Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-08-13
ALASKA.
Value of the Territory as Mineral
Cozntry--- Prospecting for Gold.
Tinne1
Chicago Times.

Alaska is OF mucQ greater extent ana
IN many respects, of more Importance
than people IN general are aware. It
extends from Cape Fox, in latitude "a
degrees, north TO the Arctic ocean.
and possesses endless wealth IN its
numerous and increasing industries.
many of which have already assumed
such proportions as to warrant the
assertion that Mr.. Stewards greatest
achievement while secretary of state
was the purchase of Alaska, thus Sc
curing to the United States territory
of great value.
Before discussing the business pros
poets IN Alaska it is necessary 10
dwell at some length upon the natives
OF the territory, and consider their
queer manners and customs, for up
on these people-as laborers-in
great measure will depend any success
a business for some years to come
The territory is inhabited by about
fifty thousand Indians of all tribes
and families, commencing with Hy.
das at Cape Fox and ending With Al
cuts near Behring sea The Indians
near the coast are all friendly and
! industrious; they have no tribe rela-
tons IN the true sense OF the term,
for they do not respect
THE COMMANDS OBJ ANY ONE MAN,
as do the Indians Of our western
states. Each town of Indians is dis
vided into two families, called the
Koc- wau-ties and the Keck sa ties,
meaning warriors and civilians, res~
pectfully. The head man of each
family is the leader, but In descent
strange rule is followed; for, instead
of rank and property descending from
father to son, it passes firm father to
nephew or the mothers side of the
family. But in order for nephew to
succeed to the rank and property of
his uncle, he must be able to make a
certain number of presents TO the
family, and then marry the chiefs
Widow-his aunt, no matter how
many wives he may have already.
Each family has what is called
their totem pole--coat of arms--to
represent the descent and previous
alliances of their people. These poles
consist of carved images of animals or
bird, and represent what their family
is supposed to have descended from
and into what families their children
y have married, all images representing
-
In personal appearance the natives
are inferior to the Indians In The
states, and IN many cases seem to be
defOrmed on account of their peculiar
walk, which is caused by spending so
much of their time in canoes, where
the lower limbs are Cramped until
they partially lose the use of them,
while the upper part Of the body is
well developed by the use of oars and
paddles.
MOST OBJ THE INDIANS
believe in cremation and hardly a
day passes when one can not witness
the peculiar ceremony gone through
during the burning and after 1t is COM
pleted. No dead Indian is taken out
through the door, but is either taken
out through the roof or through the
side of the house. The body is then
placed on pile of logs and the fire
started, while the people stand around
and sing, beating time with carved
poles while it burns. When all is
consumed, the ashes are placed in a
box, and together with many articles
belonging TO the deceased are placed
In one of the dead houses, or bouses
built near the town for the purpose of
holding the ashes Of each particular
family.
These Indians are all quiet we'll be-
haved people, and will remain as
long as rum is kept from them. In
former days all OF the trouble was
caused by the use of a vile drink call
ed hoochenoo, which they made from
molasses. Most of the Indians are,
quiet industrious, and well,to~dC
they are improving rapidly under
American rule, as may be seen in any
town by the houses they are building
and the change is largely due to the
good work OF Commander Henry
Glass, of United States navy, who di
much for their welfare while he was ia
command, and to the constant work
of the missionaries all over the terri-
tory, who are dong much to educate
the children and better their condI-
ton.
THE OFFICERS OF THE TERRITORY.
In accordance with an act of con.
gress Of 1884, a civil government has
been established, and is nov in work.
ing order, the officers being as fol
lows:
GOVERNOR. FL. Kinkead, of Ne
yada.
Judge-Ward McAllister, of Calls
fornia.
Marshal-M. G. Hillyer, of Califor,
MIA.
= Attorney-E W. Haskell, of Iowa.
Chief Clerk-A. T. Lewis, of Illi-
noif.
United States Commissioner for
Sitka-J. O. Brady.
United States Commissioner for
Wrangle-C. P. Ihrie.
United States Commissioner for
Juneau-Henry States.
United States Commissioner for
Ounalaska-G. Seeber.
After carefully looking into the af>
fairs IF tho +onritor, Gov Yin hoo n