The First Bank of Skaguay (Alaska)

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Signature book of the First Bank of Skaguay

Much like the recent Dodge City police docket book found to exist for 1876-1877, I recently came across an equally important book for the history of Skagway, Alaska. The book is dated December 1897, just five months after the founding of the camp.

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Frank H. Reid's name appears in the book

The seller states that there are over 250 names of early residents and stampeders inside its pages, including that of Frank H. Reid, the man mistakenly credited with killing Soapy Smith. The book measures 14" x 8-1/2" and has no missing pages. As the history of early Skagway is sketchy this book is extremily important. Hopefully the city or Park Service will bid on this item. You can find the auction on eBay but hurry as it ends November 2, 2009. Bidding starts at $200.

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Some of the 250 signatures

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