Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-10-08

Ifs Purchase the CrewRisg Triumph
OF seward,s statesmanship-


OF seward,s state>manship-
The students of the University of
Washington we're treated yesterday TO a
graphic description of this wonderland
from the lips Of Rev. B. w. Hill. synod
ieal missionary of tie synod of the Co
lumbia. He drew upon the blackboard
a rough sketch Of the territory. showing
the coast line to be thickly studded With
numerous islands, and also the very
short distance between the extremitIes
of the United States and Asia.
The vastness Of AIsska's area can be
comprehended when i; is stated that IT
il more than eight times the size of
Washington Territory. containing over
5000 square miles. The country Is ex
tremely mOuntainous-indeed nearly
every island il itself mountain, tower
ing abruptly from the waters edge.
The river Yukon 10 one of the largest in
the world, its mouth being exactly 60
miles wide. Here can be seen the silver
salmon In vast schools, migrating to the
sbsnAtCk H-CA
seasons Of the year, the waters are fair
" teeminR With fishes Many times it
is not easy for the Indians to wade
across the creeks, so dense is the num-
Der Of fishes. TIE Indians ali live in
good houses, made and carved FROM the
solid trees. The houses are hoored, and
in the center Of the room is place for
fire, while in various parts of the
4. h. 10 Annd
ing baskets. preparing fur5, or even
spinning wool and making cloth.
they live chiefly on fish, many strings
within easy reach. They watch the
habits of the fur seal, and be-
come the most dexterous enemies
Of this animal. They discover dark
object lying motioniess on the waves,
AMI at once begin to steal up noiselessly
uatil within reach of the sleeping seal,
when tley di patch hin. Quickly re-
moving the pelt they proceed to the
next, and Ia this way they earn a great
many dollars in a short time. While
the Indian combines a vast amount of
sport with his seal fishing, his more
valuable game is found In the sea otter.
His mode of capturing this animal Is
habitat of the otter. which Is near the
storm beaten cliffs, where III "A matted
collection of kelp the mother attempts
to rear her young. The Indian with his
:rusty canoe braves the waves, and by
taking every advantage of the winds
and tides. succeeds In approaching the
otter's home. He then captures the
young sne, which by its cries sosn brings
the mother in sight. The Indian then
drives her further and further from
land, and with the assistance of some
friends he tires the poor animal until
she becomes an easy victim. If his
prize IS In good condition he can count
on at least $50 as pay for his labor.
The canoes ussd by these people are
made from single logs, and are often
capable of carrying fifty or sixty per-
sons. Upon the prov of each canoe is
painted large eye, which is believed to
be the eye of spirit guarding against
the possibility of being wrecked upon a
hidden rock. The paddles are also
adorned With the pictures of eyes, which
are intended as a safeguard against the
Ill will of evil spirits supposed to in
habit the combing surf. With marvel
lous skill these Indians succeed in land
ing heavy loads in the hardest of
storms.
The mines, timber, and other natural
resources, will all combine to make, as
the missionary stated, 1.-The purchase of
Alaska one of the greatest triumphs of
Stewards craftsmanship"