The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-09-03
HOME FROM ALASKA,
Eos. Q, R. TINe1E ~ wHEELlNe,
He Talks EntsrtaInIugly of Ills Residence nj
the Seal FlshOrlss-How He LiVsd-Ths
Alaska Commercial Company-An
Educational Humbug, etc,

Educational numbugI etc.
Hon. George r, Tingle, U, S. Treasury
Agent in charge Of the seal fisheries on
st. Paul Island, Alaska, arrived In this
,lty yesterday on his way to Washington,
where he has been ordered to report.
There is probably notR better known man
IN this county than Mr., Tingle, He was
Sheriff during the years ls77-Sl inclusive,
and was candidate for Congress from this
District, but was cruelty downed in the
convention, as all those who
remember the famous Washington Hall
convention will rscolleCt, Mr., Tlngle
was always interested in politics and was,
speaking generally q live, ener-
getiC man, who took an interest
in all matters Of public nature, 1t was
largely owing to his efforts that the West
Virginia State Fair Association was or
gsnized; he fought for It's establishment
time and time again, and at last saw 1t
successfully started with himself ut the
head, He proposes to stay here all next
week for the purpose OF meeting his
friends and ssCertAining how the Fair
Association has progressed. Wheeling
owes Mr., Tingls vote OF thanks for his
efforts in behalf OF the establishment OF
theee annual fairs, and the vast sums Of
money they bring into the town,
A reporter OF tho INTRLLl1ENCRR met
Mr.. Tingle at the Stamm House, where he
il stopping with his brother, Edward Tin
gle, Of Louisville, last evening, and was
pleasantly entertained for an hour by the
stories he told OF iar.oH Alaska, where he
has been in his official capacity for sew
eral months past, his appointment having
been among the frat made by President
Cleveland, Previous to going to Alaska,
Mr. Tiugle and his family lived in Mon
tana for some time. AS before stated, he
ia on his way to Washington, having
been ordered 10 report them in person,
Il may be that he will bs ordered back to
u station in q more civilized part Of the
world. He Ia looking just as he did when
no left here, except that he Ia several
pounds heavier, but Is the came quick,
cordial gentleman 40 formerly, He LEFT
St. Paul island with his family August 8;
arrived in San FranCisco August IL, after
pleasant voyage, and alter securing q
place for his family to board, left there on
the oath ulto.
At the place where Mr.. Tipgle has been
located. there were only four white people
besides himself and family; they were in
the employ Of the Alaska Commercial
Company, q corporation Of great wealth
and power. 1t relts the Alaska seal tish'
cries from the Government, paying roy
atty OF G2! cents for each seal captured.
The operations OF the company also ex-
tend through Siberia, but under Q different
cooperative title. The Prybilob Islands
are four in number and lilo in latitude 67o
n, aud longitude 1902 W.. the Islands Of
St. George and st. Paul arc the largest, and
are the seal.bearing islands. The other
two, which are known as Otter
and Walrus Islands, are not ire.
quented by seals. There are a few
white men and over five hundred
Aleuts on st. Georges Island. St. Paul's
is larger, but has a smaller population.
The natives are oil in tho employ Of the
Alaska Company and their solo employ
ment is seal catching. They do not tlah
for the seals, but drive them over the land.
They are then CorTaled In a regular kill
Ing place and theroshot. The seal pirates
are numerous and make large profits.
They catch the seals by fishing.
Mr., Tingle'B house was very comfort.
able one, nicely furnished, provided by
the Government. All supplies are under
cover, connected with the house by
covered passage ways, 50 that III winter
one was not obliged TO 60 outot doors ex-
Cept for their meals, which were taken at
the company's house, another comfort.
able structure provided with piano aud
billiard table among other conyeniences
While there his health and that oil his
family was coed. The coolest day last
winter the Thermometer only registered
50 below zero. The general average was
2Oo above. In summer the average tom
perature Ia 45a to 550. The place is for
tunalely for those who have to
stay there, located where 1t has
the benefit OF the warm current
that sets in that direction from Japan.
Seven hundred miles from them up the
Yukon river 1t was G40 below last winter
and llfteen hundred mileH up, 1t registered
so below as reported by the Signal oiti.
Ger who was assigned to that cool locality.
1t will BIO aeen, however, that the climate
about the place where Mr.. Jingle has been
located is by no means uncomfortable. At
times, though, there are sea winds, which
blow hard in the winter season, that make
It very bleak and disagreeGole 10 those out.
-oi.doors. Then Mr.. Jingle and his family
would remain inside, writing long letters
to far.ofr friends or peading books from
the company's 1000 volume library, pro.
vided with the piano and billiard table for
pleasure and recreation.
Alaska Is not an expensive annex to the
United States as many euppose. The
company in addition to the royalty on the
seals caught, pays for the four islands an
annual rental OF $500, and the total rev.
enue yielded to the Government repre-.
sents 81 percent. on the cost OF the terri.
tory; and, instead Of diminishing, II Is
constantly on the increase. The proteC.
ton which the Government extends to
the seals gives vast encouragement TO the
seal trade. The pirates, oil course, kill all
kinds. When British pirates 60 into
Russian waters, they are not merely ar
rested. They are fred upon, and those
who are not killed arc taken prisoners
and led into captivity in the mines OF
Siberia.
Hard coal Is used for fuel, being import
ed by the Company and the Government.
The natives sometimes used blubber for
fuel and some OF them eat 1t. About the
only vegetable growth consists Of moses,
liChens and few flowers. Great care has
to be taken In the killing Of seals, because
II ls not lawful to kill pups, cows OF bulls
The only legitimate quarter arc male
seals I to 8 years old. The law protects
the seals, and entirely prohibits the kill
ing Of the young. Hence the hunters
must be extremely careful in their selec.
ton. Mr.. Tingle has q Revenue cutter
and has 10 boaTd all vessels coming near
his territory In order to ASCERTAIN what
the contents are and what tho Grant is.
The seal pirates are numerous.