SOUTH CENTRAL ALASKA
MISC. DEATH, MURDER, SUICIDE, RESCUE
1900 - 1961
Extracted by: Coleen
Mielke
These pages represent (literally) hundreds of hours
of extraction.
If you decide to use anything on these pages, I would
appreciate your attaching my name to it.
MARRIAGE July 6, 1900
Arthur McConahay (born in Iowa) (also known as "Long Shorty") the ACC Co. Agent at Susitna Station, married a Dena'ina woman named Mapoy (later called Martha) in 1900. Father Ioann Bortnovskii performed the marriage. The couple had 4 children: Mary, James, Martha and Catherine. (Through Orthodox Eyes by Andrei Znamenski)
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DEATH 1/11/1906 Matt Miller age 50 died crossing the tide flats at the Head of Resurrection Bay while going to a logging camp. His body was found 1/29/1906 and he was buried north of Seward township on 2/1/1906. He was survived by a wife.
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DEATH Valdez News 10/13/1906 Five men traveling, by boat, on the Kahiltna River, smashed their boat against a large rock. One end of the boat was sucked down into the river, emptying all of its contents. The men, Foster, Dennison, Frye, Snyder and Barris, scrambled onto the large rock which was 2’ under the waters surface. They were able to save one blanket, a rabbit skin robe, a saw, a hammer and a rope from the boat.The river currant held their boat hard against the rock and the other end of the boat was too deep for the men to pull it up. The men sawed off the upper end of the boat and re-nailed the box end to make a shorter boat. Foster and Snyder made it to shore in the small boat and intended to throw a line back to the men stranded on the rock. They had a 50’ rope which they unraveled to make a 150’ line which proved to be too short. The two men decided to take the little boat back to the rock to try and rescue the other men, one at a time. In approaching the rock, the little boat smashed into the rock, just as the larger boat had. Three days later, Synder, the youngest man, swam to shore safely. He said he was going for help, but has never been seen again. The men were stranded for a total of 6 days on the rock.They were eventually rescued by another boat owned by a man named Jeter. The men were taken to Susitna Station where Dr. Cook attended the men. He found that the skin on the men’s legs had putrefied and large strips of skin were peeling off, surgery was required to save the men’s legs.
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SUICIDE Valdez News 10/13/1906 Mike Haley committed suicide by hanging himself in the old railroad commissary at Seward while in a fit of depression and perhaps delirium incident to recovery from a long spree.
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SUICIDE Seward Weekly Gateway 8/17/1907 Wasillie, the old Indian Chief of Knik ....committed suicide a few hours after his youngest son died. He shot himself with a 22 revolver. His grown son, Ivan, heard the shot and ran in and found the old man dead. Frank Watson brings the later and more accurate account of the tragedy. He knew the Chief and all his family. The suicide was executed with the deliberation of an operation in surgery. Wasillie placed the muzzle of the revolver against his right side, pressing between 2 ribs, thereby directing the bullet so that it passed straight through his body, penetrating the heart on the left side. Death must have been instantaneous. Suicide is rare among Indians and this instance is regarded as the more remarkable because of the unusual strength of mind and character of Chief Wasillie. An inquest was held by Judge Goodell of Knik and a finding made by the jury in accordance with the apparent facts.
(Note: another Seward Weekly Gateway story mentioned that the Chief had been married 3 times and that the Chief killed himself, in grief, after his youngest son (who had been ill for a while) died of tuberculosis.
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MARRIAGE 2/26/1908 (this record was found in the State Recorders archives):
This is to certify that on this 26th day of February 1908, at my office at Knik, Alaska, I united in marriage Olga Ivan and Cheluits, with their mutual consent, in the presence of T. L. Wilson and Otto Langel, father of Olga and Nakita.
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MARRIAGE 11/15/1908 (this record was found in the State Recorders archives):
I the undersigned, a United States Commissioner, for Cooks Inlet of Alaska, hereby certify that on the 15th day of November 1908, I united in marriage James String (or Strong?) of Susitna, Alaska and Maud Rose Mason, also of said Susitna in the presence of Frank Ervin and Bert Hinckly.
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DEATH: Oakland Tribune Oakland, California 9/11/1910
Three men were shot in Frank's Roadhouse at Knik on the Arm of Cook Inlet yesterday. Sam Reinhart was killed, Ira Isaacs seriously wounded and Bert Stewart shot in both legs. U.S. Commissioner Hildreth recommends holding Thomas Babcock and R. L. Miller, eye witnesses and Edward Reinhart, brother of the man who was killed.
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MARRIAGE 2/11/1912 (this record was found in the State Recorders archives)
Little Evan married Katalena, both Susitna Natives, married at 10 AM 2/11/1912. Marriage performed by Lee Van Slyke the U. S. Commissioner.
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MARRIAGE 7/13/1912 (this record was found in the State Recorders archives):
This is to certify that on this 13th day of July in t he year of our Lord 1912, Jack, called Hanson, a Native and Inga, a Native girl, were united in marriage at Susitna, Cook Inlet, Alaska. Witnesses, Mrs. H. W. Nagley, and Jacko, a Native.
signed Lee Van Flyke U. S. commissioner
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Herning Diaries June 25, 1914
SUICIDE: Report came that John Young committed suicide by tieing an Evinrude engine to his neck and jumping overboard at point above Goose Bay. Evening tide Traveler brought body to Knik found same 10 ft. above deep channel.
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Herning Diaries June 28, 1914
MURDER: Dwyer, James E. (born 1878) once US Marshal at Susitna Station murdered Jack Wilson for "monkeying around" with his wife. Taken to Valdez for trial, sentenced 3 years at McNeil Island, discharged 1917.
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Herning Diaries December 7, 1914
DEATH:
"Indian Jim came to town and reported he shot and killed Old Tom Stephan some 20 days ago near Nelchina District.Jim hauled the body to Chickaloon Coal Camp and buried him no details. Reported to have had a quarrel."
Herning Diaries December 13, 1914
DEATH:
"Indians arrived with Old Tom Stephans body who Indian Jim shot. They rang the bell 15 minutes in his honor."
Indian Jim was taken to jail in Valdez, where he was sentenced to three years for manslaughter; sentence to be served at McNeil Island Penitentiary, Washington.
I found this 1915 photo of "Indian Jim" in the McNeil Island Record of Prisoners. The photo says he was 44 years old and 5' 7/8" tall, weighing 137¼ pounds; he is listed as a widower (they do not mention a last name for him)but they give his date of birth as 10/1/1870. He was in the penitentiary from 8/5/1915 to 11/25/1917 (got out early for good behavior).The Shem Pete book says that this man's name was Indian Jim Nikita.
(see additional article dated 9/13/1915)
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Seward Gateway Seward, Alaska 5/17/1915
SUICIDE: Commissioner Thomas W. Hanmore of Iliamna committed suicide on January 30th. He left a letter telling that he was losing his sight and not wishing to become a burden on others, he decided to take his own life
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DEATH Alaska Citizen Newspaper Fairbanks 7/12/1915
In a lonely cabin 2 miles from Chatanika, the body of James Robinson, a wood chopper, was found, it had been about a month since he died, probably of ptomaine poisoning. He was buried next to his cabin.
