James Wickersham (August 24, 1857 – October 24, 1939) was a district judge for Alaska , appointed by U.S. President William McKinley to the Third Judicial District in 1900. He resigned his post in 1908 and was subsequently elected as Alaska's delegate to Congress , serving until 1917 and then being re-elected in 1930. He was instrumental in the passage of the Organic Act of 1912, which granting Alaska territorial status. He also introduced the Alaska Railroad Bill, legislation to establish McKinley Park , and the first Alaska Statehood Bill in 1916. He was among those responsible for the creation of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, which later became the University of Alaska . A residence hall on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus is named in his honor.
65-585: Wickersham was born near Patoka, Illinois in August 1857. Many years later, in 1883, he and his wife Deborah moved to Tacoma , Washington Territory , where he became a judge. While in Tacoma he helped lead a mob which forced the city's Chinese population out of town, and was later arrested as one of the "Tacoma Twenty-Seven," though he was never convicted. He was a member of the Tacoma Academy of Science and
130-518: A dilemma can't begin a mindset) of federal dependence because he saw that as a better alternative than having private interests and "Robber-Barons" ruling over Alaska's resources. The Democratic nominee was a Fairbanks lawyer and one-time mayor , Thomas A. Marquam. "As the rally got underway, Judge Wickersham warmed to his subject and the walls of the Liberty Theatre virtually shook to the thunder of his denunciations. Most of his vituperation
195-425: A family was $ 33,917. Males had a median income of $ 31,458 versus $ 22,292 for females. The per capita income for the village was $ 15,382. About 11.6% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over. The Patoka Oil Terminal is located between Patoka and Vernon . It is an oil hub that connects many oil pipelines, similar to
260-480: A gateway to the Arctic. Through Barnette and Wickersham's efforts, Fairbanks became incorporated. Though they worked well together for the betterment of Alaska, and particularly the interior, they did not always have the best personal relationship. When presiding over one of Barnette's many gold claim cases, he concluded that if the case went in his favor, Wickersham could benefit from the decision himself after his term
325-639: A man who stood up for the area, and this man's name was James Wickersham. James Wickersham was a major opponent of the Alaska Syndicate. "An affidavit similar to the one herewith enclosed was submitted by Hon. James Wickersham Delegate from Alaska, on May 24, 1910, together with a copy of a letter which he forwarded to the Attorney General on the same date, with reference to the matter of furnishing coal to military posts at Forts Davis and Liscum, Alaska, and on May 28, 1910, this office informed
390-568: A period of ill health. After his recovery they moved north again to Alaska in August 1865. Kennicott died in May 1866, likely of congestive heart failure, while traveling up the Yukon River . Today the tourism makes up the majority of the local economy. People from all over the world come and visit the remains of the Kennecott mines. Even though Kennicott is not a copper mining town anymore it
455-742: A railway from the port of Valdez to the Bonanza mine nearly 200 miles away. In 1905, Birch had gained support from John Rosene of Northwestern Commercial Company who agreed to construct the railway from Valdez to Bonanza mine; construction began in June 1905. It soon became apparent to Birch more funding was necessary to complete the railway and to develop the copper mines. In his search for investors, Birch met with J.P. Morgan Jr. , W.P. Hamilton and Charles Steele of J.P. Morgan & Co. in March 1906. Two months later in May, Birch met with Daniel Guggenheim , who
520-519: A speech to Congress, at that time the longest speech on record. His effort was not wasted and "the bill passed the Senate on January 24 by a vote of 46 to 16." Wickersham would go on to serve several more terms as Alaska's delegate to Congress, his last term running from 1931-1933. In 1916, he initially lost his seat to Charles August Sulzer but successfully contested the election in the House arguing that
585-433: A very serious offense at the time. After being given the run around, Chief Charley reached Wickersham and consulted the highest court in the land. Wickersham appointed a deputy to retrieve the stolen animal and waited with the chief for his return, chatting about everyday problems. This incident helped frame Wickersham's reputation as a "man of action." (reference needed) As the most powerful personage of Federal oversight for
