The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-23
FRESH NEWS FROM ALASKA.
"A GRiPHTC DESCRIPTION or LIFE IN
The Far NORTHWESE
Chinnmen introduced by II Diplomatic from
san Francisco United states Territory
Whose Citizens Lett Unprotected.

san FrnnetrcO - Intted states TERRITORY
Whose Citizens LEFT Unprotected.
SrTKA, Alaska, May l5.-Thc arrival of tho
monthly mail steamer from Portland marks
white letter day for the people Of Stka. and as
the California made fast to tho dapidatcd and
decaying Government wharf Yesterday morn
ing, II was obvious that nine-tenths Of the pop
uaton of the pretty little town and its sduald
Indian suburb had been turned out to welcome
US. Tho Indians outnumbered the whites ten
to ono and, with very few exceptions they
worc not pleasant people to look at. oven from
the safe refuge Of n steamers deck. The elders
were in full dress-as beiittcd the OCCASION
which means that they had covered their faces
with fresh coating of oil and lamp black.
crossed with dashes Of red paint round the eyes.
n very unnecessary addition to thcir natural ug-
illness. Tho stcame: brought up sixteen Chi
neso employees OF Mcssrs. Cutting X Co. OF
San Francisco. who arc about establishing
fish cannery Mt Sitka. The assembled Indians.
who had probably heard of the project. and
were prepared to resist the entrance Of the
dreaded Chinaman into Alaska. promptly de-
rlared that the Mongoians should not land.
They were more emphatic than the loud-talk-
ing Mr.. Kcarncy. and. unlike him. were
thoroughly in earnest. and would doubtless
have killed and scalpcd the Cinnamon then and
there. had they attempted TO land without the
preliminary parlcy and agreement that was
held by Sitka jack on behalf Of his tribe. and
MIR. Hunter, who had charge OF the China
men. Mr.. Hunter delivered his ultima
tum by telling Jack that he would re-
turn to Portland with his stock Of bricks.
lumber. and other Materials Of which he
had brought up large supply including every
thing necessary 10 build and start an extensive
nsh packing factory. and abandon the pro-
Iap .s nulpsa Ia N iuumpn a.
mittcd 10 land and were assured Of good treat
mcnt and protection. He assured them. on his
part OF his intention to employ Indians 10 sup
lly the cannerywith fish, and in such other out
door work az they could perform. The China
men were expert ut can making and packing
the fish, and would be employed exclusively on
inside work. aided by few Indians. who would
be instructed in the higher branches OF fish
| canning. Sitka Jack, who is shrewd politi-
clan. and has muGh influence with his people.
| explained all this in n lengthy and earnest adj
dress. Tho Siwashes nodded and gruntcd
approval. and the threatened emento was over.
Our Cinnamon who had been .ssvc and APP
parcnty unconcerned spectators Of the pro-
| coedings landed with their traps. and We're
| corted up the main street Of the town to their
quarters in n rickety old log house by motley
crowd OF men. women, and children, who
looked M them with evident wonder and admi-
| rati0u all Of which John bore with his charac-
/ teristic mperturbahilty and patience, and be-
] fore evening the party were the most popular
! men in Sitka Mr.. Hunter wisely employed In
! dians To handle and store his building mnt"-
rials ~, although he had men enough OF ms
own 10 do the work, and paid literally in CON-
! welcome novelty To the poor Stwashes who
| probably had not touched so much money in
| the preceding twelve months. The establish
ment Of this cannery promises to open a new
era for Sitka and other points on the coast of
| Alaska. The waters swarm with salmon. hall
| but and goldfish Of excellent quality. which are
| now likely to be utilized extensively bringing
l. nItae Ia md
ing employment to the Indians, who are ready
| and willing workers.
picturesque AMI beautiful The town is on one
| ~ the deep loris which cut into the land in
| America. The lofty extnt volcano OF Mount
| Edgceumbe-named 10y Capt. Cook in l1Is-
| guards the northern entrance to the harbor.
| Tho top 81 this mountain il the rim 81 great
| crater. lts lower Hanks are covered with u
! dense growth OF timber, while the upper por-
| ton il pnre and bald. and. in winter. snow
covered. The summit il quite flat, and the sides
| deeply scanned with deep ravines and cAhons.
| Entering th. harbor tue steamer threads her
| way ,hfnugh dr"p and narrow channels pnst
scores of pretty rocky inet-. and back oi tho
49, 90" ~ 49,, ,,.,,t ',,,,,,',',,'rs bnnt.Ii .
il y.rv rr.try III. XII Russian ra.i 'lonro or
! troy 'runr'- .i-'l". Standing 10 gn upon % rocky
] hil. and tir right groom snlr' ana dom" 90 th'.
