From the June 15, 1978 edition of The Skagway News (Vol. 1, No. 2)
Skagway listed as alternative oil port
Skagway could provide the missing link to the problem of getting Alaskan crude oil from the North Slope to the energy-starved Midwest. The possibility of tanking oil from Valdez to an oil port at Skagway, where it would then be pumped though a pipeline to Whitehorse and south remains an acceptable proposal.
Foothills, the company already selected to build the Alaskan portion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline, came up with the two proposals at the National Energy Board’s supply and demand hearings two weeks ago.
The Skagway News arrives at last
The Skagway News is back! After 75 years of swirling in the dust on Broadway, hiding under the boardwalk and settling in safes of old buildings, The Skagway News is back together again!
A lot has happened since that day in 1903 when the original Skaguay News ceased publication. And there is lots of catching up to do, says new editor/publisher W.J. Brady, 21. Brady says he has done his homework on past and present conditions and promises a newspaper that will be an active voice in the community, just as The Skaguay News and The Daily Alaskan were when Skagway was young.
“Covering the news here is no problem although things happen pretty fast every now and then. At present I am the only full-time reporter, so citizen input is essential. If I miss something or if it looks like I am going to miss something, somebody should call me to make sure I’m there,” Brady said.
Brady is a native of Hickory, North Carolina and has spent the last two summers working in Skagway as a taxi driver, trail guide, and bunkhouse manager. He recently graduated from the University of North Carolina. At 21, he is the youngest editor/publisher in Alaska.
Jeff Brady rolls off the ferry from Seattle in May 1978 with the News van, a fixture on Skagway’s streets until it was driven to death in the early 1990s. The late Al Swingle, a good friend, took this photo.
Editorial: Thanks to The North Wind
The Skagway News wishes to thank The North Wind and publisher Cy Coyne for the service they have given to Skagway since 1963.
The News is no longer interested in purchasing The North Wind, since it looks like our paper will do well on its own.
We wish Cy Coyne continued success in the years ahead, as he has been a valuable asset to this community for many years. We are glad that he is supporting us in our venture, and helping us out when we come to him with problems about the newspaper business.
Dedman’s Photo celebrates 50th
The Dedman’s Photo Shop celebrated its 50th business anniversary on May 18 with an open house. Sandwiches, cake, coffee, and punch were served to over 100 townspeople who dropped by to acknowledge Skagway’s oldest family owned and operated business.
The present Dedman’s is managed by Barbara Kalen, the daughter of Henry and Bessi Dedman. Barbara’s daughter, Betsy Albecker, is the assistant manager. Betsy’s children, Dale and Averill )ages 13 and 10 respectively) have begun to learn the trade. Their apprenticeship marks the fourth generation of Dedman blood in Skagway’s oldest family enterprise.
Ground broken for new library building
Ground was broken on May 13 for the new public library building, a project that has been in the “wishful dream” stage for over 30 years.
An appropriation from the State for $225,000 was obtained two and a half years ago.
Central expects to resume highway work in mid-June
Construction of the Skagway-Carcross Highway is expected to resume in mid-June and will be handled again by Central Construction Company of Anchorage. Bob Nordhogen, project manager for Central, told the News he was bringing about 20 workers with him this year to put the finishing touches on the project. Target date for completion on both the Canadian and American sides is Sept. 1.
Seven graves moved from Dyea cemetery
The exhumation of seven graves from the “Native Cemetery” on the west bank of the Taiya River in Dyea concluded May 27, and the National Park Service has relocated the plots near the “Slide Cemetery” where the river will not claim them.
Craig Davis, NPS archaeologist from Anchorage, who was in charge of the project, spent a week moving most of the marked graves from the cemetery. The permit granted by Magistrate Virginia Burfield allowed him to move only those graves that could be identified.
MORE SILVER ANNIVERSARY MOMENTS