LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

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By CLAIRE STREMPLE
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28 Mar 2024 14:52

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28 Mar 2024 14:50

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27 Mar 2024 12:26

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26 Mar 2024 14:55

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Daily Sitka Sentinel

A Sentinel Series A LOOK BACK IN SITKA Part 12

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 12th in a series by William S. Dodge, the first U.S. collector of customs in Alaska, who stayed in Sitka after the Oct. 18, 1867, transfer. Alaskans had no right to self-government, but Dodge and others wrote a democratic town charter and elected a city council with Dodge as mayor. Dodge’s account of Sitka’s first two years under the American flag appeared in the July 9, 1876, issue of the Alaska Herald, a San Francisco newspaper. Alaska historian Chris Allan discovered this history in a university archive and made it available to the Sentinel.

 

Part 12 of a series.

Today: Within 14 months after the 1867 transfer, Sitka’s prospects for keeping its status as a center of international commerce have vanished.

By W.S. Dodge
 
THE CUSTOMS

    The District of Alaska has had, with the present incumbent, five Collectors of Customs.  W.S. Dodge, the agent of the United States to organize and establish the customs was the first.  He entered upon his duties on 18th of October, 1867, and was succeeded by Hiram Ketchum, Jr., December 14, 1868.  Ketchum was superseded in February, 1869, S. Faulkner acting as Collector until May, 1869, when Wm. Kapus, confirmed Collector April 4, ’69, assumed the office.  He, in turn, was relieved in 1871 (I think) by G.A. Edes, and lately the latter is superseded by Wiley Chapman.
    I am unable to give any statistics of the customs under any administration except the first—a period of fourteen months.  During that time nine Russian sail and steam vessels were registered as American bottoms—home port, Sitka—registering 2,075 tons.  Four other vessels were added, registering 760 tons—making a total of 2,835 tons. 
    Imports (foreign) amounted to $59,761; exports (foreign), $380,400.67; imports (coastwise), $63,209; exports (coastwise), $129,140.12; foreign goods (in transitu), $81,000.  The amount of duties collected from other sources (currency,) $2,790.11. 
    I have never seen any statement of affairs since; but I know that within a year after hardly a dollar was collected on imports, very little exported, and no revenue derived except from tonnage, hospital dues and confiscations.
    The Collector still resides at Sitka, with deputies at Kadiak and Unalaska, also Inspectors at other points.  The customs now are but of little service, other than to watch for smugglers and confiscate the whiskey of unscrupulous traders.  The seal islands are reserved by the Government to itself, it exercises direct jurisdiction, and the Alaskan authorities have no more control over them than as if they were a portion of Russian Asia.
    Such are some of the facts concerning Sitka and Alaska Territory as I remember them.  They may or may not be of interest to the cursory reader.  I trust, however, that there are those—pioneers with me in that remote region—who will find matters herein worthy of preservation.
–––––
Tuesday: The seven causes of Sitka’s decline. A decade after the transfer, the writer predicts a “life of weary and painful waiting” for those who remain to welcome “that bright future” prophesied by William Seward.
















   






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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

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