Dawson City - A History of Growing Pains 1896 - 1906
As prepared by Dawson Historian, John Gould.
NIGGER JIM'S LATEST (Klondike Nugget January 14,1899)
One of the more successful miners on Bonanza was James Daugherty, better known
as "Nigger Jim" due
to his southern accent. Jim liked to play practical jokes on his friends and
the public. In January 1899 he went down the Yukon as far as the mouth of the
12 mile river, set up a large tent and stoked it with a good supply of liquor,
he then went back to Dawson and spread the rumour that a strike had been made
on the Twelve Mile river.
There was a mad stampede by those who wanted to
be first to stake claims on this new creek. Jim opened his tent saloon, the
stampeders could fine not evidence of there being gold on the Twelve Mile,
after spending time tramping around looking for evidence of a gold prospect
they went back to where the tent saloon was and quenched their thirst. The
stampeders didn't make any discoveries but Jim Daugherty did very well. A few
days later there was a poem in the paper about the stampede, no name as who
wrote it.
THE BIG STAMPEDE
Twas at the hour of midnight
When the moon was hanging low;
The northern light was shining bright
On the mountains deep with snow.
That a cautious word went through the town
And was whispered o'er each bar
That a Dawson man got a two ounce pan
Way down on Cassiar.
(Klondike Nugget
January 21,1898)
YUKON COUNCIL
Levy proposed on real and personal property for municipal purposes. A meeting of the Yukon council was held Thursday afternoon, all the members being present. Under recommendations from the municipal committee the sidewalk was ordered to be extended on Front street from the bridge to the court house.
The petition re an electric plant for Grand Forks was referred to the private bills committee.
The municipal committee recommended that action be taken looking to the assessing of real and personal property, as a basis for levying taxes for municipal purposes. Mr. Clement submitted an opinion in the matter of the application of Elizar Caron for the right to build and operate a ferry at the mouth of Hunker creek, to the effect that the council had the right to make such a grant and that it would not interfere with any other grant.
A communication from the committee on education of the board of trade, calling attention to the need of free public schools, was read and referred to the municipal committee.
The committee on public works reported in favor of the extension of First Avenue to the city line north, provided Father Gendreau would permit of its passage through the church grounds. (Dawson Daily News - January 18,1899)
INCORPORATION
Governor Ogilvie refused to say that the proposed incorporation ordinance
discussed at a recent Territorial Council session, would be submitted to the
people for adoption or rejection. It was finally passed by me Yukon council
but the opinion of the
people was of no concern. The people of Dawson had no opportunity to criticize
the ordinance as to such matters, as revenue, police, light, water supply etc.
The public would
have appreciated an opportunity as to the requirements of the community when
it was to assumed municipal powers. (Klondike Nugget of January 18,1898)
JOE JUNEAU DEAD
Joe Juneau, one of the best known pioneers of the Alaskan gold fields, died on Saturday at the Good Samaritan hospital, three hours after having been taken there from the creeks. He suffered from pneumonia, and had been unconscious for several hours before his death. The burial took place Tuesday, Rev Father Gendeau officiating and burial was in the Catholic cemetery.
Juneau was a French Canadian about 65 years of age. He left home early in life and resided for a time in the United States. He was of a very adventurous nature, twenty years ago saw him make his way to the wilds of Alaska. Where with a partner named Harris, he sought for and located several quartz ledges. Other prospectors following, the town of
©John Gould
(This is copyrighted material and under no circumstances is allowed to be copied or used without the express permission of the author)