Kincaid and the Alaska Treasure — Curtis Carney

GOLD! GOLD! GOLD! Was the cry that was heard in many parts of the world as gold was discovered in untold amounts in Juneau, Alaska in 1880. The lure of fortunes in gold, the fur industry, the fishing industry, and the logging industry all brought may types of people to this unsettled land, called the Alaskan Territory.

Sid Bonner, Manager of the Department of Agriculture, Wrangell Alaska, leaned back on the front of his desk, as he stated to James and Moaka, “The Territorial Governor, John Brady, has insisted that the Department of Agriculture be the lead agency in solving many of Alaska's growing problems, and if we encounter difficulties, we are supposed to request help from our Seattle headquarters.”
“I summit to you that we here in this office have been given an almost impossible task. It will be our objective to control the mining claims, to stop illegal fishing on or off Tlingit areas, to minimize lands damage during timber sales and contracts, to stop or at least slow down poaching of big game and illegal trophy fishing, and of course, we don't want to forget about the new player on the Alaskan scene, the affluent tourist from the large cities down south, that wants to catch the biggest fish or bag the biggest moose or elk.”

James Kincaid and Moaka are tested for their skills in the Alaskan Territory while trying to keep peace between elements of mining, fishing, hunting, and tourism as each industry grows in the year of 1904. They must keep law and order in the wilderness where no law exists. The only law that does exist is in local townships by local sheriffs. James and Moaka must at times be the judge and jury in the wilderness against wild game poaching, and attempt to bring the lawless men to justice to save Alaskan wildlife for the good of the legal hunt.

About the Author
Being a native of Idaho, Curtis has always been close to wild game, good fishing, and high mountains. He traveled extensively throughout the world while serving in the Marines and later in life as a tourist, during his working years and after retirement. In each country he visited, his interest in the country s cultures and traditions were of the upmost importance. For many years, he has worked closely with the Idaho Fish and Game protecting and establishing wildlife habitat, and has given numerous presentations concerning best management practices of rivers and reservoirs. Alaska has always sparked his interest, especially during the period of time just after the initial purchase from Russia. Having traveled broadly in Alaska and being inquisitive about the ancient traditions of the Eskimo people, Curtis was driven to write about the opening of the new frontier.