The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-10-01
ALASKA.
General View of Our PARKWAY Ter
ritory-Its Rivers, FORESTS, Fish
cries, and Minerals The People
on Universal Big Drunk.

In the course of recent interview
with Major M. P. Berry, we obtained a
great deal of new and interesting infOrma-
ton concerning that far-off and SO long
mysterious region-of which our people
generally have very erroneous impress
sion. Major Berry has been All extern
sive traveller, particularly in the West,
and his sharp eyes and intelligent mind
are very apt to take in the condition OF
things as they are In the performance
of his Office as Collector of the ports of
Alaska, he seen much of the Territory,
and during his recent visit here he took
pans to inform us, as well as we could
comprehend without actual observation,
of the region and things SO intelligently
described.
JUDICIOUsNEss OF THE PURCHASE.
The general impression prevails that
in the purchase of Alaska Territory from
the Russian Government Secretary Sc
ward made foolish bargain, and that
the 81, 200, 900 paid was measureably
thrown away. Major Berry, after gen
eral and extensive observation OF the
country, is of the opinion that the pur-
chase of Alaska is the wisest act of ag-
grandizement that our government has
performed since the acquisition OF
Louisiana, and, in support of that judg-
ment, he gives rapid detail OF its sur
prising resources.
ITS IMMENSE FISHERIES.
From the southern extremity Of the
Territory to Behring's Straits, some g.
900 miles, the coast is one continuous
fishery, as well as vast archipelago of
islands, islands almost indefinitely. The
fish resources consist of herring, candle
fish, salmon, halibut, cod, horse-mack-
erel, shark or dog-fsh, whales, hump
backed salmon or spoonbills, with other
and less important varieties. The great
salmon of Behring's Bay are four or five
feet long, and are said to be equal in
flavor to the lesser varieties in the Ore
gon waters. The horse-mackerel are not
good for much, and the dogfsh are
hunted only for their oil. All the streams
putting in from the mainland are swarm
ing with salmon-trout and other fresh
water fish. The Importance of these
northern resources will be understood
when rejecting that at the rate in which
the Columbia River salmon are being
destroyed, the tribe will soon become
extinct; during the past year, as we are
informed, from 1000 to 10000 tons of
fish have been taken out of that river,
and at the same rate of assassination,
about five years more Will finish up the
race. We pray the Legislature to stop
the mad havoc forthwith.
MINERAL RESOURCES.
| Gold is known to exist in considerable
quantities on the mainland near kodiae
Island, where about six-dollar diggings
have been worked. Silver-bearing quartz
has been found near Prince of Wales is
land, argentiferous galena is found on
Edgecomb Island, and precious stones
have been reported from Wrangle Island.
Valuable copper mines are found on
Copper River, but they are inaccessible
on account of hostile Indians. Crude
petroleum is known Of. and vast quanti-
ties of asphaltum. Lignite coal abounds
on several of the islands, and on Behr-
ing's Bay variety of white coal is found,
and is used by the Indians in trying out
seal tralia, and created great interest in
Europe. Iron, manganese, marble in
several varieties, smoked topaz, and
crystal are known to exist in more OF
less quantities.
THE TIMBER RESOURCES
are immense, but their extent is still I'M
known beyond the fact that it is sufficient
to pay for the Territory ten times over.
There are untold millions Of feet of yell
| low aromatic cedar, most beautiful
wood; there is an abundance of spruce
pine, but no fir. Of smaller woods there
is something like the Oregon crab-apple,
and another small tree resembling the
Irish thorn, together with alders and
willows along the streams. The extent
of the timber is supposed to be greater
than that of Oregon and Washington
Territory combined, though of differ
ent sort and still valuable.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
There is a general impression that no
a region of hostile winter and savage
icebergs, all of which is extravagant non
sense. On open land and along the
streams, succulent grasses grow luxuri-
antly, and sometimes to height Of
three feet and half. Red-top and wild
timothy abound on the islands, and in
the mainland something very like
Kentucky bluegrass grows extensively.
Considerable hay has been made this
year, the haying season being nearly the
same as in Oregon. Heretofore the gov
eminent has been paying $40 ton for
imported hay, in gold, but this year the
natives are cutting and storing native
hay for about $50 ton in currency
Barley was raised last year, and it yields
as well as elsewhere. Potatoes, turnips,
onions, and the like have all been pro-
duced on the islands, and generally turn
out as in other places.
WILD FRUITS
are not known; but berries of various
kinds are plentiful; three sorts of buckle
berries; strawberries of unprecedented
excellence and flavor, such as are not
known elsewhere; cranberries. of which
great quantities are being shipped to
San Francisco and Portland; and two
varieties of salmon berries, some of them
as large as ordinary plums
CATTLE RANGES.