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DEATH New York Times 9/13/1915
In November, with the first snow-fall, Chief Stephan of the Nickolie tribe started with his wife and daughter on a trapping expedition to the remote and lonely widerness 140 miles north of Knik. They found Indian Jim and his son on the ground, their traps out. Inevitably a quarrel flamed up as to the right of territory. In his own camp, Chief Stephan was shot dead, in a squabble,by Indian Jim. The latters son was in his fathers camp. The only witness of the melee were the womenfolk of the slain man. Indian Jim might have made out a plausible case of self defense and he would hardly have been troubled by the law. All he had to do was to bury the corpus delecti. Revenge from the relatives, or clan, of the dead man might or might not be expected. If it is to come, he has not avoided it by his strange, macabre journey to give himself up to white justice.
Directly after the killing, the traps and scanty furnishings of the party were packed. The body was lashed to a sled. For ten days, through the snow on the road to Knik, the slayer drove the slain, the widow and the daughter, his helpers on the way. That little group, faring through that desolate country, the mourners, the dead, the killer.
Indian Jim is at Mcneil Island, in Eastern Washington, serving a three year sentence. His punishment was light on account of h is previous good character and his voluntary surrender to justice. Moral reflections on his case aare obvious enough, but shall here be spared. His humble romantic drama, his running toward and not away from justice, that sombre journey from the wildernes...these entitle Indian Jim to at least a moments sympathetic attention.
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DEATH OF CHIEF NICHOLAI Anchorage Times 7/27/1916
The Daily Times has received authentic information that Chief Nicholai died several days ago at Point Possession from consumption and that this dreaded disease was working havoc with the natives of that section. It is reported that Chief Nicholi's wife and several others of the village were in the last stages of the disease and that the ailing family of Chief Nicholai was destitute and without medical aid. Proper authorities should be notified and immediate assistance given to his people. Chief Nicholai has been the head of his tribe for many years and was looked up to by his tribesman as a man of good judgment; he was authority in all matters pertaining to their fishing and hunting rights and he was a picturesque character, well known to the old-timers in the inlet
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DEATH "Skookum Jim" Dies in Poverty Anchorage Times 9/1/1916
"Skookum Jim", a native, the real discoverer of gold in the Klondike district, died here last night following a prolonged illness. He was practically penniless when death called him. At one time he was worth a hundred thousand dollars, gained from his mine in the Klondike and was the richest native in the northland. Dissipation was the cause of the loss of his fortune.
Dawson, Yukon Territory
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DEATH: Affidavit as to the death of John F. Soderstrom dated 9/8/1916. John F. Soderstrom, assistant engineer of the B & B Boat #3, owned and operated the Alaska Engineering Commission, met his death by drowning after having accidentally fallen overboard, on 9/6/1918 at 8:55 AM on the Little Susitna River, at a point 5 miles below Indian Creek. As nearly as can be ascertained, the deceased fell overboard while attempting to draw a bucket of water while the boat was underway. The accident was not observed until the deceased was seen in the water a short distance astern of the boat. A boat was immediately lowered and pulled to his rescue, but after proceeding for a very short distance, he was seen to sink and he never reappeared. A life boat, with its 3 occupants, drifted downstream for about 20 minutes, in an effort to locate him, without satisfactory results. The search was continued later, in an effort to locate the body, which has, however, not yet been done. Signed Capt. R. B. Holbrook, Capt. H. G. Barrington, Chas M. Binkley Chief Engineer, Al Stinson, deck hand, Webster Paul Viles crew, Frank E. Lee crew, George R. Vause Supt. Transportation and James H. Delany Freight Clerk.
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MURDER :
Story of Indian Tragedy Told In Court by Victims Children Anchorage Times 7/31/1917
Knik Nikolai, alleged murder of Talkeetna Stepan, a native at Talkeetna Lake in the latter part of June, was bound over to the grand jury without bail. He will be taken to Valdez by Deputy Marshal Kassier. Inga Stepan, 16 year old daughter of Stepan’s wife and Bob Stepan, 11 year old son of Stepan, will be witnesses. The murder of Talkeetna Stepan resulted from a fight that happened when he and Nikolai had been drinking home brew. In court, Inga Stepan, a 16 year old native girl unhesitatingly told the story the murder. She said the two men started fighting. Their party of five was camped in a tent at Talkeetna Lake. Inga said Stepan had pulled the ridge pole of the tent down and the pole struck Nikolai in the face. As the canvas fell, covering Stepan and Negolia, his wife, the children ran out of the tent. Nikolai got out of the tent and picked up a club and began beating Stepan and Negolia (for hitting him with the pole). The blows crushed Stepan’s skull and broke Negolia’s arm, according to the young girl. When Nikolai pulled the canvas off of the couple he had been beating, Talkeetna Stepan was dead and Negolia was bent over his body, crying. The murderer went and laid down. In the morning, Nikolai took a shovel and dug a grave for his victim and while doing that, the widow shot and killed herself with a .22 rifle by tying a string to the trigger. Talkeetna and Negolia Stepan were buried side by side in a grave lined with canvas and their faces were covered with canvas. After the burial, Nikolai burned the tent, the bloody clothes and a few other articles. He then took the children and headed towards the town of Talkeetna. After reaching Foster’s, Nikolai departed and was later captured at Susitna. Deputy Marshal M. H. Healey of Talkeetna went to Talkeetna Lake with Little Bob, G. L. Kennedy and Indian guide named Pedro. They examined the surroundings at the camp and also dug up the graves so that they could look at the bodies. Neither Little Bob nor the guide would go near the graves. Little Bob went on the witness stand to corroborate the evidence of his step-sister, but unlike her, he was unable to speak English and the services of an interpreter, Augus Topan, were required. Several times the boy was almost too frightened to talk and became confused after being questioned. Inga, the young native girl, quiet pretty, said she did not know what an oath meant when she was sworn as a witness but she said she knew what the truth was . She has never been to school but she answered the questions of the judge and attorneys straight forwardly. Inga’s own father, Tom Stepan was murdered only a few years ago by Indian Jim.
* SEE NOTE UNDER 1924 KNIK NICOLAI STORY
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DEATH
Mrs. Stepan, elderly wife of Montana Creek Indian Chief died at the hospital on C Street Friday 11/22/1918
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DEATH
Twenty Seven Nome Residents Die of Spanish Influenza Anchorage Times 12/30/1918
The following people died of Spanish Influenza recently in Nome, Alaska: Walter Shields (B.I.A.); Anderson (life saving station); Captain Erickson (Flyer); Mrs. Harry Clark, Neva Brown (Billie Brown's daughter); Fred Larson, John Milne (Humane Officer); Fred Segar (Lives near Hastings Creek); Gus Nordstrom; Fin Rosvold and wife (Jeweler, worked for S & H); Sam Boich (a Serbian called "Sport"); Ida Mascha (Worked for Jim Swartzei); John Lutschinger; Chris Anderson; George Prosser; Mrs. Clarence Riggs; Mat Lawson, George Watson; Mrs. Seedler; Frank Mielke (Barber); Pascoff (Soldier); Maheras (Soldier); Oscar Hendrickson (Soldier); Headley (Soldier); Andy Thompson (Soldier); Ed Bridesen; and Nick Scovich.
