Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-09

EIlrtitIr. thttu1tht o'e 49,
my grandfather was taken 20 hnssia"
America. My father married native
Alaskan. and was born and reared
the daughter Of political exile. Ana
DOW | would like TO undertake 70 disa'
buse the minds Of people IN TINS
country as 10 the state Of affairs
in Alaska before its ccssion to the
American Government. The children oil
exiles we're not brought up in ignorance
and immortality, Is some suppose. On
the contrary, they were well cared for,
being sent at early ages TO parish schools
in different parts of the country, and
from these schools they were taken to a
high school at Sitka. The latter insti-
tutions were founded about forty years
before the raising Of the American flag
in Alaska, and were under the direct
charge Of Princess Maxutof. The
girls and boys schools were separate
institutions. The former, which at
tended for few years, was taught by
Princess Msxutoff, Nine. Salamatoii,
and Nine. Konaplitski. II was poly
technical school, furnishing education
Of most practical nature. The girls
were taught in Russian all the higher
branches that were deemed Of any
use to them, and there were hours for
singing, playing the piano, learning en-
broidery work. and knitting and sew
ing. Beside that, We were taken into
the garden in the summer time and were
taught how TO plant and care for vege-
tables and flowers. whole classes being
set at work wedding, watering, and
digging on certain days of the week.
Some of the needle-work done by the
girls was very artistic, and samples
were sent abroad for exhibition at fairs.
On two or three occasions that re-
member we sent boxes of shirts and
underclothing to San Francisco to be
seld. and in this and other markets the
institution realized quite revenue from
the work Of the girls.
" Every morning we would walk IN
line--two and two-to the church near
by, where part Of our devotional excr-
cises was to kneel before the altar and
breathe a short prayer for the Car.
Our clothing was of the plainest kind,
black woollen dresses and coarse shoes.
and when we were out Of doors we all
we're dark cloaks and tied handkerchlefs
over our heads instead of hats or bon
nets.
In the morning we were given tea
and brown bread and perhaps a little
fish. At noon We had soup, with
bread and vegetables, and our evening
meal was also very simple; but we had
plenty, and the plain diet agreed with
the girls, who were all healthy and
strong. On Sundays and holidays We
were given white bread, which was
considered a ssrt of luxury. We were
given our turns at cooking meals.
"And thus we lived and worked and
were very happy. But, all, what
change came when the United States
took possession Of the territory. No
sooner had the soldiers planted the
stars and stripes at Sitka than they be-
gan running about the tewn on regular
foraging excursions. They came TO our
school and acted in the most outrageous
manner, insulting the girls and fright
ening them nearly to death. 1t was
found impossible TO 20 on with our
studies, as drunken soldiers were con-
tinually annoying us. Beside that, the
Russian Government discontinued the
appropriation for the support of the
institution. as it was turned over
10 the United States. Our new
protectors did not see the ne
cessity Of maintaining this or any
of the other schools, and so they
were broken up and have never been re-
established. Some of the girls in the
Sitka schools went back to their pa
rents, and the others, freed from all re-
straiut, began to lead dissolute lives, in
which course they were freely en-
couraged by the soldiers. With few
others | came to this city in 1868 on
the bark Menshikon. During the first
part of my stay here was kindly
cared for by FIR. Agapius Honcharenko
and others. ] then met the gentleman
who is now my husband, and have
lived in this city ever since. But even
to this day | think of the horrible
state Of things introduced by the
Americans in Alaska. With the excep-
ton of one or two widely-separated
mission schools, there are no educa-
tional facilities offered to the natives.
The parish-school system, by which
they received so much valuable instruc-
ton, has never been revived, and the
rising generation is growing up in dense
ignorance, not one in hundred know
ing how to read or write. Under Rus
sian rule the education of none Of the
children was neglected, but under
American rule they go without school
ing. Is it not sad commentary on the
boasted civilization Of this country"
The native Alaskan who related the
foregoing details is pretty brunette Of
shapely features and form, and with
dark eyes and an intellectual brow.
She showed the reporter some old pho
tographs of her former schoolmates. A
glance at the pictures of these comely
girls would 60 far toward stirring the
heart of philanthropist when their
former happy state is contrasted with
their present condition of wretchedness.
HER FOURTH MARRIAGE.
: Re- ~ ann, la fhe saut m -