The New York herald., 1878-10-07
OUR NORTHWESTERN TERRITORY
Pictures of Primitive Life in the
Aleutian Islands.
SEALS AND THEIR CAPTORS.
How the Russian Fur Hunters Thrive
Under American Protection.
AN ASIATIC ISLAND OUR WEST END.

ALTON ISLAND, Alaska, Sept !, 1878
graceful fcmale form cnveoped In glossy brown
sealskin Is very pleasing sight, but ladies had TO
60 the home OF the animal Ior their nice, warm
winter garments but few OF the dear creatures would
them. Such the reflections OF tho
HRKALps representative these sem-Arctic regions
when approaching ng the wonderful islands which many
fond but economical father or husband would like
to sse ut the bottom OF tho ocean Wild. ehoppine,
leadcolored sea- leadsn sky, shapeless object sup.
posed be land, shrouded IN and surrounded by
roaring breakers, was all that could be seen when
the steamer came to anchor; but evory puG
Of wind from tho shore, laden II
with the peculiar etfluva Of seas, iur.
nished proof that wc had found the right
place With darkness setting in II appeared a sui
cidal undertaking TO land through the ioamiug surf;
but the voluntary exes anora to visitor,
and in a few moments boat came of from The beach,
offering to convey back any who did
much for his e. Through darkness and deafenng
OF breakers the aiI-penelrating odor of seals
served infallibe guide; but, once landed on the
rocky beach, walk OF few hundred yards sports
visitor from the heignt OF discomfort 10 luxury
and in the roomy dwelling OF the Alaska Com
merclal Company's agent Were II not Tor Inc raging
storm and the distant moaning and believing Of
millions Of seals without ono might imagine himself IN
the heart that coscy library, furnished
with piano and pictures, listening to the peals OF
sonorous Dell striking the hours from the cnurcn
tower close by Tho pleasant illusion could easily
be kept up In the comfortable bedroom, with all con-
veniencss Of city life, but the light OF morning would
be sure TO destroy IL at once. From tho window tho
immediate prospect Is an orderly, clean looking
wooden village OF hopelessy uniform architecture
handsome Byzantine church and streets macadam-
ized with red voicanic scori4; a little iuriher of
grassy knos aud beach covered with innumcraDle
fnu unds skv NIL war muc
Of one color A closer inspection proves the cot
tages OF natives 30 be tidy ana portable and
the church the hanosomest oil the Greek denomina-
tiou outside OF Russia. Workshops stores, salt
houses oiworks and schoolhouse bear witness 70 the
mpcteness Of this vast establishment, called inlo
by The preference OF the fasdous fur seals
Tor these dssolate islands, whore, undor the protec
oil strict regulations, these wonderful animals
have extended their breeding grounds to within
snort distance OF Inc buildings, SO That lew steps
the VISITOR into their midst The 0reedlnA
season being over, family secusion Is longer
enforced general air OF socabiilty pervades the
temaes ed ucaIing their young IN the art Of nataton
the old bu,is sleeping or laZily Watching their more
sprightly juniors wno play gam ooi or chatter with
each otner in every iniaginable inilexon Of voice.
Tne IS alive with Sleek black naddies, dariins
ana keen pursuit OF fish, aad the same NOV
ing mass ot animals, clumsy Oh land, but the per-
sou Of graceu Hotion IN the water, extends
miles and miles around The coast, and from II
strange noises, cunouslY blending win each other,
are Carried peyond The 0ense curtan al log, often
reaching OF tho bewIldered mariner before he
see any signs OF Land.
A HAPPY COMMUNITY
Wonderful as The annals on ST. Paul Island IL
is equally interesting 10 observe The winch
small community lives, which s entircly dcpen.
dent upon tue seaiing Industry Tor It's existence.
Some seventy families OF Aieuts, descendants OF la
Dorers Drought TO the islands Dy The Russians, do
the work OF kng ana skinning the ann ual quota or
100, 900 seals their employment having oceR made
COZ pu .sory the icssees. Beng allowed iorty
cents tor skip they labor on The cooperative
plan, every memper Of the community sharing ~ the
total receipts whether able 10 work or not; but the
parlcips divlded INTO lour CLASSICS according
To tneir efficiency and requirements. The following
extract IRON the company's books Will give Gear
idea oil ihs peculiar put commenda0ie system Of
worklng:-
RECORD OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF MONET
Island PAUL IN 1873
AMOUNT Distributed.
For 81. 27O skins at 40 cents $32 sos 90
For 73u SKINS tdamagedl al 20 cents... l46 90
For 25s seA lion SKINS u III cents 1J4 50
For lbs. Intcstines at $6................ 81 0O
For 3. 2Ov seal hroas ~ 56
Total ...........................$ $32 $40 40
Distributed as FOtt0tcs.
To IS first class snares al s427 9S ... s27 sl2 IS
10 second class snares NJ $3.50 ll-...... 1875 30
To mud class shares at $3f- 81. LII 55
To .ourth c.ass shares ut S299 o. 500 "a
10 5 orphans al $l00................,..... 800 90
To cLieis al Sl30 30.....................-. 800 90
40 Inc cnurCh lvdd cen.s)................. IL
Total S32, SO 40
Basis Of Shares. Shares
First casss-Churcn AZ ST. Paul, 2; priest at ST.
Paul, 2; priest at Ounaiaska, 2: SO Ia00rers,
5y (at lOO per cent ....................... 90
Second Glass lSo Per cenU... 0