650-431: Is no possible chance of further ascent from this side of Denali at this season--or any other season for that matter." Even more defeating for the party was the wreck of their raft in a glacial stream on the descent that destroyed their food supply and equipment. Hungry, tired, and terrorized by mosquitoes, the group "happily ended the first attempt of white men...to scale the mighty walls of Denali." The attempted climb of
715-631: The Kaskaskia River in Carlyle Lake 7 miles (11 km) west of the village. As of the census of 2000, there were 633 people, 281 households, and 178 families residing in the village. The population density was 575.5 inhabitants per square mile (222.2/km ). There were 310 housing units at an average density of 281.8 per square mile (108.8/km ). The racial makeup of the village was 98.89% White , 0.16% Asian , and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.26% of
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#1732779643873780-616: The Kennicott-Bonanza copper mine and had majority control of the Alaskan steamship and rail transportation. The syndicate also was in charge of a large part of the salmon industry. The Alaska Syndicate faced intense scrutiny from Alaskans in favor of increased autonomy over their own affairs. The Syndicate, which divided its shares equally amongst M. Guggenheim & Sons and J.P. Morgan & Co. , continued to buy up hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness, which gave rise to
845-546: The Alaska Syndicate and Wickersham to clash was over Wickersham's first attempt to create a territorial legislature in 1909. According to Wickersham's first bill as delegate, "it provided for a legislature of twenty-four members – eight in the Senate and sixteen in the House." However, President Taft believed that Alaska was not ready for territorial government and status. For the Alaska Syndicate, this brought relief. Those interested in Alaska's resources had opposed Wickersham due to
910-507: The Alaska Syndicate continued to be a lightning rod for the press, conservationists, anti-business forces, small merchants, and all others who believed that Alaska's pristine lands should be exploited only through the careful regulation of the government. In 1901 Stephen Birch , a young mining engineer, was in Valdez, Alaska in search of prosperous mining claims. That summer, he was approached by Clarence Warner and Jack Smith – two members of
975-539: The Alaska Syndicate. Continuing on the forward momentum of the Second Organic Act, Wickersham sought, "…congressional authorization for a federal railroad in Alaska.". While this again would bring more government control to Alaska, it did mean that the Guggenheim hold on transportation would be severely weakened. In order to see this bill passed in the Senate, Wickersham stood for over five hours delivering
1040-486: The Bonanza and Jumbo mines. In 1915 the Kennecott Copper Company was established by the Alaska Syndicate of which Birch became president. After acquiring the copper ore deposits in 1906, it became necessary to develop transportation infrastructure, for "without transportation, the world's richest copper deposits were valueless." While the unique difficulties of development in the north did not inspire
1105-833: The Copper River Railway Company. Heney chose Cordova as port for his railroad and, supported by Close Brothers and engineer Erastus Corning Hawkins, began construction in April 1906. At the same time, the Alaska Syndicate was attempting a railroad from Valdez through the Keystone Canyon. Having given up on the Valdez route, in 1906 the Alaska Syndicate bought Heney's surveyed route, through the Abercrombie Canyon, for $ 250,000 from his Copper River Railroad company. After contracting Heney and purchasing
1170-472: The Department of Justice, requested, and was furnished, a brief statement of facts as shown by the records of this office, it being understood that fee intended to assist the Department of Justice in the investigation of the matter. "No call has yet been received from the Attorney General for any papers or information that may be on file in this office." Efforts toward self-government were complicated by
1235-589: The District of Alaska in 1908, beginning his term in 1909. In his first two terms as delegate, Wickersham focused on two aspects: territorial status for Alaska and trust-busting the Alaska Syndicate. The issue of home-rule in Alaska fell under the popular idea that Alaska had been neglected by the United States federal government since its purchase from Russia in 1867 and was denied any form of self-government. The first semblance of self-government came through
1300-524: The First Organic Act in 1884. This act stated (missing words) "…a governor, judge, attorney, clerk of court, marshal, four deputy marshals, and four commissioners, who were to function as justices of the peace." Mainly as a reaction to the huge population increase during the Klondike gold rush, these government offices were not voted in by Alaskans, but appointed by the president and confirmed by
