Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-12-25
ALASKA.
MGHners anil Customs of the
NdfjUeS.
From tye n Y rrihrna

HGHRers dHJ Customs of tie
NdfjCeS.
From tDe n. Y. Tribune
Captain + tst, who iu 1867 accompanied
Gen Rossesu to Alssko, gives the following
sketch Of the pecHliarires Of the native
population +:
OF tho present native inhabitants Of
Alaska, Captain Fast has collected many
Interesting facts lie SAYS that, as race,
they are distinct from the Indians, are well
formed, have bright eyes, lne hair, and a
tishElSh brown or yriloNish skin. TBey are
very hlthy IN their persons, clothing, aui
hahiis; though, since tue Americans have
gone among tlem, some OF the ypuager
women have lsaruei the use of water, and
pay more attention to their p-rsonal appear.
aece. Their dress is similar to that worn
10y the Esqlimaux. The poorer classes live
IN huts constructed IF rough wood. Those
mats are about seven or elghf {, OF high aud
the same distance across the base, and
generally accommodate about ten persons
| They are entered tram a hpie in the side,
through winch the Inhabitants descend by
means # steps. 4 ii Is kept p.rp-tually
burning IN the middle OF the hut, aud the
tnma'es dispose themselve. promscuOusly
around the small ON. Daring their waking
hours, when within doors, they ",qua -
aud, indeed, this seems TO be th-ir most
natural 20 ,ition, for Ia iJ they co X their
f OF, eat their meals, and pert,rm al tLeir
lab r which dos not require lucpmptipu.
| They are ihveteratt gamblers, playing
game probably iuveuted by tlpmselye-, and
IA which tney often lose one alter Hnuthrr
all their articles Of clothing, So that IL is nu
uucommoa gbt to SEQ men and women
galhs around the gambling implements
wnol y naked. They are very peaceahlo
among The m,elyes, seldom ~ never disa-
greeing, even though dru kennrss is a very
prevalent vice. They have superSitOr o.
that the Wh'skey wh ch they dtiuk is th,
spirit .ot some sup rl,r being that takes
possession "f m n, and that e -uhjrrt /,
n logger Responsible for bis &C ions. Thr,
therefore, look upon drunken man with
% ui supets'iuOn ave, aud, even though
he Should abuse them, bear it patiently aud
without resentment.
In tolmer times the married women al
wore rings in thrlr nuses and silver needles
throIgh their lower lips. The Old women
still cnutiI u to wear "stopprrs" in their
rps, which give them very ugly appear
| ,nce. Morally, the Aaskans compare favor
| alb Y with other halt savage people. The
vlItur oi unmarried women is IN the KEEP
rug OF their fathers, and that of married
women j. guarded By their husbands A
man nay sell hi, VIE or diughter Tor
DAY, a month, or year, mt II man and
| woman are guilty Of adultery without oh
tanning he rtqu rcd ptrmlssi' N, the man is
severely punished, while the woman Is heli
guitlrss Many of the Ru.s ans were in
the habit OF buying women for a limited
I . nd "a "A Nhta glFi "a
who all remain with their mothers, are OF
mixed blood The meu 81 figure their fees
With a dark pigment that is mixed with
grease. A, tie climate admits oi hut little
cultivation Of tie sol, the p Ople live prin
ciptny 10y hunuug aud t,hIrg.
As the AlasSaus grow more wealthy,
they build larger houses, also Of rough
timber, and tEe,e are often occupied 10y
q om Il We to twenty or Ihirtg fimi les. Over
each house "A Chief presides, and his is tue
IA ghrst Office that can he held. There are
unier chrls, Who lead them when they
make war On the heighhoring tr brs, bat
these have no authority at any other time,
They have no laws, aud seem to need none.
Toe people are divided into three classes
chiefs, freemen, aud slaves. The slaves are
those who have been captured in war, and
are forced 10 perform ali menlal Offices for
the chiefs.
The relgon Of this people is similar 10
that of tho Indians vino formerly inhabited
the United States. They believe In Great
Sp ri', and think that the souls of the dead
e. to s,me happier bunting & ound remote
from the coast. The bodies OF the dead are
burned, aud the ashes collected and placed
with charms, implements OF peace ami
war. aud ohiects to which tba deoe As-d
man was atfsehrd. in little rOHRh wooden
| bnxes. These were flrmedy placed Ia
trees or holes among the rotks, out pow are
more generally deposited on the tops OF
Ilt.In takes or piles driv, u into The ground
| These graves AID everything ahnut item
| .rs hcld sacred, although Capt. Fast found
40 ticulty in hiring natives 10 drspoh
/ th, IN ur tarir r,hc-. Whom chiei dies "a
/ Law. is Killed that he may accompany hs
master and serve him, This custom VIII
probably grow into dsuse under Uuited
] States rule.