The Northern Light

"Aunt Phil's Trunk: Volume One" is an exciting new collection of short stories about Alaska's past. Most are historical facts, while others are tales the co-author, Phyllis "Aunt Phil" Downing Carlson, had heard from various Alaska Natives while living in rural Alaska.

UAA alumn Laura Downing Bill, who self-published the collection, inherited her Aunt Phil's stories after Carlson died in 1993. Since then, the stories have been published separately in Alaska magazines throughout the state and country. Bill brings humor and excitement to the 32 brief tales in the first volume of "Aunt Phil's Trunk." The rare photographs of historical figures and sites make the book an effortless and adventurous read. Three main sections comprise the book. The first part is about early Alaska culture and Russian colonialism. Bill describes brutal tribal wars between the different clans of Alaska Eskimos and Indians; the Russian fur trade and ice company, sold to Californians during the gold rush; and the many revolts the Native population marshaled against Russian invaders. One story from the book's beginning stands out in particular: the story of Sha-E-Dah-Kla, the most powerful shaman in Cook Inlet. He could cast off evil demons and heal the sick. He even brought his son back from the dead. Tales like this are told with such enthusiasm that one cannot help believing them. The second part of the book follows Alaska's infancy as part of the U.S. and describes how "Seward's Folly" turned out to be the richest land in North America. Most of the second section deals with the gold rush era and how five-cabin towns became mini metropolises, where people from every corner of the world came to Alaska's subarctic, arid land to search for golden treasure deep within the frozen ground. Men and women would do insane €" even suicidal €" things to profit or just to make ends meet.With the gold rush came criminals, ladies of lust and the church of Christ, which is what the third section of "Aunt Phil's Trunk" is about. Tales of "Soapy Smith" and how he managed to run the whole town of Skagway with his criminal underworld convey the injustices and hardships that early pioneers of Alaska had to endure. But tales of goodness €" such as of the Sisters of Providence and how they brought hope to many Alaska towns, including Anchorage, Fairbanks and Nome €" show how people went out of their way to help those in need.

"Aunt Phil's Trunk" is a must-read for anyone interested in Alaska's history. Volume two of the series should be coming out in the spring of 2007. "Aunt Phil's Trunk" is available at the UAA Bookstore. Bill will give a talk and book signing at the UAA Bookstore Wednesday, Nov. 15, 12:30 €" 1:30 p.m.

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