Tak, James

1898-1899

Talked to JAMES TAK, a government scout; he has lived in Alaska 13 years, but has never seen this section. From talking to the mail carrier he has learned that Valdes is booming: townsites have been laid out, hotel has been built, whiskey is being manufactured, and “ladies with no apparent means of subsistence are becoming numerous.” At times it is hard not to get discouraged, but he takes comfort from visualizing the development that will result from their pioneering efforts. C.J.M. Letter of 7/20/98 in Boston MA Evening Transcript, 8/13/98; Purchased house & woodpile at Tatitlek, 4/21/1899; PWSMDR, Book 2, p. 112; Location Notice, Hawkins Island, May 13, 1899, Millard witness; p. 125, 126;