The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-09-05
ALASKA AND IT'S PEOPLE.
Climate Closely Resembling That of Scot
land and the Shetland isles.

land and the Shetland ISLES.
Washington Cor. Philadelphia Press.l
The old story of the ingratitude of
republics has again been exemplifed. at
least SO thinks Col. Henry ". De Alma.
This gentleman, German by birth,
Prussian officer by early training and
education, gallant Union officer in the
shareholders rebellion, and at all times
since in the civil service of the Govern
ment in divers capacities, about year
ago was appointed Collector of Customs
at Sitka, Nhska. The vacancy had long
existed, and it was after repeated efforts
in other directions that that remote post
was rendered to Col. De Alma and &C
cepted. His subsequent experience was
one OF vicissitude, perplexity and re-
verses, and he is now here to have things
righted. In an official letter to Secre-
tary Sherman, in addition to the nara
ton of his personal adventures in the
line of domestic and official duty, there
is much interesting information respect
ing the condition of things in Alaska,
the behavior of the natives, and the
efforts msde to promote their mental and
moral development. Col. De Alma,
speaking of the climate and capabilities
of Alaska, says that no country in the
world has been more misrepresented !;
that the presence of the Japan current
on its shores, though in latitude above
the fifties, gives it a climate closely re-
sembling that of Scotland and the Shet-
land isles; also, in high ATTITUDES, but
subject to satisfactory climatic condi-
tions through the presence Of the Gulf
stream that the soil is fertile and pro-
duces the finest caulifowers and other
vegetables, except beans, on the Pacific
coast, not excepting California that for
wheat it would surpass in quality the
zone Of this cereal between st, Peters
burg and Moscow. For timber of COM
mercial value it is unrivaled, and the
mountains abound in indications of aurif-
erous wealth, exceptionally great, if not
equal to the rugged elevations and val
leys of the Sierra Madre and Nevada.
He describes the inland route from Brit
ish Columbia to Wrangel and Sitka as
fine beyond descri ption, and Sitka itself
as presenting scenic display beyond
the conceptions of the hveliest fancies
of Bierstadt or Moran, or any of the
landscape painters who have made the
physical wonders and beauties of the
West their study. He says the Bay of
Sitka, with numerous emerald islets
bursting through it's waters, the coast
range of foothills, with their green and
sunny slopes rising to medium height,
the middle range rising above it and be-
yond, covered with perennial forests of
stately conifers, and still beyond and
standing out and above all, upon the
azure canopy of the heavens, the noun
tain masses of the grand chain whose
peaks are covered with eternal SHOWS,
presented to him landscape worthy of
a master. Col. De Alma says that the
best evidence of the value and attraction
of the country, Notwithstanding it's re-
moteness from the present centers of
wealth and refinement, is the fact that
the British Columbians would be glad to
purchase it at double or treble the
amount paid for it by the United States
bargain. The natives, he says, are nat
urally doeile, tractable people, but
since the Government passed lazy pro-
hibiting the sale of whisky in the Terri
tory, cargoes of Sandwich island sugar
are landed at Sitka, from which the ma
tives make drink Of their own, which,
unlike whisky, making them lively only,
makes them beasts, and often the fiercest
kind Of beasts. The Colonel says that
he will remain here to see himself right
ed, which he states has been promised,
but which doubtless will prove as
tedious, devious and procrastinating as
other routes up the hill of fortune.