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“Captain Castner of Chilkoot”

 Collection
Identifier: MS 4-37-14

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a 16 page manuscript by William J. Betts, titled “Captain Castner of Chilkoot” and eleven 8x10 black and white images to accompany the manuscript. The photographs depict activities at Chilkoot Barracks, 1935-1937, and Colonel Castner.

Dates

  • 1935-1937

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Use

Request for permission to publish or reproduce material from the collection should be discussed with the Librarian. Photocopying does not constitute permission to publish.

Biographical / Historical

William J. Betts enlisted in the Army, 7th Infantry, Chilkoot Barracks, Haines, Alaska in 1935. The subject of his manuscript is Captain Lawrence V. Castner, Betts’ commanding officer, and his company while stationed at Chilkoot Barracks. Betts later reenlisted and the promoted Colonel Castner invited him to join “Castner’s Cutthroats,” a group of scouts sent to the Aleutian Islands. Betts declined the offer, but attributed the scouts’ accomplishments to their training under Captain Castner at the Chilkoot Barracks. Captain Castner was a grandson of Lt. J.C. Castner of the 4th Infantry, who led an expedition up the Matanuska Valley and over the divide into the Tanana Valley in the 1880s.

Extent

27 items : 1 folder ; 16 page manuscript ; 11 8x10 black and white photographs

Language of Materials

English

Processing Information

This collection has been described at the item level. All items have been placed in mylar and into a pH-neutral folder.

Title
Finding aid for the “Captain Castner of Chilkoot”
Status
In Progress
Author
Processed by: Alea Oien and Anastasia Tarmann, Apr. 2009 ; Revised by: Connie Hamann, Oct. 2017 ; ArchivesSpace finding aid by: Sandy Johnston
Date
2019 May
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Alaska State Library - Historical Collections Finding Aids Repository

Contact:
PO Box 110571
Juneau AK 99811-0571 US
907-465-2920
907-465-2925
907-465-2151 (Fax)