Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-04-04
More About Alaska.
san FlAncisco can

More About Alaska.
san Francisco Cal
Public attention has lately been turn.
ed III marked degree III the direction
Of that remote settlement on the shores
Of the Pacific ocean known ms Alaska,
on account of the exposed stuation Of
its people 10 the attacks OF large bands
OF natives, who have become SO over
bearing and domoustratve that il is nj
most certain that, unless sufficient pro.
lection is afforded the settlers, some
violent act will take place Ivy which not
only property will be destroyed, but also
the lives of men, women and children
will bc taken IL cold blood.
Daring the period this country was
under the government of the Russians
they built forts and had enough soldiers
to preserve both life and property. The
great commercial corporation known rs
the Russian American Fur Company,
from the date of lis organization, Just
| previous To the beginning Of this CEN
tury, till 1862. was the virtual owner of
the whole of this vast region, embrace
ing within its borders moro than half
~ llAlllltll CAih'tiN llillNNt tllh WIN ~ NbtSl
line Of nearly 1000 miles. With II
wise foresight the home government did
not interfere with the workings Of the
company, and the latter, through its
director, who had almost despotie pow
er. took great care to protect whoever
might visit that country for the purpose
Of trade, or who might settle there, 10y
the strong force Of military law. Az il
well known, in the latter part of 1867,
tie whole country was transferred 10
tQls government tor II consideration of
~ POO, 900, and it was understood and
agreed by the two nations that in be-
coming the purchaser this government
promised TO protect all residents as well
III the future rs the Russian govern
ment had i'll the past. For 4 few years
some show of authority was kept NJ
by keeping II military force ut Silka,
and by the presence III the waters of
the coast of meno(-war floating the he.
loved standard of our nation. But NIL
this has been changed, and for moro
than two years the settlement has been
unprotected.
Thenumbcr of people nj present there
il about seventy. and among them are
some women and children. Owing to Il
variety Of causes the natives have be-
gun TO show signs of hostility, and
from their overwhelming numbers there
can be but one result should they pro-
coed to take any active steps in the
manner of commencing to carry out
acts Of violence. In order to get some
idea Of the actual state of things in that
country this paper has taken occasion
to consult with some gentlemen who
have business relations with Sitka, and
particularly with one who has just le-
turned to this city, after some weeks
spent in and around that spot. From
conversation il appears that the reports
which have come 10y the last mail were
not in the least overdrawn. lie gave
glowing account Of the natural beauty
of the country, Of lis excellent harbors,
its thousands of islands and inexhausti-
bile forests Of matchless pine, fir and
oak The mines Of gold are being de-
veloped in many quarters, and from
the specimens exhibited, and from the
assays shown, they give promise Of prov
ing valuable properties The facilities
for working these are unsurpassed. Fuel
is very cheap; the cost of developing the
mines is little when compared TO that in
this state, or in the territories, because
labor is so plentiful, and the expenses
Of sending up supplies by steamer is not
more than $l5 per ton, while by sailing
vessel il can be done for IS, and the I'M
equalcd advantages Of landing and
shipping afforded by the countless har.
bors all combine To make this country
paradise for the miner. Living il re-
duCed almost to a minimum. The
waters TEEN with fish and the woods
abound with game, from the grizzly
bear TO the quail, in the greatest abund-
ance. The supply Of rain is abundant,
and, owing to the influence ofthe warm
current which sets in from Japan, the
climate is anything but severe. In fact,
this whole country il a virgin soil cap.
able Of supporting large population Of
thrifty and energetic people, with mod
crate means, who need but some pro-
lection from the general government
1 to induce them TO immgratc hithe- and
10 develop it's undoubted resources.