The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-05
Our 0lio.
SOMETHING ABOUT ALASKA.


ting his discourse with map, and also
with big trunk full of curiosities and
products of Alaska. These he piled upon
the tables-shawls, canoes, fishing appa-
ratus, and long string of curiosities,
chiefly ornamented in high eOlors. \ big
potato and turnip were among the pro-
ducts. The wood included the yellow cedar
"A beautiful, fi1e-grained article, light as
whitewood, but much superior for many
purposes, and susceptible of fine polish.
Its color is that of a rather pale lemon.
The Russians had occupied Alaska for its
seal fisheries for a century. Our coast
line was pointed out on the map TO the
point where, turning north, it reaches Mt.
St. Elias, a mountain $4,000 feet high,
and having huge glaciers. Beyond, il goes
west to Behring sea. There is coast
line of 2,200 miles. The whole territory
of Alaska comprises $50 600 square miles,
by far the most extensive nf our posses
sions, and reaching north iudehnitely-to
the pole. perhaps. Siika and Fort Wran-
gle are down toward the southeast part,
on the coast Captain Cook sailed around
there in the last century, aud Cook Inlet
bears his name. The Russians held mo
nopoly of the fur trade till we bought the
country, in 1867 People bave been
taught that it was an insane purchase, and
both Seward sud Sumner have been blamed
but think it is tie finest possession VIC
have. and it viii yield a good return. At
once there was a rush Of spectators to
Alaska, aud preempiion claims were set
up. The Government directed that such
claimants be forced out, at the point Of
the bayouet, it necessary, and the troops
were sent up there. They have discour
aged the settlement Of that country. That
Is why so little Is known Of it. Alaska
has l leo islands They extend along
the coast for thousand miles. All through
that great distance steamers can 80 on deep
bu, smooth water all the way. The seal
rocks lie of to the west, there, 10 Behring
sea. Up here, inland, toward the north,
aows the great Yukon river, 1000 miles
long, aud almos, as big as the Mississippi;
il empties through delta into Behring 5
straits
The thousand Islands along the southern
sea shore Of Alaska rise sheer, like rocky
mountain walls, cut Of the sea, aud large
ships can sail right up to them they are
mountains rising up from the SEA, and
presenting the most magnificent sceaery /
bare erer met with. The climate around
Sika IS mild and not subject to the sx.
lrcraes you have here Silka is up north
/ ia tasitpde 579, bat Il has no cold winisF
weather and nc hot summer weather.
Last winter the lowest poiut reached at
any time was % asd vinter before last
there vas DO ice whatever. /. is sery
agreeable summer climate. 10 fact, the
southern coast, from Fort WnRgle TO Sit
Ia, Is the most delightful spo, on The
globe IL is, eIimatieally speaking, vel
balanced. There are no insect pests, ne
termeasiag flies, % bugs. Il IS = para.
disc.
The coast scenery is absolutely uagnif.
cent. Yen can sail right up to it. saw
from one place sevea great glaciers poar,
ing over the slopes of Mt. Fsirwea,her
Il is the testimony Of those who have seer
beth, that this Alaska scenery surpasses
that Of the Alps or the Pyrenees
The people have their good and theiI
bad traits. First, as to their bad qualities
they are great gamblers. They viii gam
bic away their las. dollar or their las
blanket Here the speaker exhibited
their gambling sticks, curious arrange
meatl They viii bet on canoe races; 4
man will bet his house aud his slaves, ant
loose all have seen this. Another o.
their vices is lieenIiousness, which date;
from the arrival Of tue white races anon:
them.
They are also fond Of strong drink
And they progressively now make then
own liquor 0ne LAWSON taught then
how. He distilled mash into rum b.
rigging up an oil-csn, putting 10 worm,
aud showing them how TO do it. The Ii
quor is called 'HocehinO. Our soldier
there will drink Worcestershire sauce, anS
eyea rcd ink, for the alcohol it contains
An Indian woman impaired the secret t,
the other indiaus of making rum out 0
molasses. At once a great demand aros'
for molasscs, aud it sold for so cents
gallon when | was there. Everybod,
seemed to be carrying pail Of molasses
l euquircd into il aud found what it wa
for. This rum drinking has wrough
great mischief among them
Another bad quality Of these Alaskan
is their belief in witcheraft. They ere
mate the bodies of most people, but Their
are a few persons who are possessed of 4
spirit these are doctors, aud are treate,
almost revereutialy. Their bodies are no
burned. The doctor is marked from brit
by some curl in the hair; that makes bin
sacred, and be can accuse anybody 0
being a witch or wizard-and unless tn
accused sonfesses, death is the penalty
while social ostracism follows confession
The doctor is also consulted in cases o
sickness. One person whom doctor ha'
accused, was saved, at Sitka, by the au
thorities seuding word to the doctor tha
} if the accused was killed, he, the accuser
should also be hung,
The lecturer then spoke of the goo'
qualities of the people. They are some
what Christianized, are faithful, powerful
industrious workers, and can be depende'
upon; are faithful to contracts; work We