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MURDER San Francisco Chronicle 7/10/1920 Extracted by Sandra Davis
The body of Ben Agnew, pioneer rancher of the Matanuska river valley, was found by a searching party Wednesday in a creek on his farm. Officers believe Agnew was murdered.
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DEATH Anchorage Times: 3/1/1921 CHICKALOON MARY
Dr. J.B. Beeson reports the death this morning of a native woman known as "Chickaloon Mary". The deceased has been an inmate of the government hospital for two months. Death was due to consumption.
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RESCUE
United States Commissioner, Talkeetna, Alaska October 13, 1921
We, the undersigned, appointed by the U. S. Commissioner, at Talkeetna, October 11, 1921 to make a search for Matanuska Stephan and his wife and children. We proceeded to the Talkeetna River by following an old Indian trail and we found the Stephan family marooned under a tree on an island, much in distress and in need of food, which we supplied. Old Matanuska Stephan was flat on his back with a carbunkle on his neck and one of the little girls was sick with the flu. We cut some wood and assisted them in getting a fire. Everything was flooded and mostly under water. The second day, we loaded them into a skin boat and brought them to their home on the Susitna River, having a very narrow escape on account of raging waters caused by flood which was at that time subsiding. (Signed by M. J. Rose and C. Brannon)
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Anchorage Daily Times 6/18/1923 LAST REMAINS OF PIONEER FRANK CANNON LAID TO REST
Followed by a large concourse of sorrowing friends, the last remains of the late Frank B. Cannon were laid to rest in the Odd Fellows plot in Anchorage Cemetery on Sunday afternoon. The following acted as pall-bearers: P.O. Sundberg, E.L. Bedell, Capt. N. J. Gaikema, Judge Lindley Green, P. McManaman and Thomas Merideth.
The funeral services were conducted at Pioneer Hall by D.H. Williams, where Mrs. Mabel Clayton sang a sacred solo, accompanied on the piano by Mrs. H.U.M.Higgins. Leopold David, on behalf of the Anchorage Igloo, Pioneers of Alaska, delivering a touching eulogy at the grave, interment being in the Anchorage Cemetery.
In the passing of “Uncle Frank” Cannon, Alaska loses one of its most beloved men, one who was actuated in his many noble acts by spirit of altruism that has built monuments in the hearts of all who knew him. Volumes might be written on his philanthropies, his aid to stranded prospectors and his hospitality while conducting a stopping place at Knik; where the wayfarer was never turned away and where the men who search the hills could always gather and sit around the big box stove and partake of frugal fare and depart to await the time when they were able to pay, and if not, never to be troubled to square the account.
In departing, Mr. Cannon left behind him something more precious than gold—true traditions of the land he loved and served in minor and exalted positions of trust. Mr. Cannon was past noble grand of the I.O.O.F. at Sturgis, South Dakota and the members of the local fraternal order and Pioneers conducted the services jointly.
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DEATH Suspect Foul Play in Death at Kenai Anchorage Times 11/3/1923
John Nikolai, an Aleut, was found dead on the beach at Kenai, Wednesday morning. Nikolai and two other Indians, including Knik Pete, were reported to have partied the night before and it is said that Nikolai’s companions reported that Nikolai had drowned. The body, however, is said to show evidence of foul play. An investigation is under way.
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MURDER
Knik Nicholai, Native, Shoots City Officer Anchorage Times 1/2/1924
Harry Kavanaugh, city police officer, was shot and probably fatally wounded by Knik Nicholai, a native. Nicholai was later shot and instantly killed by police officer Charlie Watson. The attempted murder and killing happened at a log cabin at 8th & B Street. Knik Nicholai, who killed another native a year or so ago* had been on a rampage for several weeks, terrorizing his girlfriend, Polly Rufe and her brother Jack Rufe. Harry Kavanaugh and Charlie Watson went to Nicholai’s cabin to arrest him. They went to the rear of the cabin and up a ladder to the loft where Nicholai’s girlfriend, Polly, said he slept. The officers called for him to come out of the cabin, which he said he would do. The officers then heard a shot and Kavanaugh yelled “look out Charlie he’s got a gun” and Kavanaugh started to run, heading for the road on 8th Street. Watson ran to the front of the cabin and as he did, the native, who had come down the ladder from the loft, fired two shots at Kavanaugh with a .30-.30 Winchester, one bullet penetrating his back and emerging from his stomach. Watson stepped in the front door of the cabin and waited for the native to pass a window on the east side. Upon his failure to appear, Watson said he opened the front door and Nicholai was standing directly in front of him, Watson then fired two shots with is revolver, killing the native instantly.
* Knik Nicholai is the same man that shot Talkeetna Stepan in 1917.
Knik Nicholai was the step-son of George W. Palmer, a Knik merchant.
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DEATH Local Indian Chief Died Here Yesterday Anchorage Times 4/28/1924
Chief Naketa of the local tribe of natives, died at the government hospital yesterday. Chief Naketa was about 78 years of age and had been a patient at the hospital for some time suffering from tuberculosis. He is survived by his wife who is confined in the Morningside sanitarium and several children. Two of he children are at the Tyonic orphanage and the others are in Anchorage. The body is at the Williams Mortuary and services will be held there at 2:00 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. C. G. Denton will officiate.
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DEATH
Anchorage Daily Times August 18, 1924
"Native Wife Shoots in Self-Defense When White Husband Attacks Her"
An article in the 8/18/1924 issue of the Anchorage Times relates the death of Jess Wickersham who was killed by his common-law native wife on 8/16/1924 at a cabin about two miles above Chickaloon on the Chickaloon River.
The article says that the native woman reported that she had been originally attacked by Mr. Wickersham on July 4th. She told him at that time she would not allow him to beat her again. On August 16, Mr. Wickersham, who was drunk, started to attack the native woman with a sheaf knife. After being cut on her hands, she shot her husband with a .32 Savage automatic three times. One shot grazed the left side of his head, the second shot entered the neck and lodged in his spine and the third shot entered his hip. Lee Harrison contacted the Deputy Marshal Frank Hoffman and told him of the shooting.
A coroners jury produced a verdict saying that Jess Wickersham had been killed by gunshot wounds at the hands of his common-law wife. The body was taken to Chickaloon and placed on the railroad speeder car and sent to Anchorage. The Marshall found a still at the cabin, that was not in use, as well as four gallons of moonshine, both were destroyed immediately.
The newspaper article gives a brief description of Jess Wickersham. He was reportedly well known in Anchorage and the surrounding territory and was about 48 years old. He was a veteran of the Spanish American war. The newspaper reported that he had wealthy relatives in Arkansas. Mr. Wickersham was survived by his native wife and their three children, the oldest one being 2 and the youngest being 6 months.
