The 3rd Infantry arrived in Skagway in July 1904. I only have a few records of men from that who were here: Private Curtis Hubbard (who was convicted for forgery), Quartermaster William Payne Jackson, Captain Charles Dwyer, Captain John W. Barker, James W. McAndrew, Lt. Samuel C. Orchard, and Col. Thomas Childs Woodbury.
However, there was one man, John Woods, who was quite freaked out by the thought of coming to Alaska with his regiment. This is from the Cincinnati Times Star of June 30, 1904:
“The departure of the Third regiment of infantry from Ft. Thomas, [Arizona] for Alaska was the cause of one of the Soldiers attempting to commit suicide. The regiment left Ft. Thomas on the 20th inst. for San Francisco, from which place they will sail July 2 for Alaska. Some of the soldiers of the regiment did not like to be stationed in the far North, but the most of them accepted the orders to leave in soldierly manner. John Woods of Company D of the Third infantry, however, brooded over the matter until he thought life would be unbearable in Alaska and that death here would be better, and not wishing to have the dishonor of being known as a deserter, attempted to commit suicide. His attempt at self-destruction occurred in the Grand Canon (sic) of the Colorado river in Arizona on the Santa Fe train, which was bearing the regiment to San Francisco. The train had stopped at a little station by the name of Canon Diable when, taking the razor, which is issued to all soldiers, he attempted to cut his throat. Comrades prevented him from succeeding in his attempt. It is thought that he will recover.”
Skagway Museum Rec; “Duty Station Northwest” by Lymon L. Woodman; Cincinnati Times online.
I don’t know who runs this blog but I would like to find out if there is more information known on James and Frances Wheeler. Their daughter is still living in Seattle and is seeking more historical information regarding her parents.
I would be interested in the records you mentioned for Pvt Curtis “Custis” Hubbard. He ended up serving 2 years in McNeil Island Federal Penitentiary in Seattle, Washington, He later lived in Tacoma, Washington, Portland, Oregon and Battle Creek, Michigan. Please contact me at roland19d at gmail.com
Hi Roland, the only information that I have is from the three sources listed. Sounds like you have lots more than I do. The “Duty Station NW” book is one I borrowed from the National Park Service library here in Skagway. You can also contact the NPS historian, Karl Gurcke at the Klondike Gold Rush NHP to see if he has more. His email is Karl_Gurcke@nps.gov
Good luck in your research.
Thank you for the information. I have sent an email to Karl.
For the record, Curtis “Custis” Tisdale Hubbard was a Con Man from New Orleans who probably would have been right in his element with Soapy Smith and his gang. He was arrested several times for check forgery and he often impersonated doctors – the most notable time being in 1931 when he checked himself into a hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for 10 days convalescence and “prescribed” steak, caviar, and two private nurses as a “cure” for his asthma. He also used his knowledge of the New Orleans surroundings to impersonate Episcopal Vestrymen/clergy from Houma, Louisiana, to solicit donations from unsuspecting members of the public.