National Republican., 1881-07-15
FROM THE IoERERas.
Our Possessions Toward the Norts, Pole
Alaska Items.

Commander Henry Glass, U. S. N,
commanding the United States steamship
jamestown, at sitka Alaska, has forwarded
to the Navy Department lengthy report
upon the condition Of affairs in that Ter
rit0ry, in which he says; "The Indians are
everywhere quiet, aud show no disposition to give
trouble in any part Of the Territory. Since the es-
adjustment of the military post at the mining
camp Of Rockwell affairs there have been per-
leotly quiet, and 40 trouble Is now anticipated.
The numbers OF the miners and Indians having
largely increased, do not consider it advisable to
ABANDON THE MILITARY
post before tho arrival Of the Waohusetts,
In consequence Of large number OF
foreigners having been attracted to the
mines, I have, ia order TO avoid disputes as
to ownership Of property, published notice to all
residents stating the law in regard to the entry and
location of public lands. Amer my dispatch Of
May was written n stlsa Indian, confined in the
guard-house ashore awaiting investigation on a
charge OF attempting
TO MURDER his WIFE
for inadelity committed suicide, It is supposed to
escape punishment since, In accordance with the
Indian custom, the man who caused the trouble
and who in this case caused the arrest 10 be made
was responsible for the
DEATH OF THE SUICIDE.
In order To avoid a feud between tho two fami-
longed, such rs have often occurred in
Alaska, lasting many years, I caused meeting Of
the families concerned 10 be held in my presence
when an agreement was made to settle tho teud by
payment for the supposed Injury. In this way the
COMMISSION OF A MURDER
was avoided, which would otherwise have resulted
from the Alaskan custom Of "gctting even" An
Indian from the village Of Hootz- hoo, who had
been denounced by the medicine man" as O
witch and placed In confinement by the native:
preparatory to being burned alive, escaped and
came on board the jamestown May 20. As thiI
was the flrst authentic case OF attempted killing
OF a SUPPOSED WITCH,
Lieutenant Glass determined upon punishing the
guilty parties ARer athorough investigation he Inn
posed fine and imprisonment upon one OF the
chiefs. and hopes to prevent in future the wanton
destruction Of life which has taken place in Alaska
in obedience to the belief in witchcra1. The Dur.
der Of two white men by the Indians in
TnB YAKUrAT COUNTRY
had been reported, but the point was far distant
and the passage too exposed to be attempted in one
OF the steam launches Of tho Jamestown, Com.
mander Glass had not taken any action in the
matter, but will inform the commander of the
Wachusett, upon her arrival OF all the facts. The
Indians Of the Yakutat country were reported gen
orally
fRIENDLY AND WELL DIsrosED,
and would Il is believed, gladly surrender the
murderers to any vessel visiting that part of the
coast The murders had been committed solely
for plunder Since Commander Glass last report
an industrial school for Indian boys had been es-
tablished at Sitka under the auspices Of the Pres
byterian Board of Missions OF New York. Twenty
Indian boys, selected for their intelligence and
good conduct arc now In attendance This num-
Der will bo increased from time to time by boys
from the other tribes OF Alaska. II is intended
TO TEACH THE BOYS
trades in order that they may in turn become
teachers among the different tribes. Lieutenant
Glass says: The establishment Of this school at
sitka, where Indians can be taught trades at the
same time that they receive instruction I'm English
branches, WILL in my opinion, be OF more service
TO the tribes at large than ifeven greater number
ofboys were sent out OF the Territory for the same
instruction, as here their improvement from day tc
day will be seen and appreciated by those Older
than themselves and will more Immediately affec
THE HABITS AND CUSTOMS
OF the Indians" The system OF control and disci.
pline adopted had resulted in marked improve.
ment, which was recognized by the Indians them
selves. The health OF the Officers and men OF the
ship continues excellent,