Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1868-02-20
Number Is.

mining, it affords a far more certain and
trustworthy profit.
Nor are the waters abounding with the
cod limited to the region of Onnalasks.
seven hundred miles further west. at Aitoo
the most remote of our newly purchased
islands-Capt. Kentzell, as well as ali
Russian authorities, reports the cod as
readily caught as upon any part Of the
coast. The fishing ground Is unlimited:
and while this field of productive industry
has not the excitement and rapid growth
which sometimes attends the DEVELOPMENT
OF the minirg wealth of country, vet il is
free from The ruinous reverses which SO
often oYerwhelm the latter The wide
nef-woik of channel. sounds, and straits
which surround The Sitka or eastern
groups OF islands are singularly enough
destitute OF cod, but their absence is fully
compensated for by the great abundance
of salmon and halibut. of which these Wa
ters are extremely prolific.
THE SALMON.
There are fonr distinct species of the
salmon, the most numerous of which have
ibe plumpness, small head and red flesh of
the genuine "Kennebec," SO much prized
by the geurmards of Boston and New
orh. at the dam of the artificial ice-
pond, at the head of Redutsky Lake,
1000 barrels can be caught at each spring
run, although the spring is compara-
lively shallow one. AT the mouth of tile
Stickeen they are taken weighing from 80
to 30 pounds, and III all the main land and
the island streams--eyen the smaller
creeks--they are found in quantities which,
If stated at the East. would at once be pro-
noGnced a fish story" They form the
staple article of food with the native tribes
on this coast, who are able to take them
with the rudest contrivances. Enter the
huiS Of any Indian village, even in Octo-
Der, when they are reputed scarce. and
you will find thicl1ly suspended overhead
long rows of red salmon in the process OF
drying and smoking. Last week I saw
two natives return With Io7 as the result
Of the days work.
TIE ifAIiBUT.
The halibut has well Unknown value ON
the Pacific coast, and is regarded as equal.
ii not superior, TO those found in the At
lantic market. There is no part of the
world where they are so abundant as
among the waters surrounding these
Islands. They can be caught at all sea-
sons From Chatham Straits, 80 miles
above here, the Indians bring them In
weighing $50 pounds 1t Is amusing 10
see with what dexterity Keloosh will
take one of these unwei!dy fellows into his
canoe. y landsman would oyerturn his
skif in attempting 10 bag" one of 80
pounds; but L have seen a native hook one
OF three times that weight, break its neck
as 1t emerged from the water and slide il
as readily over the stern of his canoe as if
1t were common founder There car be
no doubt that at some future ltimc-proba-
bly not many years--the catching and
curing OF halibut will become regular
business in Eastern Alaska.
TIE CANDLE FISH.
must not omit to mention the existence
and peculiariiies of another fish-one not
mentioned in the ''books"--which is found
in great numbers in the coast rivers. from
the Mass to The Stickeen. 1t is spoken of
as the ''ooliken" by the Hudson Bay Com
pany. but it is generally known as the
small fish" or candle fish," among the
coasters. 1t appears generally about the
first week of May, and Mr. Aimsley, the
pilot OF the John l.. Stephens, says that on
some days he has known it difficult 10 row
boat across the Mass river on account Of
the dense mass Of these fish in the water.
Sometimes an adverse tide or heavy wind
lodges tons of them upon the shore. The
Indians knew of their arrival by the flight
of the birds northwafd. they seldom
continue over - days, and during this
time the natives from Fort Simpson and
all the adjacent regions hasten to 'thc
feast OF Fat things" This fish is six TO
eight inches long, in form resembles the
smeit, has shining and almost transpar-
ent appearance, and Of all the finny tribe
1t is TIE most fat. Its fat has not the oily
rancid taste of other fish. but has the swee:
taste of fresh lard. The Indians store
great quantities of it, and if well cared for
it remains sweet for months When they
are dried the Indians often turn them TO a
novel and practical accOunt-burn them in
place of candles. They give a clear. bril-
liant light, and are not liable to be blown
out by the wind. Mr.. Manson, the Super
lnrendent at Fort Simpson, says that The
tail should be lighted instead of the head,
and that each fish viii last about fifteen
minutes. In dark night the men who
toek natives for guides used 10 reckon a
mile of travel for every five fish burned.