonds, and cinnamon over the top. Bake at 3 50 degrees until cake is well browned, about 45 to 60 minutes. Cool until warm and remove pan rim.

1 just served this cake at a Christmas cookie exchange, it's one of my favorite recipes. It looks really pretty when it comes out of the oven, tlie sugar gives it a sparkly glaze.

Warm Cranberry Cake

1/2 cup butter. softened 1 cup + 2 Tbsp. sugar 2eggs 1 tsp. grated orange peel 1 Tbsp. orange juice 2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup milk 1 cup cranberries, divided

Grease a 9 inch spring-form pan. Line the bottom with wax paper; grease and flour paper. Beat

WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JANUARY 6 FEBRUARY 1998 PAGE 27

butter and l cup sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time; beat well after each addition. Add juice and orange peel. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to mixture alternately with milk. Chop 1/2 cup cranberries and stir into batter (skip this step if you use wild berries).

Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining cranberries and 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake at · 375 degrees about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool until wann; remove side of pan. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream .

.School news BY EUZABETH SCHAFER AND JEANNIE

MILLER

Up at the Miller house there is a one-room cabin equipped with a big old barrel stove, some tables and chairs, maps, pencils-and a group of lively students.

The students are local children, Matt and Aaron Miller, Tyler Green and Natalie Anderson, all in differ­ent grades. I (Elizabeth Schafer) am their teacher. The kids are on differ­ent correspondence programs which have a variety of different subjects and topics.

This fall we have studied many things, from the Pilgrims to Julius Caesar, mixed fractions to long divisions, Edgar Allen Poe to Beowulf.

The children made a model of Mt. Vesuvius out of plaster of Paris. With the use of some baking soda, vinegar and red dye, we watched the city of Pompeii disappear under a flood of lava (we weren•t historically accurate, P~meii was buried under ash).

In another project, Jeannie Miller was kind enough to sacrifice several baby spider plants for our study of the effects of acid rain. The

kids poured different amounts of acid water on the plants so we could see what acid does to plants.

We have played the card game Memory, to help remember the different polygons and have written crazy stories about teddy bears, pirates, buying Harley's and aqueducts on the moon.

The big event of the school year was when a friend, Trig Trigiano of Eagle River, came out to McCarthy over

Thanksgiving and did some wild chemistry experiments as an intro­duction to Chemistry with the kids and their families. I, unfortu­nately, missed the fun ... but I got mine later.

Trig did about 6 experiments dealing with heat and cold and

contraction and expansion. For one we used sodium chloride and battery acid to create a black, bubbly lava that climbed up a rod placed in the beaker. Another one used iodine and sodium chloride, which is very unstable and when moved makes a

loud bang and lets off a cloud of purple smoke. Unknown to me, a small plate with this powder was left

in the schoolroom. Not knowing what it was, I picked it up ... BOOM! I jumped and ran-scared me good! Another lesson for the kids: don't leave strange, unknown things lying around. Mom's fault, confesses Jeannie, "I forgot to put the trash out!"

Editor's Note: Trig is a frequent visitor to the McCarthy/Kennicott

area as well as a subscriber to WSEN. A formerChemistry Profes­sor, Trig now works as a Risk Manager for the University of Alaska. Says a local resident and friend of Trig's: "He managed not to blow up any kids or turn any green!" Good going, Trig!

PAGE 28 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JANUARY & fEBRUARY 1996

~I ' .

BY BONNIE KENYON

On October 22 after church fellowship, George Cebula, Rick and I drove to Long Lake to the homestead of Jo King to retrieve an item of special interest. A church bell for the McCarthy-Kennicott Community Church building!

The estimated 250 lb. bronze bell is a donation from Mrs. King in memory of her late husband, Harley, and the six area residents who died in the tragic shootings that took place in McCarthy March 1983. We consider it an honor to receive this treasured gift and for the purpose for which it was given. We expect it will be in place to ring in the new year of 1997!

