USA > Alaska > Alaska, its neglected past, its brilliant future > Part 18
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merce, and navigation, extended to 530
Vol. 18. 1873-1875.
Appropriation for collecting information respecting the fur trade in 210
Salaries and traveling expenses of agents at seal fisheries . 375
Secretary of Treasury to designate months when fur seals may be taken on islands of St. Paul and St. George 24
And number which may be taken from each island . 24
Appointment of special agent and detail of naval officer
to visit and report on condition of seal fisheries, etc., 33, 34
Revised Statutes. First Edition. 1874 to 1891. Alaska, Agents of seal fisheries in, how paid 73
Two assistants discontinued . II5
Laws of Oregon adopted 433
Land districts in 433
320
ALASKA.
Page General land laws of the United States not to apply to, 433 Town sites in, how entered, etc. . 944 Survey of town sites . 944
Survey of town sites not to include mining rights 945
Purchase of land for trade and manufacture 944
Prior rights of surface owners protected . 945
What lands are reserved 945
Ports of delivery in 937
Entry of town sites; trustees ; maximum I100 Seal Islands, etc., reserved ; salmon fishing regulations, 1100 Reservation of Annette Islands for certain Indians (Met- lakahtla) . IIOI
Extra allowance for census agents 670
Ports of delivery established in 1087
Customs officers 1087
Proclamation against unlawful killing of fur-bearing animals in waters of . 1543, 1558, 1565
Special agent authorized to investigate seal fisheries, sea otter, etc., industries in . 46
Appropriation for Alaskan boundary survey, 960 Alaskan Seal Fisheries :
Appropriation for expenses of agents, etc. 387, 969
Publishing President's proclamation .
969
Deficiency appropriation for agents' salaries, etc. . 541 Publishing President's proclamation 867
Statutes at Large, Vol. 19. 1875-1877.
Appropriation for salaries of agents at seal fisheries in, 118 Steam revenue vessel in 357
To supply deficiency in appropriation for salaries of agents at seal fisheries in 363
Vol. 20. 1877-1879.
Appropriation for salaries, etc., of agents at seal fish- eries in . 218, 384
Deficiencies in
. 8, 385
IN FRONT OF MUIR GLACIER, ALASKA.
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-
-
ALASKAN LEGISLATION. 321
Page
Protection of interest of government in . 386
Oath of customs officers in, before whom taken 47 Mails to be carried by revenue steamer 212
Second Edition Revised Statute. 1878.
Laws of United States extended over 1954
Provisions common to all territories (See Terri-
tories ) . 1839, 1895
Regulation of trade in arms, ammunition and spirits 1955 Collection district, port of entry and what to comprise of . 2591, 2592
Coasting trade with · 4140
Regulation of coasting trade with
4358
Power of Secretary of Treasury to remit fines, etc., in certain cases in collection district of . 5293
1880-1881.
Appropriation for repair and preservation of public buildings in . 436
Alaskan Seal Fisheries :
Appropriation for expenses of protecting, etc .
441
Agents at, appropriation for salaries, etc., of 441
1881-1882.
Alaska, post routes established in
35I
Appropriation for salaries and expenses of agents at seal fisheries 314
Deficiency for
277
1882-1883.
Appropriation for salaries, etc., of agents at seal fish-
eries in
612
Protection of seal fisheries in
612
1883-1884.
Act making provision for a civil government for 24
Appointment of governor, etc .; residence, duties, powers 24
Clerk
24
21
322
ALASKA.
Page
District attorney 24
Marshal, deputy marshals 24
Commissioners 24
Sitka made the seat of government, etc. 24
Salaries of officers, etc. . 26
Appropriations for expenses of the government of . 179
Scal fisheries in 206
Compilation of laws applicable to duties of governor,
attorney, judges, etc., in 223
Support of Indian schools 91
Postal service in, Postmaster General may contract, etc., for I57
Vol. 24. 1885-1887.