The native woman was arrested and brought to Anchorage and lodged in the federal jail, along with her youngest child. She was to face a grand jury for the shooting.
Jesse C. Wickersham was buried at the Anchorage Cemetery.
NOTE: The article does not say who the native woman is.
I feel fairly certain that the woman was Anne (Nicolai) Wickersham (who
later married Lee Harrison). I searched the Anchorage criminal files
for 1924 and found no mention of a trial, so I'm assuming that she was
not charged with anything.
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MURDER
5/1/1925 FRANK FLECKENSTEIN beaten to death by a Dillingham
Native man (in Dillingham)
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MURDER
Mysterious Attack Follows Departure of Victim from Party Anchorage
Times 6/12/1925
Deputy U.S. Marshal Hurlburt and Commissioner Ralph V. Anderson
of Seldovia arrived in Kenai to investigate the death of Mrs. Sergy Pete,
an Indian woman, 50 years of age, who was killed last Saturday night during
a party which was located between Kenai and the McNeil & Libby cannery.
Two daughters and a son of the victim were present and their testimony
indicated that the woman left the tent and was attacked. The woman
was strangled and severely cut on the back of her neck with a knife.
The daughters of the murdered woman told authorities they knew who committed
the murder. The husband of the woman is Sergy Pete, who was in
Anchorage (in jail for fishing violations) at the time.
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DEATH Daily News Miner 11/8/1930 (extracted
by Sandra Davis)
Brake, who made his headquarters at Wasilla when not engaged in mining, was conversing with a group of friends shortly before the fatal stroke, and was apparently in normal health. They were standing in front of one of the Wasilla hotels on the main street of the town and Brake toppled over without warning. His lifeless body was carried into the hotel and U.S. Commissioner Howard Wilmuth summoned from his office. It was so apparent that death had resulted from natural causes that an inquest was not deemed necessary.
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MURDER
Autopsy Held Sunday Fails to Reveal Crime
Anchorage Times 2/9/1931
An autopsy was held yesterday afternoon in Anchorage to determine
the cause of the death of Alfred Danieloff and Billie Stephan who were
burned in a cabin in Kenai on 12/23/1931 which will result in clearing
Steve Ephim of charges of manslaughter. At the time of the finding
of the bodies in the ruins of the cabin, the evidence showed that the
door had been locked from the outside before the fire. Steve Ephim,
the owner of the cabin, told different stories upon being taken into custody
and questioned. X -ray pictures of the supposed wounds failed to
show any depth to the holes. There was no evidence of the passage
of a bullet through the body and the heart and lungs were normal and intact.
A woman also died in the fire, but she hasn't been identified yet.
Ephim, now held in Kenai on charges of manslaughter will soon be released.
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DEATH Death Summons Valley Farmer
Anchorage Times 4/6/1931
Matanuska Valley lost one of it's pioneer farmers last night
in the passing of W. J. (Jesse) Bogard who died at his farm a few miles
from Matanuska. His illness assumed a serious aspect yesterday
and a call was sent to Anchorage for a speeder to
take him to the hospital. He died before the speeder arrived.
George S. Moshier, who owns the homestead next to Bogard and Gerrit
Snider of Wasilla were in charge of the body on it's way to Anchorage.
Bogard had a sister in Boise, Idaho.
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NOTE: The next three newspaper articles just baffled me.
The unfairness of it all!!
MURDER OF CHIEF GOODLATAW
Native Slain; White Jailed Anchorage Times 1932
After being missing for five days, the bullet riddled body of
CHIEF GOODLATAW, a native and resident of nearby Chitina, was found
Saturday, buried in the turnip patch of R.L. Reed, about two miles from
Chitina. Reed has been taken into custody and is being questioned
by the authorities. It is known that Reed has had trouble lately
with the natives and it is thought that there may be some connection.
Reed is reported to have had several encounters with the law in the past
due to liquor violations and only recently it is stated that his home
was the scene of a drunken brawl in which Reed was severely beaten by some
of the other natives.
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MURDER OF CHIEF GOODLATAW CONTINUED
Chitna Paper Tells of Native's Murder: Clue Found in Ashes
Anchorage Times 6/6/1932
Details of the finding of the body of Joe Goodlataw, widely known
native of the Chitina District, are related in the 5/29/1932 issue of
the Chitina Herald as follows: Joe Goodlataw who is the son of
the late Chief of the native tribe, went out on Monday at 11:00 at
Eight Mile. He told his wife he would be back soon. He took no
gun with him so it is certain he did not go hunting. Captain Goodlataw,
as he is known, has been missing for the last six days. Natives
hunted all over for him but couldn't find a trace. Some people
thought he was at Mr. Reed's, where he frequently goes, so they got a search
warrant and some of the officials went out and made a careful inspection
of the place. While hunting they found the ashes of a recent fire
and in the ashes found some shoe eyelets, buttons and buckles from Goodlataw's
clothing. While they were hunting, Frank Billum found a pair of stockings
and a belt behind some moss and under a stump. So they sent into
town and got 15 shovels and set 15 men to work digging for his body in
a turnip patch which is about 1/4 acre in size. When they were about
half done with it they found Goodlataw's body about 1 ½ feet in
the ground on solid frost, so it was in good condition except for a bullet
hole in the neck and the back. They brought him into town and packed
his body in ice so it would keep until a doctor could come to town to perform
an autopsy. They are trying to get an attorney from Anchorage. Mr.
Reed has been charged with murder and is in the custody of the Marshal at
present.
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SHOCKING CONCLUSION OF MURDER OF CHIEF GOODLATAW
Evidence Lacking in Slaying Trial
Anchorage Times 12/20/1932
Inability of the government sufficiently to connect the defendant
R.L. Reed with the death of Captain Goodlataw, native of Chitina, resulted
in a verdict of not guilty. The jury deliberated for 7 hours. The murder
trial was held in Valdez court and took 4 days. The jury consisted
of: Mrs. A. S. Day, E. C. Edgerton, Mrs. M. Gravelle, Mrs. Ted Johnson,
Owen E. Meals, W. H. Palmer, Isabelle Streeter, Todd Winter of
Valdez; W. W. Jones, Robert Manthey, Roy Neville and Mrs. Hilma
Urie of Seward. According to testimony, Captain Goodlataw left
his home in Chitina on 5/23/32 to visit relatives residing 8 miles out
of Chitina on the Richardson Highway. He left his home about 11:00
in the morning, promising to return about 9:00 in the evening the same
day. So far as known he was not seen on the road to 8 Mile that
day nor did he return home that night nor the following day. A messenger
sent to 8 Mile reported that he had not arrived at that place. A
search instituted by the Natives between Chitina and 4 Mile revealed no
trace of the missing man. A later search by the Natives between 8
Mile and 4 Mile did not yield any results. It was alleged that there
was a deep enmity between Reed and Goodlataw and actions of the former during
the search by the Natives excited their suspicion that he might have had
a part in the mysterious disappearance of Goodlataw. On 5/29/32, armed
with a search warrant, Deputy Marshal Nels Sobby and U. S. Commissioner
Q.A. Nelson visited the Reed homestead to search the place for intoxicating
liquor. They searched the property with the aid of several Natives
from Chitina and found several kegs of moonshine. In the ashes of
a fire (near the turnip patch) the also found some buttons, shoe nails and
other articles and under a stump they found a belt and a pair of heavy German
socks that belonged to Goodlataw. Commissioner Nelson gave the natives
permission to dig in the turnip patch and after three or four hours of work
the body of Goodlataw was found buried in the patch, minus shoes socks and
trousers. An examination of the body revealed three bullets had entered
the body from behind, any one of which would have been fatal according to
Dr. W.H. Chase of Cordova.A loaded .30 government rifle, an auto loading
shotgun, loaded and a revolver, also loaded were found in the cabin of Reed.