On the evening of November 3 and during the next day, McCarthy residents were on alert due to unusual high winds. By the end of the two-day windstonn, the 14 once upright roof trusses were laid over and the south gable had fallen down. Thankfully, no significant damage was done to the trusses or gable. Several trees had blown down on the church property as well.

John Adams didn't waste much time in caJJing out his troops to repair the mishap and before long he, George and Rick hacj .the trusses back in place, reinforced and the gable restored to its rightful position.

Shortly after the windstorm, Rick and I left for Anchorage to pick up the 3 exterior doors and I 0 22" x 48" insulated windows and, Rick and George drove the materials safely across the river ice to the church building.

On the 21st of November, John called a "roofmg" work day. The men were pleased to have Max Cott show up. While John and Max manned those high spots, ruck and George did the ground work. Max seemed to take pleasure in climbing to those high points and maneuver­ing the red metal roofmg into place. Thanks, Max!

To top off the roof project was the framing in of the bell tower which sits on the roof of the entry room.

I, personally, want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the fellows above as well as you who have given so generously of your time, fmances and materials to make this dream a reality. And to the special lady who returned our church check for a freighting bill we owed her-God bless you!

Kenny Lake Mercantile Propane-Hardware-Gas-Grocery-Auto Parts-Feed

Case lot & special orders 1 0% over cost

NOW OPEN-- New laundry and showers! Phone 822-9863 Mile 7.5 Edgerton Hwy. Open 9a.m.-8p.rn. daily, 10-6 Sunday

- -·· --- -~- ---~~~- -- ~~- ..............----- ~ ~--~-· ... ·-- ~--- ---

CBe ou!l guegt Drive to your own private cabin located just 2 miles from the Kennicott River.

For reservations phone {907, 554-4454

liennieott-.MeCarthy Wilderness Guides

"In the heart of the Wrtrnl}.ell Mountains"

Chris Richards Box#l, Kennicott via Glennallen, Ak 99588

(907) 554 4444

WE NEED YOU: To help as make

A Visitor's Guide to Kennicott & McCarthy 1996

the best one yet: H you offer a service in the

Copper River Basin or Valdez area, you are invited to be part of the 1996 VISitor's Guide to Kennicott and McCarthy. The Guides are given free of charge to area vistors from the Visitors Centers in Glennallen, Valdez and Tok, and the Park Service Headquarters in Copper Center. Local businesses from Tok to Valdez, Chitina to McCarthy distribute them as well.

To be included in this year•s Guide, just call or fax us at (907)554-4454 or write:WSEN, McCarthy, PO Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588. Rates are very reasonable. We can help you present your information in an attractive display advertisement, or we can use your camera ready copy.

Call or write today - the deadline for publication is Aprill.

BACKCOUNTRY CONNECTION

Scheduled Van Service & Day Trips Reservation Service for Wrangell-St. Elias

Backcountry Connection P.O. Box 243 Glennallen, Ak 99588

1-800-478-5292 (in Alaska) (907) 822-5292

Wilderness rafting in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

..,.."'8AerQOar PO Box MXY McCarthy Glennallen, AK. 99588

1-800-478-5292 or (907)822-5292

OCcCartliy Qfrai£ ~des 'Beef and 'Breakfast

While visiting the park On the way, we wiJl tour you are invited to stay at the historic ghost town of our home style bed & Kennicott, then we proceed breakfast. We'll tell you on to the ice where you'll some of the learn to use history of this ~~~=~,~~~~ crampons and ghost town and ~ see a river of show you " ice up close. some points of If you're not interest. B&B into walking on

We will ice, we can take accommodate you up to you in one of our private Kennicott (where the CR & guest cabins. In the NW railway tenninated) morning, you can join us for a tour, then on up the for breakfast Bonanza Ridge to where If you want to see a glacier the copper was discovered up close, and even walk on that led to the building of it, we will take you up to the towns ofKennicott and the Root Glacier. McCarthy.

