Dawson City - A History of Growing Pains 1896 - 1906
As prepared by Dawson Historian, John Gould.
PROSPECTING FOR WATER
There were several schemes in the early days of Dawson to find a suitable supply of water for the town. For several weeks in the fall of 1899 men were busy sinking a shaft
near the Smith & Hobb's saw mill in hope of find an under ground stream. On October 30 they were down 48 feet, through 40 feet of muck and 8 feet of washed gravel with no site of water, and as yet had not reached bedrock. They hoped to find water so that water wouldn't have to be pumped from the Yukon river some 50 yards away. (Dawson Daily News Oct.31,1899)
STEAMER W1LLIE IRVING GONE DOWN
Pioneer Steamer of the Yukon Succumbs to the Ice Confirmatory report of her loss. Nothing but Her upper works is now visible. Reported lost, including Government supplies and school books. The Willy Irving was built on lake Bennett early in '98. Due to the lateness of the season the Willie Irving was runjainglate in November, the ice in the river was very heavy and the steamer got caught in heavy ice and was crushed by huge cakes of ice. The steamer was caught in the ice for a number of days in that time the hull was crushed to kindling wood. (Dawson Daily News Nov.11, 1899)
CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Governor Ogilvie asked for anyone to open a school. Father Gendreau, O.M,I. St Mary's Church, opened a school on November 5,1899. The first public school in Dawson, there were 18 student registered, 10 boys and 8 girls ages from 6 to 14. Fr. Gendreau, applied to the Government for funds to operate the school, under the laws of the North West Territory he was able to get the financial assistant he asked for.
The school building was a one storey building 30 feet by 40 feet, located on the corner of First Ave and Ninth St. near St. Mary's Hospital. The children were not all of the Catholic faith. (Klondike Nugget Nov. 8,1899)
The first school was a private school opened on Monday March 22,1899 by Miss Mary M. McDonald. It was in a two storey building on the comer of 6th Street and 2nd Avenue, back of the Ladue Saw Mill. (Klondike Nugget Nov. 1899)
OUT PUT FIFTEEN MILLION
Fifteen millions the receipts of the 'Frisco Assay Office," and expected to reach another million, to which point all the Klondike gold goes annually, has been heard from, and is now positively known that the gold output of the Klondike, for the winter of 1898- 99 will Teach the handsome sum of $15,000,000.00
Gold dust shipped to the mint in Philadelphia is not included in this amount nor is the gold kept in Dawson for current use. This amount will easily add another $2,000,000.00 to the out put for the year. (Dawson Daily Nov. 23,1899)
COMMITTEE MEETING
A meeting of the town committee was held on December 10,1898 a letterwas read from commissioner Ogilvie that the incorporation ordinance was in the hands of the Yukon council, he asked for a the town committee to appoint a sub committee of three to consider the ordinance with the council. Afterwards the ordinance would be would be submitted to a public meeting of citizens.
On November 12,1898 the Klondike Nugget reported that the Territorial council will act on the incorporation at an early date. Mr. Phil Sheridan, the legal advisor had framed the ordinance on the Calgary Ordinance, making a few changes such as making the Police to remain in fall possession of the courts and as executive as at present. It was learned that the council will grant local government only if the Territorial Government is
still largely in control.
©John Gould
(This is copyrighted material and under no circumstances is allowed to be copied or used without the express permission of the author)