Goodbye Little Cabin

The poem, written by Robert Service, is performed by Alaska's Ambassador of Good Will, Larry Beck (1935-1990).

The subject, his little cabin in Dawson, YT, could be about any cabin anyone has had that they loved and had to leave or lost. Even Larry Beck loved his little log home in Anchorage, Alaska. I chose to dedicate this to Milo E. Flothe, because his cabin on the Fairman Claims, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, was so symbolic of cabins we've all loved. Actually his was improved, used for a tourism project, then dedicated to the pioneers of the Chugach Forest and the miners therein. In the early days of the Chugach Forest, the foresters and the miners worked together for the preservation of the forest. Forester Hunt stayed in this very cabin on fire tours of the peninsula.

Shorty after our joining with the present forsters in placing a dedcation plaque on the cabin, vandals burnt the cabin to the ground. Those of us who were involved with that cabin never really recovered from the loss.

Individuals ;pictured momentarily in the video were the group of miners on the stream, most of whom are now passed, Milo's kids, and some tourists or friends working the claims. Milo delighted in taking friends to the claims so they could prospect like the old miners did.

I'm sure Mr. Beck wouldn't mind my adding some music to the recital. I know he performed occasionally with guitars and other music. I'm certain Mr. Service wouldn't mind either. Both had probably heard this haunting melody by Rachmaninoff. I had to put it behind Milo's cabin.

Mr. Beck was a performer who worked to promote tourism to the 49th state. That work led to his appointment by Governor Keith Miller in 1972 as "Alaska's Ambassador of Good Will." He was not only a performer of the first rank but was also an authority on Alaska, the North and its gold rush history. He had a career of writing, reciting, singing, recording and traveling the world over. He wrote 6 books of poetry, recorded eight audiotapes and completed over 10 documentary films on various historical interests of Alaska. He was also in the first graduating class for West Anchorage High School.

Mr. Beck also did a very popular TV program in Anchorage called "Mother Moose," where he again created and recited poetry in the style of Service, specifically for children (of all ages).

Robert Service Dear Little Cabin Larry Beck Milo Flothe Kenai Mining Gold

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Robert
• Service
• Dear
• Little
• Cabin
• Larry
• Beck
• Milo
• Flothe
• Kenai
• Mining
• Gold

[treider1]

This was a particularly poignant video; In 1986, Milo let me and some friends stay in that cabin; it was the happiest week of my life. Unfortunately, several years later, I was the person who had to inform Milo that his cabin had been burned to the ground. It was one of the worst moments of my life. He was devastated. Milo was the person who ignited my passion for mining. He was a giant in my eyes, in all respects.

[ffurgy]

I never recovered, either. Milo and I would go back, stay in my cabain, but he'd never go over to the ashes of his...I took all the metal remains and put them in an exploration pit for him......finally his heart problem kept him from going down...which was probably the best...I went back one time after Milo turned in his keys....said goodbye. I did put a special dedication in a block under my cabin..to Milo, Fairman, and the wonderful foresters who were friends with the miners in those days.

[plasticaholic]

Very nice makes me wanna be there....:)

[treider1]

Hi Mike, did you get the message I sent you last night? I tried to forward you my email address but it looks like YouTube masks them out or something. I'd like to get in touch with you! Thanks, Eric T.