At the conclusion of the government's case, Attorney's Donohoe and Taylor,
for the defense, made a motion for a directed verdict of not guilty on the
grounds of insufficient evidence to connect the defendant with the commission
of the crime charged. The defendant did not take the stand or speak
on his own behalf. Argument to the jury was opened by Attorney Taylor for
the defense. He was followed by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. L. Reed, and he
in turn was followed by Attorney Donohoe. Closing argument was made by U.S.
Attorney W. N. Cuddy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Anchoage Daily Times 9/27/1932
Frank Dougherty, a resident of Matanuska Valley for 15 years
and a pioneer of the northland, died at his cabin near Wasilla Sunday
night. He was found yesterday by Sam Kelly, who visited the old-timer
daily to assist him in getting in his wood and preparing his meals.
Death came quietly while the old-timer was dozing in his chair. The cabin
known as the Dougherty cabin, is about half a mile out the Knik Road from
Wasilla. The funeral was to have been held at Wasilla this afternoon. The
deceased who was 72 years old, went to Fortymile District from Wasilla
two years ago, intending to try his hand at mining again after a residence
of more than a dozen years in the farming belt. But he returned to
Wasilla last spring, unsuccessful in his quest for paystreaks and with
the years bearing down rather heavily upon him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUICIDE
Seattle Daily Times 2/3/1933 (extracted by Sandra Davis)
Samuel King, an old-time trapper, took his life by shooting himself
at Wasilla Wednesday, coroner's deputies reported yesterday. His body
was brought here by airplane.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Anchorage Times 2/14/1934
A fire about 6:00 Friday morning completely destroyed the home
of Mrs. Nick Sablatking, native, and burned to death George Nicolai
and Alexie Gregorieff, both natives according to the Valdez Miner newspaper
on January 20th. The bodies were taken to Tatitlek on the gas launch "Pansy"
for burial.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Anchorage Times 1/30/1935
Mrs. Barcillia Stephan from Montana Station on the Alaska Railroad
died in an Anchorage hospital 1/30/1935
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH
Chief Ezi of the Once Powerful Eklutnas Is Given Colorful
Adieu Anchorage Times2/24/1935
Covered in a beautiful fringed and highly colored blanket, and
with another warm blanket beside him, and wearing a strikingly designed,
new, pair of mukluks, and attired in a new suit of clothes and other
garnishments, Chief Ezi, for many years the respected idol of the once
powerful tribe of Eklutna's, was laid to rest in the Anchorage Cemetery.
Mourned by scores of his people who were present, and also honored by
a number of white friends, the old Chieftain was lowered into the
grave as men, women and children of his tribe chanted in Russian and as
the burial ritual was recited in Russian by Mrs. Billy Austin. The old
Chief rests beneath a “TOP” house, largest of the kind seen in this region,
made by his own sons and placed above the grave yesterday immediately after
the service and burial. The house stands 5 feet above the grave, is
6½ feet long and 3½ feet wide. Over the house rises a
large wooden cross, cut out of a log in one solid piece. The services
continued for 2 hours and were characterized with numerous songs, chants and
readings, all in Russian, according to the ritual of the Orthodox Greek Catholic
Church in who’s faith they had been reared and trained from childhood.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH
John Goodlataw Drops Dead While Working Jonesville Anchorage
Daily times 2/22/1935
John Goodlataw, employee for the Alaska Railroad dropped dead
while shoveling coal at Jonesville.He is survived by a widow and little
daughters, who are at Jonesville. Before coming here, it is believed
the family lived in Cordova
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Anchorage Times 2/20/1935
Mrs. Lugila Nickolai, native, passed away at an Anchorage hospital
after an illness of several days. Her son Tommy Nickolai is now in Anchorage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Anchorage Times 3/28/1935
Funeral for the late Chief Nicholai is at 3:00 tomorrow.
All friends are welcome
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MURDER Mentioned in Orville Herning's diary 1/11/1937
& 1/12/1937
Palmer School teacher Zelda King murdered by her former husband
____ Pinkerton 11/12/1936. He tried to kill himself by jumping into
a river, but was rescued.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH
The Alaska Miner Fairbanks 8/23/1938
Eklutna, a ghost town north of Anchorage, was brought back to life by
death. The Native Village, which was abandoned 20 years ago, was the scene
of activity Sunday when the remains of Indian Jim, a former resident of Eklutna
were brought back to this place for burial
The Alaska Miner Fairbanks 9/6/1938
The deserted Eklutna Indian Village was alive last week as Natives from
the section held a potlatch and buried Indian Jim, old-timer of the Matanuska
Valley. Until his death, this village had been deserted by Natives came
from Knik, fish camps along Cook Inlet and other points to conduct the funeral.
Every house was filled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FOUR MURDERS Department of Natural Resources Recorders
Office Archives 9/13/1939
While investigating the murder (shot in the head) of Richard
A. Francis in the Willow and Ruby Creek area (45 miles from Talkeetna),
it was discovered that the cabin of Frank W. and Helena Z. Jenkins (who
also had a cabin in that vacinity) was locked and no one was home. Knowing
that the Jenkins were supposed to be at their cabin, and knowing that
there were ill feelings between the Jenkins and the dead man, an investigation
began. A search party was authorized to find Mr. & Mrs. Jenkins
and Joy Brittell who was working for the Jenkins. The search party found
Mr. & Mrs. Jenkins murdered on the trail, covered with weeds, grass
and snow, with only one boot visable. There was no sign of Joy Brittell.
Several days later, Frank Lee, a ferry boat operator at Talkeetna,
found the body of Joy Brittell which was about 20' off the trail and 150
yards from the Jenkins cabin. All bodies were taken to Talkeetna and then
Anchorage for autopsies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Fairbanks Daily News Miner 5/31/1940 (extracted
by Sandra Davis)
Mousseau, who leased the resort from Swan Edlund last summer, was drowned when he went fishing in a small canvas boat. His fishing creel was still attached to him when the body was discovered.
Searchers combed the lake nearly all night, later telephoned Jack O'Connor, wild life agent, requesting him to dispatch an airplane to continue the search from the air. O'Connor relayed the request to the Larson Alaska Distributing Company and Pilot Wadle was sent to the scene.