.lohn Adams P.O. Box MXY Glennallen, AK 99588

(907) 554-4433

Take a ride back into the history of McCarthy & Kennicott. 52 weeks of news, just as it happened in 191 B.

CfbatS the may if mas in

191c5 The best of

The McCarthy Wee·kly News For each copy send $1 0 plus $1.75 s/h to:

Wrangell St. Elias News McCarthy, P.O. Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588

II!!; >-.. ~ ~ ') i .1! CD WRANGELL ST. EuAS NEWS JANUARY & FEBRUARY 1996 PAGE 31

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times

1 year·' ago that signs like these would show up in McCarthy? r~)ad 10 the airport, the stop sign at the airport near the mail ::rsonncJ are authorized and which are not!

._.., .... _...----

K«:OOM $DgBfl«m~ (P)rob~ems

Local KCHU radio fans report I he signal from the FM translator has been up and down, with various signal and power problems the pasr two months.

According to Ed LaChapelle, "the trouble started when a power surge ... blew out the station ,s STL transmitter. This is part of the Studio-To-Transmitter link that

Now that's what 1 call Service!

u:.·:s an FM radio signal to feed the A/·11 transmitter out on the Valdez tide flals from the studio in town." The unit had to be shipped off to C(1lifomia to the manufacturer. A sel"ie~ of problems there led to it hz ving to make three trips in all to th ~ mauufacturer, and was still th .!re v•hen the KCHU Board of o:reclors met on December 20th. Sctys Ed: ''The Board voted tQ spend a very scarce $1700 to buy a new STL transmitter and flx the

One call to Service Oil & Gas of Gle11naiJ...~n and the Kenyans got "service." When the propane pump refused to work propetly, Herman Schliesing, owner, and his ri ~ht-hand man, Jim Auble, came winging our t,.•, ay.

Jim Auble is seen here putting the engine cover on his Cit a bra in hopes it won' r be too cold to start up when he and Herman are ready to head back home. Thanks Jin1 and Herman!

problem permanently (or at least until the next power surge!)."

Because of the equipment problems, the AM transmitter is being fed through a phone line that introduces a 60-cycle hum into the signal, which degrades the signal into McCarthy.

The local translator was off the air for several days due to power problems at the translator site, unrelated to the equipment problems in Valdez.

PAGE 32 WRANGELL ST. EuAS NEWS JANUARY 8: FEBRUARY f 996

A look at the weather BY GEORGE CEBULA

October 1995 at McCarthy was a month of average temperatures and very light precipitation. There were no readings below zero and the first measurable snow arrived on the 23rd with only .2 of an inch. The average temperature for October was 30.9 (29.2 in Oct. '94 and 33.0 in Oct. '93). The high was 56 on October 3rd (52 on Oct. 12, '94 and 61 on Oct. 1, '93) and the low was 1 on October 16th and 18th ( -5 on Oct. 29, '94 and -2 on Oct, 24, '93). This compares with Silver Lake~ average temperature of32.5 (28.6 in Oct. '94 and 33.8 in Oct. '93). Their high was 60 on October 5th (54 on Oct. 4, '94 and 56 on Oct. 2, '93) and their low was 9 on October 16th and 17th ( -3 on Oct. 13, '94 and 7 on Oct. 24, '93).

The total liquid precipitation was a low 0.21 inches (0.81 in Oct. '94 and 4.04 in Oct. '93) with total snowfall 1.1 inches (1.9 in Oct. '94 and 16.9 in Oct. '93). Silver lake had 0.42 inches of liquid (0.99 in Oct. '94 and 3.29 in Oct. '93) with 4.5 inches of snow (8.0 in Oct. '94 and 0.1 in Oct. '93).

Greatest snow was 1 inch from October 27th through October 30th. All the snow was gone by November 1st. Silver Lake had a high of 3 inches on October 28th and it was also gone by November 1st.