Appropriation for education of children in . 243, 529
Salaries, government in . 191, 614
Contingent expenses 191, 614
Traveling expenses 252
Rent, etc., marshal's office 252
Expenses ; judge, marshal and attorney 540
Support, etc., of Indian pupils
45, 465
Alaskan Seal Fisheries :
Appropriation for expenses . 237, 524
Vol. 25. 1887-1889.
Alaska, Appropriation for salaries, government in 276, 726
Contingent Expenses 276, 726
Protection of seal islands · 510, 945
Expense of agents, seal fisheries . 521, 957
Survey of coast of
515, 946
Boundary survey . 515, 949
Education . 528, 962
Traveling expenses, court in 544,977 Expenses, marshal's office . 544, 977
Deficiency, education 921
Erection of obstructions in rivers to ascent of salmon, etc., unlawful ; penalty . 1009
323
ALASKAN LEGISLATION.
Special census, inquiries relating to Page Alaska boundary survey, appropriation for 765 . 515, 949 Alaskan Seal Fisheries :
Appropriation for expenses of agents . 521, 957
Vol. 26. 1889-1891.
Alaska, Appropriation for salaries, government in . · 249, 929
Contingent expenses 249, 929
Preliminary boundary survey 380
Education in
393, 970
Traveling expenses of officers
409, 986
Court expenses · 409, 986
Jurors and witnesses
410, 987
Naval Magazine .
801
Building at Mary Island and Sand Point 1087
Deficiency appropriation, protecting salmon, etc., fisheries . 509
Expenses, sealing lease 510
Coal to navy in 520
Purchase ; price ; prior occupants
1100
Payment for land purchased . 1100
Surveys
1100
Approval of surveys ; charges; patents 1100
Lands reserved from sale 1100
Rights of natives, etc .; fish culture, etc .; reserves . IIOO
Salary, Lafayette Dawson 527
Court expenses 541
Expenses, marshal 883, 891
Transportation of witnesses, etc. 883
Salaries
547
Expenses, President's Proclamation
867
Vol. 27. 1891-1893.
Appropriation for salaries, government in 205, 696
Contingent expenses 205, 696
Buildings continued, available . . 350 Protecting seal fisheries . . 355, 577
324
ALASKA.
Page
Refuge station, Point Barrow . 355, 577
Boundary survey 357,579
Seal fisheries' expenses 365, 500
Protection of salmon fisheries
Education 366
366, 590
Food, etc., natives of 372, 596
Seal islands 590 .
Court expenses . 385, 608
Inspection of Indian schools, 1890 . 614
Deficiency, preliminary boundary survey
35
Joint survey of territory adjacent to boundary line, 35
Supplies to natives of seal islands . 285
Education in 293
Rent, etc., judicial officers 299, 660
Agents, seal fisheries . 3II
Repairs, island of St. George 651
Protecting salmon fisheries 669
Investigation of seal-life by Fish Commissioners . 585 Convention with Great Britain concerning Bering Sea 947
A long proclamation from pages 947 to 954. Proclaimed May 9, 1892, by President Harrison and Secretary of State, Hon. James G. Blaine.
Survey of boundary line 955
Renewing modus vivendi in Bering Sea . 952
Proclamation against unlawful killing of fur-bearing animals, waters of 1008, 1070
Announcing modus vivendi with Great Britain con- cerning seal fisheries . 980
Setting apart Afognak Island as forest and fish-culture reservation . 1052
Boundary survey, appropriation for 357,579 Alaskan Seal Fisheries :
Appropriation for agents, salaries and expenses . . 365, 590 Publishing of proclamation against unlawful sealing, etc. 366, 590
325
ALASKAN LEGISLATION.
Page
Food, etc., to native islanders 366, 590
Fulfilling treaties with Great Britain (Bering Sea arbitration ). 28
Deficiency, fulfilling treaties with Great Britain ( Bering Sea arbitration ) 647
Inquiry by Treasury agent repealed 366
" Albatross," Fish Commission steatner, deficiency ap- propriation for expenses in Bering Sea seal fisheries, 35
1892-1895.