Wadle said he flew over the are 20 to 30 minutes and when circling at low altitude, saw the body lying face upward in shallow water not far from where some boats were moored.
Mousseau, who was known as "Frenchy," was a miner and prospector for many years in this part of Alaska. He worked at the Independence and Lucky Shot Mines and more than a year ago went to Edlunds where he was employed. When Edlund removed to the states last summer, Mousseau leased the resort and continued its operation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Anchorage Times 12/22/1942 Page 1
A report reaching Anchorage today reveals the death of Capt.
"Slivers" McNeil, a native who lived in the Wasilla district for many
years. "Slivers", as he was known to all who knew him, is said
to have frozen to death last Friday night on the trail between Wasilla
and the point where he had killed a moose. He had been in to Wasilla
after downing the animal and it was on his return trip that he died.
He was about 40 years old. It is reported here, that he was buried
by his native friends in their own burial ground.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 2/9/1943
George Grennan, age 84 died in the Palmer Hospital, he had been
a Matanuska Valley farmer for 28 years
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 6/7/1943
Major Kermit Roosevelt, son of Theodore Roosevelt, committed
suicide 6/4/1943 and was buried in the Fort Richardson cemetery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 8/5/1943
Gus Geller died.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 1/3/1944
Jacob Metz, old time rancher, died today at Palmer Hospital.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 6/21/1944
Adam Werner, old time rancher, died today at Palmer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUICIDE Anchorage Times 2/7/1944 Page 1
Thomas McNeil, 37, died of a self inflicted gunshot wound last
Friday near Palmer. According to evidence brought before a coroner's
jury, the man shot himself with a 30.30 hunting rifle. McNeil,
a trapper, is survived by a sister, Myrtle, a brother Victor and his
father, Malcolm McNeil. Haines funeral Parlors have the body in
charge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 1/23/1945
George Nylen died in the Sitka Pioneer Home
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 2/19/1945
E. B. "Buck" Sparling, old time prospector, died at Willow Creek
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 3/13/1945
Mrs. Pearl Horning died at Seattle, she worked for years at quartz
mining in the Willow Creek District.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 3/13/1945
Old Chris Gustafson of nelchuk Mine died in Anchorage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 3/23/1945
Reported that M. J. McNeil,ex-squaw man from Sunny Knik died
with a stroke in Fairview farming District.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 3/24/1945
A. J. Swanson, old time stock man, died at Palmer after 30 years
of ranching and horse raising at Matanuska.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Anchorage Times 3/28/1945
The lives of four women and two sailors were claimed by the icy
waters of Kupreanoff Straits on Sunday night when their boat capsized
in rough waters on their way home from a movie. The party of six
was returning home to Afognak, north of Kodiak. On their return trip the
motor of the small boat failed and the two sailors left in a small dory
to return to Latnik to get help. While they were gone, the craft capsized
in rough water. The women were Mrs. Sophie Nelson, mother of 5 and
her sister-in-law Jessie Nelson, mother of 2, Jean Mitchell, mother of 1
and her cousin, Augusta Gregorieff all of Afognak. The names of the Navy
serviceman were being withheld. The only body recovered as of press time
was Jessie Nelson.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Anchorage Times 4/28/1945
Margaret Longcarp, 17, student at Eklutna school, died
4/27/1945 in a Palmer hospital. She had been sick for a long time with
Hodgkins disease.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 10/19/1946
Mrs. J. B. Fleckenstein died.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Herning Diaries 1/4/1947
Mrs. Neil Browne Sr. died.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH
Orville George Herning died 4/18/1947 - Came to Alaska in 1898,
had a general store at Knik from 1906-1917 and a general store at Wasilla
from 1917-1947. Charter member of the Willow Creek Mining District. Buried
in Anchorage with wife and youngest son.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MURDER
Blind Man Steps Off Road To Miss Death Anchorage
Times 5/4/1950
Two law enforcement agencies are carrying on a joint search today
for a hit-and-run driver who fatally injured Annie Stephan, 64 year
old native woman, early Wednesday on the Willow Creek road near Wasilla.
Mrs. Stephan, member of a large and widely known clan, was killed when
a speeding vehicle bore down on her blind companion, Nick McNeil.
Mrs. Stephan's neck was broken by the impact. Her skull was fractured
and she was badly cut. McNeil, known in the area as "Blind Nick"
heard the car or truck approaching and stepped off the road. However,
he was injured when Mrs. Stephan's body was hurled across the road with
such force as to knock him down. McNeil's shouts for help aroused
the dead woman's children who were asleep in the Stephan cabin about 100
yards away. The driver of the death vehicle, meanwhile left the scene.
McNeil was unable to tell whether the vehicle was a car or truck but told
investigators that it was running without a muffler. On that slender
clue, Deputy Marshal Bill Bouwens of Palmer and Patrolman Stanley Laird
of the Highway patrol have been trying to find the driver. The spot where
the accident happened is about a mile north of Wasilla on a road known
both as Willow Creek Road and as Fishhook Road. Funeral services were
held for Mrs. Stephan at Knik.
NOTE: This tragedy took place
at mile 1 on Wasilla Fishhook Road which is where Blind Nick's cabin was.
Also at mile one was the Stephan cabin (Rufe and Annie Stephan and children
Irene, Doris and James). This information was found in a personal notebook
of Thomas "Pat" Carter of Wasilla (mid-to late 1940's). Is Rufe Stephan's
wife Annie the same Annie that was killed in 1950? Additional side note from
Mr. Carter's notebook said that Victor McNeil owned the land that Blind Nick's
cabin sat on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Eugene Register-Guard 2/18/1954 (extracted
by Sandra Davis)
Trapped by a fire which blocked exits, a 26-year-old mother of
three boys died with two of them in a cabin blaze at Knik, 30 miles southwest
of here early Wednesday.
The woman was Mrs. Clyde Hornell. The boys who perished with her were Tommy DePriest, 7, and his 11-month-old brother, Danny. Both were sons by a previous marriage. The third son, Robert DePriest, 3, received serious burns.
Mrs. Hornell's husband of less than a week escaped through the flames with Richard Barnes, 18, who was staying with the couple. Hornell carried little Robert to safety with him but was unable to return. Barnes also required hospitalization for burns.
Officials said the fire apparently broke out when Barnes attempted to start a fire with liquid gas about 7 a.m.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MURDER 7 Year old
Murdered, Dillingham Man Held
Anchorage Times 8/18/1956
A Dillingham cannery worker is in Federal Jail here charged with
the murder of a 7 year old boy. He is Robert Henry, 40, of Momokutuk,
Chief Deputy U. S. Marshal, James Chenoweth said Henry is charged with
second degree murder in the fatal shooting of young Billy Nikiti, May
10th. The childs body was reported to have been buried shortly
after he was shot in the back of the head with a .22 caliber rifle.
Details of the shooting are not known. Henry is a native of Togiak,
also near Dillingham. He was arrested August 11th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Family of Five Found Dead Near Iliamna
Anchorage Times 1/6/1956
The frozen bodies of a Newhalen family of five were found buried
in drifting snow 14 miles north of Igiugig near Lake Iliamna.
