Wrangell History Unlocked

This week, we recognize some of the outstanding authors in Wrangell history. Authors featured include: Patricia A. Neal, Bonnie Demerjian, Pat Roppel, Frances Lackey Paul, Debra Komar, and Dr. Emily L. Moore.

See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/reading-wrangell-historians

In 1899, amidst the chaos of the Klondike Gold Rush, a new minister arrived in Fort Wrangel to serve to a congregation split along racial lines. The Reverend H.P. Corser became an advocate for his Alaska Native congregation and challenged his superiors in the church. The conflict set Reverend Corser, and his congregation, on a path of exodus.

See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/corser

After Christmas Day 1869 turned into a bloody mess, the United States Army opened fire on the Tlingit village of Ḵaachx̱ an.áakʼw. The bombardment lasted two days, and ended with the first murder trial held by the United States in Alaska.

In Part II of The Christmas Bombardment, we'll look at the days, months, and years that followed.

See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/bombardment

When William Tamaree was six years old, the US Army fired cannons on his village, Ḵaachx̱ an.áakʼw, kicked off by a drunken party on Christmas Day 1869. He revealed a new version of the story, that unraveled a massive coverup and days of violence. Tamaree's story forces us to rethink what we know about the event known as The Bombardment of Wrangel.

In Part I, we'll set the stage, by looking at the events leading up to Christmas Day, 1869. We'll shine a light on the key players, who become the important figures in the story.

See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/bombardment

In 1923, two respected Tlingit elders in Wrangell were arrested. Charlie Jones was charged with illegal voting and perjury for voting in the 1922 general election. And Tillie Paul Tamaree was accused of inducing him to do it. The arrests were the latest escalation in a long, simmering battle over Alaska Native rights.

This is the story of what happened in Wrangell, before Election Day, on Election Day, and after. The arrest of Charlie Jones and Tillie Paul-Tamaree wasn't just about politics. It was about family.

See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/tillie-paul-tamaree-the-right-to-vote

A member of a prominent Wrangell family is arrested for murder after an encounter on Cow Alley leaves one man dead. The year is 1921. The trial of Charles Lynch for the murder of Harry Nakamoto features some of Alaska's biggest names. It paints a picture of what life was like in a politically-charged time in Wrangell history, and it offers a glimpse into to lives of Asian immigrants to Alaska.

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See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/harry-nakamoto

In our first episode, we look at the life of William King Lear (1832 - 1915). He is best known as the man who owned Fort Wrangel during a gold rush. He defended his claim to own Fort Wrangel for decades, during which time he shaped the Wrangell we know today.

See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/king-lear

There are many histories of Alaska, and I've always wanted Wrangell to have its own. I want to focus the lens a little longer, and look a little more deeply, to find the forgotten stories.

Join us on Wrangell History Unlocked. Each episode, we'll dive into a different piece of Wrangell's distant past. We'll weave together stories from newspapers, archives, first-hand accounts, and more.

Join me, Ronan Rooney, as we go to the past in Wrangell History Unlocked.

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