1365-739: The Kennecott Mining Company was still in operation they had developed other properties that still exist today. The different spelling between Kennicott and Kennecott was a simple mistake of one letter that the mine owner accidentally spelled wrong and never changed. The Kennicott glacier was named after Robert Kennicott. Robert Kennicott was a part of the Western Union Telegraph Expedition and arrived in San Francisco in April 1865. The group moved north to Vancouver where Kennicott suffered
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#17327796438731430-492: The McClellan group – for financial investment to develop the Bonanza claim. Birch was enthusiastic about the opportunity and in the fall of 1902, financed by wealthy New York financiers H.O. Havemeyer and James Ralph, he began to purchase pieces of the Bonanza claim from the members of the McClellan group. After the acquisition of the original McClellan group claims, Birch realized he desperately needed funding to construct
1495-593: The Seattle Lake Short and Eastern Railroad, Heney had earned the epithet "the boy contractor." He garnered an international reputation following his work on the White Pass and Yukon Route for Close Brothers and Company of London. The Alaska copper claims attracted Heney's attention to the Copper River valley. He surveyed a route that would well-serve the mining interests of the area and founded
1560-464: The Secretary of War that the papers referred to would be held, pending call from the Attorney General for any papers or information that may be on file in this office. As it is understood that the Department of Justice was investigating the matter, no further action was taken by his office. "However, on November 26, 1910, Mr. Stuart McNamara, of No. 52 William Street, New York, formerly connected with
1625-583: The Senate, each for a four-year term. This act also moved Alaska from simply a purchased piece of property ruled by the U.S. military to the status of District. However, the Organic Act of 1884 was only a start to government in Alaska and it still left the control of Alaska's resources to the federal government and largely, outside private interests. The Alaska Syndicate , a conglomeration of privately owned businesses headed by Guggenheim interests, represented outside rule of Alaska's resources. Their main focus
1690-518: The aims of proponents of Alaskan home rule. Coupled with the growing distaste for wealthy bankers and "Captains of Industry" that was brewing across the country at the time, the public images of the Morgans and Guggenheims took a great hit. Often portrayed together in political cartoons (with thinly veiled anti-Semitism) as the Shylock-like monster Morganheim (or Guggenmorgan), the controllers of
1755-408: The average family size was 2.87. Age spread: 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males. The median income for a household in the village was $ 28,571, and the median income for
1820-536: The boat to traverse the Kantishna River. By June 4, the excursion party had staked gold claims on Chitsia Creek, and, thanks to a map with description filed at Rampart, this led to larger prospecting for the Kantishna Mining. The trip took a turn for the worse when the party came to an impassable mountain face. On June 20, Wickersham wrote in his diary, "...and [we] have reluctantly concluded there
1885-632: The building of roads, the lure of profits attracted railway companies. Michael James Heney (1864-1910), a Canadian of Irish descent, had a clear passion for the railroad. He first left home, briefly, at the age of fourteen to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). When Heney was 17, he left again to work on the CPR in Elkhorn, Manitoba. Upon its completion, Heney, at age 21, was ready to become an independent contractor. After building
1950-405: The case took so long that he only served for 4 days before the term ended. Before Wickersham could be seated, Sulzer died and his seat was filled by George Barnes Grigsby in a special election that was subsequently voided. (This doesn't make sense. Earlier it says that Sulzer died before being certified as the winner, so that would mean that Wickersham didn't need to contest the vote) This makes him
2015-511: The east side of the village, leading north 15 miles (24 km) to Vandalia and south 10 miles (16 km) to Sandoval . Salem , the Marion county seat , is 16 miles (26 km) to the southeast. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , Patoka has a total area of 1.12 square miles (2.90 km ), all land. The village is drained to the west by tributaries of the North Fork, which joins
James Wickersham - Misplaced Pages Continue
