35-xx-xx ep39Alaska

Frontier fighters. Here fighters. Memorable moments from the lives of those who gave us our frontiers.

One of the most intensely interesting and thrilling chapters in the annals of American history is that of Alaska, the land of the midnight sun, and to those men who gave to the United States that new land, we pay tribute in this episode.

Our story opens in the year 1867. In a rather dimly lighted room in Sitka, a certain transaction is being brought to a close. In the room are several Russians and several Americans. The scratching of a pen is the only sound for a moment, then...

There, gentlemen. The United States has purchased Alaska for $7,200,000. A heavy price? Yes. But the deal is finished. There is no longer any need for us to stay here. A good day, gentlemen. We hope that your government will not regret the purchase.

So do I. Goodbye. Well, that's that. Seven million two hundred thousand for this. Snow and ice. I don't know what Seward was thinking of. What will the American people say when they learn of this?

The American people heard of the purchase of Alaska. Within credulous stares, they read their newspapers. One day in the lobby of Congress... What sort of nonsense did Seward do now? Over seven million dollars for...

I'll tell you for what? For a country of ice and snow. Why, do you know that there are only 30,000 people up there, and two-thirds of them are Eskimos and other nations? Ah, it's outrageous. I am going to fight this thing.

No, you're fighting something that's already gone through Congress room. It seems that the United States will have to put up with Seward's father. Seward's father? Why, I believe you hit on the name for this Senator.