A background of lies: The flock of falsehoods that buoyed the career of Alaska Governor JFA Strong

Governor J.F.A. Strong signs Alaska Prohibition Referendum Bill, on April 13, 1915. on Alaska history by local historian David Reamer. Have a question about Anchorage or Alaska history or an idea for a future article? Go to the form at the bottom of this story.

Third, Strong was not, as the article stated, from Kentucky, let alone the son of a Kentucky colonel, as he sometimes claimed. This is the most important of the explicit lies in the article. He was not even American, though he went to great lengths to pretend as such. He may have added Franklin to his name in order to sound more American.

While in Washington, Strong began telling people he was an American. There is no evidence that Strong ever attempted to become naturalized. He was definitely not an American citizen as of his tenure as governor. Nor was Kentucky his only false birthplace. For the 1900 Census, he said he was born in Georgia. In 1923, five years after the end of his run as governor, he was a passenger on a ship bound for New York City. On arrival, he described himself as a British citizen born in Canada.

Endorsements from across Alaska had poured into Washington, D.C. for Strong. As the admittedly biased Empire declared, “the Territorial Legislature, the Delegate to Congress, the Democratic organizations, Democratic clubs, commercial organizations, and citizens generally in unofficial position and in unofficial capacity — miners, fishermen, businessmen and professional men, employers and toilers everywhere, had joined in one unanimous demand for his selection.

While the Democratic and Republican parties of the 1910s bear no resemblance to their 2023 counterparts, politics then could be familiarly partisan. Many of his allies had known the circumstances of his birth for years but assumed he had been naturalized. Strong’s support for Republicans turned fellow Democrats against him, not his years of lies.

ANC_Historian Um… they all do?

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Afternoon Briefing: Illinois ranks 2nd behind Alaska for wintering bald eaglesGood afternoon, Chicago. Here's what is happening today. - 35 Illinoisans have been charged for taking part in the Jan. 6 riot - Lightfoot faces criticism over suspended cop’s ties to Proud Boys - Republicans flip in dramatic votes for House speaker
Source: chicagotribune - 🏆 8. / 91 Read more »

As session approaches, Alaska Senate leader aims for consensus and outlines likely prioritiesCathy Giessel, the incoming leader of a bipartisan caucus in the Alaska Senate, and Sen. Click Bishop, the incoming majority whip, issued warnings about budget woes and Permanent Fund investment losses. Via AlaskaBeacon AlaskaBeacon Cut the damn budget
Source: adndotcom - 🏆 293. / 63 Read more »

Alaska’s population rose slightly in 2022, but more people continue to leave than arriveThe new Alaska population estimate, 736,556, is the highest since 2018, but the state continues to have more people moving out than moving in, and 2022 marked the 10th consecutive year of negative net migration.
Source: KTOOpubmedia - 🏆 439. / 53 Read more »

Alaska bans the use of TikTok on state-owned devicesGov. Dunleavy announced Friday that use of the Chinese-owned social media platform is banned on state devices, following in the footsteps of more than a dozen states with similar bans.
Source: adndotcom - 🏆 293. / 63 Read more »

Hunter bear bait ban proposed for Alaska national preservesThe National Park Service is proposing a rule that would prohibit bear baiting in national preserves in Alaska
Source: WOKVNews - 🏆 247. / 63 Read more »

Alaska joins more than a dozen states banning TikTok on state devicesGov. Mike Dunleavy banned the use of the social media app TikTok on all state-owned devices today, citing national security concerns. Good. People will be in high whine about the inability to use the CCP peopoganda/ideological subversion app.... They can live with all the other garbage apps like FB and IG PhilipReichert Good !
Source: AKpublicnews - 🏆 387. / 55 Read more »