Winter arrived in November, minus the snow. November 1995 was a cold, dry month. The average temperat11re for November at McCarthy W<ls 1. · (3.2 in Nov. '94 and J 6.5 in Nov. '93). The highest was 40 on Nove~ber 1st (39 on Nov. 3, '94 and 38 on Nov. 10, '93) ;:md thl! lowest -37 on November 29th ( -41 on Nov. 25, '94 and -34 on Nov. 2 1.

'93). The record temperatures for November are high of 4~. on November 1, '70 and lov.· of -46 01,

November 11, '89. Si/ve.- Lake ha(. an average temperature 2. 2 ( 4. 9 in Nov. '94 and 15.9 in Nov. '93). Th. high was 45 on Novembe'· 1st (·15 on Nov. I, '94 and 40 on Nov. 10, '93) and low was -37 on November 30th (- 36 on Nov. 25, '94 and --25 on Nov. 21, '93).

The total liquid precipitation was 0.46 inches (2.40 in Nov. '94 and 2.00 in Nov. '93), with only 3.9 inches of snow

at Silt ·er Lake. The flrst II c:;lys howed no snow cover, a , rae. from 12-16, I inch on the I~. 2: ches on the 18-21 and 4 inches '··om the 22 to the end of the nwnth. Silver Lake had 2 inches 01 2 n and it H'as gone b; the 3rd. !'we ·ncltes [Lrrived on the 17rh and.? m. ,,.eon 1he 18th. The 4 inches re :rai,-, ,don the !{round until the c nd · rthe month

TI1e ttmp, ·ature ht:gan to fall the aftemoJon ,fthe November 25th and the k\v h; ·i bc·en -30 or colder since. As of I 1 1!Ctmb~~r 8th the low has fallen to-· Sand 110 additional snow has heel, received.

Decen!bcr nd January arc usually th•· col. lest nwnths with the lows fallir.g tc• -50 and colder. Dayiight i·; cut :o just under 5 hours by Deeemhcr . I, befort;: it begins to increase a1 _a in

(19.6 in Nov. '94 and 24.5 in Nov. '93). This compares with 0. 60 inches of liquid (1.88 in Nov. '94 and 1.80 in Nov. '93) and 4. 0 inches of snow (17. 0 in Nov. '94and

R E G:.iJ1hl~tHa IE~'rrERI,~~~ses

21. 7 in Nov. '93)

l)ilflens1on.d i ._umber Etearns .and Posts ~Jf all sizes

$T. tLIA$ ALPINE qti/Dt$ l' .Jow AvJ ila lie ...

C:J Ton~:~ ue & ~fTOJV• house logs

a Tonf1'Je & gro;JV; log siding

Full range of guided trips available Phone(907)277-6867

Bob Jacobs, Owner, Certified Alpine Guide

l.oca! Cop~,\)e·:~ R~~~er Wo,\:>d Ptrf)(:!IUICts

DRILLING INC.

P.O. Box 110-378 Anchorage Alaska 99511

~ Ground water specialists )oo- Complete well systems )oo- Well pump service & repair

1ti~E.1tl~

(907) 345-4000 FAX 345-3287

~e~e~Caribou Hotel Are you tire•? Can•t make It all the way home?

Stop at the Carl&ou Hotel!

Satellite TV Enjoy your favorite programs. - ESPN, Disney, TNT, CNN

and many more!

\lot tults, Suites, New in t 990 -- Come See Uafl Mile 187 Glenn Hvvy 822-3302 Glennallen~ AK

PAGE 34 WRANGELL ST. EuAS NEWS JANUARY & fEBRUARY 1996

FOR YOUR CONSJ£DERA TJ£0N Editors' note: We thought you

might enjoy reading some of the editorials written by C.F.M Cole, the local editor during McCarthy's heyday. The following is reprinted from the McCarthy Weekly News, Apri/16, 1921.

