River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-01-03
TEE River FALLS JOURNAL.
The Resources ofAlaslxa

A writer in the ALASKA HERALD
referring to the resources of Alaska
says:
"If Alaska had no other source Of
revenue but her fisheries, and they
were fully developed this territory
would be one of the richest possess
ions of the United States; but even
with the partial development of this
interest, we have much to be proud
of. The salmon fisheries at Sitka
alone yield several thousand barrels
yearly. South of here, ,long
Prince Edward Island and other To-
calities ajacent thereto, there are
splendid openings for establishing
salmon fisheries. The Indians catch
great numbers, and to a large extent
live from this source. Fish is the
real staff of life to the coast tribes
Furs purchase them many articles
of use and luxury, but the fnny pro-
duct is their main reliance for food.
"There is mint of money in the
Shumagin fisheries. At present,
perhaps, the pioneers of the trade
are not reaping large profits, but
from all | can learn, they have
every encouragement to extend
their operations. Pioneers in any
department in life usually have a
hard fight. My own experience,
however, and that of several others
here has been both pleasant and
profitable. Energetic men who are
laying the foundation for building up
vast trade in the Shumagin speci-
atty in time find all their ex-
pections realized. As the Pacific
coast becomes populated, every
thing that Alaska can produce will
very naturally find an increased
market; and no other branch would
receive so great an impulse as the
Goldfish trade. The article is equal
and in some respects superior to the
Newfoundland species, and also to
the fish taken in the Ochtosk Sea.
When this fact becomes generally
known our goldfish will, of course,
command a better price than any
other.
"Our fur trade is an Their feature
of interest. We take from 5000 to
10000 mink every year, and from
5000 to 5000 marten. The num-
Der of muskrats killed is set down
atfrom 5000 to 5000. Of foxes
fblue, white, red, gray, etc. there
are taken from 5000 to 1000 :
The supply ofsea and land otter is
abundant all things considered.-l
The sea otter is so valuable that in
its quest the POUNDS of prudence
are not regarded as they should be,
looking to the future. | am unable
to say how many ermine and sable
are killed yearly, but with these
and other fur-bearing animals 1t will
be seen at glance that Alaska is
IN this respect, very wealthy.
"From persons who have recent
" visited Kodiak | learned that
matters there are very quiet
5 everal vessels called at the island
during the summer and brought
merchandise from San Francisco. =
The natives are always overioyed
when vessel anchors on their
shores, for they know that there is
an abundance of the Injuries of CIV
ilization on board. | have observ-
ed that as the Aleutes gain knowl-
edge of the customs and habits of
white people they are eager to adopt
tn EN-.
important scientific discoveries
have been made along the end of
the Alaskan Pc ninsula. Travellers
from Europe and the Eastern States
of the Union find a great deal to in
terest them in the geological, botan-
ical and glacial features of Alaska"