2080-498: The fear of taxation of their copper holdings if Alaska progressed to territorial status, or even worse, statehood.(Needs citation) Only two years later in Wickersham's second term as delegate, the home-rule bill passed as the Second Organic Act in 1912 establishing Alaska officially as a United States territory with a legislature. While Congress still maintained heavy control over the territory, it allowed Wickersham to move against
2145-418: The illegal distribution of thirty-three federal government Alaskan coal land claims to the Guggenheim interests, culminated in a Congressional investigation and brought Alaska directly into the national headlines. In the midst of it all, James Wickersham was a big contribution to Alaska becoming a state. The town of Kennicott was home to over 500 miners and their families, which is now a small community. It
2210-583: The influence in Washington of the "Alaska Syndicate," formed in 1906 by the fortunes of J. P. Morgan and Guggenheim. The Syndicate had purchased the large Kennicott-Bonanza copper mine and controlled much of Alaskan steamship and rail transportation, as well as a major part of the salmon canning industry. The Syndicate lobby in Washington had successfully opposed any further extension of Alaskan home rule. James Wickersham, who had been appointed to an Alaskan judgeship in 1900 by President McKinley, became alarmed by
2275-486: The intense flow of the Copper River, building around glaciers, and chiseling into the rock faces of two canyons. The railroad cost $ 20 million, including $ 1.5 million for the construction of the " Million Dollar Bridge ," which crosses the Copper River between the Miles and Childs Glaciers. When the great depression hit, the Alaska Syndicate was not immune. The price of copper collapsed and mining activities came to an end in
2340-510: The introduction of federal oversight Wickersham was one of three federally appointed judges. ( The other two were Arthur H. Noyes in Nome and the previously established Melville C. Brown in Juneau. This post made him one of the three most powerful people in Alaska, with no one within 3,000 miles to overrule his decisions or stand in his way. (editorializing) Wickersham was tasked with "cleaning up"
2405-670: The legal system after the Nome Gold Conspiracy which involved prominent Republican National Committee member Alexander McKenzie , and Judge Noyes. His start into Alaskan official law involved litigation of that reflected the Alaskan frontier spirit. "Chief Charley, head of the Charley River band of the Tena Indians, was the first litigant to appeal to the new court officials for justice." According to court records, someone from upriver had stolen his dog, considered
2470-598: The legality of coal mining claims made by Clarence Cunningham , a partner of J.P. Morgan and the Guggenheims. Cunningham had been the representative of 32 individuals seeking claims in what would soon be protected by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 as the Chugach National Forest . Cunningham was accused of staking the claims on 5,280 acres in order to later transfer them to the Alaska Syndicate, despite this surrogacy being specifically banned by
2535-495: The mining industry. Steven Birch was one of the earliest people who purchased claims in the Kennecott ores when it was first discovered. He persuaded JP Morgan and the Guggenheims to invest in the deposit at Kennecott. The operation and the development of the ores in Kennecott falls in the successions of two organizations: The Alaska Syndicate and the Kennecott Copper Corporation. The two organizations share
2600-546: The mountain via Peters Glacier and the North Face is today called the "Harvard Route," having first been climbed successfully in 1963 by a team of seven mountaineers from Harvard University. The north face is generally called "Wickersham’s Wall". Wickersham Dome , 3,207 feet, between Fairbanks and Livengood was named after the former judge and congressman. In 1960, Mount Wickersham in the Chugach Mountains
2665-710: The much larger oil tank farm near Cushing, Oklahoma . Some of the pipelines that connect to this oil tank farm are the Dakota Access Pipeline , the Enbridge Pipeline System , and the Trunkline Pipeline . Alaska Syndicate In an effort to thwart statehood and Alaskan home rule from Washington D.C., the Alaska Syndicate , was formed in 1906 by J. P. Morgan and Simon Guggenheim . The Syndicate purchased
James Wickersham - Misplaced Pages Continue
2730-568: The new times. Consequently, the Alaska Syndicate invited public participation and a new corporation, the Kennecott Copper Corporation, was founded. Essentially the same people controlled the Corporation, but with different tactics and methods to manage the organization. James Wickersham was district judge and delegate of the House of Representatives for the Territory of Alaska 1909-1917, 1919, and 1921, 1931-1933. The Territory of Alaska had