The McCarthy Commercial Club, at one time a live organiza­tion, seems to have died a natural death, for all the inter.est that has been taken in it by officials, members and residents during the past two years.

There are several matters of interest to this town that should be taken up by an organization and not by private individuals, the latter, though very ready to express their opinions, are not in a position to go further, unless confident of the support of the whole population, thus showing very good sense.

Our attention has been drawn this week to several vacant proper­ties right in town, which are in such an untidy and inflammable

condition as to be a veritable fire trap, and so unsanitary that the whole community will be in danger of typhoid fever when the weather gets warmer, owing to the fact that former residents were too cultus to have the cans of garbage removed and the contents are now rotting in full sight and smell of the public.

Another matter of importance to the town-which should be taken up by the organization-is the possible tourist travel for this section. We are told that one of our live wires is trying to work this problem out and we feel confident that with the backing of a well organized club to give our scenic attractions publicity it could be worked up to great advantage.

There are thousands of people of moderate means in the States, who are very anxious to visit Alaska, but who are unable finan­cially to take long hunting trips, but they would be able to take a sight­seeing trip for thirty days, that is, thirty days round trip from Seattle,

and the cost would be within their means. Parties of from 8 to a dozen could leave Seattle on every northbound boat: upon arrival here could be taken care of by compe­tent guides for a next to nature trip often days.

Space will not permit us to dwell at this time upon the wonder­ful glaciers and scenic beauties to be seen on a ten day trip in this section, but the White Pass route is tame compared for instance, with the Chittistone trail, two days easy travel from McCarthy.

This is a rambling article, sometimes it is necessary to ramble in order to get some place, and it is to be hoped that the Commercial Club will call a meeting quite soon, not only to re-organize, but to take prompt action on these matters, otherwise ftre, pestilence or plain stony-broke-ness will put us all out of business.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (continued)

.Ogden, UT Nov. 19, 1995 Dear Bonnie & Rick,

The November-December issue of WSEN has arrived and the mailing label is ND 95. Enclosed is a check for $17.00 to cover renewal for the McGavocks in Ogden and the Lambs in Littleton, Colorado.

I was relieved to learn that Rich Kirkwood and crew were able to save the west bunkhouse. I took Elese and John Lamb on a tour of

. that bunkhouse during the 1994 reunion. It brought back many

memories. I visited there a lot as a boy. Wes Bloom bunked there. Children were counseled by parents not to hang around or enter the two bunkhouses, where they could be exposed to the hardened life of the single laborers. Some of us boys ignored that.

Elese and I want to thank WSEN and the many "Kennecott Kids" who sent cards of condolence to us following our tragic loss of Mary Jean on June 16th.

We have experienced a living nightmare this past six months.

Best wishes to you both, Sincerely, Jim (McGavock)

Knoxville, Tenn. Dear Bonnie and Rick,

I love our Newsletter from you! I devour each article. I just can't get enough of reading about Kennicott & McCarthy! Thank you for your good work! Nan Henderson "Kennicott Kid"

WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NBWS JANUARY a fEBRUARY 1996 PAGE 85

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR,.:. Anchorage, AK. September 4, 1995 Dear Bonnie,

Enclosed is my renewal for another year's subscription. I look forward to each issue and read from cover to cover and then file in my library. You are appreciatedl

I'm so sony we didn't make it to your place as we were leaving McCarthy on August 7th. We really did try to find you, but after several wrong roads (and I was the one "directing'') the driver decided he'd tried enough and we headed down the road. I really wanted to meet you and have a little visit. So did Carol Olson Paige. She's my friend from UAF who was bom in Kenni· cott in the early 30's. Her father was the Kennecott Depot Agent for the RR. She was thrilled to find a letter written by her Dad on the wall of Kennicott Lodge.

The weather was so perfect while we were in McCarthy. We all had a wonderful visit and the guys got to fly around the mountains they had climbed while at UAF. Best wishes always, Jean (Anderson) Graves

Editor's note: Carol Olson Paige, born in Kennicott, returned to visit the area on August 5, 1995. Carol was 6 months old when she and her family left Kennicott.