Alaska, Extracts of laws relating to fur seals in, extended to North Pacific Ocean 89
Commissioner at Kadiak 128, 211, 416
Seizure of vessels, when, and by whom 177
Commissioners, residence and salary
21I
Price of fox skins at St. Paul Island . 254
Vol. 28. 1893-1895.
For printing, etc., decisions of district court 414
Deficiency appropriation for marshal, court in 440
Traveling expenses 441
Rent, etc.
441
Court expenses
483
Convention extending time to complete boundary sur-
vey between British North America and . I200
Proclamation of fur-seal regulations . I245
Forbidding killing of fur-bearing animals in waters of . . 1258
Regulations for killing fur seals . 53
Commercial Company, deficiency appropriation for coal . . 427
Accounts to be examined by auditor for Treasury De- partment 206
1894-1895.
Appropriation for salaries, government in 786
Contingent expenses
786
326
ALASKA.
Page
Education of Indiams . 904
Point Barrow refuge station 920
Expenses, seal and salmon fisheries 932
Report on wanton destruction of game, etc. 932
Investigating gold and coal resources 939
Education in . 94 1
Reindeer 941
Expenses court officials
956
Rent, etc., courts
956
Alaskan Seal Fisheries :
Appropriation for protection of 919
Expenses of agents 932
Food, etc., to natives . 932
Publishing President's proclamation 932
Expenses, vessels' log books
932
1895-1896.
Appropriations for salaries, government in I60
Contingent expenses . . 160
Reconstructing government wharf, charges 413
Protecting seal fisheries, etc. 420
Coast surveys, etc. 422
Protecting salmon fisheries 431
Expenses, seal fisheries . 431
Investigating mineral resources 435
Education in 437
Reindeer station 437
Traveling expenses, court officials
449
Rent, etc., court officials
449
Repairs to buildings
449
Locating boundary between British North America and, on one hundred and forty-first meridian . 464
Deficiency, expenses, court officers 24, 295
Rent, etc. . 24
Supplies for natives 269
Expenses, salmon fisheries 27I
327
ALASKAN LEGISLATION.
Page
Contingent expenses . 277
Indian school, Circle City 292
Allowance for clerk hire 277 Customs district reorganized 60 New legislation as to attorneys and marshals not appli- cable to I86
Regulation of salmon fisheries 316
Alaskan Seal Fisheries :
Appropriations for expenses of agents . 431
Food, etc., to natives . 431
Publishing President's proclamation, etc. 431
Expenses of log books, etc . 431
1896-1897.
Alaska, appropriation for salaries, government in 560
Contingent expenses 560
United States Statutes at Large, Vol. 29. 1895-1897.
Appropriation for salaries, government in . 160, 560
Contingent expenses 160, 560
Reconstructing government wharf, charges 413
Protecting seal fisheries, etc. 420
Coast surveys, etc. . 422
Protecting salmon fisheries 431
Expenses, seal fisheries . 43I
Investigating mineral resources 435
Education in 437
Reindeer station 437
Traveling expenses, court officials 449
Rent, etc., court officials 449
Repairs to buildings
449
Proclamation declaring in effect laws prohibiting killing
fur-bearing animals in, etc. 878
Reserving lands to Greco-Russia Church 883
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
MISCELLANEOUS.
T HE preceding chapters may have a rather de- sultory and disconnected appearance, an effect that could not be avoided, as the writer desires, before any other object, to show in what manner he has traced the progress of affairs in Alaska. In his visit to the country he noted the possibilities which would have appeared to any one who evinced an equal interest in the place. Its scenic beauties charmed him, at the same time he was watching for every sign that would be a good foundation for the hope that one day Alaska should take the place upon this Continent that Sweden, Norway and Siberia now hold in Northern Europe and Asia.
