Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-11-07

lzlng 100000 per cent. on their invest
ment. Not a small per centage, ali
things considered. Such sweeping
statements, however, must be taken
with . grain Of allowance. There is
no doubt, however, but that Messrs.
Hutchinson, Kohl & Co, made money
on the Seal Isiands-St. Georges and
st. Paul. Gen. George P. Ihrie,
paymaster Z. S. army, stationed in
Alaska, first directed the attention OF
the government to the inherent wealth
of these Islands by offering in behalf
of a Michigan company, $25O,O0O in
gold annually for Il lease Of them.
The Alaska Fur company bid higher,
and still retain the lease, subject to
certain restrictions. This rental of
the Seal Islands alone, must have al
ready returned to our government
the original purchase money paid to
the Russian government for Alaska.
Previous to the actual transfer to
the United States, there does not ap-
pear to be much known Of the climate
or resources of the country. In Oc-
tober, 1867, the steamer John L. Ste
vens, took the troops to the ceded ter
ritory, and all the newspapers Of the
Pacific coast, gave it as their opinion
that in all probability a landing coul,,
not be effected on account of the late
ness Of the season and the ice. On
the arrival of the steamer at Sltka
not a particle Of ice was to be seen
while the climate was milder than ex-
pected by the most hopeful.
At that time the town Of Sitka pre-
sented a rough appearance. The
houses We're all built of logs, except
the Governors. The store houses.
barracks and warehouses were spa
| cious and solid. The Greek church
attracted much attention, because Of
the embellishments Of the interior
and the fine chimes Of silvery toned
bells. The Russian Bishops are not
allowed to marry, whites the regular
priesthood are, but if their wife dies
they are not allowed to marry again.
The income of the clergy is small,
and in a general sense their morals
are equally SO; the Bishops, however,
are reticent and dignified. The pop
ulation, composed of Russians, Fin
landers, and a few adventurous Nor
wegians and SWedes, are peaceful and
law abiding: litigation being almost
unknown, and sanitary laws also. No
true criterion can be formed when
comparing the inhabitants of Alaska
with those of the great Russian En-
pire, as most of the original settlers
We're convicts, or persons guilty Of
crime. The marriage laws were loose,
IN III jill AdSC iioC uSt1Ii1lilS'SIS -.
They live on such means of support
as vas given by the Russian-Ameri-
can Fur company-salt fish, brown
bread, vodka, or Russian rum, can
dies, fuel and houses. A sawmill,
tannery, blacksmith shop, carpenter
and tailor shops, abundant to supply
the wants of the people were estab-
lished at Sitka. Money consisted of
pieces of leather bearing a stamp, and
the Kopeck, a large copper penny.
The price of meat and vegetables was
regulated by the Russian authorities.
The Indians, who are pretty numer
Gus, supplied the market with veni-
son, wild fowls, fish and potatoes.
A deer could be bought for so cents,
the largest salmon 10 cents. Vegeta-
bles of all kinds can be raised. Wheat,
oats and barley grow luxuriantly, but
will not mature. The nearness of
the markets of Washington Territory,
Oregon and California fill every want
and at most reasonable prices.
Times have now changed for the
better. The American population
have brought into the territory habits
of industry, intelligence, civilizing in
fuences, neutrality-suspicious. and laws.
A civic government has lately been
extended-formerly military law was
supposed to prevail. Gen. Davis, the
Military Governor let the people man
age their own affairs SO long as no
cost was incurred to the general gov
eminent. The inhabitants of Sitka
in public meeting assembled, elected
a mayor, justice of the peace, council,
and constables, and legislation and
litigation proceeded smoothly. There
was some disturbance on a few occa-
sions with the Indians. and a case Of
murder, and an attempt at lynch law,
which will be treated Of in a future
paper, as will be the establishment Of
the Alaska Times, the first newspaper
published in Alaska.