Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-12-11
Cremation In Alaska.

Rev. Sheldon Jackson, Of Denver,
Col. synodical missionary Of Colorado,
New Mexico. Utah and Montana, re-
Gently made visit 10 Alaakn. and while
there saw many interesting things. He
gives an account Of visit made tn
garden owned by Mr.. Davidson, Of
Fort Wrangle.
At the upper end Of Mr.. Dayidsons
garden he saw "A white sheet stretched
between two poles. and looking IA If it
might be intended for a scarc-crow.
Upon inquiry he found that il contained
the asIcz Of n boy that wns drowned the
week before. His Fl lends had promised
Rev. Mr.. Young that il should have a
Christian burial; but during Saturday
night they took the body up the beach,
and early Sabbath morning burned IL,
the charred wood still remaining.
Several large dry sticks were laid
side by side upon the beach. Upon
these were placed the body Of the boy
Other sticks were piled over the body
and the whole set on fire amid the walls
and supers,itOus incantatiOns Of hired
mouTners.
In about an hour the body was con-
sumcd After the fire had cooled down,
the ashes wcr" carefully gathered up.
and placed in a basket until suitable
box could be carved for their pcrma-
ncnt preservation. When all was ready.
IN old Indian woman, bowed down
with age and iniirmilics, took up the
basket and started fer pine tree which
had previously been selected for the
purpose. She was followed by the
mourncrs ana friends with bowed heads
and loud walls of sorrow. At the base
Of the tree two poles, about eight feet
high, were driven into the ground two
feet apart. The basket containing the
ashes WAS tied between poles. and q
mu@in bag, like large pillow-slip.
pu led down over the poles and basket
and closed at the bottom On the out
side Of the sheet il sometimes rudcly
painted face. through which the spiri,
Of the departed i- supposed 81 look out
upon the bay.
Morning and evening the parents Of
the boy come out from their hut. and
turning their faces 20 the north utter
loud cries OF distress. And this will he
kept W for months. for they have never
heard Of the great Comforter. who alone
can comfort .oTTowing hearts Those
Whose bodies are burned Ar. -uppusct.
to be warm IN the next world. and the
othcr- cold. They bell, p, IN the trans
migration 81 souls from one body to
wish II often expressed that In the next
change they may be born into thi. or
. that powerful family The funeral
ceremonies of chiefs oiirn last four days.
II slaves are then sacrificed II relieves
their owners from work in the next
world. Dead slaves are often cast into
thr sea. At the funeral of chiefs. the
traditions and history Of the tribe are
rchcarsrd. If these ceremonies are not
conducted properly the wafer uf death
-wal .ow- up ihc departed soul. or il il
lost IN tie forests Bu' Il conducted
property. the chief Of the gods speaks
. the word. and tho water of death Is
small. and the soul j. carried % place
# rest or forgcifuincss. Then after a
long time II comes back 90 some descend
ant on IL sisters side and lives another
life. TO such sup,rsii,ior- thc-o pcorl @
are bound, body and SOU, and 20 rescue
them from tAiF. nmc.ipratinc and c.c-
waiting their condition in this life. and
presenting to them glorious immor-
taliiy through tho oruciied and risen
Savior, il tho work Of the board of horre
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