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MARCH 1947–Salvationists sail on the New Annie enroute to Congress. Charlie Jimmie is beating the drum.
Commissioners David and Doreen Edwards planned on being in Haines on Thursday night and participating in opening ceremonies for the Alaska Congress. Instead, they spent the night in Juneau after being stranded at the airport.
Also stuck were Colonels Henry and Marjorie Gariepy (R), Major Anne Pickup, New Frontier Managing Editor Sue Schumann Warner, and a number of Salvationists and officers.
They had been on the last flight allowed into Juneau that afternoon before the airport shut down due snow and low visibility. They soon learned they had had “an Alaskan experience.” Of those stranded, some opted to take a “guaranteed” 4 a.m. ferry to Haines; others chanced the weather would change and made reservations for early morning flights. All arrived in Haines the next morning.
In the past, transportation was slower, but more reliable: by fishing boat. “I remember when we went to Congress in seine boats,” said Clarence Jackson. “The bands would play as we came in. It was wonderful. In the 60s, the ferries came in. It made traveling easier for our people.” Matilda Lewis had similar feelings, “It used to be fun a long time ago, when we’d come by gas boat. People would come out to meet us, and people on the boats would be singing.”