Forty year old Simeon Wassela and his wife Catherine, 35, a daughter,
Xanie 17, a 7 year old son and an infant were found frozen to death.
Lt. Dick Jensen and scanner, Murphy Nickolai said the family apparently
died of exposure as their dog team was nearing it's destination in the
50 mile trip from Newhalen to Iguigig. Only 2 of the 9 dogs the family
took on the trip were found alive. Wassela left with three
other families on the journey December 27th, but lagged behind soon after
their departure. Nothing was thought of their absence at first because
it was thought they were taking a different trail. However, when
they didn't arrive in Igiugig, several days later, Wassela's brother,
Ira, reported them missing to CAA.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MURDER
Copper Center Man Is Slain; Suspect Held
Anchorage Times 4/4/1956 page 1
A Copper Center man was found shot to death in the yard in front
of his cabin last night, Territorial Police said here today.
The police said five bullet wounds were found in the body of JOHNNY
JOE, about 30. They said the owner of the cabin, identified as
Austin P. Davis 30, has been taken into custody. Joe's body was
discovered about 8:00. the cabin is located on the Richardson
Highway near the Klutina River bridge. Preliminary investigation
indicates Joe was shot to death in the Davis cabin. As Joe lay on
the floor, four more bullets were pumped into his body. Austin P.
Davis has been arraigned on a manslaughter charge and his bail set at $1000
at Copper Center. Davis and Joe were reported to be unemployed. Joe
lived with his father near the Tazlina River. Davis, formerly lived
in Homer and California. Copper Center is about 200 miles northwest of
Anchorage and is the site of an Indian village.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Sophie R. Joe, 23, Dies Here
Anchorage Times 5/27/1958 page 13
Sophie r. Joe, 23, of Scammon Bay, died at the Alaska Native
Hospital after a five month confinement. She was born at Scammon Bay
8/6/1934 and is survived by her husband, Mike Joe, and a brother, Ralph
Johnson of Anchorage. Funeral services will be tomorrow at 10 a.m.
at the Evergreen Memorial Chapel. Eric Tetpon, assistant pastor
to Rev. Job Kokochuruk of the Evangelical Covenant Mission of Anchorage
will officiate. Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Park.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH Anchorage Times 8/31/1962
Ponto Eugene Goozmer, age 10 months, of Tyonek died at A.N.S.
Born 10/6/1961 at Tyonek, he leaves his mother Barbara Goozmer and grandfather,
Pedro Goozmer both of Tyonek.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARIES OF O.G.
HERNING WHO CAME TO KNIK IN 1898. HE OPERATED A TRADING POST AT KNIK
FROM 1906 UNTIL 1917 AND A GENERAL STORE AT WASILLA FROM 1917 UNTIL HIS
DEATH IN 1947. THE DATES YOU SEE HERE ARE DIARY ENTRY DATES NOT NECESSARILY
EVENT DATES. MR. HERNING WAS NOT A GOOD SPELLER, SO SOME OF
THESE NAMES ARE PHONETIC SPELLINGS. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE NAMES
AND INFORMATION PERTAIN TO PEOPLE WHO LIVED/WORKED (PRIMARILY) IN SOUTH
CENTRAL ALASKA...AND MORE SPECIFICALLY, KNIK, WASILLA, MATANUSKA JUNCTION,
SUSITNA STATION, ANCHORAGE AND SEWARD.
1/29/1906 Matt Miller body found at head of Bay buried
at Seward
8/13/1906 Elmer R. Herning age 10 buried at Knik/grave moved
to Anchorage 1947
3/17/1907 John Headburg of Knik married the Talkeetna slave woman*
*Census records show that her name was Nastasa
(it also says she was Aleut born 1886).
6/10/1908 Evan Orloff died at Knik (assumed buried at Knik).
11/15/1908 James String and Maud Rose Mason both of Susitna married
6/27/1911 Dr. Cowen of Knik married
12/20/1911 Harry St. Clair died at Glacier Creek
1/6/1912 D. C. Wisner died at Knik buried at Knik
6/27/1912 Capt. Ward’s baby died at the Station (probably
Susitna Station?)
7/13/1912 Jack (also called Hanson) and Inga (both Native) married
at
Susitna, witnessed by Mrs. Nagley and a Native named Jacko.
4/27/1913 Larson’s son Jacko died (assumed buried
at Knik)
10/21/1913 John Travers killed by slide at Gold Bullion Mine
Willow Creek Mining District
6/25/1914 John Young committed suicide by tying Evinrude motor
around neck and jumping
into Goose Bay buried at Knik.
3/17/1914 Sherman of Knik married Mrs. Dalton #1
5/19/1914 Old man Hunter died lived at Old Knik
2/11/1915 Mrs. Carrie buried at Knik
2/14/1915 R. E. Romano funeral with Masonic honors (assumed buried
at Knik)
3/20/1915 Adam Block of Seldovia died at Sitka Pioneer Home
4/16/1915 Tom Hanmore died at Iliamna
7/22/1915 P. J. McDonald married Miss Longmire at Knik
10/26/1915 Una Pettit Mansfield (underworld woman) died at Knik
hospital of pneumonia
1/15/1916 Unnamed man died-buried at Knik (cook at Cannon’s Knik
Roadhouse)
2/1/1916 Mr. Styles of Hope died in Anchorage (brother of Dr.
Dugan)
1/15/1917 H. C. Emery and Bert Steward killed in snow slide at
Martins
Mine Willow Creek Mining District.
11/28/1917 Meehan baby (1st death at Wasilla) (assumed baby buried
on homestead)
3/5/1918 Agent Jackson at Matanuska died
11/25/1918 Six Natives died of the flu at the Station (assumed
Susitna Station?)
3/27/1919 Getchell (old-timer) married Frank Kelly Wasilla
6/10/1919 Unnamed man died at mile 32 mining camp
4/29/1920 W. A. Black died at mile 174 of railroad
2/4/1921 Mrs. Sparks married soldier from Matanuska Junction
named Monroe
3/28/1921 Mrs. W. A. Black died at Anchorage
8/22/1921 Byron Bartholf Jr. died in Willow Creek mining accident
buried Anchorage
9/10/1921 Mr. Kimball, Anchorage storekeeper, died in Anchorage.
9/13/1921 Joe Laubner was killed in Talkeetna Mine Willow Creek
Mining District
12/13/1921 George Small got married in Anchorage
12/1/1922 Railroad conductor Sessions died
1/16/1922 William “Bill” Hughes of Knik died buried Anchorage
5/27/1922 Lander and Niemann married in Anchorage
7/22/1922 Unnamed RR man killed mile 277½ when railroad
bridge collapsed killing
engineer.
6/15/1923 F. B. Cannon died at Wasilla buried Anchorage (Postmaster-Commissioner
of
Wasilla)
7/26/1923 Mrs. Capt. Ward died at Anchorage
9/12/1923 Mrs. Al Davis died
1/21/1924 Dave McGinnis killed in snow plow accident
5/17/1924 Frank E. Young died at Anchorage
11/10/1923 August Carlson died at Anchorage
11/21/1923 Dr. Leopold David died US Commissioner at Knik 1910,
1st Mayor of Anchorage,
buried at Anchorage.
