Dawson City - A History of Growing Pains 1896 - 1906
As prepared by Dawson Historian, John Gould.
STANDARD TIME ADOPTED
hi December 1899, standard time for the Yukon will be the 135 meridian, 18 minutes faster than mean time. The matter of the noon gun had not been decided at the time of the standard time being set by the Territorial council. The regulation was put into effect at 9 o'clock Monday morning December 11,1899 the official clock will be set.
Prior to setting of standard time every one in Dawson had their own time. There was Alaska Commercial time, Alaska Exploration time, Barracks time, Post Office time, Recording office time, Court House time, Theatre time, Steamboat time, in fact as many times as there were occupations. (Dawson Daily News Dec. 11,1899)
1900 - FUN FOR SOURDOUGHS
Successful masquerade ball at the Palace Grand. Large attendance of old timers with their friends- many pretty costumes.
The sour dough club held a year's masquerade ball at the Place Grand last night. There were a number of very pretty costumes worn by the ladies, notably Miss May Hamberg, Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Douglas, MrsG. Yeager, Mrs. Agnew and Miss Rosa Miller.
Mrs. Yeager- Little Bo Peep
Flo Hamberg- Neopolitan costume
Mrs. Ross-Sailor lassie
Mrs. Laibling- Zouave
Miss Rosa Miller-Queen Elizabeth
Mrs. Holloway- En masque
Miss Clara Bemie and Miss Warren- sun flower girls
Miss Stewart- Lady of the court
Mrs. Spencer- Queen of Diamonds
Mrs. Douglas- Gypsy Girl
Mrs Agnew- Spanish dancer
Mrs. C. Yeager- School girl
Mrs. Fairchild- Fancy costume
Myrtle Smith- Red Riding Hood
Mrs,. Heacock- En masque
R. Prichard- Chinaman
Ike Swartz- China woman
Harry Debord- Knickerbocker
Al Agnew- Cavalier
Fay Hadley- Paae
Fred Welch- Matador <Dawson Daily News Jan.2,1900)
NOTICE
Application will be made by the Northern
Commercial Telegraph Co. Ltd, To Parliament of
Canada at next session act extending time for
commencing and completing lines authorized to be
constructed by company to increase its capital.
Dated, 30 December 1899A FERGUSON
Solicitor for Applicants
STREET LIGHTING
By January 1900 there was street lights around town. According to the Yukon Sun of that month there were 50, 32 candle power electric lights in place by the Yukon council at such points as tend to render them most generally useful, is a boon to the citizens of the town that they will not fail to appreciate. In addition there are 15 others to be place by the
Electric Light and Power company, as soon as their proper location can be decided. When the town was being wired in early January it was extremely cold which made the work very
difficult. Some of the first buildings to get electric light were The Alaska Exploration Co. Ames Mercantile co Store: The store in the S.Y T.Co, the Criteron Bar and* Club rooms, the Dawson City Hotel, the Morning Sun Office, and a number of other establishments.
(Yukon Sun Jan.9,1900)
BROWN AND FREEMAN
Dr. J.N.E. Brown, chief clerk of governor Ogiivie, also clerk of the Yukon council, and Miss Alice Freeman, better known by the literary nom de plume as Faith Fenton, were untied in marriage at the Episcopal Church Monday, New Year's evening at 8 o'clock, the ceremony being performed by Rev. C.W. Naylor. The groom was attended by his brother Mr. Cameron Brown, and the bride by her sister. Miss Freeman. Only a few intimate friends were present. Both are well known and very popular in Dawson society circles. They both resided in Toronto before coming here. (Klondike Nugget Jan.3,1900)
DECEMBER FIRE REPORT
The fire report for the month listed the following fires which occurred last month. From the records of the North West Mounted Police.
Dec. 4th Cabin on then hill partly destroyed
6th Cabin at rear of A.E. Co. Destroyed
8th George Apples shop, only slight damage
12th St. Mary's Hospital nothing destroyed
13th four cabins on Fourth Street destroyed (Harper St.)
17th Saunders & King Paint shop some loss
20th Orr & Tuckey's 2nd Ave. very large Loss, Monte Carlo theatre no loss or damage
22nd Salvation army barracks slight loss
23rd Bodega Saloon, out before arrival of fire brigade
25th Cigar store next to Yukon Hotel loss $200 00.
26th McLennan & McFeeley & Co. shop only slight loss
27th Thomas Adair building. Front St. total loss $6,000.00
30th Cabin near Klondike bridge.
31st Martony Cafe caused by candles slight damage
(Dawson Daily News, Jan 11. 1900)
©John Gould
(This is copyrighted material and under no circumstances is allowed to be copied or used without the express permission of the author)