SOUTH CENTRAL ALASKA
MISC. DEATH, MURDER, SUICIDE, RESCUE
1906 - 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.
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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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: Dyer (no first name ever listed) once US Marshal at Susitna Station murdered Jack Wilson for "monkeying around" with his wife. Taken to Valdez for trial
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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 him down to Chickaloon Coal Camp and buried him no details. Reported to have had a quarrel.
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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 got put in jail. Sentenced to three years at McNeil Island on July 22, 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 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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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DEATH Anchorage Times 1/30/1935
Mrs. Barcillia Stephan from Montana Station on the Alaska Railroad died
in an Anchorage hospital 1/30/1935
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DEATH
Chief Ezi of the Once Powerful Eklutnas Is Given Colorful Adieu Anchorage
Times 2/24/1935
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 Eklutnas,
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.
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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
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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.
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DEATH Anchorage Times 3/28/1935
Funeral for the late Chief Nicholai is at 3:00 tomorrow. All friends
are welcome
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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DEATH Herning Diaries 8/5/1943
Gus Geller died.
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DEATH Herning Diaries 1/3/1944
Jacob Metz, old time rancher, died today at Palmer Hospital.
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DEATH Herning Diaries 6/21/1944
Adam Werner, old time rancher, died today at Palmer
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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.
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DEATH Herning Diaries 1/23/1945
George Nylen died in the Sitka Pioneer Home
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DEATH Herning Diaries 2/19/1945
E. B. "Buck" Sparling, old time prospector, died at Willow Creek
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DEATH Herning Diaries 3/13/1945
Mrs. Pearl Horning died at Seattle, she worked for years at quartz mining
in the Willow Creek District.
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DEATH Herning Diaries 3/13/1945
Old Chris Gustafson of nelchuk Mine died in Anchorage.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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DEATH Herning Diaries 10/19/1946
Mrs. J. B. Fleckenstein died.
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DEATH Herning Diaries 1/4/1947
Mrs. Neil Browne Sr. died.
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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.
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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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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