11/28/1923 Dan McArdle died at Anchorage.
8/5/1924 Zink and Springstein married at Fairbanks
3/26/1925 C. A. Gooding died at Anchorage.
3/26/1925 Jerry Murphy died at Anchorage.
4/20/1925 Dave England died at Anchorage.
5/22/1925 Frank Fleckenstein murdered in Dillingham buried in
Anchorage.
2/1/1926 Dave Reedy died on his trap line
3/14/1926 Stanley Herning married Eva Fleckenstein in Wasilla
6/21/1926 Mrs. W. A. Johnson died in Anchorage Susitna Roadhouse
keeper
8/6/1926 George Haslett died in Cordova
8/13/1926 J. J. O’Brian of Knik died in Anchorage hospital
8/24/1926 Clo King married John Chamberlin in Fairbanks
11/5/1926 Mrs. Gust Haller died in Anchorage (skull fracture
by train in Wasilla)
10/15/1927 Chief Nakela died (assumed buried in Knik)
10/19/1927 Clarence Marsh married at Nenana
11/9/1927 Chris Sterns (old timer) died in Portland
12/28/1927 Mary Vail married _____ Phelps (4th husband)
3/17/1928 James Girdwood died in New York (Crow Creek prospector
1896)
3/1928 Mrs. W. E. Bartholf died stateside age 74
7/27/1928 Baldwin (railroad man) died
10/6/1928 Al Harper died
10/6/1928 Fred Simmons died
10/10/1928 Mrs. Murray of Knik (moved to Palmer Station) died
11/22/1928 Tuck (old agent) married 6’ tall Texan girl Wasilla
1/28/1929 Charles Magaha died at Anchorage
6/10/1929 Henry Fischer died
2/8/1929 Charles Magaha funeral buried at Anchorage
4/11/1930 George W. Palmer died (suicide) Kenai buried Anchorage
(to Alaska 1893 merchant)
7/6/1930 Harry Lander of Wasilla died in Michigan
11/28/1930 J. W. Kempf died at Anchorage (old time Willow Creek
prospector)
2/10/1936 Fern, a Native girl died (not sure
where, or where buried)
3/28/1936 George Sexton died at Seward (in Alaska 38 years)
4/22/1936 Mr. Machell died at Anchorage
7/8/1936 Mrs. Oscar Tryck died buried at Anchorage
8/2/1936 Edward Fries died at Palmer hospital (old time rancher)
buried at Palmer
8/28/1936 Harry Vail died age 49
12/11/1936 H. H. Healy died at Susitna Station
12/11/1936 Leckwold died
1/22/1927 Eckman died at Anchorage (furniture man)
5/28/1937 Jim Murray’s son died at Cache Creek Willow Creek
Mining District
8/19/1937 Frank Churchill died buried at Knik in McGuire Cemetery
to Alaska 1898
11/28/1937 Tom Cavanaugh died at Knik beer hall
4/17/1937 Frank Hoffman died in Anchorage US Marshall
5/25/1937 Dorothy Hill and Peter Nelson married
5/28/1937 Miss Pryer Wasilla schoolmarm married
8/5/1937 Dr. Romig married again
8/8/1937 Wanda Soper married
9/2/1937 Pat Snider married in Anchorage
2/1/1938 Mrs. Oscar Bergman died in Anchorage
4/28/1938 Oscar Bergman died in Anchorage railroad
section man
9/17/1939 Sharon Fleckenstein married Florence Strigga Edlund
at Wasilla
10/8/1938 Mrs. McNeil of Knik died
2/24/1939 Harvey J. Bartholf died age 70
7/27/1939 Wasilla agent Browne’s oldest daughter married Arlo
the Caterpillar man
12/2/1939 Mr. Redwood died in Palmer hospital (old timer)
2/22/1940 Word arrived in Wasilla that Pete Snider died on Navy
boat in Honolulu
2/6/1940 George Zink died at Portland
2/9/1940 Harry Staycer died at his Crow Creek Mine (ex-marshal
of Anchorage)
8/27/1940 John Thomas died at Willow Station
9/3/1940 Trusty Kelly died of pneumonia
5/11/1940 Kenneth Soper married Monte Edlunds wife
5/14/1940 Elizabeth Bergman married at Anchorage
7/4/1940 Jack Slumberger married
4/3/1941 Mattie Vail died in auto accident buried Palmer (came
to valley 1915)
2/7/1941 Mrs. Fred Simmons of Knik died (old timer)
2/8/1941 Mr. Wilson of Knik died at Sitka Pioneer Home (Knik
old timer)
4/11/1941 Vic Blodgett died
7/8/1941 Mrs. Dan Donovan died
7/9/1941 Bill Taylor died at Sitka Pioneer Home
9/16/1941 Anna Simmons died
6/26/1942 Hi Gill died
2/21/1942 Nels Larsen died at Palmer hospital
6/4/1943 Major Kermit Roosevelt died at Ft. Richardson (suicide)
son of Teddy Roosevelt
8/5/1943 Gus Geller died
1/3/1944 Jacob Metz died at Palmer (old time rancher)
6/21/1944 Adam Werner died at Palmer (old time rancher)
12/2/1944 McAllen died at Fairbanks (ex-Willow Creek Mining District
supervisor)
1/23/1945 George Nylen died at Sitka Pioneer Home (old time Matanuska
farmer)
2/19/1944 E. B. Buck Sparling died (old time Willow Creek prospector)
3/13/1944 Pearl Horning died in Seattle (old time Willow Creek
quartz miner)
3/13/1944 Chris Gustafson of Nelchuck Mine died in Anchorage
3/23/1945 M. J. McNeil of Fairview Farm District died (old timer)
3/24/1945 A. J. Swanson died at Palmer (ranched in valley 30
years)
4/14/1945 Mrs. W. S. Horning died (old time miner)
4/11/1944 A. O. Wells died (old time miner)
6/8/1944 Mrs. Sexton died (Colonist)
11/23/1944 Ernie Pyles wife died age 44
6/2/1946 O. O. Krogh died in California (old time Matanuska store
keeper)
1/20/1946 L. V. Rae died at Seward (lawyer, partner of Leopold
David)
3/2/1946 Chas J. Tecklenberg died stateside buried in Seward
(old timer)
4/6/1946 T. W. Hawkins died age 78
5/15/1946 Red Jack Bartell age 86 died (old Cook Inlet boat captain)
10.20/1946 Mrs. J. B. Fleckenstein died in Anchorage
9/30/1946 Ray Morrison married Virginia Browne at Wasilla
4/18/1947 Orville G. Herning died at Anchorage (to Alaska 1898,
merchant 1906-1947)
1948 N. J. Gaikema died buried Anchorage
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These pages represent (literally) thousands of hours of
extraction.
If
you decide to use anything on these pages,
I
would appreciate your attaching my name to it.