Comparing those countries in the Eastern Hemis- phere with the territory in question, there is a ten- dency to regulate its temperature by their rigor- ous climate. This is right only in part, for, as mentioned in a previous chapter, the Southeast- ern part of Alaska is held under the influence of the Kuro Siwo, or Japan Current, which flows in a broad curve from the warm shores of Asia, and carries a part of its torrid heat all the way to our New Province. Certainly the temperature lowers as
328
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MAIN STREET, SITKA.
329
MISCELLANEOUS.
it proceeds along the Aleutian Islands in the cove- like curve, on its way, but it is sufficiently temperate to insure a mild climate on the coasts touched by it, and for a considerable distance inland, very much like that of a coast strip on the Eastern side of our country that may be said to include Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. This may be accepted to be the average all-the-year teni- perature. At Sitka, for instance, extreme cold is not known, the temperature being about like that of Philadelphia or Washington, D. C., a mean of 32.5 degrees Fahr. We are informed by observers who live there, that in some winters ice forms only in thin sheets, which may easily be broken, that the temper- ature seldom reaches zero, while the summer is pro- portionately warnı, but very short. The luxuriant growth of trees and plants is most wonderful and their thickness of foliage remarkable. But there is an ob- jection, such as is characteristic of the climate of the British Islands, in an over-abundance of moisture, the total rainfall amounting to ninety or one hundred inches annually. The sunshiny days are in the minor- ity, but when they do appear their exquisite love- liness can never be forgotten. The author will ever remember one of these days, followed by a lovely sull- set and a long, glorious twilight, which occurred when sailing to that country. The steamer entered one of the bay-like stretches of Lynn Canal from a
330
ALASKA.
cliff-bound narrow strait, at sunset, and the passen- gers, in groups, enjoyed the glorious scene. The vessel seemed to be sailing in a smooth sea of gold, the reflections were perfect, the very air was laden with the wonderful changing colors, while the shores of the bay and the mountains beyond were painted in all the tender tones of yellow, crimson, purple, pink and amethyst. The peculiar silence which set- tled over the observers and accompanied the pic- ture, made it more weirdly, I might say more sacredly, beautiful. Repeated quiet expressions escaped from nearly every fascinated beholder, when the evening shades began faintly and slowly to fall in sombre gray about us, the engine pulsated more frequently, and the vessel bore us onward more rapidly toward our destination. Our observations on the climate as- sured us that some day the South-Eastern part of Alaska will be a great resort for invalids to whom a moist climate with no sudden changes of temperature is beneficial, and it will be occupied by large com- mercial and mercantile cities through which the pro- ducts of the more rigorous interior and the mining towns will find their markets interchangeable, from thence to be dispersed by a line of Pacific steamers to the Orient and possibly by still nobler railways than now exist, to our own Eastern markets.
The protection long advocated is now loudly de- manded, and the call must be obeyed, although the
331
MISCELLANEOUS.
propriety and feasibility of military rule may well be held under very careful advisement at the present. If Circle City, and every other point in the United States Territory, had been already garrisoned with well disciplined troops, it would have been all right, but at this time of wild gold excitement, the establishment of fortifications would possibly only lead to contention, and likely to bloodshed. There are so many complications surrounding the affair that only those with the calmest and keenest judgment should undertake to act, even though the delay may seem undiplomatic. Unquestionably the miners of the Republican side of the boundary should be guarded as ably as are those in the Canadian district, and it should be attended to promptly before the early winter prevents the landing of proper officials, who at this time must be strictly unmilitary in all but faithfulness and discipline. There is no doubt that there are numbers of natives who could be appointed to police duty under experienced officers; so that the few drilled policemen that could be detailed now might have their force greatly increased by them at short notice. There can be no doubt of this because resident business men as well as missionaries certify to the intelligence and honesty of the greater number of the civilized Alaskans. Amicable friendliness and relationships and reciprocal concessions for the gen- eral good should at all times exist between Canada
332
ALASKA.
and the United States, and now is the time to be fra- ternal. At present the temporary indignation of the few, over the action of the Canadian Government with regard to the new mining laws and the gold taxation it requires from American miners, is rather intense, and will not admit of military or any other interference. The appearance of the well-known uniform would lately have acted like a fuse to a powder magazine, particularly among the less intelligent of the commu- nity of miners. Those of the Canadian police who are there can doubtless maintain order for a time, but 110 man should cross the line who is not going to obey the laws of Canada strictly and well.
