Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-04-27
Curious Customs i'm Alaska.

These Indians believe in evil spir-
its who live in the water, and send
sickness and disease among the peo-
disasters caused by mussel, or fish
poisoning have doubtless given rise.
They hold communication with these
spirits through their sorcerers, but
do not worship them in any way or
try to propitiate them with offerings.
When a Kolosh dies his body is
burned. nd rude monument placed
where the ashes are buried. They
believe that the spirit lies there for
ever, but have no idea of any reward
for virtue or punishment for vice.
According TO their belief, strict dis
tinction of rank is preserved in the
other world, all the chiefs being in
one place. the common people in an
other, and the slaves in a corner by
themselves. Only when slaves are
killed at the funeral of their chief
their souls remain in eternal atten-
dance on their masters. This cruel
custom was said to be abolished un-
der the Russian rule, but it always
has existed and is kept up TO the
present day. though the ceremonies
are performed out OF the reach OF the
authorities. Several cases of this
kind have occurred since the trans
fer OF the territory, in spite OF the
vigilance OF the authorities, and no
wonder, as our government has done
nothing to suppress slavery where il
exists right under the very eyes OF
military rule. When a child is born
it is carried and nursed by the moth
er until it is able TO crawl and MUNICH
away on dried salmon; then the scan
~ clothing OF fur which il was COW
cred at first is removed, and to
strengthen its constitution, the child
is immersed in the river or sea every
morning; but as their own parents
would be likely to yield to the pite-
Gus cries of the little martys TO dis
cipline, this duty is generally in
trusted TO an uncle or some other
relative, who stops all weeping and
screaming with a liberal application
" the switch. The children implic-
lily obey their parents at all ages,
and great care is bestowed on the old
and disabled. Orphans are always
provided for by the community, and
fare as well as any of the other chill
dren. When young man wishes to
marry, he 6rst a asks the consent Of
his parents, ane when that is obtain
ed he goes to the village where his
Intended lives, and sends proposal
through some mutual friend, and il
the answer is favorable he repairs TO
the house at once with some presents
for the parents and relatives OF the
girl, and then takes Immediate pos
session OF his new chattel without
any further ceremonies. A short
time after this. the new Benedict
pays a visit to his wife's relatives in
company with her, and If she has
nothing to complain of then, presents
must be made TO him aud the bride,
exceeding in value those he made at
first. The Koloski only regard re-
lationship on the mothers side, and
the succession and Inheritance are
confined to the female line. Poly
gamy is the general custom, and ex-
lists even among the Christian Ken
aitze, where it is tolerated by the ma
tive and half breed priests in the
the families ofchiefs. The wives often
quarrel. and stabs with knives and
daggers are not of very rare occur
rence.-San Francisco Chronicle.