Dawson City - A History of Growing Pains 1896 - 1906
As prepared by Dawson Historian, John Gould.
Dawson should be incorporated. It would then have a mayor and council of six men, representative of and responsible to the citizens of Dawson.
DAWSON COMMITTEE
In 1898, J. M. Walsh, Commissioner of the Yukon district issued the following notice;
I hereby appoint the officer commanding the North West Mounted Police, at
Dawson and Messers D. W. Davis, F. C. Wade, H- A. Bliss, and Drs Thompson and
Dr.Richardson a town committee for the town of Dawson. The duties of this committee
will be to see that the public streets and river bank are kept clear of objects
and obstructions in the shape of buildings, caches, tents, sale tables and
steamer wood piles and all objects of any kind. They are to have the street
lines properly located and see that they are observed. They are also to take
all steps necessary to enforce cleanliness and
suppress nuisances and general bring about and enforce
suitable sanitary arrangements in the town. I hereby empower the said committee
to decide by resolution of a majority vote upon all steps which they may
consider to carry out the work hereby entrusted in them and they are also
authorized to call upon the commanding officer of the mounted police, or one
of their number, to see that all matters decided upon by resolution are carried
out with the assistance of the North West Mounted Police.I also ratify in advance
all that may be done by said committee under the powers here granted.
Given under my hand and seal of the 14th day of July 1898
Signed J. M. Walsh Commissioner of the Yukon district
(Klondike Nugget July 23, 1898)
COMMITTEE
The first meeting of the town committee appointed by the
commissioner of the Yukon Territory there were present Inspector Starnes commanding
the North West Mounted Police, D.W.Davis; F.C.Wade; A, Bliss; W.E.Thompson;
M.D. and Richardson; M.D.
It was moved by F.C.Wade and second by Inspector Stames that Mr. Davis be appointed chairman of this committee, carried.
Moved by Mr. Bliss and second by Mr. Wade that Dr. Thompson be secretary, carried.
At this point the chairman read the commission.
It was then moved by Mr. Wade and second by Mr. Bliss that
immediate steps be taken to remove all of me logs in the river along the water
front from Third street to the Smith addition, so as to allow room for steam
boats to land along that portion of the water front and, that the officer
commanding the North West Mounted Police be requested to see that this is
done at once, and that the logs when they are removed be piled east of the
shore trail as compactly as possible, so as to allow as much room for traffic
as can be made available; at least 25 feet, and that the removal of the logs
in front of the A.C.CO. (Alaska Commercial Co.)And the N.A.T.& T. CO
'S (North American Trading and Transportation Co.) premisses be under taken
first, and that all scows and boat owners be required to remove their scows
and boats from the same part of the river front. Carried.
Moved by Inspector Stames, second by Dr. Richardson, that a copy of the commission and minute of this meeting be published in the newspapers, and any complaints must be made in writing and sent to Mr. Davis, the chairman of the committee, carried.
Moved by Mr. Bliss and seconded by Mr. Davis that this meeting do now adjourn
to meet at the same place and hour tomorrow. W.E. Thompson M.D. secretary.
(Klondike
Nugget July 23, 1898)
GARBAGE
City garbage had been dumped in the river in front of Dawson, it was carried
down river a short distance to an eddy opposite the lower end of town where
is swirled around until it ended up on shore. Residents along the water front,
especially those in the lower part of town are strong in their denunciation
of the way the in which the city scavengers dispose of the city's
filth. The city passed an ordinance that provides for the garbage to
be dumped in the river at a distance from the shore ensuring that it
is carried down river a good distance below the city.
©John Gould
(This is copyrighted material and under no circumstances is allowed to be copied or used without the express permission of the author)