Had troops been sent as at first proposed, Canadian citizens would quickly have formed the idea of in- tended hostilities upon the part of the United States that neither reason nor assurance could soon dispel; while the people of Alaska might feel that they could demand of the troops a wider exercise of authority than they would be permitted to exercise.
A reasonable deliberation should certainly be taken before the slightest attempt at retaliation is thought of or made, such action being very unwise unless sub- sequent inimical action, which is not now likely to occur, demands swift and decided measures. At the same time, we believe that our Government should study well the interests of her inhabitants before con- ceding sweeping rights to foreigners. If the right to
333
MISCELLANEOUS.
carry supplies through Alaskan waters to the Ameri- can port of entry at Dyea is given to British vessels, to the detriment of American ship-owners, who have the right to expect a trade for their vessels, and the employment of their men, it seems to them that the license now obtained by this act to British vessels ought to be taken into just consideration; and if the Canadian passes, trails or roadways and water- ways are equally open to the men, teams and boats of Alaska, we can see no cause for complaint. on fairly reciprocal grounds.
The proposition made by the British Government to reserve a portion of the newly discovered mining lands for revenue is the very idea expressed time and again by the writer, with regard to valuable mining or fertile lands in the United States, and we surmise that no reasonable thinker will deny its feasibility. In- creasing population, continual necessities for building, bridging and improving, make ever augmenting de- mands upon the Treasuries of the various States as well as upon the United States Treasury, and there must be some mode by which to keep them filled. A cry goes up against further taxation; so there must be another plan adopted. What better one can there be than that of devoting a portion of the natural re- sources of the country to that purpose! Individuals should not attain riches without making any return to the State or Territory in which the wealth is
334
ALASKA.
found. Another phase which should incet the careful attention of individuals is, that under the exist- ing state of affairs, only a few make fortunes, not many more make a competence, and the ma- jority turn away disheartened and poorer than when they commenced their toil for wealth; while under Government management a number would still obtain the greater amount, yet there would be paying work for all, flourishing towns would be established, where pos- sibly here, under operation, and there, forsaken, now are only roughly constructed mining camps, simply because gold cannot be found in vast quantities.
It is said, most truly, that hundreds of miners will be caught in the interior barren regions on their way to the Klondyke mines or Dawson City, by the early storms of winter, or along the Yukon River in the ice, while trying to reach Circle City. Such being the case, leading spirits should come forward and direct them in the construction of stopping places for them- selves and other belated traders. Instead of pushing through the rapidly filling passes, against blinding snow and clogging ice, they should choose camp- ing grounds, put their ingenuity to work at construct- ing houses, using the wood that is procurable and fin- ishing with the snow that everyone knows will pack into masses almost as imperishable and impervious as marble, while the winter lasts. How much better it would be to stop and store the goods they possess than
335
MISCELLANEOUS.
to press onward to almost certain death and the de- struction of their valuable freight. Then when the first open weather arrived, the men would be on hand, and having a part of their journey accomplished, they would feel rested and ready to face the remainder, ar- riving at their destination before the approach of the great spring on-rush from the East which is sure to set in. By this arrangement, the serious work of packing a great amount of winter provi- sions across the mighty canyons and through the boisterous rapids would be avoided, as would the danger of losing all in the waters or under the snow.
