Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-12-19
SIThA, ALASKA.
"reminiscences hy Former Resident.
WRITTEN FOR THE TRIBUNE.

WRITTEN FoR THE TRIBUNE.
The most southern and enjoyable
portion Of Alaska is Sitsa, the capi
tai, chief town and seat OF govern
ment. Some very useful improve
ments were made by the military
while in possession. At first there
was no wharf Vessels on arriving
anchored in the roads or middle Of
the harbor, the cargo being uIloaled
by the aid of lighters or scoUs and
foved to the landing, then carried ur
a flight Of stone Or wooden steps tc
the different warehouses. This was
found to be very laborions, cumbcr-
some and slow work. In loading or
sending supplies tothe different posts
Of Tongas, Wrangel, Kodiak and
kenay the same process was perform
ed. As requisition was required to
be made for material, and approved
by the proper authority, before any
could be procured, improvements
were slow, having to utilize such ma
te1ial as could be found outside Of
the quartermaster's department.
There were few old briggs OF
barges Of a by-gone age lying near
the wharf The huiIs were sound
These vessels were run aground by
the Russians at an early period in the
history Of Alaska. It appears they
were pursued by the British, that
power being jealous Of any eneroach
ment in the vicinity Of their posses
sions. 'It is an Ill wind that blows
nobody some good" The Yankee
soldiers overhauied these abandoned
vessels, abandoned since the Crimean
war) and found a quantity OF pocket
knives, razors and other cutlery, which
they disposed Of to advantage, and in
a short space OF time peeled off the
copper and sent it to market. It then
became matter Of consideration as
to whether these old vessels could be
moved out in line with the landing
place, into deep water, filed with
rock, piles placed from them to the
wharf, the space filed in and a wharf
made to enable vessels to load and IN
load as in civilized cities. No sooner
said than done. The boys set to work
and in a short time the pier was made
and vessels of the tonnage OF the
Great Eastern could come and go
load and unload with every facility.
Stepping on the wharf you pass
large store house built of massive
logs. Here was the Russian store
houses and country house. Three
times day the bell rung morning,
to so to work, rum served; noon for
dinner, rum again, and at quitting
time-rrlm again. The Russians
marched in file by two's to the build
ing; the company commander unlock
ed the spirit room; large tub well
filed was brought out; a sergeant
stepped in front, took out his book,
called the names in alphabetical or
der, each man taking the copper meas
ure, dipped it into the tub, raised it
to his mouth and drained it to the
bottom, then passed the measure to
the next, and SO on. Any man not
wishing to go for his rum, as stated,
could leave it for a week or . month
and draw it all at once and sell it to
the Americans. A good many ayailed
themselves Of this privilege, and were
glad to get the American dollar. As
stated in former paper, leather mon
ey was the only currency, passing
from hand to hand. The stamp on
the piece Of leather gave it value. All
kinds Of goods. wares and merchan
disc we're SO bought and sold. Well
might the natives exclaim: "You may
say what you please, but there's moth
ing like leather!'
The store house is on your left,
next comes the battery commanding
the approaches" from every direction
By water and by land. 10 the right |
and opposite the battery are the sol
diers' barracks, large log buildings
much improved in lining, flooring and
ventilation. The Russians were ut
terly strangers to sanitary conditions
or laws. The soldiers quarters are
approachable by wooden stairway.
Some seventy feet higher up is the
Governors residence, large frame
substantially built, possess
ing every accommodation, comfort and
convenience The interior IS very
the rooms are large and |
can be extended on public occasions,
by sliding and folding doors. From
the summit Of the roof there is a
tower, in which there is a light burn
ing day and night during the winter
From the elevated position |
of the Governors residence and the |
height of the tower this light can be |
seen from long distance by vessels
so. A. Lo-f,.- A Al. G