2795-504: The notion that Alaska was "First a Colony of Russia, then a colony of Guggenmorgan". Forester and conservationist Gifford Pinchot led the charge against the Alaska Syndicate and the so-called "Morganheims" and their supporter in Washington, Secretary of the Interior Richard Ballinger . Ballinger, a perceived enemy of the conservation movement of which Pinchot was a leading mover, had intervened in and investigated
2860-446: The only person to win a House seat via contest more than once. Wickersham's service as Delegate began major political themes in Alaska's history that still hold today. Alaska exists on the paradoxical theory of demanding state rule over its resources and yet still incredibly dependent on the federal government largely through, presently, the investment of the Department of Defense. (Editorializing) Wickersham's dilemma began this mindset (
2925-401: The political landscape across the board. For example, it caused the resignation of Ballinger, who was a politician in favor of the Alaska Syndicate. Also, the effects of this anti-syndicate climate caused the failure of President Taft's re-election to the presidency. His successor, president Wilson had a series of political reforms which made the old methods of the Alaska Syndicate to not work in
2990-407: The population. There were 281 households, out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and
3055-435: The potential influence of incorporated interests in the territory and took up the struggle for Alaskan self-government. Wickersham argued that Alaska's resources should be used for the good of the entire country rather than exploited by a select group of large, absentee-controlled interests—home rule, he claimed, would assure more just utilization of the territory's natural wealth. The 1910 Ballinger-Pinchot affair, which involved
3120-502: The recently passed Alaska Coal Act. Despite his initial validation of the Cunningham claims, and successfully weathering (with the help of Senator Simon Guggenheim ) a Congressional investigation into his dealings, Ballinger resigned in 1911 under sustained pressure from Pinchot and Congressional Democrats. His successor Walter Fisher soon rejected the Cunningham claims. The controversy also provided substantial fodder to further
3185-469: The remaining Copper River Railroad company assets, the venture was renamed the Copper River and Northwestern Railroad . The Alaska Syndicate then turned its attention to Katalla, another possible port with both oil and coal deposits. Katalla, however, was subject to violent storms, which destroyed the dock and much of the town. In the end, it was Heney's 195 mile route from Cordova to Kennecott which
3250-616: The reservation, 80 years of age, and a signer of the treaty of 1854; Mrs. John Hiaton and John Powers". The presentation has been reproduced by a digital file created at the Library of Congress. When Wickersham set off for Alaska he was allegedly dodging a government posting in Japan, and he told anyone who asked that he preferred the Eagle post, saying he "yearned for the Yukon, not Yokohama". With
3315-426: The same goals across different historical times. They are stability of supply, transportations and markets. The Alaska Syndicate, as typical businessmen in the 19th century, used bribes and promises to win business favors in the political system. However, their methods were seriously challenged by James Wickersham who led the Alaskan people against monopolism. The famous Ballinger-Pinchot Affair [14] eventually changed
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#17327796438733380-668: The summer of 1935. The Copper River and Northwestern railroad was last used in November 1938. The Alaska Syndicate took form in 1906 when the financial interests of JP Morgan merged with the mining interests of the Guggenheims, with Stephen Birch as the managing director. Stephen Birch also expanded the Syndicate to other ventures. Eventually, it acquired an important mercantile business, Alaska's second largest company, its largest steamship and its longest railroads. The discovery of high-grade copper ore at Kennecott attracted attention in
3445-473: The trip: George Jeffrey, Mort Stevens, Charlie Web and John McLeod. To finance the venture, the men published the first Tanana region newspaper, "The Fairbanks Miner, Vol. 1, No.1, May, 1903", consisting of eight typewritten pages. On the second day on the steamer, Wickersham's party discovered a boat drifting through the river ice flow. The team dubbed Wickersham the Admiral of the newly named Mudlark and used
3510-470: The vast majority of the interior of Alaska, Wickersham was an important man to have on your side. (remove, editorializing) His relationship with the development of Fairbanks helped shape not only the future of the Interior's steadily expanding city, but also the entire state. Wickersham's working relationship with Captain E.T. Barnette led to the initially small settlement developing into a city that became
