Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-11-14
ALASKA TERRITORY.

Joy. The want Of a newspaper was
felt perhaps more than any n thing
else. To remedy this q few would-be
Bohemians set to work and got out a
paper in manuscript at 25 cents per
copy. Shortly after printing material
was purchased and the Alaska
Times" the first newspaper ever pub
lihsed in that country, made its APP
pearance at SitIa. William G. Cal
houu of San Francisco, was the first
printer. and few men could excel him
in his craft. He remained IN Sltka
over q year and was in turn succeeded
by Wm. Fergpson,.ssan expert IN his
line. The Times was literally sup
ported during its existence by the
military. residents of the British pos
sessions, and merchants and business
men Of California, Oregon and Wash
ington Territory. There was also
published in San Francisco q small
paper in the interest Of the Russians
The Alaska Herald-printed in the
Russian and English language. Its
| circulation being merely nominal.
An Indian warrior came into the
Alaska Times office one day to see
how the paper was printed by the
Boston men, Il. e. Americans and be
fore leaving paid his years subscrip-
ton, although he could not read a
word Of English.
The Indians were quite apt in copy
ing after the Americans. One day
during dress parade a leading chief
was much struck by the uniform worn
bv Gen. Davis, and at once proceeded
to the Post traders store to ascertain
| the price. On being told that it took
big money, he promptly paid it, and
the spectacle was a novel one to see
him go through town with all the
pomp the uniform impaired.
In general, the Alaska Indians are
~peaceably inclined. They are inoeu-
lated however, with the Indian law
every where prevailing. where any
injury or injustice is done them, they
take revenge on the first white people
thew came across. Il was & custom
prevalent among the Indians in Alas
XIV when a chief or other member OF
his family was about to die, to smoth-
er other Indians held as slaves, IN or
der to wait Oh them when journeylng
thro' the happy hunting grounds.
The military authorities succeeded IN
abolishing this barbarous practice by
presenting the warriors with an old
Russian cannon, with which to fire a
salute on such great occasions. When
any difference OF difficulty took place
they hoisted King Georges flag.
This practice also gave way to one
more commensurate with the feelings
of the Americans.
On one or two occasions only was
there any difficulty with the Indians,
and these were caused by the foolish
actions Of the guards on duty. The
Indian village was hemmed in by a
high stockade, and all Indians were
required to be within this stockade
from sunset until sunrise. A file OF
guards made the rounds every after
noon to enforce this order, and on one
occasion used the butt end Of then
guns, to expedite the motion OF the
Indians. Thelatter turned upon them.
wrested the guns out Of their hands
by main force and took them as tro-
plies to exhibit in their village. The
officer on duty with a few soldiers
proceeded to the village to recover
the guns and secure the Indians
They were attacked by a strong force
while performing this duty, and some
Of the soldiers were wounded. The
artillery was promptly moved into
position; the demand made duly en-
forced, and the Indians engaged il
the melee placed in confinement. Al
ter being released they began to me
mace the Furnishing power, and began
to send to other tribes along the coas-
for assistance. This proceeding wa:
promptly stopped, but not until
number Of Indians yer killed. 4
demand was then made on Gen. Davis
for $50 blankets as atonement. Ih'
General did not think an India1
worth that much, and advised then
through the interpreter to remain OF
their good behavior and observe tn
law, otherwise there was some cannon
balls which they would get IN plac
Of the blankets.
Shortly after the above occurrenc
a few discharged soldiers vino hat
been trading among the Chilcat Ind
ans, were burned to death. Their re
mains were subsequently, found an
taken to Sitka for burial. Summaril
vengeance was at once taken on til
Chilcat tribe by a joint expedition G