The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-09-12
L1rR IN ALAsKA,
Customs and Appearance Of the Natives
How seaIs are Caught and shInped.

Customs ana AppSAfAnoo OF tho NANVoa.
How Seals are Caught and Skinned.
Letters received from Mr.. George R.
Tipgle and family by friends in this city,
contain some interesting information con-
corning the customs, climate and seal
hunting at st. Paul Island, Alaska. In a
letter under the date OF June 2sth, from
one Of Mr.. Tingle's family, surprise is ex-
pressed at the size OF the town and the
comfortable quarters found at the Govern
ment house. The letter says: ave are
not SO much out OF the world as you may
think, and wouldn't realize it II we could
get our mail even onca month. The
Seal Company has alarge store well stock
ed with as nice goods as can be found any.
where. The gentlemen are polite and At
tentive to the ladies as 1t Is treat 10 have
them here. / enjoy being here now, but
imagine It will be aWfully lonely this
winter, as there will be only three white
people besides ourselves. II is dark be-
fore o'clock and not light until o'clock,
80 We will sleep the winter away, IBup.
pose. We have hardly any darkness now
TIN NATIVES.
"The natives here are rich and care
nothing for money. They are like Indians
in appearance, although some Of them are
light nearly white. They dress well and
live on tea crackers and seal meat. Each
family has nice little frame house. Most
Of them speak Russian, but many talk
Alert or mixture. We have nothing 10
do with any Of them they are very stupid,
except one Russian family, but Il is'hard
TO make them understand. The natives
are very peaceful, but could kin al the
white men II they had q mind to.,@ They
are allowed no liquor and no sugar as they
make miserable drink out OF it Wilh.a
mixture Of everything. They are an un-,-
healthy race and never live long, eonse-
quently they marry very young. They
are fond Of their religion and have inter
esting cerenonies during the year. Their
Christmas lasts twelve days.
''Some Of the natives have been sent to
San Francisco and educated, but much
cannot be done with them as they are as
stubborn as mules. They have dances,
and dance well, and can play different in
struments. Some Of the native children
are very pretty and the parents are very
fond Of them as rule"
SEAL FISHING.
In speaking Of seals the writer says:
''They only come on these islands in great
as the climate suits them. How
they find their way and travel 80 far, for
they are seen near San Francisco in
winter, is mystery. And why they will
come year after year to certain death is
another question We cannot answer.
The sea here Is full OF them, and they get
upon the rookerles, beach and rocks near
the sea in great numbers and play Ike
kittens. Understand they kill none but
bachelor seals OF q certain age and Gzs.
The seals are surrounded and driven up
from the water TO tho nearest killing
ground. The clubberB take few otto
ona side and club them. The seals they
turn away are hurt, having their eyes ont
or injured in some other way. They
strike them ut the throat which stuns
them. Alter awhile they recover and go
away.
Tie ones saved are clubbed on the head
by the native fishermen, another set wait
to bleed them, while still another set skin
them asquickly possible. Itishorribleto
watch them kill the seals, as they are such
helpless, innocent animals. and thaymoan
like a human being insagony. Its fear
ful slaughter. Ihe natives get iorty cents
askinfor killing and skinning. The women
and little girls are on the grounds with
their knives getting seal meat and blubber.
The latter Is used for fuel. Each native
gets 80 much Tor his supply. Fne natives
kill "pup" seal for their clothing. blankets
and rugs. They are q very pretty grey,
and when tanned nicely are very elegant.
They also kill about 100 seals every ten
days for the meat. The whole island
seems to be full Of earcssses, and It's IN
pleasant to walk around much now for
that reason"