1 Crook thur'h-thn M"ropplitun Church of
view. and give tuc town 1u air ~ dignity AMI
imlori. noe quito unl""b'd for IN THIS distant
=
ON landing. one Is Impressed with the an
praranr" ot drsuhlou and dl~"ruon whirh
A'lNid tnI '. ,l..ud' rams IN a.. 'l.I
Governmrnt hui ,ding- snye on" winch r. used
for thr Custom House. and ull are sadly ncgl 1,i
ed anil slowly 'Tumn.ng o. pieces. Fancy the
NuNy Yard ut Brpuk.yn abandoned, deserted
uud uu .ar.l for. ami vou have a picture Of the
condition 81 tae extensive Government buiid-
4 f.w oi tin stor.honsas formerly owned 10y
the Russian American Fur Company ar" now
I occupied hv private trlld"rs who obtain stores
from Eruusflsl and BDrfloU1 and IN
o." few whit" residents and ih" Indians. taxing
turs ln ~ 'hanco Many buildings ar" Nn.Nhl
IT, less tluu luu. Hll told, IN" majority n"ns Rus
slams, who elected 10 stay here when thrir coun'
United stats, 1h'y arr an idi., slupid' suit
less lut. sui -istiuE for the most part ON pllrS
pensions rom me russian 1pNril inrhii. WIZ
they "k" cut 10y h-hing and begging. IA" ar
rival pi the mail steamer l. Il il"!d day Tor inc
h"Eg'us and they honor th' 9crnsion hy. Hct.
ting stupidity drunk alter they have pad" theil
/ collections from the passengers and officers n,
the steamer. In addition 10 these idle hut other
wise harmless EuSsiHns Stka il cursed VIII
the presence Of about dozen ras MS and out
law, from the states who live with lndlaT
women make sell. and drink the villa liquol
called huochcuoo, and are ready for any vii
laiuy. They are constantly violating civilized
law, hut ~ there II n" law here to punish them
they pursue their evil courses with lnpunliy
md are a terror TO the few decent people 81 th'
plMe.
II "A Deputy Collector of Customs who has ~
magist rial powers. no assistant IN his oiii"'
no AutnOflfy OUTSIDE OF Inc custom HOUSE, hili
40 means II breaking W the traillc in rum an,
hooehcnoo. The acting Collector L. Il yuuul
man. appointed hy DE Alma, wh0 not helm
confirmed by the Senate had no right To- AZ
point deputy. The whole gar il loos" au'
Irregular, and the deputy has noithcrmoral no
legal Influence. II ~ strange state 81 affairs
and one that will scarcely lao credited nj home
that i'm this Nnst Territory Of Alaska. owned h
| the United States, there IL not n single legal
appointed United States official except upoi
| the seal islands; that no atirmpi is madu &
protect the decent. law abiding people Of IN
Territory. and no provision mad" for the pun
I ishmcnt of crime, The criminal Il g 'ri "a
/, Congress to leeisate for Alaska H. a disgrace
, full blot upon the Government and civilization
= of tur | ultrd States.
The Rue-o-Grcck church is supported hy Nh
/, ! ussiAn Government al a cost of about $500
! / yearly. The outside Of the church II ratlc
! shabby and out Of repair, but the interior /
well kept mp and is quite rich in pictures, -ilNe
/ ornaments. and gorgeous priestiy robes. tn
! priest is expected to exercise paiernal ear
: | over the Russians who remain IA Sitka; hu
neither priest nOriparishiOncrs care mu'h 70
I | religious affairs, and tho schools which the
! | formerly maintained for the benefit OF tho In
i dams are entirely Hban doncd.
The priest il the sole remaining Russia
. Official of the many that made Sitkn their head
l quarters during the rclgn ot the ltus- ihn Gov
! Crnurs when the now deserted and Quiei tow
WAS busting. busy, Jolly place. whose blum oil