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

chiefly ornamented in high colors. 4 big
potato and turnip were among the pro
duets. The wood included the yellow cedav
"a beautiful fi1e-grained article, light as
whitewood, but much superior for many
purposes, aud susceptible of fine polish.
Its color is that of rather pale lemon.
The Russians had occupied Alaska for its
seal fisheries for 4 century. Our coast
line was pointed out on the map to the
point where, turning north it reaches Mt
St Elias, mountain $4,000 feet high.
aud having huge glaciers. Beyond, it goes
west to Bebring sea. There is a coast
line Of 2,20O miles The whole territory
of Alaska comprises $50, 900 square miles,
By Ear the most extensive Of our posses
sious, and reaching north indefinitely
the pole, perhaps. Sitka and Fort Wran-
gle are down toward the southeast part,
on the coast. Captain Cook sailed around
there in the last century, aud Cook 5 Inlet
bears his name The Russians held mo
nopoly Of the fur trade till We bought the
country, in 1867. People have been
taught that il was an Insane purchase, and
both Seward aud Sumner have been blamed
but think it IS the finest possession wc
have, and it will yield a good return. Al
once there was a rush of spectators to
Alaska, and prcemptiOu claims were sc,
up. The Government directed that such
claimants be forced out, at the point Of
the bayouet, If necessary, and the troops
were sent up there They have discOur-
aged the settlement Of that country. That
Is why so litGle Is known Of it, Alaska
has 100 Islands. They extend along
the coast for thousand miles. Although
that great distance steamers can 20 on deep
bat smooth water all the way. The seal
rocks lie Of % the west. there, in Bchring
sea. Up here, inland, toward the north,
aows the great Yukon river, 1000 miles
long, aud almos, as big as the Mississippi;
it empties through a delta into Behring's
straits.
The ,hoasand islands along the southern
SEA shore Of Alaska rise sheer. like rucky
mountain walls, cut Of the sea, and large
ships eau sail right up 10 then they are
mountains rising Up FROM the sea, and
presenting the most magnificent scenery |
have ever met With The climate sroaad
Si,ka is mild aud not subject to tho cx.
tFemes you have here. SHks Is up north
in latitude 81 bas i, has no cold winter
weather aud 10 hot summer weather.
Last Water the lowest point reached at
any lime vas p and winicr before last
there vas no ice whatever Il is a very
agreeable summer climate. Ia fact, the .
southern coast, from Fori WraBgle to Sit T
ka, is Ihe most delightful spot on the .
globe. It i, clims.ieally speaking, well I
balanced. There are DO insect pests, 20
'oTmeaiing aies, no bugs 1t Is a para. I
disc.
The coast sccuery Is absolutely usgnif.
oeuL You eau sail right up to it, Isaw
fsOm oDe place seven great glaciers pour.
ing over the slopes Of Nj Fairweathcr.
IL is the testimony Of those who have seen
bS'h. that this Alaska scenery surpasses
that Of the Alps or the Pyreuees.
The people have their good aud their
bad traits. First, as to their bad qualities,
hey are great gamblers. They will gam
bic away their last dollar or their last
blanket. Here the speaker exhibited
ihcir gambling sticks, curious arrange
neut.l They viii bet on canoe races; 4
nan will bet bis house aud bis slaves, and
OOse all. | have seen this. Another Of
heir vices Is lieen,iousness, which dates
RON the arrival Of the white races among
hem. 4,
They are also fond Of strong drink.
And they progTeSs-they now make their
'Wn liquor. 0ne Lawson taught them
low. He distilled mash into rum by
-igging up an oil-can, putting in a worm,
nd showing them how to do it. The H.
luor is called 'Hocehiuo. Our soldiers
here will drink Worcestershire sauce, aud 1
ven red ink, for the alcohol it contains.
IN Indian woman impaired the secret to I
he other indians Of making rum out of |
uolasses. At once a great demand arose {
or moasses, aud it sold for 80 cents al
,allon when | was there. Everybody '
eemed to be carrying pail of molasses {
euquired into it and found what it was I
or. This rum drinking has wrought
reat mischief among them. =
Another bad quality of these Alaskans
} their belief in witchcran. They ere
late the bodies of most people, but there
re few persons who are possessed of
pirit these are doctors, and are treated
Imost rcyereutialIy, Their bodies are not
urned. The doctor is marked from birth
J some curl in the hair; that makes him +,
lcred, and he can accuse anybody of
eing a witch or wizard-and unless the
,cused eonfesses, death is the penalty; :,
lille social ostraeism follows confession :,
he doctor is also consulted in cases of
ckness. One person whom a doctor had
,cused, was saved, at Silka, by the au- =
loriIies sending word to the doctor that !,
the accused was killed, he, the accuser,
lould also be hung
The lecturer then spoke of the good
laities of the people. They are some
hat Christianized, are faithful, powerful, ia
dustrious workers, and eau be depended Sc
1ou; are faithful to contracts; work well b.
the salmon canning factories; can make m
e tin cans; have love and faculty for 7
e acquisition Of property; are keener b
lders than We are; lay up provisions for F
c winter; have jolly time in winter, W
ID alone of all semi civilized people they lu