Meet Elbridge Truman “E.T.” Barnette, (1863–1933)The man who founded Fairbanks.He was a riverboat captain, a banker, and a swindler.Gold FeverWhen the steamship Portland arrived at the West Coast with its one ton of gold from the Alaska gold strike, like many others, E.T. Barnett came down with a bad case of gold fever.He decided to take the “Rich Man’s Route” to avoid Skagway and the passes. He boarded the ocean steamer, Cleveland in Seattle to travel to St. Michael, where he had booked a river steamer to Dawson City.But the Cleveland ran into fog, bad weather, and had a fire in the hold compartment. A disease also broke out among the passengers. Eventually, the steamer made it to St. Michael, where Barnette discovered that his river steamer to Dawson had already left.So Barnette and 60 other passengers from the Cleveland purchased their own river steamer, the St. Michael, to take them to Dawson.More TroubleOn their way to Dawson, the St. Michael became frozen in the river at Circle City.But Barnette was determined to get to the Klondike. So, he bought a fast dog team to take him to Dawson.Once he was there, Barnette discovered that every creek on the Klondike river had already been claimed.E.T. Barnette was forced to take a job to earn enough money to go back home.Yes, You Can Share ThisDid you know that you can easily share this edition of the Alaska Stories podcast with your friends and family?And when you do, they will be so happy that they will send you on an all-expense trip to Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands, rated #1 in 2022 according to TripAdvisor users… well, it could happen.To share this, click on the following link.Thanks for reading Alaska Stories. This post is public, so feel free to share it.Try, Try AgainBy the early 1900s, Barnette had enough money and decided to go back to Alaska, where this time he would set up a Trading Post along a new Railroad Route at Tannana Crossing.In St. Michael once again, along with 130 tons of freight to start his Trading Post, he bought the river steamer, Arctic Boy.Unfortunately, the Arctic Boy struck a rock and sank in St. Michael harbor.So Barnette convinced Captain Charles Adams of the steamer Lavelle Young, to take him, his wife Isabelle, his employees and freight to Tannana Crossing.The Captain agreed, with one important contractual agreement.Barnette, his wife, employees, and freight would be put ashore at the “farthest point” the boat was able to reach… regardless of where that was.Low WaterEventually, as they headed up the Tannana River, they ran into low water. But Barnett convinced Adams to head for the Chena River.But, as they headed up the Chena, they ran into low water once again.This time, Barnette and Captain Adams had an argument that ended with Barnette, his wife, several employees and 130 tons of freight being put off the steamer and on to the banks of the Chena River.As Captain Adams and his steam boat headed back down the Chena, Isabelle Barnette stood on the riverbank and cried.Photo above is the first Trading Post camp on the Chena River in 1903E.T. Barnette established his trading post.Some time later, in a conversation with Judge James Wickersham, the Judge convinced Barnette to name his trading post after U.S. Senator Charles W. Fairbanks of Indiana.Yes, Fairbanks was founded because of a series of mishaps and was named following a conversation with a Judge.BONUSTo learn more, and how a swindle nearly caused a hanging, take a look at:Fairbanks, Alaska and discover.From our North Stars (that’s you)From “This is the Remarkable Z.J. Loussac” editionBearpawz made this observation:“Sounds like ZJ Loissac was a really good guy.. I do like the design of the midtown library. The old city hall building downtown is supposed to turn into a new branch eventually, but I'm not sure what the timeline on that is.”Wandal remembers:“This “Loussac Edition” brought back many fond memories. My parents arrived in Anchorage with me and my sister in 1952 when I was 6 years old and not much of a reader. Then I discovered the Loussac Library and read Andre Norton’s “Starman’s Son”. From then on, there was no looking back and the library became my favorite hangout. By late grade school I was checking out 12 books per week (the limit) and in Jr High (O D Clark) made a book report on The World Book Encyclopedia. Must be inheritable as my kids are now ‘addicted to books’. Thanks you ZJ”And Irene said this:“I loved that library. In 1955 I was 11 years old and that library was fascinating. Thanks for the wonderful memories.”Larry added this:“I remember going downstairs to the Assembly meetings with Mayor George Sullivan around 1971-1972.”Contact Mike and MaryDid you enjoy learning about E.T. Barnette and the founding of Fairbanks?You can easily send us a comment by replying to this email. And you can even Contact Us us to say, “hey, I love the Alaska Stories podcast.”Until Next ...