3575-518: The votes of several precincts were wrongly excluded and he then served the last two months of that term. In 1918, he again lost to Sulzer - by 33 votes - who subsequently died before being certified as the winner. Wickersham chose not to run in the June 1919 special to fill the seat, but after it was over, he contested the 1918 election on the grounds of numerous election irregularities such as ballots that should have been counted and unqualified voters. He again won his contest, this time by 37 votes, although
3640-545: Was "…the development of copper holdings. It was for this purpose that it acquired and operated transportation lines." Thus, the Alaska Syndicate not only ruled the copper fields, but also the steamship lines that moved the copper back to the United States. When Wickersham became the Delegate for Alaska, he vowed to relinquish the Alaska Syndicate's hold on copper and transportation. One of the first issues that caused
3705-569: Was President of that organization in 1893. He presented a paper to the Academy on Feb. 6, 1893, entitled, "Is it Mount Tacoma, or Rainier?" During the presentation the following prominent Indians representing the Puyallup, Nesqually and Klickitat tribes were seated on the platform: George Leschi, son of Quiemuth, a leader in the Indian war of 1855; Jack Simmons; John Hiaton, one of the patriarchs of
3770-578: Was a classic "dry" company town. Most of the miners lived in company housing and life revolved around the mining operation. The Kennecott Copper Mine was the largest copper mine in the world at some time. (?) The mine operated from 1911 to 1938 in the town that is known now as McCarthy in Wrangell St. Elias National Park . In the spring of 1915, Guggenheim and Morgan formed the Kennecott Copper Corporation . The total production
3835-526: Was already convinced to back the railroad. As a result of Birch's efforts, in June 1906 Guggenheim "joined with the house of Morgan to form the Alaska Syndicate with the specific goal of developing Birch's copper mine." Birch was one of the three managing directors of the syndicate. With the financial backing of Guggenheim and Morgan, the railway was built and Birch developed the Kennecott copper mines, which consisted of several large copper mines including
3900-537: Was completed in 1911. Many workers in Katalla would hold out hope for a spur railroad, in order to utilize the coal reserves as fuel for the railroad, but eventually, the Gugenheims converted their engines from coal to oil powered, eliminating the need. The syndicate's railroad construction was not without competition and confrontations. Although various means were employed to discourage competing railways, violence
3965-479: Was couched in such eloquent language that the audience didn't know exactly what Marquam was being called — but by the tone they figured it was something pretty bad...It was years later that I found out that Judge Wickersham merely was calling Marquam a loud-talking Irishman ." Wickersham led the first recorded attempted climb of Denali , departing from Fairbanks May 16, 1903, on the *Tanana Chief* steamer with two mules, Mark and Hannah. Four companions who joined him on
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#17327796438734030-520: Was named after him. Patoka, Illinois Patoka is a village in Marion County , Illinois , United States . The population was 525 at the 2020 census. The village was named after a local Native American chieftain. Patoka is located in northwestern Marion County at 38°45′12″N 89°5′44″W / 38.75333°N 89.09556°W / 38.75333; -89.09556 (38.753362, -89.095524). U.S. Route 51 passes through
4095-473: Was over. "It was an outright bribe" quoted one historian. Personal opinions and ever changing allegiances aside, as far as the future of Fairbanks went, Barnette could always count on Wickersham to have his back as what Barnette wanted usually was what was best for Fairbanks. ( remove, editorializing) After Wickersham concluded his service as judge, he moved on to represent Alaska's interests in Washington. Wickersham successfully ran for congressional delegate for
4160-501: Was used on two occasions. The more famous occasion involved the fatal shooting of a worker from the Alaska Home Railroad, a rival who wanted to pursue the Valdez route that the syndicate had abandoned. The deputized leader of the band who shot the worker was subsequently tried and "the syndicate lost much face as charges of bribery and other irregularities were aired." The terrain presented difficulties including bridging
4225-418: Was valued at over $ 200 million which is now comparable about $ 3 billion. After all of the rich copper deposits were depleted the mines of Kennecott along with the railroad, ceased operations. The Alaska Syndicate was formed to develop the mine which eventually expanded into coal, salmon, and infrastructure throughout the state. Their influence helped to prevent Alaska from becoming a state as early as 1916. While
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