A large force of men at this writing are working on the construction of a good road over White Pass. Unquestionably it will be well to be on hand, for as surely as there is gold to be found anywhere in the depths of an unexplored region, there will be facilities provided to take the eager crowds and requisite freight to the spot. A part of the way now must be made by the assistance of either reindeer, horses, donkeys, dogs, or packmen. Horses are seldom able to bear the extreme hardship and fatigue. Donkeys are gifted with wonderful powers of endurance, but they cannot live long under the strain that must be put upon them without proper food. Therefore the pro- vender for both horse and burro must be carried, as well as that for the men, making the labor very much
336
ALASKA.
greater, and the danger of losing their help much to be feared if the packs are swept away by winds or water, or lost in the snow. Horses and donkeys, then, are subjects for extreme anxiety. Dogs are better, provided you have a good team; but they, too, require food, much of which must be carried, unless the road lies along streams from which fish can be taken through the ice when needed. Then, too, dogs are sometimes quarrelsome, always thievish and perpetually noisy. These considerations lead to the belief that Dr. Sheldon Jackson has opened the only safe and agreeable road to success by the introduc- tion of the reindeer. These animals are faithful, pa- tient, almost untiring, and more swift than either horse or dog. Their feet are constructed to fit the land over which they bear with safety immense bur- dens.
Properly trained, they are practically docile and obedient, and at the journey's end, or at the stop- ping places, they can forage for themselves, finding abundance of nourishment in the sweet moss for which they search with their strong hoofs. Another great feature in the use of the reindeer is that if danger of starvation comes, or if meat cannot be secured, the flesh of the deer is in every way suitable for food, where using horses or dogs for that purpose could not be tolerated except in the face of death.
As yet the reindeer is limited to certain districts,
JUNEAU, ALASKA
MISCELLANEOUS. 337
but the Superintendent of Education in Alaska, has gone about the business so systematically that the near future will see great herds of the wonderfully useful animals feeding upon the tundra all through the ice-bound interior of Alaska and British Columbia. The employment of Esquimaux, or of Siberian Lapps, as they are called, was compulsory, until the Alaskan natives were initiated into the secret of their training to the sleds. When the deer are trained, a strong ani- mal can drag a sled with 300 pounds of freight on it 100 miles a day. After which he will scratch for moss and make a satisfying meal. In summer, the animals feed on the rank grass and herbage, being specially fond of the scrubby willow shoots which abound on the borders of the marshy hollows. The Lapps are the constant companions of the herds, being solely dependent upon them for both food and clothing, as well as for trade. The wealth of the Alaskan on the coast is counted in furs and blankets, where the mountain sheep and goats abound, and as Oriential shepherds for ages counted their wealth by the number of sheep or goats in their flocks, so is the wealth of the Lapp computed by the number in his herd of reindeer. At the same time, many of them who reside near the borders or within easy distance of the trading stations, are quite wealthy in money obtained through judicious trading. As there are few things in their mode of living that require the
22
338
ALASKA.
use of money, they have it secured in the banks in amounts often surprising to people who do not understand their frugality. It is this class of people, the true reindeer herders, to which the managers of the reindeer stations have been directing the atten- tion of the Government for several years. They suc- ceeded in employing a number who were expected to teach their art to the Alaskan natives, but except in a few cases, they seemed to be slightly opposed to giving their knowledge away, though they received ample remuneration. Now, Dr. Jackson and his colleagues are endeavoring to colonize some families, expecting through them to reach the desired result. There can be no doubt whatever that when the Alas- kans find the true benefits of the deer they will learn to use them as beneficially as they use the dogs now. With the Lapps, Siberian dogs are brought, which are necessary assistants to their masters. One competent man and a good dog can herd and watch over five hundred deer. The animals have to be guarded day and night, to keep them from straying or fighting, to protect them from bears, wolves and savage dogs, and to keep men from stealing them. They are also carefully watched in such a manner as to secure the rapid increase of the herd. The best deer for freight drawing are the geldings but all kinds can be trained to bear their part in the service of their masters. The Lapp herders depend as completely upon their
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