Langley, WA December 17, 1995 Dear Rick & Bonnie,

I look forward to getting your "news". First I open it to the 110ur Town" section as I knew so many of the people mentioned there. J lived in McCarthy in 1918 and was a first grader at the school.

My parents, Olga & Aron Erickson, and I had lived in Nazina for two years. Nazina was the lower camp of the Chittitu Mining Co. Dad and George Max Esterley rode to the mine every day on horse back. I got to ride with them once in a while and Dad taught me to pan gold with a small pan he found for me. In the winter Dad, Mother and I lived there alone, except for a horse, two bear cubs, a tame raven and my beautiful Siberian Husky, "Monky," who was given to me by Carl Anderson, who later was a well-known guide in Alaska.

When we moved to McCarthy Dad worked at the Mother Lode Powerhouse. McCarthy was a .1!!!!I town and we bad trouble finding a place to live, but we bought a two room log cabin and Dad added rooms. It was war time and mother kept busy knittitig socks for the boys ~'over there." They had shows at the A.B. Hall. Anyone with talent was on stage. Mother danced.and sang with three of her friends in overalls and straw hats. They were the "overall girls." Mrs. J. B. O'Neill played the piano and one time I sold popcorn with the other children. All this to make money for the Red Cross. -Then the war was over. The Powerhouse whistles blew and there was joy and happi­ness. Then the Powerhouse was shut down and Dad went to work in Kennecott.

Meny Christmas from "Kennt>­cott Kid" Mildred (Reis)

Glennallen, AK November 14, 1995 Wrangell St. Elias News:

Enclo~ is a check for $8.50 for one year subscription for

Wrangell St. Elias News. I picked one up someplace and enjoyed it so much. I want my friends in Texas to get it.

The A.E. Edwards are "sold'' on this area since I've been here one year now this month. I sent the magazine today with the Country Journal and some flyers. They. read every word I send so know they will enjoy your "down to where we live" little news magazine. My friend, John Goetz, from Kenny lake and I went to McCarthy in

· September. I fell in love with your quailit village. Was particularly interested in the community chapel.

Perhaps next year John & lean come help do some work on it. I'm 1S and he is 82, but we'll never throw in the towel.

God bless you in your work and life. Sincerely, Esther Fern Pietz

Horseheads, N.Y. Nov. 19, 1995 Dear Rick and Bonnie,

Please renew our subscription, a gift from Pat Edwards. Reading about McCarthy and Kennecott and seeing Pat's son, Patrick Sperry and his family mentioned, keeps Pat's spirit and memory alive for us. She was such a special person.

We will never forget the wonderful time we spent in McCar­thy and meeting Pat's friends and neighbors. Especially the Kenyon family.

Looking forward to future issues. Sincerely, Leah & Alan Cramer

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Attention WSEl\1 subscribers! Important subscription information

We need your help. Please take note of your mailing label on the back cover of

thi~ :issu~ of WSEN. Besides your name and address, you will see a ciate in the top right- . hand comer. This indicates the issue your . subscription ends wi~~ For .example, if the date reads JF96, that means your subscriptjon to the Wrangell St. Elias News ends with the·-·· Jamiary/February 1996 issue. You need to renew!

Any subscription whose label date is earlier than JF96 is overdue. In the past we sent _ separate notices on preprinted· cards, but we feel our upgraded labels should make it easier

for each subscriber to keep track oftheir own subscription.

The date abbreviations we use are as follows:

January/February is JF March/April is MA May/June is MJ July/ August is JA September/October is SO November/December is ND. The year's subscription to our bimonthly (6

issues) publication is $10 in the USA, $ l ?.50 in Canada and Mexico, $ZO in other countries.

Please send your renewal to: WSEN, McCarthy·#42, PO Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588.

Thank you so much - We appreciate you!

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